IBS-D and Anxiety??

Diseases & Conditions Irritable Bowel Syndrome
1
Okay, so I am trying to tell myself that I DO have IBS-D.  I'm trying to believe what the Doctors and specialist are telling me.  They can't find anything signifigantly wrong with me.  I have lost weight, but maybe that's the result my mind taking over.  I'm losing hair too...It's scary to take a shower and that is 1 thing that used to be relaxing to me.  Wouldn't it be natural, after having diarrhea / loose stools for over 3 months, that your appetite isn't what it used to be?  It's like I know if I eat it, it will give me diarrhea in the morning, so why eat it?  (It's a viscious circle.)  It's like everything is moving through my intestines way too fast.  I hope I am getting what I need from the food I'm eating.
 
My Dr. says that I have anxiety.  I worry about health problems all of the time and I suffer from the "what if's".  What if I have a bad disease? What if I have cancer?  What if I have a rare bacteria or parasite that they haven't checked for yet...causing all of this mess?  Does anybody feel like that sometimes?  I am currently seeing a social worker to help me calm down.  He has suggested accupuncture.  Has anybody tried this?  What about chiropractic care?
 
I read that anxiety can take control of IBS-D.  How does that work?  Also I hear that when we are stressed and anxious, our bodies produce acid which can cause bowel problems. 
When this "D" started, I don't think I was anxious, but I"m a nervous person by nature and I worry a lot.  LIie I said, I always have the "what ifs".  I was married for only 3 months when this all started and moved to a new town.  I feel like I'm missing out on what should be a fun time of my life as a newlywed.  I feel sorry for my husband because he just doesn't know what to think because I'm just not myself now. 
 
Any advice on this subject??
 
2
wow!  I feel like I just read my own journal!  I have had this ISB-D for over a year, but I first had my severe attack 3 months after I got married.  I am a constant worrier also-I am a complete hypocondriac.  I have also wondered if I have some parasite or bacteiral infection they just haven't found yet...But, I know that if I did, they would have found it by now. 
It is hard to deal with and being the anxious/stressed out person I am, it makes it so much harder.  I recently just got to the point to where I able to eat more & gain a little weight.  I didn't want to eat anything because I knew within minutes I would be in the toilet.  So I lost alot of weight and got very malnourished during this.  I still get the D after eating, but if I take Imodiums I am somewhat ok for a day or two. 
Have you been prescribed any med's for your IBS?  How long have you had the D? 
3
Hey Shelly,
I'm sorry about how you're feeling. I haven't tried accupuncture or a chiropractor, not even a mental health doc. I'm going at this with HW alone.

From all the people I've seen come across this website, I think we're all nervous folks. We are all stressed, constant worry warts. IBS must be hormonal. I hear that when you're stressed you release some sort of chemical "toxin" - similar to how we release Progesterone when we're happy, Adrenaline when we're excited, or Pheromones when we're aroused. Why haven't doctors figured this out... And how to fix it?

Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum
 
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4

HI crazygut...

I've had diarrhea / loose stools for 3 months now.  Started March 15...can't forget that day!  Anyway, I've had all of the tests.  I've had a colonoscopy, EGD (they look down your throat & stomach), Upper GI, small bowel series x-rays, CT scan of abdomen and pelvis, ultrasound of pelvis, tons of blood tests (don't know what they were testing for), hemmocult tests, stool cultures...all show nothing.  nothing. nothing!

SO, if there is nothing, how come we have to live with this diarrhea and loose stools everyday?  What "causes" this if it's nothing??  That's what I have a hard time coming to terms with.  That's why I have a hard time believing the doctors.  Even though I know this is their job and if they saw anything that looked wrong, they would want to find out why and make me feel better. 

I didn't know that this "IBS-D ot functional diarrhea" could cause so much stress and anxiety.  It's awful.  If I could just tell myself that it's minor and that it's not a big deal because there is nothing seriously wrong with me, then maybe I could find some relief from all of this worry that the doctors are "missing something".

