IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome

[biege]

Do you experience IBS if you're under stress, depressed, or anxious?


Well I do. The worst experience I had is when I was in the middle of an Interview. I was under a severe stress and I lack sleep since I kept on thinking about the interview the night before the event. The interviewer that time of interview asked me a very difficult question and when suddenly I felt that my intestinal muscles are contracting, making some disturbing noise, and causing uncomfortable pain. It was unbearable so I have to excuse myself that period and give up the interview. Up until now I have this problem but I was able to manage it already by conditioning myself before attending an important event.

 

[DDNatureLover]

I do have IBS, and it sometimes severely impacts my life. Others in my family have it as well, and so does a friend who I socialize with, so they are of course understanding when I have to suddenly leave the room in the middle of a conversation, or have to put off going out if we have plans. My local friend and I have worked out a system where we don't plan anything too early in the morning, because that seems to be when the condition is worst. One thing that can help (which I don't currently have) is an anti-spasmodic. If you have a doctor, see if he or she would be willing to prescribe that, and you can use it before those pivotal events such as interviews, first days of work, etc. 

 

[biege]

I do have IBS, and it sometimes severely impacts my life. Others in my family have it as well, and so does a friend who I socialize with, so they are of course understanding when I have to suddenly leave the room in the middle of a conversation, or have to put off going out if we have plans. My local friend and I have worked out a system where we don't plan anything too early in the morning, because that seems to be when the condition is worst. One thing that can help (which I don't currently have) is an anti-spasmodic. If you have a doctor, see if he or she would be willing to prescribe that, and you can use it before those pivotal events such as interviews, first days of work, etc. 

Thank you for sharing. I'm curious why yours happens mostly in the morning. Actually, mine happens mostly if I'm under stress and there's no definite time on when it's going to attack. I don't really want to use synthetic drugs because I might get very dependent on the drug and later on cause tolerance. Chocolates sometimes helps me calm down.

 

[Alexandoy]

I am ignorant of IBS, the first time I have heard of it. In another thread,  I have posted about my loose bowel movement when I am stressed out. And now as I read this thread,  I realize that I also have been experiencing IBS. The feeling was like being famished and the stomach pain is coupled with gas coming out of my mouth and also at the bottom.  It is embarrassing because people can hear my noisy burps.

 

[DDNatureLover]

I think mornings, when most people are waking up and starting their days, are stressful times @biege, and that could relate to why so many of us experience an exacerbation of the IBS symptoms in the mornings. If you've been sleeping, your body is most likely relaxed, then when you wake up, it's a change. Many start the day off with food or at least a drink, and some of those items can activate the symptoms. I drink a lot less coffee than I used to, because that also tends to worsen my symptoms. When I worked nights, it was the opposite, because I was sleeping days and waking nights, so to me, it seems clear that at least in my case and the cases of those I know with the condition, it's related to the change between waking and sleeping, and as you mentioned, stress definitely comes into play. @AlexandoyThat's why I like forums, they're very helpful for learning things that can help us. Now you can look into IBS, and maybe it will help you manage your symptoms. 

 

[biege]

I am ignorant of IBS, the first time I have heard of it. In another thread,  I have posted about my loose bowel movement when I am stressed out. And now as I read this thread,  I realize that I also have been experiencing IBS. The feeling was like being famished and the stomach pain is coupled with gas coming out of my mouth and also at the bottom.  It is embarrassing because people can hear my noisy burps.

I understand your situation pretty well. It really is very embarrassing but it's still manageable.


We should also be careful on what we eat because some foods can exacerbate the symptoms. I always avoid spicy, tomato based, and milk based foods before going on an important meeting or appointment, this helped me a lot in managing the problem.

 

[biege]

I think mornings, when most people are waking up and starting their days, are stressful times @biege, and that could relate to why so many of us experience an exacerbation of the IBS symptoms in the mornings. If you've been sleeping, your body is most likely relaxed, then when you wake up, it's a change. Many start the day off with food or at least a drink, and some of those items can activate the symptoms. I drink a lot less coffee than I used to, because that also tends to worsen my symptoms. When I worked nights, it was the opposite, because I was sleeping days and waking nights, so to me, it seems clear that at least in my case and the cases of those I know with the condition, it's related to the change between waking and sleeping, and as you mentioned, stress definitely comes into play. @AlexandoyThat's why I like forums, they're very helpful for learning things that can help us. Now you can look into IBS, and maybe it will help you manage your symptoms. 

Well, you have a point there. In my own experience it happens mostly on the evening because I work at night everyday. You are also correct about coffee, it's also considered to be an irritant in the bowel because of the acid it contains. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us.

 

[Alexandoy]

I understand your situation pretty well. It really is very embarrassing but it's still manageable.


