Ibs and anxiety

[Gato6]

Hi there I was diagnosed with ibs my live has been hard everything triggers anxiety on me been taking mebeverine it helps relief abdmoninal and back pains helping get more relax .my gp gave me fit sample test for poo test waiting for results.

[BabblingBrooks]

Are you anxious in general or is there something going on in your life that may be exacerbating it ?

Mine is generally triggered by stress/worry related to my job.

I am finally leaving for somewhere else and I know although it’s not a cure it will definitely improve my symptoms.

[linedance in reply to BabblingBrooks]

I have ibs and anxiety too. I had some CBT a few years ago and that seems to have helped somewhat. I also take Sertraline. I have good days and bad days but more good than bad. Hope you feel better soon.

[Fergie53 in reply to linedance]

Yes my IBS definitely worse when I’m anxious or stressed, it’s a viscous cycle! I also have good and bad days, some days really bad and I can’t function properly, then the next day I’m okay!

[Starfush in reply to Fergie53]

Magnesium would help

[Gato6 in reply to BabblingBrooks]

Might be coz my mother passed away 1 year ago also been stressful about work most worsen symptoms as nausea, vomit body pains comes in workplace

[Gato6 in reply to Gato6]

Pulling sick days because of that

[BabblingBrooks in reply to Gato6]

Sounds like a possible explanation. Unfortunately you’ve had to deal with a traumatic event with the loss of your mother even without issues at work.

[oomitum]

I have had IBS on and off for forty years, and I know there are triggers, such as coffee, over eating , spicy or greasy food, and I have often walked a tightrope between being cautious, and enjoying myself.Over the years I have tried many "cures", some more successful than others, but IBS always returns, whether it be a week, 2 weeks or 2 months.Merbeverine never seems to make a lot of difference.

Recently, I have completed a hypnotherapy course which was specifically aimed at IBS sufferers and it seems to have worked!Not had any problem from after the first week, although I understand it can take a few weeks to make a difference

It was an online course with a firm called Nerva who work with researchers at Monash university in Australia. Costs £150 for a 6 week course and you have access to all the sessions for 12 months

[Luisa22]

I understand. IBS itself often triggers anxiety, and some of that anxiety is just a natural response from the body that "all is not well" inside.

And some of it is often from worry, like, "What is really wrong with me??"

And anxiety itself upsets the normal working of the gut. "gut feelings" are real and often literal, and the gut is very sensitive to what's going on for us in life.

I often think of that commonly-said thing : "I had the s**t scared out of me!" Yes, that can literally happen! Or it can go the other way and completely tense up the muscles and natural flow inside so constipation happens.

It's easy for someone to tell you "take up meditation/yoga etc", "do breathing exercises", or lots of other ways we can use to help to relax ourselves. Those things are often hard or even impossible to do (or get results from) when getting screams from a gut that is very unhappy.

They might be worth doing as a regular habit every day, or finding any other way to put the mind onto something else that's positive and uplifting. But the body has a way of sending us "red flag alerts" when it senses it's not working contentedly.

So I understand that breakthrough anxiety state which can happen.

Personally I do find daily exercise helps. I put on my waterproofs today and went for a 3 mile walk in the rain and wind! I feel better for it in my self really, and refreshed, even though my gut doesn't feel fantastic today. But during very bad flare ups that's not much of an option.

Anyway, you're not alone with the anxiety and with the IBS ! I think we all understand what that feels like here.

Good luck with your FIT test. It's a good idea to have one. Maybe your doctor will also do a test for calprotectin (a marker for any inflammation.)?

[Gato6 in reply to Luisa22]

Hope fit test give me good results. 1 2 times week lift some weight like presses deadlifts etc those work outs been helping to relief stress but it happened twice worked out before I go work after few hours at work threw out and had huge pains just below cage ribs in right side.i am taking mebeverine it help me relief anxiety and pains as well but I think need something stronger than mebeverine thanks it good to hear better read that words for example today woke up with back pains.

[Luisa22]

The bench presses and working out with weights at the gym I guess, sounds great for building muscle tone, but might be a bit harsh if you are not feeling too great? A walk in the fresh air in a nice place like a park or woodland might do more good? It's more relaxing for the mind, and not as hard for the body, yet exercises all parts of the body, circulation and so many things.

If working out at the gym makes you feel ill afterwards, then that's your body letting you know it's not right for you at the moment.

Anyway, wait to see what your test results are and I wish you all the best with that.

[Gato6 in reply to Luisa22]

Usually work out at home I have barbell and dumbbells you got right too harsh to me right now that why i am only work out 1 or 2 times a week

[Starfush]

Your body burns up Magnesium. and potassium. in intense exercise, running and weight lifting.

Also your vomiting, and even with diarrhoea your loosing electrolytes at a constant pace.

I would aim for the RDA of magnesium and potassium and don't scare of a extra pinch of salt in your meals/water(or electrolyte powders but they're mostly sodium)