Anxiety or stomach problems...which comes first?

[Karen Ann D]

Hi joanlee, I've had every test done you can have done looking for the reason for my stomachaches all have come back good. I've come to the conclusion that's it's all a vicious(cycle and I'm sticking to the program. It's stress and anxiety and I'm in week 2 and it has really started to help me understand I'm causing this myself. Hope this helps.

Originally posted by joanlee:
I have made a few posts on this site, and I would just like to ask anyone if getting rid of the anxiety will get rid of the IBS. Lucinda talks about the fact that she used to have IBS, but I don't know what her current condition is. Obviously she has cured her anxiety, but I'm wondering about the stomach problems. I was never an anxious person at all until I had an accident at work, and had to soak my pants in the bathroom sink and run out to my care and go home. The experience scarred me so badly that I became almost agorophobic. I couldn't ride in a car with anyone, or stand in line, get a haircut, etc. I went to every doctor I could think of, including shrinks, but all they do is prescribe meds. I've had 3 colonoscopies, gone to a naturopath, GI docs, etc. I am getting better, but my problem is I can't figure out whether I have a physical problem or if it's all in my head. A few times I have had accidents (bouts of explosive diarrhea) just completely out of the blue, which I really don't get. Even at home. So in that respect, I feel it's physical, and I take cholestyramine, which has helped tremendously. I used to get diarrhea only in the morning, and especially after eating, especially fatty foods. Even today, when I go out, I have to locate a bathroom before I can relax, and if I 'loiter', like look at greeting cards, etc. I almost always have to go. If I have to wait anywhere, like the doctor's office, I have to go. Does the anxiety cause the diarrhea?? What's the deal? Does thinking about it make me have panic attacks? My hands shake, my mouth gets dry, and I can actually make myself get diarrhea just from being upset. The program seems to be helping a little bit, but a lot of it doesn't apply to me, since I was never like this before the initial attack. I never had a problem being around people, and actually used to teach computer classes at a community college, so had overcome my fear of public speaking! Thru this whole thing, I have made myself face this, and I've held down jobs (miraculously), sat thru interviews (even though once I had to leave to go to the bathroom 3 times). I even had to get up in the middle of my yearly pap smear!! I used to be so bad I couldn't even go out of town with my husband for the weekend. I am so embarrassed and disgusted with this condition, that I've tried to act like it isn't there, because I don't want to think about it, and don't want to dwell on it! I'm totally confused. I wish I could figure out whether the stomach problems cause the anxiety, or the anxiety causes the stomach problems. I can't even come up with a humorous scenario to replace my obsessive thoughts. For the life of me. When people say, what's the worst that can happen? and that it's never as bad as the anxiety, Well, I know what it is, and the fear is real. I'm not imagining anything.

[maria k]

Laura, I was just reading your post and got bummed out. I have stomach problems (constant nausea) like you guys here and they put me on Lexapro for it saying it was anxiety. (Everything else came back normal- even doing a cat scan of my abdomen next week.)Its been almost two months and Im still nauseous every day. I really thought the Lexapro would help and kept giving it more time.

The reason I got bummed out reading your post because I was planning on trying Remeron next and was hoping it would help. Im sad for you (and for me-lol) that it didnt.

Im like you in that Im going crazy with this. Its been 6 months and nothing helps. I hate being this way. Well, at the very least I wanted to let you know that you werent alone. Take care, Maria

[Laura V]

Hi Maria K- Sorry I took so long to reply. I gave up on the Passionflower and am completely off the remeron. The only good news is I'm starting to lose some of the weight I gained while on remeron. The bad news is it's because my stomach hurts all the time and even though I get hungry, when I sit down to eat I struggle very hard to eat with out throwing up. Yesterday I started a drug called Donnatal, that is specifically for IBS and the doctor said it could also help with my anxiety. So far, it's made me sleepy and given me a headache that has lasted all day and night long. Today is only day two so I guess I can't give up yet on it. Maybe under normal condtions the meds would work better but my husband is leaving for a 4 month buisiness trip and I'm a nervous wreck! I am still new to the area and don't have any friends down here or support so I'm scared to be left all alone. The only positive thing is I just retired from my full time job and his boys are going to spend the summer with family because they are very dependent children and if I get sick I won't be able to care for them by myself.
I have found one natural remedy that sometimes helps with my stomach ache; Papaya Enzymes. They are very cheap and taste great! I take about 4-5 right after a meal and they are chewable! I buy mine at the GNC and a very large bottle only costs $12. I even give them to my daughter when her stomach hurts. Try that and see if it helps with the nausea. The person who told me about it said she lived on the stuff when she was pregnant to calm her belly!
I'll keep you posted if I do find something that works. I can't give up, none of us can! It's been a grueling 7 years for me but I want to conquer this and be able to enjoy a long and happy life!
Laura

[Teri61]

Try Konsil. It's a natural fiber supplement that you add to juice or water. It is great for IBS and the cramps associated with it.

[Laura V]

Unfortunatly in my case; constipation is NOT my problem. I have tried eating high fiber foods and STILL run to the bathroom afterwards. My IBS is more stress and hormone related than food related.

[Teri61]

Laura, My problem is NOT constipation either and is stress related although it is aggravated by certain foods. The Konsil helps to regulate your system

[Laura V]

Never heard of this stuff; can I buy it at any food store? Right now my stomach is really hurting and I'm so uncomfortable. I woke up at 4:30am and couldn't fall back to sleep. My husband is leaving today and won't be back for four months so I know it's stress. I try to eat but feel very nauseous. I even had to cancel an appointment and told them I simply couldn't make it so now I have to be seen as a walk in basis but hopefully by next Monday my stomach will settle down and I will be over the initial shock of my husband leaving. The irony of this is; after dinner we planted beautiful trees in our backyard and I felt fine but later that night my stomach started hurting and I had the dry heaves. Unbeknownst to me, my daughter (16 yrs) was curled up on the floor in the living room complaining of the same thing. I sat with her for a while and gave her some pepto bismal and she said she felt fine. I think she's just stressed about exam week

[Teri61]

You can buy it at a local pharmacy like a CVS.

[Laura V]

I'll try to buy some tomorrow. I hope I am feeling up to running some errands. Do you think the Konsil will help with the stomach aches? Eating has been such a challenge for me lately. My stomach growls but when I try to actually eat I feel nauseous so I've been trying to eat while doing something to distract myself. That's what one of my doctor's told me to do.

[Teri61]

The Konsil has helped me with the stomach cramps associated with IBS. In the beginning though it may be a bit hard on your stomach because it is fiber so start off with just a little, even less than the minimum recommended amount. Make sure you eat- I get worse pains when don't. I think the acid and enzymes do a number on your stomach when it;s empty. Good luck!