I'm not really sure what IBS is exactly. I mean the name gives me an idea but I've had some experiences that I'm not sure whether you would call it that. Mostly, I just want to put a name on it. Like when you finally say 'Oh, it's Anxiety! Duh!'

I've been to the emergency room a few times for this. I would be at work (it was always at work; I hate my job) and nothing particular would be happening. No particular stresser at the moment. No particular thing making me mad at work. No particular thing going wrong at home. And then my intestines would start cramping. I would feel really, really uncomfortable like I was getting diahrrea (sp?) and I would deal with it for like an hour, the cramps just getting worse and worse until I was literally blinded with pain; like my vision was all white and I felt like I was literally being ripped open from my intestines out. The thing is that no matter how many trips to the bathroom, not a thing came out. So, when it would get to the point that I was having blinding pain, I would go to the emergency room. I was too afraid to drive there even though it's only 2 miles away; I was afraid I would have a really bad cramp and go crashing off of the road. So someone else would have to drive me. One night I waited an hour for my mom to drive through a snow storm to take me 5 minutes down the road. So, then I'd get to the hospital. They'd give me some pain killer, do a ton of blood tests, and find nothing. After being in the hospital for about 15 minutes, the cramping would start to fade, and I'd feel just fine by the time I'd been there half an hour. I'd go to the bathroom and have a completely normal stool. After it happened the second time I realized it was stress related, but only the third time did a doctor even suggest anxiety/stress as a cause. But even then he was zero help. So, I haven't been to the hospital in a long time for this. I can feel when it's coming on. I struggle mentally to control the muscles in the intestine area to make them relax, and even though I go through a period of discomfort I can get it under control and make it go away. Just writing this post describing the symptoms, I experienced the cramping feeling start coming on.

So, I know this is a long post, but what is this? Is it IBS? Is it somehow related? I mean, this only started about 2-3 years ago, and I'm 27. I feel that as much as I hate my job, I've been thorough spots in my life where I had a ton more anxiety than I do now. Why did it start all of a sudden? Will it ever go away permanently?

I'm confused and a bit desperate. Help!

I really don't know if that is IBS. I have IBS, but I was diognosed by a doctor with it. My symptoms are different, but from what I have heard, everyone is different. I have heard your symptoms before. I can tell you that I have been through this program, and it has helped my symptons a ton!! I also drink alot of citrocel and that has helped also. They have done alot of studies on IBS and most of it is related to stress. I feel the kind of stress we don't "feel" can be the worst kind. Try the relaxation tape from the program or get one and I think it will help you. Can't hurt to try!

Best of Luck!

Nuindil
I have had IBS that bad before. Laying on the bathroom floor cramping in pain and breaking out in a cold sweat with shakes and nausea from the fear and pain. I try to keep myself on Metatmucil and lots of water to keep things running smoothe, but sometimes I can still get a bit of those symptoms. Nothing like before, though, and the fear is much much less since I know what it is.

Nuindil
I have IBS with the cramping and diarrhea, so I know what you are going through. Most everytime I have a flare up I have been under a lot of stress. When I was working, I was having it on a daily basis. Drinking plenty of water, staying away from raw vegetables, and keeping stress down helps me. If you do have a relaxation tape, it will help also to calm not only your mind but also your body down. Hope you feel better, take care of yourself.

Well, I really do not know if I have IBS or not. I have very bad constipation most of the time. Then ever so often, I have very loose bowels or diarhea. It alternates. I take stool softeners everyday by doctors order. I also take laxative when I really need to. My abdomen feels bloated most of the time. Very, very uncomfortable. It also seems that when I feel like I need to have a bowel movement that I start getting more anxious, trouble breathing, and many other anxiety symptoms. Does anyone think I have IBS? I would appreciate any responses. Thank you.