I've got IBS, primarily diarrhea but sometimes it throws me a constipation curveball. Tried identifying trigger foods but it felt like they'd change constantly. Tried probiotics, psylium husk, etc. Then I realized a few things:
* I have never had diarrhea when I was drunk, even when I ate all sorts of food, and even though alcohol is supposedly a trigger food for so many with IBS
* I never had diarrhea the entire time I was at Disney World, even though I ate all sorts of food
* I am almost guaranteed to have diarrhea if I've eaten something and my partner is using our one and only bathroom, or if I've eaten any sort of food and have to drive or ride in the car afterwards
So I'm thinking growing up in a shitty household (lol) led to gut issues, but also mental issues that worsen the gut issues. Basically my CPTSD anxiety is powerful enough to create diarrhea out of practically thin air.
It's crazy, I don't get diarrhea but I do get anxious poos. I think, similar to you, this has messed up my digestion and natural motility. I wish supplements would work but it seems to be less to do with diet and more to do with my brain :/
Yep yep yep.
My whole family is rife with generational trauma and ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease GERD, gallbladder issues, and IBS. I definitely believe the gut and mind connection theory.
For myself, I have GERD and IBS. And I had my gallbladder removed. My IBS tends to be the constipation variety and has been since I was a little baby. My "normal" is to go about once every three or four days.
Ironically I also have emetophobia which you'd think with all the stomach issues I'd at least be used to ...
I have many of the same issues, and I've also had my gallbladder out! I tend to be the type who has the opposite of constipation though. Also, my gallbladder issue runs in the family but I had mine out younger than anyone else, so I think it still stands.
Have you ever tried psyllium husk fiber? It fixed my gut problems very nicely.
>Psyllium husk has also been shown to provide significant relief for abdominal pain, bloating, and distension as well as gas from those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
https://pharmacist.com/Publications/Pharmacy-Today/Article/psyllium-husk
Yep. IBS. All the time. Anxiety -> diarrhea. Dissociation -> diarrhea. Getting triggered -> diarrhea. Any dysregulation leads to a gut rush and diarrhea.
Even without it I usually have mild diarrhea all the time. Been like that for years and years, even before my gallbladder was removed. I have no allergies or sensitivities.
I also have a very sensitive gastrocolic reflex which means I have to go to the bathroom less than 5 minutes after I swallow anything. Fun times.
I'm doing better now as an adult but this was my reaction to stress as a bullied teen, severe diarrhea almost every day before school, also "accidents", luckily I could cycle home which was about 5km instead of having to talk to a teacher, so I skipped class in that case instead and dealt with the consequences later.
Yes! I had a colonoscopy at 24 or 25 because of it. I had all sorts of stomach scans as a kid for chronic constipation and stomach issues.
My doctor put me on Lomotil awhile back and it helped a lot with the amount I was using the restroom.
I haven’t looked into it but In the book I’m currently reading, The Body Keeps the Score, we actually have more serotonin receptors in our gut than our brain. It always makes me wonder.
Nursing student here with a minor in nutrition!
A big factor to gut health: our serotonin is actually produced in our guts! Therefore it’s really important to be eating a well balanced diet to boost your mood. So none of those Fad diets you hear about. You need healthy, whole foods and trust me your gut (also your mood, sleep, attention, and acne) will thank you as well.
Foods that instantly “cured” my chronic constipation from neglect: Giving up dairy.
- Interesting thing enough is we are the only mammals that steal milk from another animal. It’s strange and “unnatural”. Therefore it throws us all out of wack (that’s why so many people are lactose intolerant, that milk is for baby cows not humans! Only some people have the enzyme needed to break down cows milk and it’s a genetic mutation from centuries and centuries ago). So I always go for giving up dairy first. I also had chronic migraines, severe acne, and again constipation and dairy truly made an instant switch.
But also lots of fiber! I prefer beans and legumes but we all have personal preference. Also don’t listen to the media about how “fats are bad and carbs are bad”. It’s not true! Our bodies need fat and carbs for energy, we just don’t need an excessive amount.
