Newbie - Anxiety & IBS

[Red1366]

Hi, I am newly diagnosed. I have been suffering with severe nausea and diarrhea and after a stool sample been diagnosed with IBS bought on my anxiety. I had a bad bout of gastroenteritis a couple of years back and haven't been right since. I had been given anti-sickness tablets to have as and when needed but now been diagnosed with IBS. GP thinks it has been bought on with the return to office scenario. Not only do I need to go back but during WFH the office has moved further away and merged so I do feel quite anxious about going back. I feel like I have lost a bit of confidence due to the constant sickness that I am feeling. Do others feel that way? I am looking at breathing exercises etc. to see if something will help. Doc has prescribed Mebeverine which I started to take last night. Any idea how soon they will kick in? Not sure they will help with the anxiety side but if I can stop feeling so ill I am hoping the anxiety will ease. It's a vicious circle! Any advice for a newbie with similar symptoms would be appreciated. Thanks for reading.

[Hidden]

Hi red I can’t relate to the ibs d but I do think it’s post infectious ibs , for the anxiety a low dose antidepressant can help and look into anti inflammatory foods to help heal your gut also probiotics x

[Red1366 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. Doc has sent out low dose propolonol so hoping that helps and now doing a food diary. x

[Hidden in reply to Red1366]

Your welcome hope you find some relief soon x

[Oscar091 in reply to Hidden]

Hi I know how you feel do you get bowel pain too . Meneverine didn’t help me at all nothing has and I’ve tried everything Make sure you get referred to a gastroenterologist 🙏Amber x

[Hidden in reply to Oscar091]

Hi amber had all the tests no diagnosis so far my gp said could just be ibs ,JUST ibs !!!!! I do get bad bowel pain usually on the right side and bad bloating x

[Oscar091 in reply to Hidden]

I know it’s terrible I can’t get out of bed till 11 30 in the mornings I can’t work cause I’m sick. And you’re right it’s definitely not just ibs no one understands. My nausea is terrible too what anti sickness tablets are you on I’ve tried loads.Amber x

[Hidden in reply to Oscar091]

I’m lucky I only get nausea when my gallbladder is playing up then I drink ginger and lemon tea , have you tried travel sickness bands to put on wrists ? X

[Oscar091 in reply to Hidden]

How would I know if I got gallbladder problems? Xxx

[Hidden in reply to Oscar091]

You would get bad pain after eating especially big meals or fatty foods like pizza , chips etc . The pain would be high up top of ribs in the centre or right hand side and the pain can go into your right shoulder can make you feel sick and vom too 😭x

[Oscar091 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying I’m sure I’ve been tested for my gallbladder but I’ve got all the pain in that area . I think it’s gastritis too I can’t literally eat anything no appetite at all. This Ibs is debilitating my life. I really don’t think I could go on if I had to live like this every day it’s been nearly 2 years. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Oscar091]

I’ve had it for 2 years too ! I’ve had gastritis in the past too stomach gurgling , griping like hunger pains it’s vile . Then I had severe low back pain got me so miserable I went on antidepressants and I still don’t know what’s wrong with me I give up !!! X

[Oscar091 in reply to Hidden]

Hello sweet yes I feel the same I literally don’t get no relief till late at night when the pain eases nightmare. I’ve got a phone appointment with the gastroenterologist next Friday been waiting since may when he called me last. I feel like they don’t care. I know it’s not cancer thank god but like you I just want my life back. Take care Amber x

[Hidden in reply to Oscar091]

Hope you get some answers keep us posted how you get on 😀x

[Oscar091 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you will do . Xx

[Red1366 in reply to Oscar091]

I’m on Buccal tablets. You put them on your gums x

[Red1366 in reply to Oscar091]

Thankfully no pain. Early days for me but I won’t let it go. Thanks for your help x

[Red1366]

No, I will take a look. Thanks for the advice x

[Oscar091]

I’m sorry you’re not well too . They say anxiety makes it worse I’m always anxious hope you feel better soon. Amber x

[Annieofcornwall]

I was diagnosed with IBS many years ago, and prescribed Mebeverine, and initially, some Amitryptillin for my acute anxiety attacks. My pain had been excruciating, and after a short while, some week to ten days, it eased. Whilst at its peak, my stomach was very bloated and the only relief was bed with a hot water bottle. I still take the Mebeverine as a prophylactic, but it does take a few days to kick in. I also adopted a wheat and gluten- free diet, which I still adhere to.

