Irriatable bowel...anxiety..vicious circle...help

bella4uk

Firstly, I wouldn't class myself as a shy and retiring wallflower type but I do suffer from irriatable bowel and believe that this is caused by stress mainly ,although certain foods and drinks aggriavate this.
I am quite sociable, infact everyone thinks I'm full of confidence, but any slight worries and it hits my stomach first, resulting in me needing to use the loo immediatly.!!
If I could have one wish it would be not to suffer from IBS...but It does sometimes take over my life...for example, parents meetings, doctors waiting rooms and standing in queues bring on a fear of dread, basically if I don't think I can mke a loo straight away I panick, which results in the viscious circle of making me more nervous and trying to avoid situations...
But if I go for a girlies night out, always starting by having a drink or 2 before I leave home to calm me, then I am the life and soul, meaning that it is nerves as alchohol relaxes me...
I suffered a very tragic loss 3 years ago which traumatised me so much I could barely make it to the corner shop without breaking out into a cold sweat (sounds pathetic)...but forced myself not to give in. The thing is ,now I am so much better than that but I want to join a gym and do things that other people don't bat an eyelid over...but the IBS thing scares me...
I was wondering if anyone knew of any alternative treatments which may help me, if I can calm the nerves I'm sure the IBS will relax...thanks in advance

janeawej

im afraid i cant realy help as i dont know much about IBS but i have suffered from anxiety for many years but thought id just post to give my support, have you tried doing a guided relaxation tape? that helped me when anxious, also making sure i am as prepared as possible not rushing, that i have everything i need with me, try to get there in plenty of time so you have time to go to the loo and discover where they all are so at least you will be prepared, i like to know where the way out is so do that, maybe your gp could refer you for some anxiety managment that is realy usefull, i had some a few years ago and it has helped me copewith the symptons of anxiety, i have panic attacks and feel dizzy and disorientated. sorry not to have been much help but i am sure someone will be able to point you in the right direction. jane

Eels100

You could try things like aloe vera, Bach Rescue Remedy or skullcap and valerian (Kalms tablets). OH suffers from similar things and has reasonable control except when he's stressed. A good, homecooked diet with plenty veg and pulses has also made a difference - we're under a lot of stress at the moment and he's not nearly as bad as I would have expected, and I am sure this is down to the better diet we've been having recently.

dazza32

hi there i suffer from i.b.s and anxiety also and your right it is a very vicous circle i find i need the loo @ awkwerd times lol then as i panic my anxiety kicks in and too be honest i just wanna go home as i come over all hot and light headed ect and very paranoid its bad news and my stomach aches all the time ect its bad like when i wanna go out with my m8s to the pub half the time my stomach feels so much like crap that i just dont wanna do anything i no 100% the gym will help your anxiety as ive tried it many times like if you need to talk about this in better detail then pm me and i,ll give you my msn addy if you have it and maybe chat in better detail all i can say is your not alone :j :j :j :j

bella4uk wrote:

Firstly, I wouldn't class myself as a shy and retiring wallflower type but I do suffer from irriatable bowel and believe that this is caused by stress mainly ,although certain foods and drinks aggriavate this.
I am quite sociable, infact everyone thinks I'm full of confidence, but any slight worries and it hits my stomach first, resulting in me needing to use the loo immediatly.!!
If I could have one wish it would be not to suffer from IBS...but It does sometimes take over my life...for example, parents meetings, doctors waiting rooms and standing in queues bring on a fear of dread, basically if I don't think I can mke a loo straight away I panick, which results in the viscious circle of making me more nervous and trying to avoid situations...
But if I go for a girlies night out, always starting by having a drink or 2 before I leave home to calm me, then I am the life and soul, meaning that it is nerves as alchohol relaxes me...
I suffered a very tragic loss 3 years ago which traumatised me so much I could barely make it to the corner shop without breaking out into a cold sweat (sounds pathetic)...but forced myself not to give in. The thing is ,now I am so much better than that but I want to join a gym and do things that other people don't bat an eyelid over...but the IBS thing scares me...
I was wondering if anyone knew of any alternative treatments which may help me, if I can calm the nerves I'm sure the IBS will relax...thanks in advance

AussieLass

You just reminded me. DH suffers from the same problem and not long ago there was a similiar thread. A few suggested peppermint tablets. I've checked and over here their called Mintec. I meant to buy some for DH to try as it's worth a shot. You take 3 a day I think. HTH

bella4uk

Eels100 wrote:

You could try things like aloe vera, Bach Rescue Remedy or skullcap and valerian (Kalms tablets). OH suffers from similar things and has reasonable control except when he's stressed. A good, homecooked diet with plenty veg and pulses has also made a difference - we're under a lot of stress at the moment and he's not nearly as bad as I would have expected, and I am sure this is down to the better diet we've been having recently.

Skullcap?, that's a new one to me, i must look it up, I also didn't realise that Kalms was valerian, I have some of them and I will give them a go.
I know it's a nerves thing because some days I am really calm and go shopping etc and enjoy it. I'm more open with friends and family now where as I suffered in silence before but I don't always accept invitations that I would like to as I don't feel "right" and I think some people take offence...I just hate the whole situation...
I am thinking of trying hypnosis and wonder if it has worked for anyone else?

freebie_junkie

i get a similar thing to this with having both IBS and OCD (hygiene) so of course when im poorly my OCD is worsened and that stress worsens my IBS. have you tried seeing a nutritionist? teh single thing that has made my life liveable again (not havign to constantly seek out loos!) has been stopping eating wheat.

bella4uk

freebie_junkie wrote:

i get a similar thing to this with having both IBS and OCD (hygiene) so of course when im poorly my OCD is worsened and that stress worsens my IBS. have you tried seeing a nutritionist? teh single thing that has made my life liveable again (not havign to constantly seek out loos!) has been stopping eating wheat.

A lot of food can make it worse but if I feel calm I can eat almost anything without problems...it is the anxiety that has the worst effect and as much as I know my fears are irrational sometimes I can't help get them. On a day to day basis I can deal with it just somedays it is really bad...

mrslawrence2003

bella4uk wrote:

Skullcap?, that's a new one to me, i must look it up, I also didn't realise that Kalms was valerian, I have some of them and I will give them a go.
I know it's a nerves thing because some days I am really calm and go shopping etc and enjoy it. I'm more open with friends and family now where as I suffered in silence before but I don't always accept invitations that I would like to as I don't feel "right" and I think some people take offence...I just hate the whole situation...
I am thinking of trying hypnosis and wonder if it has worked for anyone else?

try 'colpermin' - that worked wonders for me. also, regarding hypnosis - it helped my mum and i am currently having hypnotherapy and yes it is making a difference.

Debras_Angel

Hi bella4uk,

Did you have IBS before your tragic loss 3 years ago?

I noticed you mentioned hypnosis as a possibility. I'm a qualified hypnotherapist and I also suffer from Crohns Disease as well. So i have experience from both angles really.

Every case is different but it sounds like your IBS is triggered by your nerves and anxiety, which can be helped by hypnotherapy.

Why not ask your GP for a refferal to a qualified Hypnotherapist in your area. In fact some hypnotherapists specialise in IBS but as I said yours sound more anxiety related.

If you want any details of where to look for qualified and accredited hypnotherapists then PM me and I will give you the details. I could post them here but not sure of that is within the rules.

Debs

suzukibabe

My husabnd has suffered with IBS for years and a couple of years ago had a course of hypnotherapy and it worked for him, but it didn't help the bad bouts coming back