Hey everyone. I had a few questions, and wanted anyone who's familiar w/IBS to guide me. A little tidbit you should know is I've been struggling w/an anxiety/panic disorder for 13 years, and well, yes I"m a hypochondriac :rolleyes: It's awful, feeling this way...always thinking the worst. It owns me.

I guess this whole "episode" started Tuesday morning. at work, I had a bit of diarrhea in the am, but a normal BM in the afternoon. By Wednesday am, I had a few more bouts of diarrhea(nothing major, just whenever I'd go, I'd have some). By the afternoon, I had some nausea as well. Thursday I was off work, and felt purely lousy. I had one episode where I thought I had to pass some gas, but instead it was mucous :eek: So at that point, I called my doctor. Thursday was mainly a nauseous day with a very small amount of loose stool. Doc said to sip clear liquids, and call in the am if symptoms had not improved. Friday...felt worse. Achy, nausea and a few episodes of brief diarrhea in the am..BUT I also began to feel as if I wasn't empting all I needed to (if that makes any sense). So...I felt constipated but I had had diarrhea for the past few days. Doc said I had a classic stomach/gastro virus. Oh yeah, I also had a few bouts of heartburn Wed&Thursday night.

So it is now Sunday, the nausea is gone, I've tolerated a bland diet today, but have not moved my bowels. and I have this feeling like I need to. It's very frustrating. I have never had any issues with my bowels, and am hoping this is truly a virus working it's way through my system. Any advice would help tremendously!


P.s- My doc told me that my fullness feeling is coming from inflamed bowels due to the virus.....

Anybody....anybody....? Now going on day# 6..although symptoms aren't as severe as they originally were.

I have IBS, too. Not a fun thing to have for sure! I find that anytime I get upset, I get diarrhea. Been that way forever.
You have to understand that you will need to learn to control your emotions to help with this. That is what IBS is. Your bowels are reacting to your emotions. You might need to go on a anti-depressant for awhile. I took amitriptyline. Another thing that helped me was drinking Green Tea. It did wonders for my insides. Don't really understand why it works, but you might try it. I like the Jasmine Green Tea. Careful with how much sugar you put in it, as that is a natural stool softener.
Wishing you well!