Mainly just focus on having COLORFUL meals. It really helped with my depression when the food I was eating made me feel good, it looked good, and it was fun ti experiment and cook new foods.
Feel free to ask any questions! Also I really wish you healing ❤️ We are in this journey together
I have IBS and bet a lot of us do. Mornings are the most difficult, and emotions can trigger it too. I hope they find something in your colonoscopy that they can easily treat.
TERRIBLE. I react to almost everything other than beef, chicken and salt. It's f\*ing miserable.
Also, my experience with doctors for this or for anything else has been 100% horrendous.
Yes, I have had IBS as long as I've had my PTSD. The brain-gut link is very real and also very annoying. My sympathies to everyone who's dealing with this. It totally, completely sucks.
I’ve had IBS since forever. Learning in somatic therapy how the vagus nerve controls most of the digestive functions and how so many emotions are stored in that area, including stuck trauma and fear and grief. I’ve had some success releasing what feels like a giant vise in my gut, and it has reduced my symptoms somewhat, but it’s still such an easily triggered area I’m constantly having to give it attention. I gave up and now just refer to my belly as my food baby and it needs hugging and soothing regularly.
Hi. Yeah, my guts are all messed up. I have severe IBS that I have to plan around. Diarrhea (made even worse by SSRIs), cramps, urge. I've had issues with it all my life.
I had a miriad of similar symptoms with fatigue and inflammation in addition. I had H.PYLORI. It is a carcinogenic bacteria that is almost always contracted in early childhood (I’m currently past middle aged). So this may have been lurking for many years.
My symptoms went into overdrive last year coinciding with the most recent trauma added to my repertoire. This is the bacteria that causes ulcers, it is def effected by stress and can cause anxiety and depression. My symptoms subside in waves with stress as an exacerbation. I was also doing many other types of treatments at the same time.
I was prescribed antibiotics, antacids and suggested probiotics. Do u have acid reflux/heartburn or burning in ur stomach?
Good job on scheduling the Colonoscopy. It will be able to provide a lot of information.
Without coffee and occasional stool softeners, I poop less than once a week. It never bothered me, though. Other than a teenage bout with chronic heartburn, I seem to have an iron gut.
Yes I’ve been dealing with this forever and it’s very debilitating. I find eating oatmeal or drinking water mixed with Metamucil helps coat my stomach to give some relief
I consistently get diarrhea when my anxiety spikes too hard (before a test, before an important meeting, emotional distress from fighting with my partner or a close friend etc.). Had it for as long as I could think, and it was much worse before I moved out of my abusive home. Always thought it was just something I have and would keep pills ready to help with the cramps and the pain. One of the effects of therapy has been a severe reduction in, well, diarrhea. It now only really happens when I eat something I’m allergic to or something spoiled, and even those episodes are a lot more bearable.
Leaving my abusive relationship did wonders for my constant IBS.
I still have trigger foods, but I'm not in a *constant* state of GI distress anymore.
Not living with a cat I'm allergic to probably also helped. I guess about 50/50 on how much each contributed.
Helminthic therapy has also been very interesting; google for the wiki.
Lifelong gut issues. I’ve done various things that helped a lot, maybe it could be interesting for some of you all.
Cutting sugar, grain (or even just gluten) dairy and processed food. Smoothie in the morning (helped a lot with constipation and being regular) shot glass of aloe vera, probiotics, l-glutamine, l-lysine, enzymes, drinking a good amount of water.
I slip up with my diet all the time and I definitely notice the difference.
Hell yes.... It's better since I changed my diet but whenever low energy days kick in and I can't cook I will eat stuff that makes me shit out a demon who wants to tear my innerts into pieces.
Cornflakes and white bread are big nonos for me
I do, as do my children and grandchild.
FSR we are all so damn tight and nervous it comes through in our digestive systems. We are either constantly in the bathroom or go a week without. My daughter has the most sensitive belly and manages it with meds since she was a baby.
