Stress related IBS?

[Seventimestable]

Does anyone find that they get diahorrea 2-3 days after a stressful event but not immediately. Does that mean that their IBS could be caused by stress?

[Snoopydrop]

I'd definitely agree with that. I think it is a major factor with IBS. I got diarrhoea a few days after my partner went into A&E. The stress of an appointment and going out can cause an upset stomach. I also find if I watch too much news I find it overwhelming and had loose stools yesterday. I have suffered with anxiety for years but only in the last year had the reaction of diarrhoea.My GP is fairly sure I have IBS and tried buscopan, omeprazole (neither really making a difference) and has now suggested mebeverine. I have been trying Kefir (fermented yoghurt) first and have been fairly OK but was told by one person only take it for 3 weeks. Getting loose stools yesterday confirmed it was time to stop.

Headspace meditation does help me to relax if that might help with stress. I have it as an app which makes it really handy and helps with sleep too.

[Hidden in reply to Snoopydrop]

Oh I switch off news. Totally agree. Life used to be full of cheer. Now full of doom that odd people seem to thrive on for some sick reason.

[Linley]

Yes, I know that in my case anxiety contributes to my IBS d problems.

[Maureen1958]

No, I would not say IBS is down to stress or anxiety. It can give you anxiety but does not cause it. Everyone has anxiety from time to time about certain things in their life, and we should all have the ability to handle a certain amount but sometimes it can all get a bit much for some people. But that is normal, not IBS, in my opinion. But equally some people aren't very good with situations like that and could find it has an effect on their stomach. But that would be just short lived.

I have had IBS for 35 years (when it started it was roughly every other day) and daily for the last 28 years. Surely, I can't have been stressed or anxious all that time!

[301246 in reply to Maureen1958]

Hi Maureen

I believe the mind has a strong influence on the stomach and I give a quote from my private nutritionalist "I think your brain is in a vicious loop, so that actually even if you found something that may work, it still may not work because your stress response in your brain is now so hardwired that nothing may stop the mental stress response, which is connected to physical symptoms". Food for thought! She has recommended DNRS which is an online programme she is trying out herself for anxiety. Dynamkic Neural Retraining System. I went to London yesterday to see a colorrectal surgeon who has offered me Botox injections for the rectum which will be good as I find it painful sitting on my rear. He also offered me an ileostomy but not too sure about that - have to go back to the professor I am seeing to ask his opinion. Hope you are not suffering too badly at the moment Maureen. C x

[Maureen1958 in reply to 301246]

I disagree with you about the mind having a "strong" influence on the stomach. I would also be a bit concerned about a nutritionist who recommends a mind reprogramming system which appears to be no more than CBT/NLP!

[301246 in reply to Maureen1958]

I was pleased to hear your thoughts on this subject Maureen. I was really hoping that the nutritionist was wrong about needing to rewire the brain. I was not going to buy the programme any way. People talk about flare ups, but I have never had one of these because my sypmtoms are permanent, no relief at all. I am in a very bad place not really knowing what I am fighting as more than one thing is going on. Having a Skype consultation with private Gastrdo on Tuesday third one,. He thinks it might be a trapped nerve in the spine????? With the present virus situation, it's impossible to call out for help, nobody can take you on but I was lucky geting the London hospital appointment yesterday as they seem to have locked down the hospitals in the capital now. This is more than IBS-C I fear.

[Maureen1958 in reply to 301246]

I am glad I did the right thing then. I was a bit concerned you might take offence!

My symptoms are permanent too! It's very draining isn't it! How long have you had it?

[301246 in reply to Maureen1958]

Hi Maureen, It started off 3 years ago very gently. In fact all I had was night pain and constipation and I carried on with life. I lost 4 stones in weight and the condition started to worsen gradually. The past 9 months the pain has been 24 hours a day. After all hospital checks nothing untoward was found, referred back to GP who then put me on to Prof. Aziz privately. He in turn referred me to a colorectal surgeon in London where I had the appointment last Wednesday. To discuss with Prof. Aziz on Skype appointment next Tuesday to find out what he thinks about what was suggested. At least I have been offered Botox injections to rectum as it's painful to sit on my rear. I do believe the condition has brought my anxiety to sky high. I felt I started to improve when seeing a clinical psychologist regularly a year ago but she has moved on and it is now impossible to get a referral as NHS are dealing with their own stressed staff (I have seen this in writing as a reply to my doctor's referral to the service.) I have a very supportive husband and son and feel grateful for that - God only knows how I would have coped on my own. I wish you well Maureen.

[Maureen1958 in reply to 301246]

Hi, I'm pleased to hear you have supportive husband (and son), I too am lucky to have a supportive husband (and an understanding son). Are you still constipated, do you think that had something to do with it or do you think it's unrelated? I hope your skype appointment goes well on Tuesday, let me know how you get on.

[loveyourbunny in reply to 301246]

Sorry for your plight. But I have to agree with your nutritionist. Apart from eating something 'bad' gone off, My problems were/are definitely related to traumatic stressful events. Simply put, 'mentally and emotionally I've had a gut full and I can't stomach any more'. so body says OK and gut etc stops working.Check it out. Doctors should know this anyway but I suppose it's more lucrative to prescribe their drugs. Hope you can find some peace and trust. Bodies were designed to self heal anyway, cells being renewed daily, but not in stressful conditions.

Be well.

Kay

[loveyourbunny in reply to Maureen1958]

You've got it wrong Maureen. Check out gut/brain connection. When stressed the gut and digestion shuts down. All energy and oxygen is directed to muscles for fight or flight. My old gran told me never to eat when upset as it can turn your food to poison. In my case I got bad cramping loads of gas build up and noises like screams as it passed through narrowing guts in spasm whenever I was angry, frustrated or afraid. There are brain cells in the gut anyway.Mind body connection has been known for a long time. All the best.

Kay

[Maureen1958 in reply to loveyourbunny]

Hi Kay, I think we will have to agree to disagree on this!

[Kdw1]

I dont think ibs is caused by stress but if you have it and your stressed about something it would definitely trigger it to flare up, I think ibs is hereditary as I have family members who have it also x

[Seventimestable]

Thanks. I think I wasn’t asking so much about stress being a trigger, but more about the two day delay after a stressful event

[Superzob in reply to Seventimestable]

Yes, because the normal transit period for food in the digestive tract is around 56 hours. I don't think it's unreasonable to suppose that a stressful event could cause poor digestion at the beginning of the transit period, which produces diarrhoea later when food reaches the distal part of the colon.

[Booth29]

Yes, I often find that it’s a day or so after a stressful event that I have tummy troubles ☹️