Anyone also have IBS?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2006
Anyone also have IBS?
11
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 4:16pm

I suffer from anxiety/panic attacks (much better though now that I'm on meds) and also have mild irritable bowel syndrome. I'm finding that when my stomach is upset I get really anxious afterwards and start the dreaded cycle of "what ifs". What if I'm sick? What if it gets worse? You know the drill.

Anyone else feel this way? I've been working to make some dietary changes which have helped but now I worry every day about my stomach getting upset...even though it doesn't very often anymore. I do have fears of being sick which is what makes me so anxious but I just want to be able to enjoy the foods I like without worry.

Grrr...if it's not one thing it's another!! Any thoughts??

Thanks!! :)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2006
Fri, 09-08-2006 - 11:15am

Thanks for all the responses!

I'm taking Lexapro (10 mg) and have been for several years (except when I was pregnant). It has been amazing in controlling my panic attacks. For me it took a week or two before I noticed I felt better. I've had problems w/ IBS over the years but after my son was born it seemed to flare up and it started to bother me more. Some of it I think is b/c I'm at home w/ my son and I have more time to "think" which we all know is not good for anxiety. I did go see a gastro who agreed it was IBS and said that my gut has basically taken the brunt of the stress from having a new baby. Lovely!

My IBS seems to be better but I just can't stop worrying about it. I've made some changes to my diet-reduced caffeine, less dairy, almost no alcohol-all good things for anxiety too. But now I feel like I'm restricting myself almost too much. I used to enjoy the occasional glass of wine but now worry it will upset my stomach. I feel like my appetite has suffered too.

I think so often I think it's my stomach that's the problem but in reality it's my anxiety.

How does one break the cycle?

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