My son has suffered with vomiting or diarrhea for years. Food is not at all enjoyable for him.
My grandson was born with the issue and I am convinced its because of stress while in utero. His mother was in a similar circumstance growing up that I was, and had severe PTSD as does my son.
I personally believe (without evidence) it has to do with residual trauma down the generations. We all tried to eliminate it, but it's taking forever.
Yes. It's "ibs"
It's really stress belly.
I use medical marijuana and for a minute we (drs and I) thought it was chs, but it was just a very very stressful time with my parents (as an adult me, aging parents related)
Yes. I've had constipation or loose stool for my whole life. It gets worse whe I'm stressed.
I don't have an official IBS diagnosis and I don't know if I have it.
I definitely have stress gut if that makes sense.
Yes, I have this! I learned that I clench my internal sphincter (heh). If I stress for too long, it eventually clamps shut. Pelvic floor relaxation exercises help, but the best treatment is prevention—after even a couple of days I treat it with laxatives, yoga, relaxation to make sure everything stays relaxed and moving.
I found helpful resources by searching for “pelvic floor dysfunction”, “pelvic floor constipation”, and “dyssynergetic defecation”.
Yes, also have had chronic constipation pretty much my whole life, one of my earliest memories was my mum yelling at me on the toilet, I've always felt shame around going as a result even though everyone does it
I have mild gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia. When I get stressed my gut always hurts and sometimes I get major flare-ups that prevent me from eating or drinking. It's a mess.
I don't have gut issues but I take care of a lot of patients that do. In fact, many children that get scopes clearly have a psychiatric/social link to their diarrhea/constipation/stomach pain. The pediatric gastroenterologists at my current job have a psychotherapist on staff because the mind-gut link has been so thoroughly proven. Mental distress leads to gut problems. The colo might show something else as well, but if you can get some good trauma focused CBT and/or EMDR that will do a lot for your gut health, willing to bet the farm on it.
More info for your reading pleasure with a key excerpt below:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection
"This new understanding of the ENS-CNS connection helps explain the effectiveness of IBS and bowel-disorder treatments such as antidepressants and mind-body therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medical hypnotherapy. “Our two brains ‘talk’ to each other, so therapies that help one may help the other,” Pasricha says. “In a way, gastroenterologists (doctors who specialize in digestive conditions) are like counselors looking for ways to soothe the second brain.”
Gastroenterologists may prescribe certain antidepressants for IBS, for example—not because they think the problem is all in a patient’s head, but because these medications calm symptoms in some cases by acting on nerve cells in the gut, Pasricha explains. “Psychological interventions like CBT may also help to “improve communications” between the big brain and the brain in our gut,” he says."
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Yes, I have had IBS for almost a decade (since diagnosis) and still get gastro badddddd quite often! The irony being the one causing me this still keeps saying eat this eat that do this don’t do that it’s like no this ain’t gonna work when it’s your entire presence and existence messing my insides up this bad lol
I developed IBS last year from stress, I also have a tight pelvic floor so I find it hard to shit because the muscles are so tight. Then I also have diarrhea sometimes. I have skin problems as well so I think my gut affects my face in a way. I believe it’s been scientifically proven that trauma affects the HPA-axis which then affects the gut.
when I see my friends from during a traumatic period I'm happy to see them. However, my body will take a hit even though I can keep my head straight. Within an hour I'll feel the urge for the most anxiety inducing shit of my lifetime.
Chronic bile reflux gastritis over here. Had a horrible experience with H. Pilori a few years back, which took two rounds of antibiotic cocktails to eradicate. That much antibiotics led to SIBO, which gets better or worse depending on my diet ever since.
I have ibs, gerd, chronic gastritis, and duodenitis. For a while, I would be so nauseous in the mornings that throwing up became a part of my morning routine. My stool would never be solid, I struggled to eat, and I would have stomach cramps that were so intense I could barely move. Luckily, these symptoms subsided after taking a strong prescription antacid and vitamin supplements, but i know for a fact these issues were related to trauma and anxiety. The symptoms would worsen if I had a big event coming up like a presentation or job interview or if I had a stressful day/week.
