Needing help with IBS

[veritas]

I am feeling great and happy with 21 days AF under my belt.
I have however now developed another very uncomfortable problem.

I have been aware for a long time that my drinking was linked to anxiety. I am trying to sort through my anxiety issues with therapy and looking at the underlying assumptions that often fuel my tension.

One thing that has happened since going off alcohol is frequent attacks of irritable bowel syndrome. The attacks are severe, one two occasions, I was completely bedridden and in excruciating pain. It feels as though my gut is being strangled and pushed through a meat grinder.

Despite taking Buscopan and normal painkillers, the pain just goes on and on and on. I once had to cancell my clients, at great cost, as I could not walk.

I try to eat a healthy diet of high roughage, lots of fruit and veg and moderate protein. I have not picked up any dietery link.

Has anyone else had this problem and how did you cope?

[Lavande]

Needing help with IBS

Veritas,

Congratulations on your successful 21 days, that's great!

I can relate to your troubles with IBS. My IBS is definately related to stress/anxiety and diet as well. I have been on Rx anti anxiety medications that did little to nothing for me. I switched to OTC herbal products (Amoryn and Seredyn) several weeks ago and am having wonderful results. My anxiety has all but disappeared. No signs of depression whatsoever either. I feel in control of my life for the first time in many, many years.

I have found altering your diet, when IBS rears it's ugly head, essential. By limiting or reducing certain foods such as caffiene, alcohol, milk products, sugary & fatty foods, gas producing foods such as beans, broccoli, cabbage, etc and artifical sweetners very helpful. I also use a product called Immodium when needed. It stops the diarrhea associated with IBS and helps slow down gastric motility thus reducing abdominal pain.

I've spent my life taking care of everyone else as a professional nurse. Now at the age of 55 I am finally figuring out how to take care of myself

Hope you find some relief very soon, I know how difficult it can be. Hang in there!
Lavande

[Seacailin]

Needing help with IBS

Thank you for sharing that Lavande
I am a Nurse too. I was diagnosed with IBS at the age of 18, and strangely enough, my daughter develped it as a teen. We both have anxiety problems. Mine has been horrible lately, for months. One extreme to the other, if you know what I mean. They want to work me up now for Diverticulosis, but I have no health insurance, so for now, I must suffer. One thing that I have found helpful is the yogurts, like Activia, or the yogurt drinks with the same ingredients. I hate yogurt, so at first, I just forced down the shots, saying to myself what my alkie brain can relate to: "You have had shots of worse tasting stuff" lol. I got used to the yogurt and now Love the Blackberry pomegranate flavor. I hope this helps and thank you for helping me.

[Seacailin]

Needing help with IBS

I feel your pain Veritas:l I am in pain everday too, but not as severe as yours. It is really difficult to cope with an illness that not even my doctors seem to understand.

[nancy]

Needing help with IBS

You can try doing 5-10 mins relaxation before every meal. Sit quietly and breathe for 5 minutes.

Eat smaller meals and eat very slowly. Chew every bite thoroughly.

Enzymes are also an option, you take them before eating and they help you digest, but it sounds like your issue is stress related. Are you eating too fast?

When you eat, make sure you do it in a relaxed environment. Don't wolf things down by the TV or while working at the computer.

And yes, avoid the worst offenders. In addition to coffee, avoid decaf coffee.


Good luck.

[Lavande]

Needing help with IBS

Hello everyone,
Somehow I knew I wasn't the only one dealing with this problem. I think all of our suggestions are wonderful and if they work - why not?
Seacailin, isn't it amazing how the stress in Nursing affects you? Difficult patients, crappy co-workers and demandng hospitals administrators can really do a number on your digestive system. I bowed out of it a few years earlier than I had planned. Felt I needed to save what was left of me, ha ha.

[Seacailin]

Needing help with IBS

Indeed Lavande
My doctor told me that I absolutely HAD to leave my last job. I was working 10 hour shifts with no break for meals. Just downing coffee and smoking cigarettes when I could get 2 minutes to myself. I am now interviewing for Day shift. Doctor said no more Nights too after 15 years on the night shift. I am interviewing for quality management, consulting. No more bedside Nursing. I love my patients, but I think it's gonna kill me.

[Seacailin]

Needing help with IBS

Thanks you for your suggestions Nancy. I know that I have been guilty of eating on the run alot.

[MyHeartIsDrenchedInWine]

Needing help with IBS

Acacia and Dairy Care are my two favorite supplements for this, I have taken them daily for years. Check into food sensitivities as well, I cannot eat dairy, wheat, or onions. Wheat is a big problem for many people. I wish you luck with this!!!!!!!!

[veritas]

Needing help with IBS

Thanks, I will look into all the suggestions.:thanks:

Unfortunately, I love a lot of the forbidden food.:upset: Maybe I'll try steering clear of wheat and taking lots of joghurt. I don't think that I have a milk problem as I've always taken copious amounts of milk, over a litre a day, and in the past it has never been a problem. I'm also reluctant to cut down on milk as I have osteoprosis.

[MyOwnWoman]

Needing help with IBS

Try Kefir - it has more probiotics than yogurt.

You may be on to something with thinking to stay off wheat - Celiac disease can wreak havoc on your innards. If you can't afford the testing, just get off gluten altogether and see how you feel.

[Doggygirl]

Needing help with IBS

You might find this web site helpful: WholeApproach.com - Natural Candida Treatment - Systemic Yeast Infection and Candida Diet Recipes, Forums and Products There is a huge focus on yeast issues, but back when I was battling that big time, there were lots of folks with problems such as IBS who were active on the discussion forum. FWIW in case it's helpful..

DG

[DeeBee]

Needing help with IBS

Well done on 21 Days AF Veritas!!

Sorry I don't have any advise about IBS other than have you considered seeing a homeopath for it?

[nancy]

Needing help with IBS

Hi again Veritas

Do you have any ideas why things got worse when you stopped drinking? They should have improved. Alcohol really irritates the stomach. Did you have something else in its place? More coffee? Any other diet changes like having diet sodas instead (sorbitol can be bad)?

Or are you saying you think your anxiety level is up since quitting drinking? If it is related to anxiety you need to really work on that. Have you ever heard of mindfulness based stress reduction? It looks really interesting. You could google it and see if they have it in your area.

Peppermint oil capsules are soothing for the stomach.

[veritas]

Needing help with IBS

Thank you again, everyone.

Nancy, there is no doubt in my mind that it is anxiety related and it is due to the fact that I now have to sit through my anxiety rather than aneathetise it with a bottle of wine or two. When I was drinking I would often get extreme nausea and vomit, but on most days, I would just have a bit of a "runny tummy".

I do try to follow a healthy diet, but I will admit that I gulp my food and seldom sit still during a meal. In actual fact, I get extremely uncomfortable when I have to sit at a table for too long. Today, for instance, I rushed down a chicken salad for lunch and gulped it down between a stressful visit to the bank and a client. I was also late for my client as I managed to get caught in a major traffic jam after returning from a 300km business trip. My lunch probably lasted all of 5 minutes and I ate it during the middle of all this tension.

A factor that has come out in therapy is the reality that there are many areas of my work where I have absolutely no control, but I often have to face negative consequences, due to other people's decisions. It is something I need to look at more closely. The feeling of helplessness can be choking at times.

I sound like a highly stressed executive on a short fuse, but actually, I'm not. My work is very people centred and in my professional situation I have to be very contained. I also love to just chill in nature and I laugh very easily.