for the past 7 years on holiday i got really bad diorreha and would have to rush back the the hotel after every meal as i didnt like using public toilets at the time i didnt really think anything of it just thought it was the different oils and stuff they use to cook! Then last february i had i really bad stomach cramps in work 1 day and had to get sent home as i was to embarrassed to use the toilet after this i had really bad diorreha every morning b4 work and could go up2 7 times b4 i'd even left for work this resulted in phoning in sick to work most days as i was to scared to leave the house after being signed off work on and off until the june i was paid off and since then i've still not got a job i hardly leave the house the doctors are wanting to put me on anti-depressants but i am to scared! i have been seeing a counciller and she had pointed out that the toilet phobia had been underlying for years we jst didnt notice it at 1st because it was only on holiday i had really bad bm's. i havent been on a night out since october when i do venture out of the house its in my friends car and i wnt go far incase i need to get home! every1 jst keeps going on at me that i'm being stupid and i'm so down all the time i jst hate myself for what i've let this do to me! has ibs done this 2 any1 else?

I think most of us experience anxiety in response to our IBS symptoms. I know that I have gone weeks without leaving the house except to go to work. And that is only possible because I work in a private home by myself that is only 6 minutes from my house. I think everyone can relate to the paralyzing fear of leaving the house for extended periods of time. You are not alone!

If you've received a dx of IBS and you doctor has suggested anti-depressants, you should give it a try. Many, many people have benefited from the anxiety reducing qualities of these drugs.

The biggest problem I have with the dreadful "syndrome" is that once the gut starts acting up, it's hard to keep the brain from going into alarm mode. When the brain gets worked up, it disturbs the gut. So it's this cycle that only seems to break if we experience some relief from the physical symptoms. For me, if I have a good day or two, I relax completely, resume life in a normal way, go out and about, enjoy myself and forget I even have a bad belly. But once I am into a series of bad days, I can't seem to disengage from the thoughts and fears that I will never feel good again. Sound familiar?

It's good you are working with a counselor. I would suggest you provide her/him with information about IBS so that he/she can understand the emotions and the pain with which you are dealing.

I hope visiting this message board helps you as much as it has me. It has made such a difference for me to know that I am not alone or crazy and that others out there are struggling (and some are actually doing well!) just like me!

Hi Staceymc5, I know exactly how you feel. My IBS became bad after a Holiday as well and I have really struggled to keep it under control. I also have a phobia about using public toilets. I get so paranoid in case I make any "bad noises" or "unpleasant odours". I still find that I have to rush home when I have a bad attack. I am new to this site and I have only logged on today as I am really starting to get so depressed with my condition and I was hoping this would help me knowing that there were other people who would understand. I changed my job 6 months ago because I thought if I reduced my stress things would get better (I used to be in Sales). I am now in the process of trying to change job again because I am finding it too stressful and it is making my condition flair up.
I have a list of symptoms as long as your arm and the worst thing is that when I have an attack it knocks me out for about 4 days. I end up missing the odd day here and there for work and I really try not to. I have only been in my job 6 months and I have already had to take 3 days off and I have now been reported to HR - of course that makes me worse because I then start to worry!
I also feel like it controls my life, I don't go out much and I don't really drink because it makes me worse. I really can sympathise with you and you are not alone. I really undertand when you say it makes you hate yourself because I feel the same. You are not alone in this!
It is a chronic awful condition and it does not get the recognition it should. Don't ever feel that you have let it taken you over - I really understand how it can make you feel. I listened to the radio 4 casenotes last night and there was a really interesting discussion about IBS. Check it out - it has given me some hope! x
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/progs/listenagain.shtml Under Casenotes

thanks so much for the replys its so good to hear i'm not the only one who feels like this! i am going to give my counciller this website so she can come and check it out i think i will give the anti depressants a try! thanks again xxxxx

The biggest problem I have with the dreadful "syndrome" is that once the gut starts acting up, it's hard to keep the brain from going into alarm mode. When the brain gets worked up, it disturbs the gut. So it's this cycle that only seems to break if we experience some relief from the physical symptoms. For me, if I have a good day or two, I relax completely, resume life in a normal way, go out and about, enjoy myself and forget I even have a bad belly. But once I am into a series of bad days, I can't seem to disengage from the thoughts and fears that I will never feel good again. Sound familiar?


