Hi all. A newbie and a very frightened one at that

[Will2015abc]

Hi all. New to site. Posted in IBS area today as I'm so terribly frightened. Recovering anorexic:anxiety disorder: panic attacks here

[Hidden]

Hi will20.i feel for you to because im like that but havent got anorexia.i dont eat much tho and ive no appetite either.i have fibremalgia and chronic artheritis also and im struggling every day to stay positive.its so hard.but we arent alone the people on here are with us and understand.best wishes.xx

[Will2015abc in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much torchy. The episode yesterday really knocked me sideways and I'm very alone in all of this. Thanks again.

[Hidden in reply to Will2015abc]

Hi will.i am alone with mine too,so i know how you feel.keep in touch.xx

[Will2015abc in reply to Hidden]

Thanks torchy will do. How are u doing today?

[Shon48]

Please have a look at my page.shon48 . Forty years I have suffered from ibsD due to anxiety/stress . I came across an old antihistamine which has a sedative effect but isn't prescribed so much these days. It's an over the counter remedy and my g.p has given me the okay to keep trying it. I've been on it for six weeks and my life has just turned around in a dramatic way. No diazapam ,no Imodium ,no buscopan no sleeping pills. I'm eating well and can get out and about without any problems. The name of this pill is Phenergan and if you want to try it and you can get it in your pharmacy, if they ask you why you want it just say it's for travel sickness. £7.99 for 56 tablets. It's worth a shot if you are suffering. You can also get them from pharmacy2you.

Good luck and hope it works for you .

Shona

[Will2015abc in reply to Shon48]

Thanks so much for the reply shon. I will certainly look into this more once I get my strength back after yesterday. It really knocked me sideways. I just can't tell when it's ibs d or a bug

[Shon48 in reply to Will2015abc]

It's a daily struggle with ibs . I can always tell if it's a flare up or a bug. I personally always had ( notice had) diarrhoea never constipation. I don't have food issues either so I know it's stress related. I have tried everything to no avail until Phenergan . Go for it , it may just work

Shona

[Will2015abc in reply to Shon48]

Thanks shon. U say u always knew the difference between ibs and bug ? Can U tell me a little? If I knew it was just a crazy flare up of Ibs I know I would instantly relax (health phobia here).

[Shon48 in reply to Will2015abc]

I'm not sure if I can explain it but I'll try. If I have to go somewhere or meet somebody I would have diarrhoea with stomach cramps due to anxiety. I could never go out without Imodium , diazapam and buscopan for the pain. Now for the disgusting bit- if there was no diarrhoea the poo would be soft and sticky ( sorry) and there would be a great urgency to get to a loo. Pain in the tummy too. Sometimes I was panicking so much I would be sick too.

Since taking Phenergan that's all gone , I have no idea why and I've faced a lot of stressful situations ( to me anyway) since starting them and never had an episode. I'm going to America next week on a road trip from Chicago to New Orleans and six weeks ago I was all for cancelling as the ibs d was so bad and dreading going. Today, the cases are out and the clothes ready for packing and although I'm dreading the long flight I'm looking forward to this holiday now.

I also while having an episode couldn't eat so was losing quite a bit of weight. I'm eating like a horse now and my family are so delighted in the change in me. 40 years of misery gone in two days. It's astounding how an antihistamine could change my life so completely. I hope this helps you . Anything else just ask . Shona

[Will2015abc in reply to Shon48]

That's amazing and I applaud you and your bravery. Just amazing. Like I said if I knew it was "just" a flare up I'd literally within minutes be "ok". I just can't tell. Anyway ur so kind thank You. You so deserve this holiday!

Fingers crossed things will improve here enough for me to leave house and get to doc/pharmacy.

[Shon48 in reply to Will2015abc]

Cheers, the thought that this wee pill might help you should spurn you on to go and get them. Remember , if they ask why you want them just say it's for travel sickness.

I will be taking the Imodium , diazapam, with me just in case lol .

I'm also on Prozac and a cancer drug and g.p said that was fine and if it's giving me a life then why not . My sentiments entirely !!!!

[raylongmore in reply to Shon48]

when do you take it?

[Shon48 in reply to raylongmore]

If it's Phenergan you are asking about ,I was told to take two on the first night ( slept like a baby) then one every night thereafter. It's an over the counter antihistamine and my g.p has said if it helps to keep taking it. I've had to tweek it for myself as I was having restless legs taking it at night so I take it in the morning and it's still doing its job. Worth a try if it isn't ibsD due to food . Shona

[raylongmore in reply to Will2015abc]

take a big tablespoon of benefibre in the morn with juice, it will firm things up.....suffered 40 years with this

[Hidden]

I have seen other people recommend Phenergan (Promethazine) for IBS on this site before. Not sure it is wise to self medicate without checking out posssible side effects and contra indications with other medications with your GP first. Seems quite a powerful drug.

[Shon48 in reply to Hidden]

It can't be that powerful if you can buy it over the counter but it does have a sedative effect which makes me recommend taking it at night. G.p is happy for me to keep taking it.

Shona

[Hidden]

Hi will.im not too bad today thanks.some days are worse than others.im waiting for a ct.scan to be done n im scared they might find something wrong.i try not to worry too much cos that makes it worse doesnt it.i hope your day hasnt been bad for you.i hope your ok.xx

[Shon48]

Just an update on my progress. I have tweeked the Phenergan I am taking. I found that taking it at night was making the restless legs syndrome worse . I now take it in the morning and it's still working for me. It's trial and error I think . Four nights without broken sleep so that's a result . Shona

[Will2015abc in reply to Shon48]

That's great Shon delighted for you.

