If there is a connection between IBS & stress, then why is it that sometimes when I feel the least stressed my IBS gets worse?

I just had a great relaxation time. I felt totally calm. Within five minutes of getting up (& I still felt relaxed) my intestines were flip-flopping & I was running for the bathroom.

Part of me still feels calm, but part of me is upset & wondering if this will ever end.

I have been going through a rough time lately with this. Could it be that you ate something that aggravated it? I know stress and IBS go hand in hand but maybe not in each instance?

Suzanne,

Thanks for your reply. Maybe what I had for lunch wasn't the best, but it is something I eat on a regular basis with no problems.

I tried Paxil in the past. I was a zombie & it did nothing for my IBS. I decided then that stress wasn't the reason for my IBS. Now I'm thinking that if it were I could possibly get over it. The IBS certainly makes my stress much worse.

If you don't mind me asking how long have you had IBS? How do they diagnose? The reason I am asking is because something has been going on with me for the last 2 weeks on and off. It seemed to have started with some kind of bug, but it is still lingering. All the symptoms I am experiencing seem to point to IBS, but now I am getting nervous and thinking the worst. My health insurance doesn't take affect until August 1st. I also know that I am dwelling on every little feeling I am having, which makes it worse. Any advice would be appreciated.

I've had IBS-D since the birth of my son 14 years ago. It is very severe - I was all but homebound for about 2 years. I've totally changed my diet, which helped some, and I'm taking Zofran, which has helped a lot.

IBS is diagnosed only by eliminating anything else. This website will help answer your questions:
http://www.ibsgroup.org

There is a forum like this where you can ask questions & learn by reading others' posts.

About your insurance - if you have IBS it is no big deal if you don't get a diagnosis right away. Just wait until then. You may want to delay going to the doctor (til ins kicks in) unless you feel it is urgent.

If you have a problem with diarhea you might just use Imodium until then. It's ok to use it every day if necessary. Another thing that helps with diarhea with some (not me), check out the calcium thread.

I hope this helps. You can email me if you'd like. After 14 years, I'm used to talking about my bowels!

MRT, I tried to email you privately but it said it was blocked. Could you please send your email address to me at suzymarie@sbcglobal.net. Thanks.

Absolutely IBS and anxiety are related. I am living proof! I avoid traveling in cars with others unless I can drive, only because I'm worried I'll have a "I have to go (IHTG)" episode. Whenever I'm on a trip (like this past weekend), I start trembling and worrying about not being able to get to a bathroom in time. I was with my husband (one of my "safe" people) but nevertheless I obsessed about going on the trip and then being on the trip so much that sure enough more than once I went racing to the bathroom! Ironically when I'm by myself in a car, the thought of having to find a bathroom quickly never enters my mind so.....no problems! I'm 100% convinced that my thoughts cause my IBS problems - in other words, I'm doing it to myself! I have alot of work ahead of me to "cure" me!

Blondie, Do you feel or find that you obsess about when you may have a next episode and do you feel that makes it worse? Not to be gross, but in my case it is not necessarily always D, but looser than normal and very unpleasant abdominal distress plus even a bit nauseated? It seems even when I think I am relaxed it can happen as well, though. Yikes.

Suzannemarie, Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I don't have IBS to the extent that MRT does, but when I worry or obsess about getting to a bathroom in time, it makes it all the worse! And it isn't always diarrhea, in fact most of the time it's an immediate "urgency" to go which quickly will escalate into panic - about 3/4 of the time it's not diarrhea, just normal stools that want to be expelled immediately! (Sorry if this is getting too graphic for you!) The more anxious and obsessive I get about traveling, riding in cars with others, trips, etc., the more likely I'm going to have an "urgency" attack. If I'm driving by myself, or am in my normal day to day routine (back and forth to work, etc.), I have no problems. Vacations are extremely hard for me. Hope this helps makes my situation a little clearer!

Ditto Blondie. It is never to graphic for those of us with IBS. Thank you for sharing.

MRT, thanks so much for the website. I have found it to be extremely helpful.

Nikki

I feel the same way! When I panic because I am going to be in the car for a long time I can feel it coming! 99% of the time it is diarrhea. I do not like to be in the car for longer than 15 minutes because I hate to go "#2" in public. When Lucinda said people worry about what others think.. I thought that wasnt me. Then I thought of IBS. It is a natural thing to go, but I beat myself up over it making it worse!