Well-
Let me start by saying what I am experiencing is I know upper and lower nervous stomach syndrome HA HA(whatever that is). As a teenager I suffered with chronic gastritis I was miserable and was prescibed a few different types of meds at the time but anyway unto the future it seems as though when nervous these symtoms resurface. They feed each other I get gas in my chest area I get nervous I get a stomachache I get nervous. I need some light on this subject. I do exercise and take fiber and eat healthy. It just seems I get confident feel better have a gas issue and the anxiety returns. Any comments would be appreciated.

What did your Doctors say? I would try a GI specialist. But in the meantime, continue your healthy lifestyle and think positive. Every time a negative thought comes to mind, replace it with a positive thought. Hang in there bud.

You can simply be allergic to something that you are eating that causes the flareup and then from my experience, my nervousness and anxiety causes an over production of acid in my stomach which in turn causes havoc......it basically is a viscous cycle. I have it so bad that I have to take Protonix daily and it does help. My sister has gone through this since she was a little girl and she is now 36.

hope that helps!

I agree with Tweety, you may be allergic to something..for me I found out after a lot of doctors visits that I was allergic to wheat flour...(Celiac Disease)..I would suggest keeping a food diary and write down how you feel after eating different foods...good luck..by the way its not always all in your head!

Based on my experience I would say anxiety is at the root of most IBS and stomach problems. Once I got a handle on my anxieties and panic my stomach problems disappeared almost like magic. It's the way you are processing your thoughts like Legend said that are making your symptoms worse. You need to learn to think more realistically and you will feel much better. You may want to read some literature on Lucinda's program or a basic CBT book that's not too complicated like the one by Sam Obitz which will teach you how to counter and eliminate the thoughts at the root of your problems. Once you learn to interrupt the thought cycle that causes your problems and replace it with more realistic thinking your stomach will probably feel a lot better.

I would like to say that sometimes the IBS is not in your head. I have totally modified my diet and even exercise but STILL get IBS attacks, maybe not as worse now that I've been eating yoplait's YO PLUS, it seems to help. But, I always went through a big change; I retired, and it was shear hell the first two months, my IBS and anxiety were sooo bad I thought I was going to die, but now that I'm home I get bad attacks only once a week. I really think I need to go on an antidepressant like my doctor and counselor said, but when you have IBS you have to be careful because some anti-depressants can make IBS worse. I tried Celexa for ONE day and I was in the fetal position all day with bad stomach aches and "D". I heard that Effexor is good but does anyone have any suggestions? I'm trying to find a job because my measly retirement pay just doesn't cut it with three kids still living at home and we just found out they are raising our already high mortgage payments. It's really hard finding a job here, I've been on several interviews and have been passed over even when the interviewers basically told me I got the job. HELP!!
Laura

I do not know if I had full form of IBS but I did have lots of stomache pain and diarhea prior to buying Lucinda's program and joining a cbt group that used the TEA form from the book by Obitz and my stomache problems disappeared with my anxiety. Might have been a coincidence but I'm not sure?

I think a combination of diet changes and CBT is probably a good idea.

margie, hi you said a tea helps with stomach pain, but did not tell what kinda tea to drink
or sip

Timothy, I believe Margie was referring to the anxiety reducing exercise called a TEA form rather than drinking a particular tea. However Peppermint tea has always calmed my stomach

hi,i was very bad every day all day and nights were the worst with insomnia and now where to go-feelings of extream anxiety.had to see a doctor but to help pull myself together it was a combination of all day exercise,at least one dannon-activa yogurt a day,a regiment of phillips milk of mag,senokot,and metamucil-throughout the day and more into the evening hours if the reccomended amount doesn't tack affect earlier in the day. also your eating habits need a copleat overhaul and stop drinking coffee and tea,caffine, and sweets compleatly-all fatty junk too. remember totally exhaust yourself with excercise.6 months all day every day was gone alot quicker.it takes it's time but always remmember to stick with the program and have a good support system,it always helps. keep up with the program everyday and don't quit!!!when this is all gone one day it will all be so worth it,don't smoke!!! thanks john

Perhaps it's not in your head but really happening. I am kind of going through the same problem but I haven't spoken to my doctor about it yet (and just recently told my mother about it after having symptoms for about a month). I feel a bit dumb asking this question, but how are you sure if you have IBS? What are the ways to treat it? I am sure if I do have IBS that it is brought on by my anxiety and depression because I am just coming out of a 6 month acute state - but now what?

John, I have never had insomnia but have heard it is horrible and I think it would make me crazy. I'm glad you have found some things that are helping you!

The was a great article in the news a couple of weeks ago about the mind body connection between anxiety and IBS. Unfortunately I read it in USA Today and can't find an on-line link to it though but some of you computer saavy people may have better luck than I did.