So I'm still not 100% ( no "d") but lots of bloating etc and just feeling off and well pissed off. So I'm thinking a doc visit if I can get an appointment? What do u think?

[Shon48]

Hi Will, if you need to go to the doctors then do that. Phenergan isn't for everybody I've been very lucky on this med. but have had to tweet it somewhat. So far so good. I doubt if your doctor would prescribe Phenergan anyway as its not for ibs. Do you have food issues? I personally can eat anything with no side effects. It's simply anxiety for me . Shona

[Will2015abc in reply to Shon48]

Hi Shona it's anxiety for me too ibs was always a big part of it but it settled for so long (until last Thursday). I'm thinking I just need peace of mind from a doc (if that's humanly possible with doctors rushing rushing rushing ! all the time. ) but fingers crossed.

[Shon48]

I'm also on Prozac ,one per day. You might get that to help you but it's usually given for depression. Have you tried the Phenergan ??

[Will2015abc in reply to Shon48]

Hi Shon not so good today. I feel so wobbly and "off" and I'm quite shaken by it. I'm on lexapro for anxiety (pretty much like the Prozac ur on ). I think it's worn off!! I have to go to an appt in a while and then doc appt tomorrow and I'm rattled about going. I'm afraid I'll fall or get dizzy. I'm assuming this is all anxiety?? Hope u are doing ok.

[Shon48]

Yip, classic signs of anxiety and panic. I always carry a paper bag in my pocket in case I hyperventilate. I was always vomiting with the diarrhoea when really really uptight . I would make up any excuse rather face where I had to go. Especially the doctor as I really feel they think we are nut jobs . Personally , I'm sure I am as why would you be sick/diarrhoea when you are going to somewhere pleasant ( not the doctors of course) my g.p was great , very understanding put me on Prozac saw me every four weeks.Told me that if the Phenergan works to keep taking it.

What else can we be other than nut jobs but my it's great to be able to fund fellow nut jobs as I had never met or spoke to anybody about this. I can't say I feel much difference with the Prozac but it's only been three months and the doctor said it would be a long term treatment.

Found out yesterday that he has moved on 😔😔

[Will2015abc in reply to Shon48]

Oh bugger that's a pity he's moved on! It's such a relief when u find a doc that just "gets you" isn't it? Yes the Prozac is the same - long term and tbh it does take a good few months to kick in for the anxiety.

Well I made it to my appointment but Christ it was tough and I ended up in tears. I think on top off this massive anxiety I'm run down after last weeks "d"event.

Oh I get in a right state even when I'm going somewhere nice. I'm sure if I won the lottery tomorrow id be in bits going to collect the Cheque. I know money can't buy happiness but u know what that say - better to cry in your sports-Mercedes than on your push bike!!!!

[Shon48]

Lol , I do love nut jobs like us who can still have a sense of humour and be able to laugh at yourself for just being a nut job. I too would be in a state if I won the lottery but by heavens I'd knock back the pills and go for it. Crying is nothing to be ashamed of , its best to be able to release the tension any way you can. Good that you made it to your appointment and didn't make excuses not to go and I bet once you got there you were fine despite tears . Better to have this nut job illness than any other . Keep fighting , what about the Phenergan, did you try it?

Shona

[Will2015abc in reply to Shon48]

Yes I think if there wasn't any humor wed literally go insane! I don't cry that often but today just felt all a bit too much. Haven't seen doc yet phenphegram but im on Valium and lexapro for anxiety and when I say I'm "sensitive" to meds I am literally a walking allergy! I can't even tolerate buscopan! The gps over here (I'm in Dublin Ireland) are so bloody cagey anyway about what they will give and don't give so I'll definitely say it tomorrow and see how it goes!

[Shon48]

It's such a peculiar illness and extremely diverse with no two people having the exact symptoms. I don't think you can buy Phenergan in Ireland you would need to order it online if you wanted to go down that road. It was such a miracle for me but annoyed that I've had to stop taking it at night because of the restless legs . It worked so well taking it at night. I'm still okay but have to go on the sleeping tablets again. It seems to work okay with the Prozac though which is fine. I never found buscopan very helpful with the pain either. If I were you and have a delicate tummy I would say to the doctor before trying Phenergan. I think it's the sedative that it contains which calms you down. We are a weird and wonderful bunch lol . Going on our road trip on Friday with the dreaded long flight to the States. I'll be well and truly testing myself then.😔

[Will2015abc]

Thanks for the info. There may be a generic form here in Ireland. Will check. So u have a long haul flight to the States? You will be great. Have all your bits and pieces together and even knowing You have them with you can ease the anxiety a little. Are u in Europe too?

[Shon48 in reply to Will2015abc]

I live in Bonnie Scotland . Yip, I'll be taking all the old and new meds. just in case but I'm determined not to get into a state. I'm telling my bowels every night to behave. I'll be away for two weeks travelling from Chicago to New Orleans. Starting to look forward to it but not too much . Fingers crossed my bowels/tummy stay asleep until I'm on the plane lol 🙏

[Will2015abc in reply to Shon48]

Keeping everything crossed for U Shon. I think u are great having all the info meds and everything

[raylongmore]

Hi, I'm 58 and have had fibro for 40 years and it included IBS the constipating kind, I have panic attacks but it's better now....you need to stay strong and keep telling yourself positive thoughts, eg: I'm not dying, it's just cramps....I don't know what your fear is