Digestive problems/Anxiety? Please Help

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

trying000

hey again,
wow thats weird that no one has said anything about IBS to you. but i dont know, maybe you just have an anxiety disorder? i have both, so it sucks even more Don't worry, my mom is the same way. She thinks only crazy people go to psychiatrists or therapists. but this is just not true. Sometimes they are the best resource a person can have. I think you should definately try to see one. Let your mom know that you just want to try it out because you need to do something . im seing a psychiatrist cause i'd like to try to go on xanax again and psychiatrists perscribe medecine directly for you. I think something like that might help you.
But its great that you have good friends and a good boyfriend. I don't talk to my friends about the IBS, just the anxiety. They understand but i'm not totally comfortable going places. except for one of my friends who has the exact same thing. it happens to a lot more people than you'd think apparently! I'm just always afriad of being so embarassed even though nothing has ever happened to make me feel this way. My boyfriend is really the only one who knows it all. Its great to have someone there who totally understands!
My dad totally doesnt want me going to a psychiatrist... but he doesn't understand how i feel. I think parents are just too overprotective to admit that something might be wrong with their kids. My dad just says "deal with it, its life" but sometimes its not just life, its more than that, u know? I'm kindof weary of getting addicted to some drug or something... but until my life is more stable and I am not in such a transition period , I think I need to talk to someone who has an objective viewpt.
So you are taking classes now? thats good that you got the courage to do that. good luck!

tinkerbelle1003

Heya,
Ya I really didnt start talking to my friends about it until I went to see the Digestive Disorder Doc. But once they seen me going to the doc. every other day, they wanted to know what was up. lol. I think my mom thinks I might be throwing it out of proportion or some thing, she doesnt seem to remember that once in my life i use to be active, and was rarely home. and suddenly that all changed. It can be hard to talk to her at times. we have never had a really open relashionship, but mostly it is just hard because she thinks what she says is right, and there is just no way around it.
About school, Im just taking one college course from home. I only have to go to the college to take test, or turn in my work. I just didnt want a whole other sememster to pass me by. Last semester, I started, but quit within a few days. so this time i went a lil safer route, hopefully by January Ive gotten some help and can go and be a normal (LOL) College Student again.
Its also kind of funny, moms wiery of me seeing a psyh. but when i say id like to be one she doesnt think anything is wrong in that LOL

::hugs all::