been off work for over a year with ibs please help!!! - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

staceymc5 · 09-05-2007, 09:10 AM

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?

bellyblues · 09-06-2007, 12:34 AM

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!

Han81 · 09-06-2007, 03:38 PM

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
[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/progs/listenagain.shtml[/url] Under Casenotes

staceymc5 · 09-06-2007, 04:54 PM

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

pandora-k · 09-20-2007, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellyblues

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