IBS and SAD

[Gizmoman]

I think my IBS problems are synced with my anxiety. If I go out to eat and we are walking around or doing something else afterwards and I get anxious, then POW I get the runs. Does any one else have this problem? Is there anything I can do besides taking Immodium before I go out? I need help.

[SASKRS]

This happens to me all the time. I have to be very aware if I eat Chinese food or Mexican food. I usually will choose restuarants where I know that they have multiple toilets because of this. Also, if I am out of town I will plan to go walk around a mall or something before traveling again 'to get it out of my system'. I never go anywhere without Immodium.

[Gizmoman]

Lol, I am immodium relaint as well! I thought I was the only one who did that. lol. I have heard that probiotics in supliments help restore some nature rythem to my digestive tract but I forgot which ones they were. Anyone out there know any good supliment recomedations for me?

[tigerpaw]

Past history tells me that anxiety and the constant need to use the bathroom has been a hand in hand symptom.

[marc]

You are absolutely correct; IBS and stress go hand in hand; studies prove it.

[DannyBoy1985]

Just to jump in here but I have suffered IBS-D myself and have now thankfully got it somewhat managed. Just wanted to share some of the things I have personally done to help and I hope it helps some of you. I know how terrible this condition is and I know how unsympathetic employers can be about it, I'm just thankful that here in the UK it is covered under the Disability Discrimination Act. Anyway, I digress...
First things first, immodium should be taken everywhere, try and buy it generically as it is a lot cheaper. Its generic name (I'm not insulting anyone's intelligence here by the way, just trying to be helpful) is loperamide hydrochloride. Another good idea if you get cramps with IBS is to try an anti-spasmodic like buscopan, its really quite helpful even if just for a placebo effect. It is worth noting that I read in the Lancet recently that a placebo is 50% effective in treating IBS-D. I hear aloe vera is meant to be very effective, but haven't tried it. Traditional chinese medicine is effective (Ren shen jian pi wan) but use with caution, in the UK these medicines are not regulated and can contain some... interesting ingredients.
Another point, I feel that IBS-D can be brought on often by a fear of public toilets. Personally I hate going to them and always tried to avoid them and I think this is half of them problem. To overcome this I used a process called systematic desensitisation, I used them a bit at low levels and rewarded myself each time with a treat and gradually increased it. This helped me a lot.
The last thing that I did (and I'm most proud of this one) was very simple. I trained my bowels to empty first thing in the morning (often by drinking a lot of water and eating fibre the night before) before leaving the house. I also conditioned myself to need to go to the toilet when I play my Xbox (simply every time I needed to go I started playing my Xbox until just playing it now makes me need to go). Now I get up 2 hours before I need to leave the house and eat straight away. I then play my Xbox until I need to go and then enjoy the rest of my day. I find it comforting that I have already been and no longer worry about it.
I'm sorry this is so long but it has genuinely changed my life and I hope it can do the same for you. I study Psychology and have been working on adapting this into a form of therapy for IBS. I'd be grateful for any feedback you can give me on its effectiveness.

[AOKAY]

And isn't it always when you are the farthest away from the toilet that you need to use one the most?  Funny how the brain trys to screw with us.

I swear by Imodium, but be sure to take the Imodium Complete with the Anti-Gas feature.  Sometimes the urge you feel in your belly is only gas (and the anti-gas simethicone will deal with that), but you certainly don't want to make a mistake.

Try taking Imodium the day before you know you will be away from a bathroom.  With me it is even more effective the day after I take it.

Many years ago, when Imodium was not yet over-the-counter in America I visited England and found it on the shelf there and brought a bunch home with me.  Now, in America, it is on the shelf, both brand-name, Imodium, with and without anti-gas simethicone, and generic.  It's probably all in my head, but I don't believe the generic works as well.  The over-the-counter Imodium the same drug as available by prescription, but at half the strength.  If you want prescription strength (which I don't recommend, at least until you see how your body reacts) just take twice the over-the-counter dosage.

[Chadster]

Another point, I feel that IBS-D can be brought on often by a fear of public toilets. Personally I hate going to them and always tried to avoid them and I think this is half of them problem.

This a BIG part of my problem. Going "number 2" is a very private matter for me, I don't want anyone else listening to me (or smelling me ). If it's a more private public bathroom where I can go in and lock the door it doesn't bother me as bad, but I absolutely despise a bathroom with stalls. That cheap thin toilet paper they put in there doesn't help matters either, especially when you have diarrhea.

[tammy5]

hi i am 32 now and still suffer with ibs and sad and also depent on imodiom it is great even when my stomach cramps i take it cause its stops the pain but i get the one that covers the gass to lol
i tried that stuff the doctor gave you you know the orange flavoured drink thats really glupy and horrible tasting but i found that made me more constapated than i was
i suffer with both sometimes i am consterpated and some times its the other way it is so hard to live with especially if you have to be some where at a persific time when i taking kids to school and stuff but stress does contrubute a big facter in it

just wanted to let you all know you not alone tammy