Hi all.
I have been on a journey for a diagnosis for about a year now. Both my GP and Gastroenterologist have determined that it's anxiety/stress that is triggering my symptoms, as my endoscopy, colonoscopy, and blood tests were clear. Now I'm considering anxiety meds/herbs for anxiety. Is anyone here taking anxiety medication for their IBS related symptoms? Have you experienced any improvement?
Hi AshAlso,
Same journey!! All my tests were clear also so my consultant sent me for a breath test for SIBO which was positive for bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine I’ll be starting a course of antibiotics when i get my prescription next week. Like you when I get anxious or stressed my symptoms get worse. I take ignatia a homeopathic remedy and it really helps as dose walking, yoga and meditation
Hope this helps.
Please keep us informed about your SIBO journey.
I'd suggest trying CBD oil or capsules for your anxiety or if you are happy to vape it try that.
IBS sufferers head this all the time though, in other words it's all in the mind. I personally found my anxiety issues were bought on after IBS not the other way round. I was more than happy to travel before I had IBS now I fear it
I agree with you .... it’s the uncertainty with IBS D that causes anxiety and not the other way round! And then it becomes a vicious cycle as more anxiety undoubtedly can trigger IBS!
I found following Heather Von Vorous’ advice to work best for me. Just google her.
helpforibs.com/footer/ibs.a...
Thanks for the link! I'll give it a read. 
From what I gather from listening to others, and my own experiences, it's both anxiety and diet that are most often the culprits.
I started the low fodmap diet about 2 months ago and found it helped right away(rare for it to help immensely). In those 2 months I've had 3 episodes of diarrhea. 1 was after eating a high fodmap food, on purpose, and 2 were anxiety related.
If you decide to go the traditional medicinal route you have 3 choices. 1) Anitidepressants. Many have found that the old school meds help, like amitriptyline. Fewer have found the newer SSRI's to help. 2) Buspar is an anxiety med. For those that it works for, which is a small percentage, it's a good option. Supposedly non addictive. 3) A benzodiazepine. Works for nearly everyone, but highly addictive.
Thanks, Spencermm. I was highly considering Ignatia or Atarax to treat the anxiety, just to see if it helps at all. But I will absolutely look into the antidepressants, Buspar, and benzos. The low FODMAP diet did not do much for me but I'm glad you had better luck.
If you need further info on those meds let me know.
It's been a number of years since I've worked(retired) but I used to be an intake specialist at a large mental health clinic. I used to have a good working knowledge of psychopharmacology. I might be able to dust off my brain and be of further assistance.
I struggle with the same. Whenever i get a lot of anxiety or an anxiety attack, or even too excited, I get sulfur burps and gastrop problems, forgot how to spell it. And IBS. I've tried anxiety medication but almost everything I've tried either doesn't work or makes it worse or makes me very sick or is just terrible in general. If any of you find a groundbreaking anxiety medication, that doesn't put you to sleep and you can take during the day when getting anxiety and going out somewhere, doesn't have super bad side affects, please let me know!!!
I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe an herbal supplement could be an answer (although I'm sure you've tried that too). I'll be sure to let you know my findings if something works.
ibs and anxiety?
IBS-D and Anxiety 
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IBS Anxiety 