I don't get the D after meals all of the time.  My BAD TIME is right when I wake up from a night's sleep.  It;s like I"m awake for 5 minutes and my body tells me it's time to have you daily reminder that you have diarrhea every day! 

about weight loss and IBS-D.  I think it should be included as a symptom of IBS-D.  After you have diarrhea for over 3 months STRAIGHT, how can you NOT lose weight?  Food just doesn't look good anymore and you lose your appetite.   Who wants to eat a lot when you KNOW you'll have diarrhea in the morning??  Also, you aren't usually hungry when you are so worried about WHY you have diarrhea everyday.  Us IBS-Ders are bound to loose weight.  Don't you think?

 

 

 

5
Hi Shelley
I am new to this forum as well, but after reading your journal I had to reply. I have an anxiety disorder. I am taking Paxil for it. I have been suffering with stomach problems for 8 years. I went to a specialist for it 3 yrs ago his diagnosis IBS., since moving to a new community, and new doctor I am undergoing new testing as well as the possibility of a colon scope. Its very scary when you think of the possibilities, but its my health and I want to know for sure. I have 2 small children..............therefore I worry ALOT!!!lol. Hang in there and try to think positively
6
Hi parrotdar,
Welcome to HealingWell! :-)
I hope you stick around and continue to post.
Take care.

Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum
 
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7
Hi Shelly-

Like you, I also have the lovely nonstop D- since Feb- and lately I would call it more loose stools than D. Is that what you have, too? I'm pretty sure it's anxiety causing it. Do you find that when something that makes you anxious happens that you get a bad spell of it? I notice that this is true like if I am waiting on test results from DR or my DH is upset with me or something.

I have been to holistic chiropractor for the anxiety and diarrhea. It helped the anxiety and instead of constantly having diarrhea like 15 times a day and having to take immodium all the time, it is improved but still not "normal". I do not know whether to attribute the improvement to the chiropractor or something else. It was a very, very relaxing experience to go there. The room was dim and had soft music with chimes, waterfall, and incense. I would leave there feeling sooo relaxed... almost zombie-like. I have not gone there in a couple weeks and know I should go back. I just read a book that had a chapter on acupuncture for anxiety. It sounds intriguing- if we could fix our anxiety how long until the D would go away, I wonder?

You mentioned in an older post that you were starting some new meds- have you had any improvement in the anxiety or D since starting them?

Take care,
Sami
8

parrotdar,

I recommend the colonoscopy.  I was so scared before I had it because I had never been "put out".   They give you a medicine that makes you forget everything temporarily.  It doesn't hurt and you don't remember a thing.  You should let the Dr. see if there is anything in the colon that shouldn't be there.  They didn't find anything abnormal in mine and that made me feel a little better, for a little while anyway.  The worst part of a colonoscopy is the prep you have to drink that gives you bad liquid "D" the night before the test.  It burns too after a while.  That is the worst part.  Get a colonoscopy to make sure there is nothing going on in there.  They can take biopsies too to check things out.  They took 3 biopsies with mine.  1 biopsy showed some inflammation, but my GI specialist said that this was common due to the irritation from the prep that i had to drink that put me in the bathroom most of the night. Boy, was my bottom sore!  But, like I said, it was worth it.  I know now that there is no tumors or ulcers in there.

 

9

Hi sami-jo!  (MY IBS-D twin!)

I had a "bad spell" every day...at least since March 15th when this whole nightmare started.

I've tried a lot of medicines.  My GI specialist put me on Librax - That didn't touch it and Dr.s put patients on Librax when they have pain, I have no pain.  Do you?  I just feel gassy sometimes but not all of the time.   I don't take that now.

Then they tried Levsin...didn't work.

Then they tried wellbutrin...I was restless with it.  I was awake for 2 days straight.

