Hi, my doctor diagnosed with ibs about 3 months ago now. I had all the usual symptoms and was going to the toilet about 3-4 times a day.

[dandavies701]

I have had to take a few days off work due to cramping up and not feeling confident enough to go into work where i know there is not always a toilet near by. My symptoms had started to wear off over the last couple of weeks however last week my grandad passed away and since then it has got a lot worse in terms of the discomfort im in. Is there any link between the two or is it just coincidental.

[trishyb59]

hi . sorry for your loss. yes being stressed can have a major impact on your ibs. and the loss of a close family member is very stressful . hope things improve for you soon.

[Trekkiegirl]

It's common knowledge that stress can be a trigger for an IBS flare-up, and grief is a biggie. My IBS started after I lost my little boy to cancer and then had a subsequent miscarriage. Are you taking any meds for your IBS? These can really help. I take mebeverine (colofac) for mine, usually only once a day, but if I know I've got something stressful coming up, or my day has been particularly stressful, I take an extra one (you're allowed up to three a day). I also take amitriptyline at night, this is good for IBS and helps with sleep as lack of sleep can make you stressed too. You could also see if you can take the herbal Kalms tablets during stressful times (although check first to make sure they don't interact with any other meds you're taking). Good luck, I hope it settles down soon.

[lynnie55 in reply to Trekkiegirl]

Hi I take amitriptyline for Ibs it. Sorted Ibs and sleep but bit constipated when used to go toilet 6 times twice week hope ur doing well

[dandavies701]

the only medication im taking at the moment is Buscopan, when my doctor diagnosed me with it, the buscopan really helped but since last week they havent been affecting the pain from the cramps like they once did. Would i have to get mebeverine from the doctors or can it be bought over the counter?

[Hidden]

Have you tried eliminating foods from your diet. I now have to be dairy free and my symptoms only come on when I eat something wrong.

Also have you got a RADAR Key which will unlock any disabled toilet. They only cost £5 from here

radar-shop.org.uk/

[ausems]

It's well-known that stress and anxiety can make IBS worse. My own seems to have been triggered off by the traumatic death of my husband 11 years ago, followed by the deaths of three more close family members over the following 4 years. I have had numerous tests and medications over the years, but nothing helped for long. However, I had 4 sessions of hypnotherapy earlier this year, and found that very helpful. I was at the stage of worrying constantly about my stomach, especially if I had any social events coming up, which just made the symptoms worse, which then worries you more, until it becomes a vicious circle!

Hypnotherapy taught me to relax and stop worrying, and the CD the therapist gave me helps too - if I have a stressful event coming up I play a few tracks from it which calms me down.

Also, thanks to this helpful website, I read about a medication called Kolanticon for IBS and although I'm almost afraid to be too optimistic too soon, have been taking it for 3 weeks now and really feel it's helping. It's available from Lloyds pharmacies without prescription, but you should check with your GP before taking it if you're on other medications, especially for high blood pressure. My GP has now added it to my repeat prescription for me so I will no longer have to pay for it as I'm over 60.

Hope this helps. IBS doesn't seem to have a cure so it's a question of trying different things to see what helps your particular symptoms. This website is brilliant for advice! Let me know how you get on - good wishes to you.

[debb13]

The link is most likely the stress and anxiety levels. If you have frequent episodes you need to take an anti-diarrhoreal as you don't want to loose too much body fluids, discuss with your GP first before embarking on self medication, as some medications will have a constipated effect.