IBS and anxiety

[ashmo918]

i think i have IBS but i haven't gone to the doc about it. i hate going to the doctor and i have no medical insurance coverage right now. does anyone else who suffers from this know of good ways to deal with it? i've read that taking fiber supplements can help and staying away from certain foods, but it seems like its pretty much continuous and i eat healthy. i have bad gas bloating everyday now and its really uncomfortable and makes my lower abdomen feel tight and stick out. i just feel so gross all of the time and of course my "movements" are irregular.

any advice on this would be GREATLY appreciated. i know its common to have IBS with anxiety so i assume i'm one among many on the board who suffer from this!

thanks,
ashmo

[gloomy]

I suffer with it too and it gets worse the more anxiety I feel.  I know certain foods and alcohol can aggravate it but its a point of establishing which ones are triggers as we are all different.  Alcohol definately causes me problems.  I kept a food diary and I have to say I didnt really come with much that I thought was aggravating me besides peanuts, and fresh bread (the yeast apparently) I have heard of dairy products and wheat affecting other IBS sufferers but I seem OK with them.

Are you feeling particularly anxious at the moment?

[ocdengineer]

I also have IBS that is directly related to my anxiety.  For me it was a combination of Prilosec OTC, Gas-X and Xanax that finally helped with the IBS.  The IBS is probably the worst symptom for me because anytime I have a stomach problem I get anxious and panic starts to rear its ugly head.  I am getting better at controlling it, but the catalyst is still always there.  Meditation has also helped me relax to the point where the IBS eases up some, but I have to say the meds are the real help on this one for me.

Later,
OE

[retrogurl88]

Ashmo918
Aw, the dreaded IBS... Yes I have the condition.  I find that diet is the most helpful.  Some foods that I find trigger my IBS are:
~artifical sweetners
~onions
~fried food/greasy food
~anything high in saturated fat
~things with lots of cheese
~coffee and soda

Of course stress can magnify IBS symptoms, so it's important to try to keep that under control.  Also I heard things like metamucil can be benefical though I don't take it, and some people find that digestive enzymes can alleviate it.  Hope this helps... 

[hydads]

I ALSO HAVE IBS. ALSO LIKE EVERYONE ELSE,WHEN MY ANXIETY IS BAD, MY STOMACH IS HORRIBLE.
I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING AND NOW I EAT ACTIVIA EVERY DAY AND ITS HELPED SOOOOOOOOO MUCH.
I ALSO HAVE THE LOUD RUMBLINGS,STOMACH PAIN,ETC  BUT AFTER 2 WEEKS TAKING THIS IS 100%
BETTER.ITS ACTUALLY GOOD IF YOU LIKE YOGURT.
I'VE TRYED EVERTHING WALGREENS SELL FOR GAS PROBLEMS AND I HAVEN'T HAD TO TAKE ANYTHING
SINCE I STARTED EATING THIS.
HOPE IT HELPS YOU 

[sanderella]

Like one of the other posters, I also find heavy, fatty, greasy foods make me worse, as well as anything with a lot of cheese.
Generally heavy meals are best avoided - it's easier for your guts to handle if you eat little and often.
Drink plenty of water all day - that really helps me.
Cooked vegetables are easier to digest than raw.
Also, you could try peppermint tea - this aids the digestion.
Failing all this, if you can buy Buscopan over the counter (we can now in the UK) then that has helped me too with the IBS symptoms.