Xanax - GI doctor told me to take a low dose of this. .25mg 3x's day.  That was fine and dandy until my social worker (councelor) said that Xanakx only "numbs" part of your brain and for his thearpy to work, he didn't want me on the Xanax, only use it as needed and only if I "had to". He recommended to stick with the Elavil.

Elavil was the next medicine.  My GI Dr. and my regular Dr., along wioth my councelor, wants me to be taking this every night.  It makes me feel SOOOOOO groggy and tired.  They say this is normal until you get used to it in your system.  I haven't given it a good chance to work.  I always discontinue use because it puts me in zombie mode and I can barely stay awake. (Elavil gives me really bad dry mouth too.) 

I HATE taking Rx drugs.  I think they can hurt the body.  I would prefer natural supplements, but I haven't made it that far yet.  It was a big step for me to start seeing a councelor to try to calm my nerves and anxiety about this so called IBS-D.

How have you been?

10

Hi Shelly1979 (and all),

I can certainly relate to some of your problems.  I am also a "newlywed" and added to my stress by moving to another country, let alone another state.  I am trying to deal with the bathroom woes in a foreign country where, in most places, you have to pay to go to the bathroom.

  I get the feeling of anxiety when the abdominal pain comes on, but when I'm on a good day, I'm good all around.  I have been thrown here & there within the medical system & here it is months later and I still have not had the colonoscopy/endoscopy done yet, but it's scheduled in the near future.  I had my pre-op and think I had an anxiety attack that night from all the stress of hearing about the procedures.  It's like you're out of your mind, literally, and you know you've gone out of control with the "what-if's", but you can't stop it unless you can get yourself to sleep or something.  Then it takes a few days to really get better & better after that, for me at least.

  I am not interested in any kind of medication that can alter the chemistry of my brain because I feel that once the pain is gone, I will be anxiety-free.  I have not ever been prescribed anything for the pain because my doctor doesn't want it to mask any of the tests they have been running (blood tests & scopes), which infuriates me.  I have been doing much better with the "D" after starting Citrucel & taking the advice on here by taking Calcium w/ D.  I also do a yoga DVD at home to try to help calm my mind, which I really like doing.  I idea of accupuncture is very interesting and if anybody has more info, that'd be great.  I also try to eat more yogurt, when I can remember it.  I am not so keen on herbal meds since they're not regulated by the FDA, but that's just a personal preference.

  Thanks for posting about the anxiety - it is nice to not feel alone.

~rgrwfe

11
Lil, by nature I'm actually NOT a worrier. In fact, I'm so downright placcid my mother fusses on me about it, lol. But, you know what? I seem to not have as much intestinal distress as other people. I have some bad bouts here and there, but I have largely come to understand what causes them (and avoid whatever it is most of the time) and have found things to treat it. Maybe there's a connection there? When you aren't worried you get sick less often and your medicine is more likely to work? On the rare occasions I get really upset--like when I hit a puppy coming in to work one day--I have diarrhea the next day, despite my usual doasge of medicine. I had stressed past the point my medicine could help me and I had to take a second dose to get back to normal.

I was recently reading something on a French lady who died a few years back at the age of 122. Everyone who knew her said she was completely unflappable and everyone attributed that to her good health and longevity. It sure wasn't those cigarettes she was smoking until she was 115. Stress is known to shorten your lifespan. And some people think that you can even worry yourself into exactly what it is you are dreading; if you worry about cancer long enough, you'll get it. It's kind of like you make your body produce it because you expect to have it. Just as if you tell yourself positive things over and over again about yourself, you'll begin to believe them and act on them; the mind is very powerful and can create its own reality, good or bad. So I think the best thing you can do to help your IBS and your overall health is to cut the worry. I don't think most medicines can work for you until you quit worrying your IBS worse. And for some people, they just have to have medicine to help them not worry.
12
Shelly-

I've been pretty much the same. I have improved in the anxiety department- when I got out of the hospital in April I was so bad I couldn't get off the couch- but in the poop department I am still not good! I am not having the explosive D unless I am really upset about something, but still every day is loose stools to D. Worse in the morning. Between 5-30 minutes after waking up it starts. My stomach gurgles pretty much all the time. Not alot of pain, but when I gotta go, I gotta go- if you get my drift.