We should also be careful on what we eat because some foods can exacerbate the symptoms. I always avoid spicy, tomato based, and milk based foods before going on an important meeting or appointment, this helped me a lot in managing the problem.

I was in Singapore last week and after a day of rest at home, we proceeded to the province for a 3-day tour. When I came back home the other day, I feel so tensed but I don't know why. Maybe it is unexplained anxiety. In the morning (including today), I go to the toilet 3 times - one after waking up, another after taking breakfast and another after 15 minutes. It's not diarrhea and there is a lot of gas such that I always fart or burp. However, there is just a slight tummy ache that is negligible. Maybe I am due to take my tranquilizer but I'm still trying to control the situation. I don't want to be dependent on medication that's why I only take it when the situation is out of hand. 

 

[biege]

I was in Singapore last week and after a day of rest at home, we proceeded to the province for a 3-day tour. When I came back home the other day, I feel so tensed but I don't know why. Maybe it is unexplained anxiety. In the morning (including today), I go to the toilet 3 times - one after waking up, another after taking breakfast and another after 15 minutes. It's not diarrhea and there is a lot of gas such that I always fart or burp. However, there is just a slight tummy ache that is negligible. Maybe I am due to take my tranquilizer but I'm still trying to control the situation. I don't want to be dependent on medication that's why I only take it when the situation is out of hand. 

True. Anxiety is the main contributor of this health condition and it's mainly attributed to our psychology. I find meditation helpful as well as it clears up your mind and free you from worries and anxiety. It's really hard to be dependent on drugs, I also avoid taking them because it may cause some problems in the future. Have you tried doing meditations before?

 

[DDNatureLover]

I was in Singapore last week and after a day of rest at home, we proceeded to the province for a 3-day tour. When I came back home the other day, I feel so tensed but I don't know why. Maybe it is unexplained anxiety. In the morning (including today), I go to the toilet 3 times - one after waking up, another after taking breakfast and another after 15 minutes. It's not diarrhea and there is a lot of gas such that I always fart or burp. However, there is just a slight tummy ache that is negligible. Maybe I am due to take my tranquilizer but I'm still trying to control the situation. I don't want to be dependent on medication that's why I only take it when the situation is out of hand. 

I've noticed that my body seems to revolt when it experiences a lot of change. It doesn't matter whether the change is good or bad, so even though the holidays are wonderful and I love them, those tend to be times when I go through a lot of change, whether it's traveling more, being more active, eating different foods, etc., and although sometimes I can make it through those periods seemingly with no issues, it's afterwards, when things change again and go back to normal, that my body acts up. 

 

[Alexandoy]

I've noticed that my body seems to revolt when it experiences a lot of change. It doesn't matter whether the change is good or bad, so even though the holidays are wonderful and I love them, those tend to be times when I go through a lot of change, whether it's traveling more, being more active, eating different foods, etc., and although sometimes I can make it through those periods seemingly with no issues, it's afterwards, when things change again and go back to normal, that my body acts up. 

Hmm, you have given me a notion that I had been experiencing such manifestation due to changes. Maybe you are right because I usually notice that excessive gas in my tummy when we are traveling. What I suspect is the flight as the main culprit because I admit that I am still scared of flying although I am trying to shed off that feeling and denying as well. I remember last year when I couldn't eat dinner in Kuala Lumpur due to severe gastritis that we thought was due to the spicy lunch. But maybe it's about the change of environment. I will take note of that. Thank you. 

 

[biege]

I've noticed that my body seems to revolt when it experiences a lot of change. It doesn't matter whether the change is good or bad, so even though the holidays are wonderful and I love them, those tend to be times when I go through a lot of change, whether it's traveling more, being more active, eating different foods, etc., and although sometimes I can make it through those periods seemingly with no issues, it's afterwards, when things change again and go back to normal, that my body acts up. 

What a very good observation. I've been noticing this as well but with Climate change. There's this one time that we went to a very cold place and then traveled back to the metro where the climate increased twice, suddenly, I have this uncomfortable urge to defecate even though I haven't eaten anything before and after traveling. I'm not sure, it could also be because I got so exhausted with my travel. 

 

[biege]

Hmm, you have given me a notion that I had been experiencing such manifestation due to changes. Maybe you are right because I usually notice that excessive gas in my tummy when we are traveling. What I suspect is the flight as the main culprit because I admit that I am still scared of flying although I am trying to shed off that feeling and denying as well. I remember last year when I couldn't eat dinner in Kuala Lumpur due to severe gastritis that we thought was due to the spicy lunch. But maybe it's about the change of environment. I will take note of that. Thank you. 

You know, this made me think about writing a journal about this condition. I guess, it would be better if one notes down the changes and the time they're experiencing the problem everyday for a set duration. What do you think about this?