Hello everyone..I left a question in Chptr.8 under," Any advise would be helpful", but not sure if it belongs here. I had my first panic attack in a college class, under much stress. The body symptoms leading up to the attack were IBS, before and after. During the attack, I had some nervous noises coming from the bowel area, I guess. These were audible, and caught the attention of at least one other student. I now dread and fear group settings(church,weddings,meetings) as the groaning noisese start up at the first mention of "meeting". The anticipation starts with butterflys and nervousness and I usually psyche myself prior to. I need to attend these meetings at my job, but am fearful they will start up again and I get embarrassed. Can anyone offer me some advise? I would like to note that when I choose to attend some short meetings and nothing happens, I feel good, but then the whole cycle starts over again!

HI, just wanted to let you know that I also have IBS. I don't really have a cure for it, but what I do is use the relaxation method that we learned from the tape before I get to stressed out. I had worries like you when I had to be involved in large group activities and my stomach would go crazy. However I learned to cope with it by relaxing and by getting over my "what if" situations. I also realized that I worried to much about the embarassment of it all, and I had to look at the situation lightly, and by remembering there is always going to be a bathroom close to you.

I don't know if my advice helped you but I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone when you are having these experiences.

good luck!!!!

Jennifer, thank you very much for your supportand advise. Although I would not wish this on my worst enemy, it is comforting to know that I am not alone. I thought I was the only one. I will continue with the program, hoping and praying for the best for all of us! We thought are way into this and we are going to think our way back out!

A book for your consideration: COGNITIVE - BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME, The Brain-Gut Connection, Toner, Segal, Emmott, Myran

The Guilford Press

Isn't there any medication available for this?
I know that if my stomach wasn't going crazy I could probably handle things better. IBS is my first trigger to an attack.

Hi Cutufa just wanted to let you that I take lomotil for my irritable bowel. I take it when ever I feel a stomach attack happen, and it really works for me. The doctor prescribed it for me a few years ago, and I only take a pill about twice a month.

Good Luck

Thank You Jennifer!
Are there any side effects? How long does it take to work once you take one? Do you find that you can handle the feelings of anxiety better once your stomach calms down?

I truly believe that if I can control my stomach aches then I'll be okay. It so bad that I need to lie down. I can't function from the bloating, cramps and bowel movements that accompany this. I can't even eat because my stomach feels like I just did eat. If I was to eat I would vomit; it has happened before.

Sorry to be so discriptive.

I not only get IBS when having anxiety but also when going for job interviews, speaking in front of others, going to the dentist/doctor or even when I accompany someone else to these events. It seems like even then I feel their anxiousness. Am I weird of what? Does this also happen to you? Or anyone else out there?

Hi Cutufa, I just wanted to let you know that I experienced most of those symptoms when my IBS was out of contro. I hated going to the doctors , dentist, movies, or even getting my hair cut because my stomach would act up. I would try to control it but it always got the best of me and I would have to go to the washroom. When I was first diagnosed with IBS my doctor put my on Trimebutine and lomitol. I believe trimebutine was colon relaxant but I could be wrong ( I would check to make sure). I no longer take trimebutine, but I still talk lomitol when I need it. The only side affects that you might experience is drowsiness, which is stated on the bottle. However I do not have that experience.
I hoped that I helped you a little, and if you need more information just let me know,

Jennifer, thank you for responding so quickly.

So once you can control your IBS are you okay now to deal with feelings of sadness, fear and the like? Your stomach is what does it to you isn't it?

Why don't you take Trimebutin anymore? Did it not help?

Any other info that you may have is welcomed. Thanks for sharing

Cutufa, I just got your reply. I stopped taking trimbutine because I was finally able to control more stomach better, however once and awhie I might need to take lomitol if it bothers me. The worries that I used to have about my stomach do not bother me anymore, now basically I'm just learning to deal with my generalized anxiety. The one good thing was before when I used to get anxious I would have to go to the bathroom all the time, however now when I get anxious my stomach very rarely bothers me. I also find that eating certain foods will trigger my IBS. Eating salads really bothers me, and certain types of fruit. Take note on what you are eating and when your IBS acts up, it might help in some cases. Well I hoped that I helped.
good luck

Hi Jennifer,

I never thought about taking notes of the food I eat. My stomach only acts up when I'm getting anxiety. Otherwise, I'm fine with anyhthing I eat. I'm iron deficient so I need to eat lots of fruits and vegetables because of the iron pills I'm on.
I don't eat meat at all or too much dairy either. Basically I eat pretty healthy and excersice a lot.

I don't know but I think that regardless of what I've eaten my stomach will act up. I'll keep an eye out though.
I'm most definitely getting lotomil in the mean time. I'll keep you posted.

Do you find that if you avoid salads your symtoms are not as severe?

Just wanted to let you know salad sometimes mad my IBS worst. My IBS is under control now but when I eat alot of salads it will act up again, and sometimes it can make me a little nervous which causes more upset stomach. If I were you I would definetly take to the doctor about lomotil. It worked great with me and I experienced now side affects.

All, I really appreciate seeing that I'm not the only one with this problem. I don't take lomotil, but I do know that it is very similar to Immodiam AD, I would definately speak to my doctor before taking any medications. I have IBS, my doctor told me to stay way from chocolate, lettuce or any green leafy vegetable, onions, bananas, peaches, nectarines, and melons. Some raisans can even cause IBS.

To bring a little humor into this one, I must tell you, I was recently in a meeting where my IBS started acting up, all of a sudden there was this roar like a lion in my stomach. Someone said, wow you must really be hungry, course it's close to lunch time too. Then the boss had the same roaring noises. Wasn't long before he called a break. I went to the ladies room and across the aisle was the door to the men's room--He was coming out. Wonder if he too has IBS... You know it doesn't matter if your a man or a woman, you can have the problem.

Moral of the story, stay away from anything that causes your bowels to move and you might find life a little easier.

Jo

Jo,
I don't think it has to do with what I eat. I just don't see the connection. You see, regardless of what I eat and, if I happened to get anxiety, my stomach starts acting up big time. I'm fine otherwise. So, I don't get it.

Is this IBS?