How to manage the IBS flare up and stress cycle?
Hi everyone, I was just after some advice. Over the last week I have had a couple of bouts of diarrhea everyday. It has alternated back to 'normal' stools, but the bouts of diarrhea keep on happening. I am a very anxious person (currently on sertraline for my anxiety) and I have found myself getting very worked up about this current bout as it does not seem to be stopping. I take immodium almost everyday and it is worrying me that I may have damaged my stomach and this is going to be my life now, with diarrhea everyday. I usually think about my stomach issues all of the time, but at the moment I really can't shut my brain off from it...which is making my stomach worse...which is making my anxiety worse. I don't know how to break the cycle. For example, the other day I had had solid stools all day, but I spent the whole day worrying about eating dinner as I thought this might cause diarrhea again. I had my dinner, felt anxious, and then a couple of hours later I had a couple of bouts if diarrhea. I feel like I am going into full panic mode thinking that this is never going to end and this will be my life now. Just wondering if anyone else can relate to this? Thanks
Hi
,
I am very sorry you are stuck in this cycle and unfortunately can relate completely. I have a pretty severe anxiety disorder and IBS. Many of the articles I write for this site talk about this issue. I rely on medication management (working with the meds and the doctor until the balance is right), therapy, diet and exercise to keep myself out of my head and try to keep moving forward. It isn't easy and you need to find your own way. It can be done and there is a whole lotta hope. Please just get the proper support from your doctor(s) and anyone else you can call part of your support system. Also remember we are here for support. I hope things improve soon. -Todd, IrritableBowelSyndrome.net Team
I can relate to this so much. Whenever I have symptoms like this I also start thinking that this will be my life forever... I'm currently doing a hypnotherapy program that helps a bit with this vicious cycle, but I'm still very much affected by stress and anxiety.
I just wanted to remind you that just because you have IBS, that doesn't mean that every stomach issue is related to it. I once had diarrhea for over a month, thought that my life was ruined, and it ended up being an infection that I needed antibiotics for. Other times I though I had a terrible inexplicable flare but it was actually a stomach bug...
What are you able to eat currently? Could it be that you started reacting to a food that was previously safe for you (happened to me with gluten)?
I hope you'll start feeling better very soon.
Hugs, Karina (team member)I have been having the same problem for the past 44 years. Still haven’t figured out how to deal with it. This past year I have been dealing with it since May and have lost over 20 pounds. It doesn’t matter what I eat. Can eat something and have no problems and eat the same thing the following week and end up in the bathroom for days. Not sure what triggers it anymore. Then my panic attacks kick in and makes things worse. It takes it’s toll not just for me, but on my family as well. I feel like I can’t leave my house because I need a bathroom.
I’ve be reading a lot about the head and gut part of IBS. They are very closely related. So now I’m looking for a therapist that can help me cope with this part of my IBS.Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm sorry that things have been so hard for you and have started affected your family as well. That's so tough and the failing of guilt doesn't help with the anxiety at all. 🙁
I hope you'll find a good therapist soon who'll be able to help you control the stress and IBS cycle.
Sending big hugs, Karina (team member)
