Do you think IBS gives you general anxiety?

[Rosmi]

I see it everywhere that IBS can make you anxious, I get anxious about my bowels all the time but does IBS contribute to general anxiety. By general anxiety I mean feeling anxious all day, about going out places, meeting new people?

[dotty423]

Yes it's a real confidence thing. You can never be sure if you will need a loo quickly! It can prevent you from accepting invitations to eat out. I know exactly what you mean. Have you tried the Low FODMAP diet? It's helped me loads!

[Rosmi in reply to dotty423]

Yeah I get so worried about finding toilets but do you ever get extremely anxious over things not related to eating out or finding toilets? For example I get so anxious when driving for some reason recently, not sure if its related to IBS or not. Thanks for the suggestion, I had a look online and it's nice to see a list of things that's recommended to eat. I never know what I should avoid!

[JoyGreennhalgh in reply to dotty423]

Yes, the Low FODMAP diet is awesome. It saved my soul............ and all the anxiety disappeared too

[Louise88]

Hi Rosmi, you sound like my twin! My IBS seems to have a general link with being in a car. My anxiety about needing the loo between services stations means that I take the train for long journeys. If I do go out in the car I will not under any circumstance drive myself on a motorway. I'm happy town driving, but leave the motorway to my husband.

I won't accept a lift from anyone who isn't fully aware of my driving/passenger anxiety - its not fair to put them through it if I do have a 'panic' attack. I don't even like taking a taxi for a short ride.

I've worked out that my anxiety about roads stems from a glut of accidents I was involved in as a teenager (as a passenger each time) This has never let up, otherwise I'd have be driving on the motorway long before IBS landed on me.

Now that I have IBS I plan everything, this gives me a small sense of control. I have a bag in the back of the car with spare clothes and shoes, a loo roll and a foldaway loo. (meant for festival goers) its this 'last resort' planning that means I know I have a disaster plan if an explosive evacuation of my bowel is unavoidable :)!!! Never had to use it as yet.

I also deal with my anxiety by taking a really low dose of an anti anxiety pill. 10mg. The mixture of this and an anti spasmodic seems to help with the mornings. The afternoons between 3:00 and 3:30 I don't book appointments. I know this is my unpredictable time. I have a key to a 'spare loo' at work. It offers more privacy than the loo block so I feel very lucky its available.

As for going out - if I have to walk for any length of time then I have to have a route plan for the loo's. A pack of moist loo roll and so on. I never plan on a long walk if eating is involved.

I try to eat at a regular time, the more often I stick to this the better I feel - because I can then predict when I'm likely to need the loo.

As for meeting new people - I think that's just a symptom of everything you're feeling and battling against. You're feeling lousy all the time, your on edge and anxious, so sharing small talk is the last thing on your mind. I would say that you need to keep at the back of your mind that if you didn't ever meet anyone new again your world would soon become a very small space. Instead try and find a coping mechanism you like. I try to ask the new person two or three things about their likes that really don't matter, but conversation can flow from, like Blackberry or IPhone? Wine or beer? Dior or Channel? Most times it works, other times I cover anxiety with a smile and hope I don't look like the grinning village idiot!!! Most people respond well to a smiler.

I try to adopt a carefree attitude when my anxiety is low and make the most of these times. When I simply can't because my anxiety is high I phone/text/email/facebook a friend or relative. That kind of personal contact with my personal network takes my mind of me long enough for me to reboot my brain. Other times I rely on some old school tactic's like deep breathing - still one of the best things you can do - and one of the most instinctive. Its the concentration on something other than your anxiety that reboots you.

Lastly I try to laugh off my panic - I joke with my personal network about my sweating palms and dry mouth. And I really try very hard to 'feel the fear and do it anyway'!!! After all what's a bit of sh1t between friends!!

I hope you have a fantastic worry free day

[Rosmi in reply to Louise88]

I understand the whole driving anxiety you have but I actually prefer motorway driving. It's straight routes and there's always a service station nearby. I like the tips you use for chatting to new people. I've lost great friends over silly things and feel quite alone at the moment and it's not helping that I don't feel up to going out a lot. I try to make my situations a laugh too, it does help especially when you feel like crying over it.

[Louise88 in reply to Rosmi]

Rosmi, you're going to find a way to feel lighter. You're going to find a way to overcome your symptoms, you're off days will become fewer. The reason I know this for certain is that you're looking for a way to make it happen, despite how horrid you feel.

You need to make sure you don't feel isolated by your condition. Maybe you could have a few mates over to yours, ask them to bring a bottle or a food and tell them you need a light cheerful night. It only takes three people to make a party

If that just isn't possible then meet them at a safe place - where you know you're rarely anxious and they have great loos - and maybe just have coffee at lunch time or on Saturdays. It will give you something to really look forward to, but you'll know the risk of anxiety showing up is at its lowest.

I was told by a friend that I was always in some kind of mad frenzy when I was going out. So if I was attending a lovely party I'd be in danger of arriving looking like a stressed out monster.... It was at this point I realized I was focusing on my anxiety, not the beautiful event... I've tried hard ever since to concentrate on the bliss... the way the bride might look, the lovely venue, the chance to catch up with friends and relatives... it really helps to visualize having a great time to help bring round that happy feeling that should go with any outing

Also you could look for a fun/creative hobby. Once you have finished a project that feeling of accomplishment is brilliant.

I hope my ramblings have made you smile

[calista]

I have all the above.

I take immodium before trips etc mostly works

[Hidden]

You need a RADAR key which will open any disabled toilet here's the link

radarkeys.org/

Also from the IBS Society you can get 'Can I use your toilet cards'

bladderandbowelfoundation.o...

