IBS and Anxiety making school tough

luvmykid
Tue, 03 Sep 2013 23:22:40 +0000

I’m sorry–I can relate! I’ve had several bouts (3 lasting about 6 months each, and a few shorter ones) of IBS-D. It has gotten so bad at times that I couldn’t leave my house/had to wear diapers. Fear of having an accident caused even more anxiety. Each time I had it, it happened right after taking a round of antibiotics for another infection (like a sinus infection or dental work) Here are some things that helped me–taking large doses of fiber, yogurt/probiotics. I could never really connect it with any particular anxiety producing/traumatic event. When I was first “diagnosed” (15 years ago), the doc acted like it was all “in my head,” asked if my husband abused me, etc. (No.) (I’ve had some traumatic experiences, but they happened after I had IBS.) Last year I had a colonoscopy because I had been losing weight after having IBS D for several months. After that, the IBS went away–I believe that the prep, flushing out the colon for the colonoscopy helped “cure” the IBS that time. Other times the fiber and pro-biotics seemed to work. Sometimes I’m convinced this is a bacterial infection, because of the connection with antibiotics, but it does also seem to be connected to my nervous system–like an exaggerated fight/flight response. I get goosebumps/hair stands on end–then “it happens.” Sometimes I can prevent this by taking a few deep breaths and exhaling very slowly to “calm” my system. (I am also lactose intolerant and do not use milk products.) 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? I hope you can get the right kind of help that you need.