Hope you’re feeling better soon.

[angelwings52]

Hi, my IBS started due to stress, I can really recommend hypnotherapy, it stopped my stress IBS and my anxiety. There's some really good videos on YouTube with relaxing music or nature sounds that can help you control your breathing. Food diaries are really useful as well. Get your doctor to refer you to a gastroenterologist as well. Hope you get some help and feel better soon.

[kaza7]

Hi ya, I am so sorry to here of your on going issues, having IBS can be very debilitating. I have suffered for about 16 years now, I have the nausea, and i alternate between C and D. Gas bloating, pain.

I've had colonoscopy and gastroscopy, each times shows that I have Severe pan colonic diverticular disease. This itself can mimic IBS.

I have had absolutely every test known to man, IBS it is.. I have tried hypnotherapy, phycology, Reiki, along with just about every damn medication you can think of. Pre biotics, pro biotics, Fodmap diet. Whilst some may help none have been the magic pill.

I can 100% relate to your suffering, you are not alone, I can only tell you what helps me currently.

I listen to guided meditation for anxiety, it is extremely helpful in calming the mind, which in turn calms the gut. Exercise for me is a huge help, it honestly helps with your mental health when going through the battles of living with IBS.

I am now On 20mg of Amitriptyline for the anxiety, mind you i have just put the dose up from 10 mg as it was such a low dose. I can honestly say that for me it has helped ease the anxiety.

Trial and error is where it is at for most people whom live with IBS, because what works for on person may not work for the other.

I think the biggest thing for all of us sufferers is to know that we walk together on this, you are not alone and we are all here to support each other.

Be kind to yourself and know that things will get better for you once you find what works for you.. Stay positive..:)x

[Red1366 in reply to kaza7]

Hi, thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I’ve been taking the Mebevrine, a lie dose of Propopanol for anxiety and filling the FODMAP for a week and can say I’ve had a good week so far. Sickness which is the worse for me has subsided so I’m hoping I may be getting somewhere. Time will tell when I push my anxiety levels. Staying positive though. Thank you so much x

[kaza7 in reply to Red1366]

That is awesome! super happy to hear that you have had a good week.

I feel it is fair to say that we will have our good days and our bad days, but we really have to grasp and run with them good days..

Keep up with the practice of mindful thinking, when feeling anxious always bring yourself back to your breath, and tell yourself the feeling will pass, and it always does.

Know that you are being held and that the universe will bring back to you an abundance of good health..

Blessings and peace.. Smile ..

x

[Red1366]

Update: things haven’t gone well. FODMAP didn’t really point to it being food related. Also using sick bands which seemed to help to start but on a bad day they don’t seem to. Doctor now prescribed sertraline .. with a warning I might feel crap for a couple of weeks… I’m at the stage where I will now try anything. It’s definitely anxiety though and not food 😢

[corpgov10]

Be careful about anxiety meds as a go-to. I've suffered from mild to occasionally severe anxiety for years on top if my IBS, but have not resorted to meds for the anxiety.

It's going to be a long journey regards anxiety but practicing yoga and getting into an exercise regime will massively help. That's what's working for me. Accepting that it'll be a journey rather than resolved overnight helps. Anxiety meds become a crutch and worse still, have side effects.

[corpgov10]

thanks but no thanks: common sense lifestyle such as adequate sleep, food and exercise are working already