[Rosmi in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the links, the radar key sounds good. There's been so many times I've had panic attacks in public toilets because I really need to use the toilet but there's too many people about!

[Hidden in reply to Rosmi]

Pleased to have been able to help

[Hidden in reply to Rosmi]

most people are very understanding and kind if you explain that its an emergency and you need to use their bathroom and I buy something to make myself a customer when it says customers only for the bathrooms.

[orange123uk in reply to Hidden]

Can I say if you are in the UK to get a radar key you need to have a blue badge new rules came out this year. You can get them but mostly if you are registered disabled or are in possession of a blue badge. Worth checking first.

I applied for one and although I have I.b.s. I was not allowed one because I did not have a blue badge.

[Hidden in reply to orange123uk]

Have you tried this link

crm.disabilityrightsuk.org/...

Also if you Google RADAR key there are plenty of other places seemingly selling them

[Queeny54]

Hi

It sounds like you are caught in a vicious circle. Anxiety makes ibs worse and affects your overall anxiety levels. 90% of your happy hormones live in your gusto if you are stressed or anxious then it is inevitable that your ibs will be worse. I have generalised anxiety which affects all aspects of life and yes I have become a more nervous driver among other things. I have worked hard on reducing my anxiety and as a consequence it has improved and currently have no debilitating ibs symptoms. If you have undiagnosed anxiety I would talk to your GP . I have found mindfulness meditation and exercise a life saver and I do not take any meds.

I hope you feel better soon

[Rosmi]

Thanks, did you feel that when you told your doctor about the anxiety they tried to put you on medication? I'm just worried that doctors may put me on medication and I'd rather be med free.

[Hidden in reply to Rosmi]

Do you know if you are allergic to lactose or dairy - that is the cause of my diarrhorea symptoms and so I'm on a strict dairy free diet and am now under control.

A lot of tablet medication contains lactose, even ibuprofen and loperamide (immodium)

[Rosmi in reply to Hidden]

I'm now 20 but when I was 14, I started having to run to the toilet when I ate cheese or drank milk. I've been avoiding dairy in my diet for 6 years and have been tested several times for a lactose intolerance, they all came back negative. Now, I've recently brought a little bit of dairy back into my diet and I am able to handle it. I have no idea if I truly had a lactose intolerance.

[Queeny54 in reply to Rosmi]

Hi

No, my GP initially told me to get the book about cognitive behaviour called cognitive behaviour for dummies. She did not want me to go down the route of meds and neither did I. I know if you find the right meds and dosage it helps some people. However, you need to tackle the source of anxiety and help to recognise and manage it. Otherwise meds are just like a sticking plaster. From my understanding, most GPs now look at alternative therapy unless of course you are seriously depressed or with other mental health issues. I did not find the book helped me but it was useful in terms of understanding anxiety and negative behaviour.

Just for info I use a website called headspace. It is very informative and explains very simply why anxiety affects you. They offer a free trial period of guided meditation before deciding whether it is for you. I would also take a look at another website - ibshealth.com. This is a site written by ibs sufferers and offers lots of information about treatments and solutions that have helped others including stress and anxiety related problems.

In my experience, people with ibs have a tendency towards anxiety and stress so understanding the mechanics behind this May help you.

[tansy-ann8]

The more you stop doing things the harder it is to start again - I promise you this is true. So make yourself do things otherwise it will get worse. Thinking about it, is worse than actually doing it - I have been there and still have to pull myself up occasionally otherwise I would have become a recluse. As it is I still do everything even though I sometimes need a little push. Keep on going girl......

[Rosmi in reply to tansy-ann8]

It is true, whenever I go out and do something I'm always glad I did go out and do it. It's just hard getting over that initial stumbling block of doing it.

[tansy-ann8 in reply to Rosmi]

Hang in there Rosmi - just keep on doing things; I never wanted to drive again after a really bad flare up when I hadn't driven for a while. Getting behind the wheel was a nightmare, then my husband, who had never been ill in 45 years, got pneumonia and I had to do it all. After a week I was flying up and down the motorway as per normal. It works - honestly! You're right, it's the initial starting up - but you are not on your own, think of all of us backing you up.

[Hidden in reply to tansy-ann8]

That's right. You should never let fear of an accident stop you from doing things you enjoy as that's letting it win!

[Linley]

Yes, Rosmi what comes 1st the chicken or the egg?

I have been honest with my GP and accepted anxiety and IBS go hand in hand.

Long journeys I am better going by train fell more relaxed. If we go by car I never travel more than 2 hours. You can have a life but you must do what is best for you. I do not necessarily feel anxious about meeting new people

as long as eating out is not involved but I do like routine. Wish you well and don't give up!

[Sp1952]

yes its does make you anxious , just wondering if u need to go to the toilet or have pains because u cant go

[Hidden]

I agree with all the above and I take a low dose of Diazpam .I think it's because your leaving your comfort zone.I have an appointment with a dietician this afternoon and I'm really anxious and I keep trying to tell myself how silly I am.But I do agree that if you have to go out at a vital time of day I.e.when you usually go the toilet you do tend to panic.

[Mreen]

I have only just joined this group and it's very interesting to read about stress related IBS. I am elderly now and realise I've had this problem off and on for years. Not very often though but now I get bad pain.

A friend who has very similar symptoms got me to take Slippery Elm, it sounds disgusting. It isn't and really helps. I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere here. It's such an ancient remedy, not expensive and easily available at health food stores. I take 1 teaspoonful in a glass of water, 15 mins before food.

It's worth a try!

[JoyGreennhalgh]

Its a well proved scientific fact that IBS raises anxiety levels.