Anxiety Related IBS
#28288 - 11/21/03 12:45 PM
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Hello,
I have never posted here before however, I have been reading and checking into the forums for about a month now. Not sure if this is the right place to post this…. I was diagnosed with IBS-D about 4 years ago after a quick "finger" exam from my doctor along with answering a bunch of questions and discussing my symptoms.
I have a question for the masses out there so here goes. Is it possible to have strictly anxiety related IBS? My digestion is pretty much normal on a day-to-day basis. That is until I am put into situations that make my anxiety level go up. Getting together for a dinner party at my wife's bosses house, going on vacation to visit family friends, meeting acquaintances for dinner and the morning of a scuba diving day, are just a few examples of situations that will send me spiraling into an IBS attack. I have learned to deal with theses situations by always carrying at least two Imodium tablets with me and taking them at the first sign of an attack or even the night before for scuba diving days. I find I'll have problems if I eat lots of greasy foods, but don't a lot of people without IBS as well?
I bought the IBS Hypno cds and am on day 22 now so, I am hoping they will help because for me it seems to be mostly mental. I also purchased both of Heather's books and am reading them now. Peppermint tea has also become a staple drink for me durning the day. If anyone has any suggestions to help me out I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Jay
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Hi PooBear (love the name, btw),
Sorry to hear about you not feeling well. From previous discussions from other people who have tried the Hypnotherapy tapes, it sounds like those might work the best for you - especially since yours seem to be anxiety driven.
As for the greasy foods, although everyone has trouble with them, people with IBS have even more trouble. I know if I have only a couple french fries, I can kiss my afternoon goodbye.
Hope this helps a little bit and maybe somebody else will have more suggestions.
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- Jennifer
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Hello and Welcome!
My IBS is much worse when put in stressful situations as you described. I think thats fairly common with IBSers, Its great you usually otherwise feel good!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Poobear, read the UVM thread below.
Its still early for the tapes for you so keep at it and they should really help.
There are other things you can do to incorporate relaxation techinques into your life. It is in part how we react to stressors and the fight or flight responce, it is also very common in IBS. Your not alone.
It boils down to daily emotions even.
Some of this is also not noticible by the person at the time.
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My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
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PS, try this too.
"Mike suggests How to Relax Your Tummy Muscles
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Firstly you have identified that your stomach is not relaxing. However you knwo it can, becuase you have done it in the past. OK so just take a few mo's and study your breathing..
If your chest rises when you breathe in then you are taking big breaths, not deep breaths which you should be
A deep breathe is when you chest stays still, and your tummy moves out.
To get it as it as it should:
First lie down. Put a book on your tummy, and breathe your breathe into your tummy and feel the book begining to rise. (Don't force your tummy muscles out - let the breath fill your tummy )
You will have to concentrate a little to start with. Do this with your eyes open.
Once you are doing that comfortably, put the book on your chest. breathe into your tummy and keep the book still. Your tummy should move, not your chest. This happens quite naturally at night when we sleep - (assuming you don't have any breathing health problems)
Do this with your eyes open too.
When you have mastered that, put the book back onto your tummy, take gentle breaths and breathe into your tummy under the book again. This time with your eyes closed.
Then after 6 successful deep breathes, open your eyes, put the book back on your chest, close your eyes and let the breathe go into the tummy again, chest remaining still.
OK, When you can do this, do it without the book. You will notice a difference in the calming, and your stomach relaxing. To help think of each breathe having a relaxing colour, and the colour relaxes your stomach even more.
Try this a few times a day and let me know how you go on. This is just gentle control of breathing patterns. So easy, we do it in our sleep anyway
Mike"
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My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
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Thanks to everyone who posted. I will continue to educate myself and explore different avenues to try and get this under control.
If there is anyone else out there with strictly anxiety driven IBS that has found a coping mechanism that works, I would love to hear about it (Meds, Yoga, Hypno……).
-Jay
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Anxiety is a biggest trigger. I found the hypno & the EFI diet to be the best help.
You can check out my past posts on the hypno board to see my whole progress through the hypno, from my start to finish.
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