question please

[Tone]

When I started having health anxiety back in december, thanks to googling symptoms,my stool consistency changed to loose stool not as well formed. I have gotten over my health anxiety for the most part but not 100 percent. I am still experiencing the loose stools 1 or 2 times a day, especially as soon as I wake up. Because I am even still thinking about this,I must still have anxiety to some degree. Will this minor anxiety still cause this? I worry about colon and pancreatic cancer. I am 36 years old and weight wise, I have been the same since December. Any insight would be great. This board and people on it have been helpful.

[ocdengineer]

IBS is usually part of most anxiety disorders, so it isn't surprising that you are having this issue.  I also have a harder time of it in the morning.  It is definitely part of the anxiety, but I can't really seem to solve it either.  I know that the better my anxiety is the better that particular symptom seems to be, so it is probably just a matter of learning to manage your anxiety.  I also take Prilosec and Gas X every once and awhile and that is helpful.  Peppermint is also really soothing to the digestive system.

Take care,
OE

[madman]

I have gone through the same scares as you are putting yourself though. It sucks I know. But here is something to consider:

As far as pacreatic cancer goes, your stools would more than likely be clay colored and you would be very ill. I have known two people in my lilfe with that cancer and both have been extremely SICK by the time stool problems surfaced. There was pain involved as well - real pain not twinges of pain. All this before either was diagnosed. Also, it normally hits people over the age of 60.

And the IBS. Well IBS (I have it) can be constipation (C) and the runs. I have mostly C but get bouts of the runs that last for months. I stay away from sugar. Stress and sugar seem to trigger either of my symptoms.

Not sure that helped you at all but though I would relate.

Oh and NEVER EVER GOOGLE health issues. LOL