Mind/Gut Connection
I understand that gut and brain are connected but how much does that really play into symptoms. For example nothing has changed in my life (stress wise) and no food/alcohol changes in the last few days but today I have abdominal pressure again right side. I don’t get why? Can it really just be my stress and even though I think I’m not stressed I really am? Thoughts.
Hey
, This is a great question. It sounds really frustrating that your symptoms seem to pop up with no explanation! The gut and the brain are very closely connected. If you want to learn more about this, give this article a read! Maybe it will answer your question. https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/gut-brain-connection.
After reading your post, my first thought was, is it possible that your body is holding stress and maybe you've become so accustomed to having this stress in your life that it just feels normal and unrecognizable? I ask this because I've found that to be true for myself. I was holding stress in my body for so long that it eventually started to feel like my new normal. Just something to think about! On the other hand, maybe stress has nothing to do with it, and this is a sign of something more physical that needs to be checked by your doctor. How long have you been feeling this pain in your right side? Have you felt it before and what made it go away?
Hope to hear from you soon! Sending healing thoughts - Kat (Team Member)I get this pain too. It seems to appear when I need a bowel movement. It also seems related to trapped gas because it goes away when either of those two are relieved with passing gas or a bowel movement. I’ve had it for several years with IBS diarrhea. 
I'm sorry you're dealing with this, too. I get pain and discomfort before bowel movements (even without flares) also, possibly because I'm just hyper-aware of everything going on in my digestive system. I did the Nerva program (https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/hypnotherapy-app) for gut-directed hypnotherapy a while back and it seemed to help with that.
Karina (team member)
I have IBS-M and while it has never been truly debilitating, it definitely is seriously annoying, sometimes painful and occasionally embarrassing. I'm affected by what I eat and even more by stress.
For many reasons, stress is chronic in my life and my gut definitely seems to know it even when I don't notice.
Do your best to avoid trigger foods and make time for an enjoyable activity each day. I swear by daily exercise, no matter what...Lucy33. I’m not sure what IBS I have is there one just called pain? I try to keep my stress under control but every little thing sends me into a tailspin. I have huge health anxiety and at the age where people and friends are dying from cancer and that puts me into total stress.
Where is your pain located? I’m doing a daily walk, starting a yoga class so I’m hoping that helps relieve some issues. I’m due for an ultrasound for ovarian cyst(too old to have one), mammogram and colonoscopy, cal protein, h plori and blood work all coming up so my health anxiety is at an all time high which isn’t helping.I'm tagging so they can reply to you.
All the best, Karina (team member)IBS generally is divided into 3 types: IBS C, IBS D and IBS M. This is simply for constipation, diarrhea and mixed (changing between the two). I have IBS M and my greatest discomfort comes with the constipation, when I have lower abdominal pain.
I suspect your health anxiety is causing you the most trouble. Get through the tests and if all is clear you may want to talk to someone. I have CLL/SLL (a form of leukemia/lymphoma that is chronic but manageable) and osteoporosis but I stay fit and am doing pretty well after having been very sick a few years ago. My biggest worry is stress fractures. I do avoid crowds and indoor group activities, as I have a compromised immune system. I don't think about my health day to day but I stress about doctor's appointments because I hate them so much. Everything else in life causes enough stress.
It is almost impossible not to worry and stress if that is your nature. I just hike, train dogs and go to the gym. Those things make me happy!
Lucy33. Thanks for that. I agree my stress is in over drive especially about all these tests coming up. I hardly was ever sick or had any issues until I retired then this IBS stuff happened. I just don’t know how to destress. I think being retired I have too much time to think about things and I haven’t gotten into a groove yet. I’m hoping my test results come back ok so I can at least rule out anything serious. Take care