Ths seems to put in a nutshell how I feel - I'm on antidepressants after two breakdowns. Am back at work - just had a lovely long holiday - changes at work have helped me and when I returned to work last week after the hol I felt great. But have had some stressful situations with 19 year old son and was pleased I coped well.

Monday evening left work with headache - up during the night with D, C, shivers etc - off work from Tues - now exhausted and constipated!! Feel dreadful! Where does it come from - I know there's a connection with stress/brain etc but I thought I felt fine. Now I feel I'll never be free of it which adds to the exhaustion - viscious circle:mad:

Hi all my name is Sarah and i suffered with IBS since about Aug 06........It all started with feeling sick in word and wanting to go to the toilet all the time....went to the dr;s and told me i had a tummy bug and to rest.....so i did, went back to work after the weekend and it started again.....i knew then it was a bug at all........by now i was feeling dizzy, sick, bloated, everything.....i went back to the dr's and by then i was that bad i had a massive panis attack there and then in the wakiting room....i thought i was going to die or tell me there was something seriously wrong with me......i have never felt pain like it!
I was sent home with no prescription or anything and was told to rest drink plenty of water. I have never heard of IBS until i went back to the dr's for the forth time and by then i had been on so many tablets and fibre drinks and having different tests done i was just sick of it and no one knowing what was going on with me.......th fear was with me all the time that something was really wrong with me.
In September last year my dr's put me on anti-depresent and anti-anxiety tablets.
I have learnt so much now about IBS i can now handle it whenever i get bad, i know what to do to make me feel better and how to cope with me my way.....not all people will suffer as much as other people and will have different ways with coping with it.
I havbeen told that it was from over-activity in the brain sending mesages down to the gut and that would make ur gut flare up and then the more u think about your gut your brain it doing over-drive and sending more messages.....this will go on and on and on.....until one day i can control it
Conselling seemed to help me alot and having relaxation tapes to listen to as well......i have to admit doing this made me feel stupid and embarressed....but we have to try everything once :)
I know how everyone feels, like life can't go on with feeling the same thing everyday, the fear of actually leaving the house, being in over crowded places, being too hot, crying for no reason....when u watch TV your not actually watching it, just staring at it and thinking about how your going to survive the day.
Trust me that day will come where u can go where ever you like and not feeling scared of what might happen!
Remember that in the long run things don't matter as much as you think they do, so don't take yourself, others or life too seriously. Everything happens for a reason and to be a sufferer of IBS means that your body can't cope, You may feel fine and don't actually think your stress but your mind is working too hard and the body is trying to tell you to slow down.

The way i coped with it was doing things by myself like reading, doing puzzles maybe do a little decorating, i managed to paint my whole hall, stairs and langin, plus 2 bedrooms.........was a good way to keep my mind of other problems i had to deal with....focus on solutions to the problem rather than on the problem itself.

When u have IBS it's a real kick in the teeth and your confidence goes down the toilet, it's not nice at all. You have to start think positive thoughts....don't think to much of the future and take each day in hand.

To this day i'm still on medication, but only these ones make me sleep at night so my mind and body have a full rest while i'm asleep. i love them and i tell everyone i know about what happened to me and how i still cope with IBS......the more people u tell the better you will feel about yourself coz you are not alone......even men get IBS as well.

Things are not as bad as they seem. I still have off days and don't go to work, i just rest all day get as much sleep as i can coz if i don't have my full hrs i am knackered all day and that ain't good.

I wa signed off from work for 7 months and i went back in March....everyone was a great help and if anything got too much for me i would just take a walk outside and take some deep breaths and i would be ok again.

IBS is not as bad as u make it out to be....the more u worry the worse it wil get.

