Anxiety or stomach problems...which comes first?

joanlee · Post by **joanlee** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 11:59 am

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.

Sunflower32 · Post by **Sunflower32** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:00 am

Hello -

I am new to the community but I feel for you and understand your question. I've asked myself that too. From my experience stress and anxiety doesn't cause IBS but DOES aggrivate it. I've had IBS bouts without panic and I've had panic attacks without having an IBS attack. When the two happen together it is really hard to tell which came first.

IBS, though, is a real condition and not coming just from your head, in my opinion. If I'm worried about my stomach and how it will "behave" while I'm out, there were times where the anxiety of being somewhere not near a bathroom actually triggered an attack. Anxiety certainly adds to it but I've had IBS attacks while relaxing at home.

I found digestive enzymes to be helpful and knowing what foods can trigger my stomach. There are websites that offer some help. But if you can find a health care practioner with a strong nutritional background, like a naturalpath or an herbalist, they may be able to be of help.

I'm still sorting through it myself but I hope this was helpful.

rica516 · Post by **rica516** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:03 am

Good question - one of those "chicken or the egg" questions. Like sunflower, I'm still sorting through everything. My anxiety triggers GI issues, but then my GI rumbling feels like anxiety. I've used the program to help stop the cycle. When I first had problems, I lost about 40 pounds. I kept a food journal, went through allergy testing and other medical testing to try and diagnose what was wrong. I used hypnosis and the program to try and get my GI tract to "behave". My gut is still the first thing that fusses when I am stressed or anxious. BUT, I have a better handle on knowing when I am stressed or anxious and what to eat (or not eat) when I am stressed or anxious. I still use my "Happy Tummy" hypnosis tape AND, most importantly, I use the program and forums and chat to get me through the stressful times. It really helped to be more aware of how my anxiety effected my gut and use the program to help me to be more calm. I also encourage you to discuss this with your physician/ nurse practitioner. I wasn't thrilled about the battery of tests, but they were able to rule out medical causes. I also hope you can applaud your successes.

joanlee · Post by **joanlee** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 1:30 pm

Thank you. I have been to a naturopath, not to mention every other kind of doctor you could think of for the past 6 years. I'm still confused.

Originally posted by Sunflower32:
Hello -

I am new to the community but I feel for you and understand your question. I've asked myself that too. From my experience stress and anxiety doesn't cause IBS but DOES aggrivate it. I've had IBS bouts without panic and I've had panic attacks without having an IBS attack. When the two happen together it is really hard to tell which came first.

IBS, though, is a real condition and not coming just from your head, in my opinion. If I'm worried about my stomach and how it will "behave" while I'm out, there were times where the anxiety of being somewhere not near a bathroom actually triggered an attack. Anxiety certainly adds to it but I've had IBS attacks while relaxing at home.

I found digestive enzymes to be helpful and knowing what foods can trigger my stomach. There are websites that offer some help. But if you can find a health care practioner with a strong nutritional background, like a naturalpath or an herbalist, they may be able to be of help.

I'm still sorting through it myself but I hope this was helpful.

very sad girl · Post by **very sad girl** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:13 pm

I think if you can get rid of your anxiety about having diarhea blowouts you won't have them. I personally believe you are bringing them on by thinking about it. I have read that many people with ibs have major anxiety issues so I think the egg came before the chicken. That has been my own personal case anyway, but I am not a doctor. I know when I am a nervous wreck I end up with tatal diarhea and when I'm calm I don't have diarhea. I always have a sensitive stomache from my nerves even when I was young I would always need tums. I have had almost every test done in the world because I was sure I had stomache cancer and nothing is wrong with me. It is all in my head.

Sunflower32 · Post by **Sunflower32** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:08 am

Hi Very Sad Girl -

I read your reply and I'm sorry but I don't agree. As I mentioned in my first posting, I've had IBS attacks while relaxing at home. I also have two relatives with IBS, both who don't go through panic attacks like I do. They go about their business in spite of IBS - I admire them for it though I can't seem to do that as of yet.

While stress clearly aggravates the problem there is a very real physcial situation that occurs, even if stress is a trigger. I noticed that when my IBS is doing better I have less anxiety about it and can do more outside, etc. It's really a vicious cycle between anxiety and IBS when it acts up.

I think it really depends on the individual and I do think people with IBS would benefit from coping with stress better - like from the info. in this program. It's helped me but I'm still working on it.

Hope you're doing well with the program and that one day you'll be a very happy girl.

Sunflower32

mysickness · Post by **mysickness** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:44 pm

I have the same problem with my stomach.I wounder if the program will help with this. I just ordered the program.I hope it works.I am at witt ends with this.

fido5 · Post by **fido5** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 10:14 am

I have had "stabbing" pains in my stomach almost like clock work everyday at the same time. Now its starting to occur more and more. Is this part of the effects of the anxiety I have? Anyone else feel this way?

Laura V · Post by **Laura V** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:46 am

As far as IBS and anxiety, I know I first started with anxiety attacks and then my IBS developed really bad. It's been an ongoing battle with my IBS and I agree with the person who said theirs comes on even when they are home relaxing because that's happened to me several times. Heck, even my anxiety attacks occurr out of the blue and this makes for a very frustrating dilema because it's hard to control something if you're not sure what caused it in the first place. I have watched my diet very carefully so i know it's not the foods I eat. I can literally wake up early morning and have IBS without even eating anything! Right now I am trying Passionflower to control the anxiety and I still take .5mg of Klonopin in the morning. I just went off Remeron because it didn't help with anything except make me gain weight and have bad dreams plus I'd wake up in the morning with stomach aches. I've tried activa yogurt with no success either. I really don't want to have to take meds but if diet and exercise isn't working then there must be more to my IBS than it just being "in your mind" I have actually done a good workout and ate healthy and BAM! My IBS kicks in and OR anxiety attack. It's driving me CRAZY! I do know certain things make my IBS worse like when I have arguments with my husband but we fight all the time. It's not a healthy relationship but I dont think either of us are willing to "throw in the towel" just yet.
If anyone has any advice of what to take for the IBS I'd be grateful.

CPort · Post by **CPort** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 2:14 pm

Fido, I was experiencing stomach pains which I first thought was acid reflux. It hit me every day but can't say it was the same time. Then the pains started to 'migrate' to my side/lower right side. Of course that set off a whole new thing for me to worry about. I spent hours on webmd.com and diagnosed myself with everything from a kidney infection to appendix problems. I was really struggling with stress a couple months ago, it's actually the time I order this program. Anyway, went to doctor,,,he thought it was stress related but ordered a ultrasound of stomach/side area. Came back clean and as soon as I got the results the pains miraculously disappeared and haven't been back since. Hopefully (I think!) it's just stress related for you too and you get past it as I did.