I have found a few people on the Anxiety board who have digestive issues- there's alot of info there about dealing with anxiety- check it out if you haven't already.

I HATE taking rx drugs, too. I tried Lexapro and it made me feel manic. I do take Ativan, which I think helped me out alot- but like Xanax it can be hard to stop taking- I'm trying to taper off of it now. I also am taking the acidopholus and caltrate plus eating yogurt. Seems to help some.

How is it going with your counselor? Mine just told me the other day that alot of her patients have digestive issues. That made me feel more hopeful.

Take care,
Sami
13
Hi Shelly,

I don't post very often but do stop by to read a fair amount. I wanted to tell you that my problems also started two to three months after I got married. I wonder if during the wedding planning we don't have time for anxiety but as soon as it's over our bodies go into overload. Anyway, I have also always been a nervous person and a hypochondriac. I've thought I've had everything from an ectopic pregnancy to ebola! It's amazing how much the mind can increase our symptoms. A little pain in the side can suddenly seem like a stabbing knife. And don't get me started on the internet. It can be your best friend and worst enemy all in one. You can research every ailment imaginable and find new ones in the process to surf for the next day. My husband has taken the computer away from me a few times because I get so obsessed.

In the last several months, my symptoms have gotten quite a bit better, mostly just from keeping my mind busy on other activities. I took up yoga, knitting and repainted some furniture. I also exercise every day if I feel like it or not. I also take vitamins and probiotics regularly. I do my best to avoid high fructose corn syrup as that was causing me some serious bathroom issues. Corn syrup solids too. I hope you too will eventually find something to help the symptoms subside. I don't think we can ever entirely make them go away but it's nice to be able to go several hours without thinking about them.
14
I have MAJOR nerves-IBS connections. I have always thought it was so weird that anytime there is a big storm coming, I have to go RIGHT THEN. And it is almost always diarrhea. but now I see that other people experience this as well, and you know, it does make sense now. but it's almost like, it's a vicious cycle. You have IBS bc you are stressed, and then you are stressed bc you have IBS. it seems like there should be something or some product that is designed specifically for IBS symptoms due to stress. Anyone tried or heard of anything that addresses this specific issue?
15
Hi kschwartz,
Welcome to HealingWell! :-)
It seems the only thing that 'might' be able to work for nervous D is anti-anxiety meds. You can talk to your doc about it. Many people on here take some sort of med to help their symptoms.

Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum
 
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16
Hello to all I am Kelly and had a colonoscomy yesterday the dr. said everything looked fine so its IBS. I have had "severe D" for the past two mo's. I have always suffered w/depression and anxiety and a chronic worrier . i have also taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds. currently on klonopin and zoloft. I think i have become immuned to the zoloft but have app /w/psychiatrist in 3 weeks to change. He has uped my klonopin for the anxiety i've been experiencing since i have been worrying why this diahrrea just suddenly popped up. I do think its stress. about the time my "d" started which before i was normal once a day . I found out my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer , I turned 40 , I am single, I have a 4 yr old my mom is a brittle diabetic and has another disease so i worry alot about my parents and my child . I am also the only child so i have no help or support. see i'm venting lol. I have been crying everyday all day and worrying . my b/f is 45 mins away and i rarely see him so thats stressful. Now the meds . My cousin was put on colestid and she's eating activia yogurt and is doing good . i found two web sites www.digestrin.com and this one a cure for IBS it says www.colocerin.com has anyone else heard or tried these??????? whats the deal with calcium??? i'll see my reg phd monday and i'm going to see if i can try the colestid. I firmly believe this IBS is due to stress and anxiety!!!!! but how come i've never had it before throughout my life when i've had times worse than this ? maybe there is just to much hitting me at once . I just pray we can all find a cure to this .