A change on diet is always good as well......try not to fry anything or have anything that is too fatty or greasy.........Fibre is important but IBS sufferers with either have not enough fibre or toomuch fibre....so if your dr is telling u to eat more fibre and u feel ill from it then stop your body is telling you u have enough.

I could type loads of things but i guess this is long enough for anyone to read.

If you have any questions at all please ask me.......i want to help other sufferers of this dreadful condition that it's not as bad as u make out. it's all in the mind.

Sarah x

Thanks Sarah - I know this isn't my thread but I too returned to work in May this year and I found your post helpful. I believe that the IBS and probs at work led to my depression. I just felt I couldn't cope.

Thanks again

Sarah,
I'm happy you have found a way to cope with your symptoms. That's great and thank you for sharing.

You should remember, however, that many of us have been suffering with this disorder for decades and have not only tried everything you mentioned, but actually implemented long term changes to diet and lifestyle, all to no avail. Many of us are debilitated for years because of IBS and our symptoms are only temporarily relieved or not relieved at all by utilizing relaxation techniques and diet. Many of us (myself included) have been in "therapy" for years to help us cope with the lifestyle changes forced upon us by this disorder. I have been at this for 25 years now, spanning the country for good doctors, naturopaths, therapists, alternative medicines, etc., and still I suffer everyday.

Current research is providing evidence that IBS is not originiated by stress. In addition, most of us have heard all our lives that the D, C, cramps, spasms, pain, aches, fatigue, distress, and depression that all accompany IBS is "all in out minds". It is not a theory that is helpful nor is it one that has real scientific proof to back it up.

It's always wonderful to hear from people who have found solutions to their symptoms. But please try to remember that all disease and physical disorders come in varying degrees of severity.

Hi Pandora

what helped you get back to work? i have noticed that other people have had IBS for longer and i feel awful now telling everyone how much better i am when other people are still suffering.

Official reason for being off work was Anxiety depression. Medication for this has helped with the IBS because the anxiety / stress affects the IBS (if that makes sense!)

In the end I felt strong enough to return to work but had been working with a psychotherapist and occupational health so dd it in small steps - built up a little confidence in myself. Must admit my manager has been brill (as far as she can be cos I still have to be able to do the job)

But even as I was thinking it was all sorted I had a bad episode last week (see earlier thread) - had had a few"stressful" situations wth my son which kicked off the anxiety but the IBS attack still came as a shock. So had to have 4 days off cos I was completely shattered.

I suppose one word is "acceptance" - I've got it so will try and smile and live with it. Sounds idealistic but what's the alternative?

Sorry for rambling on - hope that's answered your question

S
xx

Hi Pandora

I still have bad days as well...at this moment i feel a but sick and anxious.....but i know if i have enough sleep and fully rest today i will be fine to go back to work tomorrow. still hate feel like this makes me so depressed to know i cannot do all the other things that i usede to before i was ill.
But your right acceptance is the key word.....i have accepted it in a big way, it was a choice i know that i had to do to be able to get through each day.

Sarah

Doesn't make it any easier though does it?! I've "shamed" myself into it sometimes cos my mother in law has suffered with chronic arthritis for over 50 years - now suffering additionally wth the effects of osteoporosis. I'm not sure whether it's the right approach though cos sometimes it makes me feel worse about myself:(

Anyway, onwards and upwards as they say
:)

Belly Blue is right. Congratulations on figuring out what is causing your IBS symptoms to ease up. Unfortunately, I can't say I've had the same luck that you have. Stress does NOT influence my IBS flare ups at all. In fact, within the last four months I've gone through some of the most difficult things that I've ever faced in my life and never had a flare up. Now that things have calmed down (this had to do with problems our son was having) and I'm laughing, happy and joyous and my old self again, I'm going through the worse flare I've ever had. I'm so frustrated by people always labeling "syndromes" with depression. Sure it isn't a walk in the park during a flare but depression isn't what's causing my IBS symptoms. It can be depressing while it's happening and you're in pain for days but popping a pill for depression isn't going to eleviate what I'm going through. If that was the case, what would be the need for this message board? Thank you for letting me vent...I know I sound angry, but it's so frustrating!!