Hi there, I have suffered this on and off for about 10 years. I've always worked in an open plan office environment.
Since working from home a year ago I've noticed my symptoms have changed - if anything getting more D symptoms than C. Not completely but it's definitely swung the other way.
Wondered if anyone else has had anything similar with the big changes to our lives?
Hi Hannah, my friend had IBS-D when she was working for the DWP but when she stopped this and got a different job, her IBS disappeared.
Hi Hannah, you are certainly not alone in this. The change in stress, and lifestyle, from working at home has caused a huge change in peoples emotional and physical lives. Not just for those that suffer from IBS, but those that don't too.
Even for those that suffer with food related causes, their mental health has a huge impact on symptoms of IBS. I know it gets fobbed off, but when you hear people speak of looking after yourself mentally, as well as physically, it is so true. Especially if you have a sensitive gut.
Are you finding it more of a concern now it is changing and the possibility of having to go back to work becoming more likely?
Thank you both for your replies, it's definitely has opened up my perspective on the mental wellness, gut link.I've seen there are some similar posts with people varying from worse symptoms throughout the Pandemic.
I'm very fortunate in that neither me or my partner have lost our jobs and we've both been WFH, with no kids to home school or caring duties, so haven't had the same stresses as many have suffered. Everyone's situation is different.
I do feel a mix of apprehensive and relief about the future of returning to an office. It's certainly made me think that going forward managing my stress and anxiety may be worth taking note seriously than in the past
Just a thought, perhaps as you are at home and maybe more relaxed, you are going to the loo more often. Because you can. I have found that the more you go back to the loo, the more you want to go. Like I say just a thought!
Its a fair question! Though I didn't find I 'put off' loo breaks previously when in the office. I think it's more just around being more relaxed at homeSo really may be a question of how to avoid an underlying hum of anxiety in an office environment?
Yes I have IBS-D and I am wondering if home working has made it worse. I have a routine for coping with work and commuting but that has gone out of the window. I wonder if I mess myself more because I can. I worry that I have lost more bowel control as a result.
I have always been told that psychology plays an important part in bowel incontinence, not least because stress is a trigger for me. But I wonder if I have kind of let myself go. When i need to go back into the office, will I be able to get back the control I once had?
Sorry to hear this WellySam, it sounds bad for you at the best of times. Hopefully for you, that yes, a return to the old routine would mean the coping mechanism would kick back in, but I wonder how this would work if , say, you are required to be in the office 2 or 3 days a week. Do you find it adjusts quickly?
Yes, but my working from home has only made my IBS-C more severe. Motgegra only gives me gas. I'm not a happy camper.
That's also not good to hear, sorry it's been worse symptoms. Have you had more stress at home or a change in eating habits?
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