Anxiety with IBS

@caj we are not doctors so cannot diagnose; however, we have experience in dealing with stress. Your doctor states that you are healthy. He is probably stating a physical diagnosis. Stress may cause many problems. Also it is possible that your doctor has missed a physical problem. It is always possible to get a second opinion. As for your stress, have you thought of getting some counseling on how to deal with stress? For me I find putting things off makes my stress worse. I need to deal with something right away. Keep us informed on what is happening with you. We do care and understand what you are going through.

In the past ten months I’ve seen so many ER docs, my GP and my Gastrologist. Had CTS with and without contrast dye, colonoscopy, endoscopy. It got to the point where I’d just take my big bag of scripts in each place. Each doc would change meds or add. I didn’t know what was correct

@caj I can certainly understand how confusing it must be. Many places the doctors work seperately but some places like at Mayo Clinic work as a team. Thus you can get an evaluation of what all the doctors are saying as a total summary making it more understandable. Have you given any thought to obtaining some form of counseling for dealing with stress? We all can use that.

I cannot say enough good things about the Mayo approach to patient diagnosis and care. The collegial nature of the practice of medicine allows the evaluation of the patient through multiple lenses and disciplines, if required. I am the beneficiary of that experience over 60 years ago, and am ever grateful for parents who made sure I had the best care available. If you can, a trip to Mayo could well codify the disparate opinions you’ve been receiving and get you on a more meaningful path to stability.

<p>I just had my 70th birthday. Last year I was in Palm Springs and ate some dirty dried apricots which caused a serious infection. It took several weeks to get it diagnosed. My family has a history of what they used to call colitis or IBS. I have bouts of diarrhea and constipation but the clincher is that I feel so stressed and anxious a great deal of the time. I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy last February and was diagnosed w GERD. I take no meds now but my anxiety is this really what’s wrong with me haunt me continually. We own a boat company and have had a lot of stress with it as well as my old fashioned husband thinks I should wait on him 24/7. I just feel like I can explode.I have waves of nausea, sweaty palms and feet. I think I’m either going nuts or there’s something else wrong and I’m dying. I’ve been to the ER 6 times this year, had CT’s both with contrast and without and they say nothing. I just don’t know what to do so I struggle every day to smile and say nothing but I’m going crazy inside. I just want to cry and be a child not a grown up and someone help me, please. My GP tells me I’m healthy but I don’t feel healthy at all</p>

My IBS is a mix of C and D. Due to the fact that it came to me through My Mum’s genes variety of protocols have been tried I am still the same . Last one was Zaxine antibiotic which the Dr said is unlikely to help but worth a try . Has anyone else had GAD and IBS and any success in getting it to settle down ?

Hi, I have the same!!! Do you take antidepressants ? They do help, but some cause constipation ( making it worse.) i do take magnesium glycinate at night to relax.

I think I have the same (both my mother and her mother had the same also) and then I was born into a very dysfunctional family so that pretty much cemented the anxiety into place. I've tried the magnesium to relax without result. (Alcohol and marijuana don't help either.) Well, coming here helps to know I'm not alone and maybe if any of us find something to help, we can post it here. Good luck.

@marilyncarkner - I wanted you to know I moved your post here to where others were previously talking about anxiety and IBS. Glad you've also connected with @susanblan and @h8bigbiz. I'd like to tag some of those who've previously been part of this discussion so that they can share with you how they've gotten their IBS to settle down with also having anxiety. Please meet @cindychesler @blackoutthesun @caj @guener. @jlharsh also may have some input for you.

Has anything you've tried so far helped your IBS at all, marilyncarkner?

@caj
Dear caj, I am 77 and you pretty much described the life I had! Second husband was an alcoholic, by-polar, addicted gambler! Went for physical with my doctor and when she just asked how I was doing; just started crying! Could hardly speak! I was a retired teacher who never lost control, I think I scared my doctor!
She put me on Zoloft for anxiety and I could smile again!!! Didn't do a thing to help my IBS-D!!!!! I have been on Zoloft for over 15years, am trying to cut back! I was married to this good looking husband for 25years! When he realized that our relationship was nearing an end, he would do a suicide attempt. Three times he did this and each time I did everything I could to help him! The third time his heart doctor told him he had about an hour left! I was always at fault for everything he did according to him and his sicko psycho "doctor". Emotional blackmail!
Anyway, the next day I went up to ICU to check on him! I said hello ,took off my coat and sat down. His 24 hour nurse was seated in room. He started his conversation with , he was unhappy and stopped and started over with I'm sure you are unhappy. --- obviously he had been coached by the psycho who had just walked out! Said he wanted a divorce! I stood up, put on my coat and replied," Fine". I did not go back to see or help! He begged to come home, back to me. I got a divorce! I told his sons that he was killing me and I was in dire need for some peace.
I am not suggesting you leave your husband!!!!!!!!! I'm telling you that anxiety did contribute to my IBS-D but the medication Zoloft did not help my IBS-D!
When I read your post, I felt strongly for you!!! Bless your heart!