IBS

[Ladybird-wasp]

I'm new here and would like to know from others if worry sets off their IBS symptoms as it does with me.

[Anaj]

Yes stress can cause a lot of IBS symptoms

[keithfre]

Absolutely. A few months ago I had a terrible IBS flare-up a couple of days before going to hospital to have all my teeth out. The stomach pain was so bad that my wife called an ambulance. The paramedics sent me to an out-of-hours GP surgery, where the doctor confirmed it was 'just' my IBS (which I've lived with for fifty years). I thought I wasn't worried about the op but evidently my body felt differently about it.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to keithfre]

I know what you mean ‘just’ IBS. Obviously said by someone who didn’t have ‘just IBS’.

It was a really stressful experience that started IBS for me thirty plus years ago and my most recent flare up I would say was triggered by an unpleasant and stressful experience. So worry / stress does it for me.

Have you tried meditation or yoga or (as I even resorted to many years ago Guatemalan worry dolls to offload my worries upon at bedtime) that sort of thing for stressful times? Meditation is probably best for me. Something like that might be worth a try.

[keithfre in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

To be fair, the doctor didn't say 'just IBS', that was my interpretation of 'no, you haven't got anything worse', which was what I had been wondering. I have tried meditation in the past, it didn't have any noticeable effect on the IBS, though that was not the reason for doing it. Am waiting for the Peter Whorwell book and following the FODMAP diet more strictly, as it does help.

[pajohns]

Stress, anxiety, worry all effect ibs. Ibs is often triggered in the first place by a traumatic event. Read up on the gut-brain axis. The two are connected massively. I'd try meditation again if I were you and keep doing it. It's not a cure but it'll help keep things calm. Also mindfulness (which is quite a new concept) is good.