kelly

Post Edited (lilrdktp) : 7/1/2006 8:07:42 AM (GMT-6)

17
Hi everyone, i am 28 years old and i am a constant worrier, i have alot of fears about things and i don't know why. I am currently going through something that has me concerned and it's my bowel movements. Everytime i go my stools start out normal but only for a short time since they become very loose, i also have this yellow mucous that is also in my stools which is really making me panic. I thought this wold ease up over a couple of weeks but it's still there and it's becoming really annoying because if there is 1 thing in this world that i should not be fearing it's my bloody bowel movments. The reason i'm getting scared is because of the loosness, my stools are very soft and this is going to sound really gross but they are also mushy. I never used to have bowel movments like this, of course i used to have constipation alot due to some hemouroids but i was getting used to that. This is scaring me more because i am now thinking the worst, Bowel cancer or Colon Cancer or something else that hopfully isn't as serious as those. I have an apointment on the 19th with a Dr that specializes in this sort of thing and i hope that he can help me because this is really starting to become a constant hell in my day. So far i have done some research and have come across things like Anxiety can cause loose stools, and IBS which my Mum is convinced i have.
18
Joycie
Curious to see how your appt on the 19th went--- as I could have written your post myself. Same exact thing. Right away when I get up. First one- normalish, but then will go 3-5x more before I leave the house. Subsequent stools are formed (ish), but loose and ragged. No blood. Sometimes yellowish mucus as you noted. Sometimes flat. (Have large internal and external hemms. Developed while pregnant and have never gone away. Not sure if this affects this flatness issue- maybe as stools are soft?) I admit to a high level of anxiety (long story) and for some reason, my anxiety is highest in the morning. I’m better as the day progresses and do not usually have to return to the bathroom any more. I have been under a great deal of stress this year and have lost quite a bit of weight.

I’ve just been to see a new gastro doc and actually have a colonoscopy scheduled in two days. She suspects IBS-D, but said she would be remiss if she didn’t check out things further to make sure nothing has been missed. (I like this doc—last one was completely dismissive.) I had one two years ago- but did not have current issues. Nervous.
19
Oh God!
Finally, found someone who is going through exactly word for word!
Please let me know if you got over it!
I know its been a while, i didn't get to finish the whole Forum, because im so
desperate for an answer.
I've gotten a endoscopy, colonoscopy, blood work, and everything came out negative!
The only thing was that ive always had is really high biliruben
I was really happy, before all this happened, i worked out a lot, and full time job.
I pushed my body too far, then i got sick and took anti biotics, ever since i had loose, flaky stools.
Its all too much, soon after that i started loosing my hair, lost weight, loose tools in the morning!

Again, please let me know something.
Im in such a depression I dont know what ill do.

Thank you and hope i get a response soon.
20
I don't know about you people but my doctor doesn't care at all about my health problems, I don't get any tests done other than blood work and he tells my bp number. Other than that zip!

I don't know what I really have in the way of stomach and intestine problems, ibs? anything I try gives me gas and bloating although that has subsided a bit with no wheat. Still I get gas and bloat when I eat things that are not supposed to cause that and takes a long time to digest my food. I have done the alergy test and come up with no results. ,,,no allergies? How can that be when I react to wheat, red meat, broccoli and beans?

I'm desperate...Looking for any ideas of how I can get my health better. It seems I have many things going on that are not good and nothing being solved.

Asthma, Painful rash(4yrs), joint pain/inflammation, stomach bloating and poor digestion, high bp, cholestrol high. Is this all age related? I have changed my diet, still high bp and chlorestrol. I don't eat wheat and some grains, don't smoke or drink and trying to solve these things. The doctor really doesn't seem to care. How do I help myself get better? I'm trying to find a new doctor...is a naturopath better?