Digestive problems/Anxiety? Please Help

[tinkerbelle1003]

First I want to say Hi to all, and wish you all the best.
I will try to keep it short, but its a life time of problems.
-as a kid, i could not eat sweets early in the morning, it would hurt my stomach (1995)
-in Highschool, not only did sweets hurt me in the morning but my stomach became sensitive to smells, purfume, hairspray, food smells, ect.
-H/S became stressful, I lost 3 close family members with in 2-3 years, and house flooded in Tropical Storm Alison. (2000-2002)
-After Graduation I decided to takea year off school, and get my first job.
-This is where my stomach starts to control my life. I get my first job, and LOVE it! I felt like i was getting paid to have FUN.
-Ive always gotten nervous on the first day of school., before test, going someplace alone, ect.
-But my stomach was hurting EVERYDAY before work, I always felt like I had to go to the bathroom, and the drive to work felt like hell every day. All the way, I just wanted to turn around and go home I didnt know if I could take the feeling of needing to use the restroom.
-Seen Family doc 1st time over my stomach, he said i had a spastic colon, & needed more fiber. I knew it was more than just fiber! (2003)
-Quit Job, Could not take the feeling anymore day after day
-Signed up for college, 2nd day of class Droped Out. (1-2004)
-Went to a Digestive Disorder Specialist. Ran $5k worth of test on me, includeing colon cancer, and all she said was I needed more fiber.
-Started taking fiber pills, cut down on dairly, Nothing changed. I still have urges to use the bathroom shortly after eating/before leaving home. (1-2004)
-It is controling my life, I cant make plans with friends, I can barely leave my house, in fear i might have the sudden urge to use the RR, I hate being in places I might not be able to leave (so if i have an urge) ect.
-I take college from home, but still have to take test at the college, my grades suffer from it!
-Gained 20-30lbs since my problems have worsened!
-My Boyfriend is who brought up the thought Anxiety, after watching a Paid Programing thing last night (about anxiety) is when i found this site

Please help!!! Im 21 and have so much in me that I just cant do because of my stomach! Im scared this is going to ruin my life.
What type of doc should I see? How do I bring it up?
Should I see a therapist? Pychologist?

And Thanks to All who read ALLLLLL That! Hope it didnt bore ya too much

[jules_52]

I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. What you're going through sounds pretty much exactly what I went through too.
A couple of years ago, I got food poisoning from a chinese restaurant and got sick on the road in my car, while I was on a date with my boyfriend. I was horribly embarrassed and traumatized about it, and it caused me to have intense anxiety about not finding a bathroom when I needed it.
So, after taking tons of Immodium and talking to a psychotherapist (who's helped me so much on how to deal with anxiety) I have a semi normal life. I'm a 22 college senior, and sometimes it's hard to go to class and be out and about, but I try not to think about it. If I freak out about going to the bathroom, I just tell myself that "Everyone goes to the bathroom, it isn't a big deal."
So after having a colonoscopy, I was diagnosed with IBS and have been on 1/2 a tablet of Zelnorm in the morning and night. It's helped alot. Sorry I couldn't be more help, I just wanted to let you know that I've been there *hug*

[hry33]

I would keep experimenting with different foods and eat lots of fiber, unprocessed bran is good, also drink plenty of water

[trying000]

hi, I just wanted to tell you that you are not alone. I am 19 years old and I have been experiencing the same types of problems for about a year now. Im in my third year of college, and I know exactly how you feel about not wanting to go out, etc. And its really hard, especially at this age, to be closed off from other people. At first I was having stomach pains just about every day, and i attributed it to the foods i was eating. Then i was prescribed Xanax and told that people with anxiety disorders often have diarrhea, stomach pains, etc. Xanax helped me a lot with calming down and not feeling as stressed, so I didnt worry about how my stomach was going to react to things as much. but i was only prescribed it once, and that was it. Basically this past summer I went to a gastroentologist (spelling?) and she said i may have a mild form of IBS and anxiety. So then she gave me paxil, which is an antidepressent, and i dont like it at all because i dont feel depressed. I am seeing a psychiatrist in october and I hope that he can help calm my anxieties about worrying about going on long car rides, or having to use the restroom in public, along with all of the anxieties of being in school and having tons of work to do, because i mostly get the symptoms only when im at school or going out in public. I hate having to do presentations in class cause im always scared that i'll have to run out of the room, and i always sit near the door in every class just because it makes me feel more comfortable.
I know you said you can't afford a doctor, but have you tried taking fiber? it can bulk up your stool and make you more regluar. i did that but it gave me really bad gas so i stopped. or your could try using immodium AD when your stomach isnt feeling well. I find that it helps and stops the symptoms atleast for the rest of the day. Im probably getting more immune to it, so thats not good.
I am really sorry that this has affected your life so hugely when youre so young Maybe if you try to make your life as comfortable as possible... get a job really close to home, go out with people who understand your anxieties and who wont think anything of it even if you do get sick when you are out.. thats what ive tried to do.. and it does help to a certain extent, but i dont know if these feeling will ever go away. I have also learned some breathing techniques that help you to take your mind off of the anxiety and the fears.
It sounds like you and I could be a lot alike, and im here to talk whenever you want! I could say a lot more but this is already soooo long so i'll stop. hopefully we'll talk again.

[tinkerbelle1003]

trying0000
Maybe i miss wrote something, we have the money to see a doctor, we spend $5,000 on a few test and seeing a digestive disorder specialist that helped me none. so money is not the problem. I would give almost everything I got to feel normal. I dont know why none of my doctors have ever said anything to me about IBS tho.
All my friends understand my problem, and they try to help me as much as possible, Im blessed to have my boyfriend, he is the most sapportive, hes always making sure im feeling great when we are out. and if im feeling the slightest of sick, he is most willing to leave for me.
My new problem has become, my mom, who pays for all, just think i have a sensitive stomach, and think i should take some of my sisters nerve pills ( sis had an accident, so doc gave her nerve pills to calm her down, it had her a lil shook up). I showed her another post from someone, and she didnt think much of it. I really dont know how to tell her that I really need to see someone over this, like possibly a psychologist/therapist... I think in a way she is scared, most people dont think normal people see psych., (why does it look like im spelling that wrong! LOL) I need to have good facts, that will persuide her to the right direction.

LOL talk all u want. I know im just as good at babblying on and on. If i want to write a 1 page letter it becomes a 5 pg .

I was so thankful when i found this site, I love to talk to others that are dealing/ have dealt with the same thing, its great to exchange stories and advice. and well i just love talking