stress?? - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

tanya31 · 12-22-2008, 02:56 PM

Hi everyone..I recently went to the dr. because everytime i would eat, I would get real bloated an couldn't breathe well.. He suspected it was IBS right off.. he said stress is a real big contributor to IBS.. he prescribed me Lexapro to help relax my stomach.. I'm just wondering if anyone else is taking an anti-depressant for the IBS.. Thanx..

RetiredDirector · 12-23-2008, 08:42 PM

I take Lexapro, 20 mg for IBS too. My doctor started me on it several years ago as a precautionary measure. I have pretty bad cramping and diarrhea with mine. I do have it somewhat under control though since I started using Metamucil each day. I am still on pain medication for mine, but have been able to cut back on it since I started with a PM doctor.

Stress was a definite factor in my IBS flaring up. I had a high stress job and had a very stressful relationship with an employee under me. She didn't like to take direction and because of that it caused many verbal arguments. She ended up leaving the company and I went out on Social Security Disability a few months later. Today, I'm retired, but I still suffer from the IBS.

tanya31 · 12-23-2008, 10:11 PM

Thanx for your input.. IBS is pretty bad and is very discomforting.. I did notice also when I am stressed out, I start to feel sick.. Would that employee make you stressed on purpose?? That is good for you that the situation is over with.. I don't think I could have handled that either... I've ben on Lexapro for 7 days now, and it does seem to be helping somewhat.. I'm more relaxed.. Just the side effects aren't too pleasant.. Take care..

RetiredDirector · 12-25-2008, 02:40 PM

I don't know if she did it on purpose or not, but it certainly became a clash of personalities. I was director of a news program and she was one of the anchors. When a situation involved making a decision would arise, she felt she had the power over me to make a critical decision. I just could not make her understand (and other management couldn't either) that she had to abide with the director's decision during a live show. This clash went on for some months, until her contract was up and she chose to move on to another job in another state.

For me however, the damage had been done and I still suffer today, some six years later. I most likely will be on medication the rest of my life from that work place problem.