IBS and Anxiety making school tough

Nrdsb4
Wed, 04 Sep 2013 09:29:57 +0000

I wish some doctor would figure this out–remember that they used to think ulcers were caused by “stress”–then found out it was a bacterial infection?



Ulcers are also often caused by overuse of NSAIDs.

I understand the feeling that it would be a shame for the OP not to go into nursing simply for the fact of having IBS and the possibility that it could resolve. The problem is going to be getting through nursing school, which is even less compatible with an unpredictable bowel problem than actual nursing is. I just don’t see this going well until she gets her symptoms under some kind of control. Nursing school and the early years of nursing where one is learning the profession are very, very stressful, and one really just doesn’t have time for frequent bathroom breaks. I think whether or not anxiety is causing the IBS or IBS is causing the anxiety is irrelevant to the immediate issue of nursing school, though it is significant for her long term prognosis. I have no doubt that the anxiety associated with her IBS is likely exacerbating it, until it becomes a rather vicious cycle.

I don’t know what the solution is here, but I wish the OP all the best. I think she needs some multifaceted therapy here which consists of diet changes, medication, and perhaps time with a therapist familiar with this disorder to help her with some coping mechanisms which can help her find some calm in her days.