IBS and anxiety? - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

allsorts · 03-01-2008, 04:36 PM

Hi peeps,
I am just wondering what your thoughts are on IBS and anxiety. For as long as I have known, I have had always had horrendous toilet problems with or without anxiety, but my anxiety is 10x worse when I am feeling bad anyway.

I've suspected I have had IBS for years, but I have never had a diagnosis. I know that if I eat brown bread, I will be on the toilet. Same goes for coffee, alcohol, tea, some pastas.

The strange thing is, I got some IBS medicine from the doctor to help with some of the zoloft side-effects (because I have just started taking zoloft) to combat anxiety and depression. However, I am finding the IBS medicine is making me feel less anxious and more comfortable and happier than the zoloft medication itself.

Is it possible IBS can cause anxiety to be worse?
Is it possible IBS can make you tired and depressed?
Is it possible IBS can cause lower back pain?

All of those symptoms (IBS possible causes) have gone immediately after taking IBS medicine. I feel like a miracle has happened.

RetiredDirector · 03-03-2008, 01:06 PM

What kind of IBS meds did your doctor prescribe? When I first went to the doctor with problems and was diagnosed with IBS, my doc told me that anxiety does not cause IBS, but it can trigger or make worse your IBS symptoms.

I have had IBS for several years and have constant pain from mine. I'm currently on Opiate pain med (slows bowels and reduces pain), Lexapro and Klonopin.

I am on Social Security Disability for the past four years due to my chronic pain problems from IBS, Neuropathy from lung surgery, and now spinal arthritis (DDD), so I'm basically retired, as I'm old enough to collect retirement benefits anyway.

bellyblues · 03-04-2008, 02:15 AM

I've had IBS for 30 years. Back when I was dx, it was called "spastic colon"! I have taken every type of med for IBS as well as for anxiety and depression. I have never been given a med specifically for IBS that directly helped my anxiety. Usually, it worked the other way around. When I've felt anxious ABOUT my gut, an anti-anxiety pill would typically normalize all symptoms of both belly and brain.

It's really a horse and cart issue with IBS. The medical community does not concur that anxiety CAUSES IBS. However, it can worsen IBS sypmtoms. Conversely, having severe or even moderate IBS symptoms can bring on anxiety or exacerbate already existing symptoms. I have benefited in the past from drugs like xanax, valium, klonopin, and librium when I've had such severe IBS symptoms that I've become almost agoraphobic. Unfortunately, these drugs are never long term solutions as they are highly addictive.

I am very interested in the name of the drug you are taking for IBS that has effectively cured your anxiety.

allsorts · 03-05-2008, 07:05 AM

It hasn't cured my anxiety, it has allowed me to keep it under control more, without the effects of rushing to the toilet and escaping situations due to the severe effects of IBS worsened by anxiety.

medication I am using is spasmonal.

MissB999 · 03-31-2008, 01:24 PM

I believe that anxiety makes IBS worse. Ive had Anxiety problems for 12 years now and IBS for 9. When Im stressed or anxious its 10x worse and makes me feel horrid. Once Im calm and over the worry it seems to get mildly better. THe Dr has confirmed panic and anxiety will make me worse but are not the cause.