IBS D obsessed

[huggit]

Hi I have had IBS d for many years. I take Imodium daily just lately because most days I am in situations such as work meetings, places with no toilet or just worry that I will not reach a toilet due to previous attacks. The truth is though I may not actually need the Imodium as I haven’t had a bad attack in weeks. I just can’t stop the what if mentality. Can anyone suggest how I can get out of this cycle?

[FRreedman]

What do you do at weekends, when you're at home? If you did not take the Imodium then, and you coped well, that should then start you to notbtakingbit, if you only have meetings in the morning, then every other day when you have afternoon meetings, then cut one in half, and take that every other day, eventually you will feel safe without the need for any drug. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[huggit in reply to FRreedman]

Thank you that makes perfect sense I think I am in a habit of thinking 3-4 Imodium and I will be safe. Just need to break this habit!

[asbayford]

I am the same, the low fodmap diet has stopped my D for a long time now but I'm still in the mind frame of being in constant fear. It's because we've gotten so sensitive to our guts. I'm going to get hypnotherapy to distance myself from the mind-gut relationship 😂

[huggit in reply to asbayford]

Its annoying isn't it, I didn't take any yesterday so that's a start, going out this morning and the same old fear is gripping me. Should I take imodium or not? Maybe mind over matter.

[debb13]

Hi I'm the same. CBT might break this cycle of thought.

[huggit in reply to debb13]

Hi I tried a cbt app but it did not seem to stick with me. My habits are years old.

[debb13]

Also an anti depressant to calm a nervous stomach. It calms down that nervous butterfly feeling in the stomach and hence are mind does not go there.

[huggit in reply to debb13]

Maybe I could try this sounds promising as I know I have a very nervous stomach 😦

[HealthAnxietyGuy]

Hello huggit, I had severe ibs-d for years. I really believe now that it's our gut microbiome that's messed up which affects our immune system, etc.

What has helped me is, 50B probiotics daily, with psyllium husk capsules to help feed the probiotics. I've been through 3 different meds this year which hadn't really helped much, some made me worse. I had also tried diet and exercise but with no results and usually felt worse for hours afterwards. I also went through a lot the past 10 years with anxiety and panic. But last year was the worse for me. The probiotics also seem to make a difference during colds and flu.

My anxiety is pretty much nonexistent now, and my energy levels are still problematic at times but I'm gradually recovering of years being unwell. The gut and brain connection plays a huge role and the probiotics helped me tremendously and might do the same for you. It took a few weeks to finally notice a difference and a few more to really see a big difference.

I use Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion from Renew Life. They also have 30, 40 and 90 billion. Here's what strains you should try to get if you can't find it:

Bifidobacterium bifidum (HA-132) 25 Billion

Lactobacillus acidophilus (HA-122) 10 Billion

Lactobacillus casei (HA-108) 8.875 Billion

Bifidobacterium breve (HA-129) 4 Billion

Bifidobacterium longum (HA-135) 1 Billion

Lactobacillus rhamnosus (HA-111) 250 Million

Lactobacillus rhamnosus (HA- 114) 250 Million

Lactobacillus plantarum (HA-119) 250 Million

Lactobacillus fermentum (HA-179) 250 Million

Lactobacillus salivarius (HA-118) 125 Million

other companies have similar ones but I know this company worked well for my mom and I. Their capsule is a slow release so that more can reach the large intestine. Multiple strains are being studied and are theoretically supposed to help your immune system, anxiety and convert vitamins more effectively. Hope you find a solution. God Bless.

[huggit in reply to HealthAnxietyGuy]

Thank you for your detailed reply. I have tried lots of probiotics but they all seem to make my stomach worse. Will have a look at what you suggest though.

[HealthAnxietyGuy in reply to huggit]

It did make me a little worse the first 2-4 weeks. I assumed it was the die off symptoms of the bad bacteria or the readjustment of the microbes in my gut. It's a little like the beginning of medications, the beginning is always worse until your body adjusts.

It could also be that you need to find the probiotics that work for you. Some may not work as well as others. However, the company I gave you seems very reliable and well rated. My mom found them through research when she was battling C-Diff in 2010. The probiotics cured her since she had lost ~18 lbs and was already fairly slim to begin. She's been taking these probiotics for years to help control her IBS also with great success.

This company makes them differently because of the slow release capsules to reach the large intestine more effectively. I believe this may be the reason why they work well.

[Laxmik]

I also have this problem everyday. Should I take Imodium or no. Always scared some accident is going to happen. I read a book called reclaim your life from ibs. It says ibs has as much to do with stress anxiety as it is with diet. Both things need to be balanced to get it under control. He suggested breathing excerises which helped me.

[huggit in reply to Laxmik]

I will have a look at that book thank you

[Laxmik in reply to huggit]

Please do. It’s worth a read. The guy brain connection is stronger then we know.

[Cat33 in reply to Laxmik]

Thanks for sharing that I will look for that book too

[Cat33]

Oh I do so understand I know all too well how you feel

I had CBT and found it very helpful and there was nothing off limits to talk about re bowels and the rushing to the toilet worry I didn't feel embarressed

The what ifs are horrible but they never happen do they well they haven't for me but I can't seem to tell my brain that I have nothing to worry about

Do you buy Imodium ? I have found the supermarket or chemist own brands have the same ingredients and are half the price

I have found a nice technique on You Tube called Havening and have noticed quite a difference

Remember you are not alone

Take care X

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Hi,

Have you tried keeping a wellness diary or symptom tracker? We also have a self-care programme.

[Dancer24]

Hi, I can completely empathise with you and I do the EXACT same. Even if I am not running to the loo I will always take an imodium before work as it is what helps me actually get through the door and GO to work!!. It has become my safety blanket. However more recently, I have gone from IBS -D to more IBS- C which isn’t unsurprising with the amount of loperamide I’m taking every day haha!

I’m experiencing awful gas and bloating every evening though and I think it’s time I reduced the amount I’m taking as it’s just constipating me and my body is telling me STOP . But like you say, it’s just so hard!!! Part of me can deal with the side effects as I usually get symptoms after my evening meal when I’m not at work. Swings and roundabouts.

Did you manage to reduce yours? If so how did you go around doing it.

Best wishes,