does anxiety/nervousness lead to IBS? - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

shootme · 06-17-2006, 01:01 AM

Just wondering how many of you suffer from anxiousness and nervousness? Do you think IBS cause you to be anxious or anxiety caused IBS?

seabell · 06-19-2006, 06:50 AM

Before my IBS-D took over my life, I was not anxious or nervous about anything. I would jump out of bed every day, happy and ready to start my day. Have to drive to an airport at 7am? No problem. Start a 9 hour car trip at 2am? No problem! Be in a crowd of people with no toilet in sight? No problem! Take a romantic walk on a beach? Travel by airplane? Go out to a nice dinner? Take a rowboat out on a lake? Did it all without a second thought.

Now... the thought of having to leave a safe area (translation: available toilet) makes me nuts. And if it happens unexpecedly, my stomach literally immediately 'melts'. For instance, my dad was rushed to the hospital last week and as soon as I found out, I barely had time to make it to the toilet. And yes, of course I was worried about my dad, but my stomach reacted because I knew that I had to get in the car and get to the hospital.

I've tried anxiety meds but had such a bad reaction to them that I hope I never have to go on them.

So, yeah, IBS definately caused my anxiety!

ness67 · 06-22-2006, 09:36 AM

I got a booklet from my doctor this week and anxiety is a symptom of IBS along with nausea, loss of appitite, depression, backache, urinary problems (frequency), bloating or swollen abdomen, audiable grumbling or gurgling,excess wind or gas, anxiety, fatigue, dizziness, muscle pain and indigestion.

Heidi0307 · 06-23-2006, 04:23 AM

That's a tough one! Whilst I do agree with Seabell that anxiety comes after IBS (as a result of worrying about making it to the loo etc), my IBS started as a result of a nervous breakdown - I had severe anxiety!! - this led to what I guess was the start of my main symptoms. However, I've always been a bit of a worrier but always come across as out-going, bubbly and fun. If ever I had to do anything that I didn't want to do or something that made me nervous (like, maybe getting up to sing on karaoke), my stomach would have a fit and I'd be in the loo for ten minutes just in anticipation of getting up to sing!

So, in my case, I found that my anxiety and stress led to IBS and then worrying about IBS made it worse! X

pugsley0502 · 07-02-2006, 04:58 PM

My own personal point of view, I don't personally think stress or anxiety can cause IBS but personally I find it can't half give you hell if you are suffering with it.

I have had IBS for about 18 months or so now, such a short time compared to some people that I read about, I think the trigger for me was a bout of gastroentoritis. Now I am suffering the IBS great one someone somewhere don't like me, anyhow back to the topic my own experiences of IBS with anxiety if I am anxious or nervous about something as I said above it can play absolute havoc with it, and I then find myself in a vicious circle because I have the anxiety of what ever the problem is on top of that comes the anxiety about the IBS kicking off, so for me I get a double dose of it, lovely huh!! I do sometimes think I am the only one that goes through it like this, I am sure I am not but it don't half feel like it sometimes.