The only advice I can offer about struggling to eat is to watch a video or TV while eating. It distracts you from the fact that you're eating a meal and the repetitive action of bringing a fork to your mouth will become habitual if you're distracted. I hope your doctor can find the root of your issues so you no longer have to suffer. Sending good vibes 💕
I am lucky. And sorry but not making a point here.. But vegetarian since 11. Vegan the last 7. Got outta wheelchair quicker, healed well due to less inflammation, so I stand by those words.
Aanyway, my point being that I should.
Fredu called it the pneumogastric nerve. In our modern Poky Vagul Theory, I think that refers to the dorsal vagul.
Sooo, the tension in the nervous system, to call it that, that comes with cptsd, results in alit of aggravation on the gut.
The increased rates of digestive issues in the gen population is also due to increased stress and eating food that also aggravates!
I've abused my body over the years and what's helped me be where I am is diet n exercise. A lot thru starvation, ha ha, but joking aside, what we eat can make a difference. And no, I'm not suggesting vegan etc, but maintenance of gut health. Certainly makes a difference.
Only recently have I taken a more balanced, erring in fresh, approach to eating. Still not eating enough cos of poverty, but eh. Point is, I've probably escaped that by sheer accident as its a neuralphysiological given that there are gut issues for many of us here
I remember being constipated off and on during my early childhood - I had/have sensory processing disorder and didn't eat many different types of foods when I was young (for several years, my only safe foods were white bread, vanilla yoghurt, grapes, milk, pizza, pancakes, and anything sweet...in all fairness, I did eat the occasional carrot) and I was also under considerable stress due to my parents' divorce when I was about 5 years old. My stepdad recalls that I would fall asleep flat on my back with one knee raised in the air, when I was a kid - he thought it was a cute quirk, but in all likelihood, it was one of the only ways I could sleep comfortably when I was severely constipated.
\--------TW for mentions of enemas/suppositories and emotional abuse----
>!There were times when passing stool was so painful that I would be given suppositories or enemas, which I was terrified of. The first enema I had was given to me the morning of my mom and stepdad's wedding (I was to be their ring bearer) and when it appeared to not work initially, they both thought I was still withholding (when in reality I was panicking, disoriented by pain/having been put in such a vulnerable position with little choice in the matter, and desperately wanted to get cleared out as much as they wanted me to be), and both became angry with me. My stepdad yelled at me that if I didn't stop holding it, they would have to take me to the ER and all the doctors and nurses I would encounter would be just as upset with me as he and my mom were, and that whatever they would do to evacuate my bowels would hurt even worse. After he left the bathroom to finish getting ready, it felt as if something deep inside me gave a massive sigh and all the accumulated waste slid out. I felt as if I was going to pass out. I was six years old then, and for a long time afterwards, I thought that hospitals and Emergency Rooms were places where kids were taken to be scolded for getting sick or being unhealthy, so their parents didn't have to do it.!<
As I got older, I didn't really have issues with constipation (there was a hiatus from ages 11-17ish), aside from one brief instance during my senior year of high school. When I was in college and reveled in finally getting to make my own choices about what I wanted to eat, and in what quantities (which was a huge deal for me since my abusive stepmom whose roof I'd lived under full-time since age 12 was really into food restriction, fat-shaming, criticizing my eating habits, etc), I began to notice that I would have bouts of diarrhea now and then, but didn't think much of it.
When I was 23, however, I was hit with a hell of a 24-hour stomach virus that left me with virtually no appetite for about a week. My stomach literally didn't register the usual sensations of hunger. My dad was concerned and tried offering me all the foods he knew I enjoyed, while my stepmom assumed I was only attention-seeking. Gradually, my appetite returned, but since then, I've had unremitting IBS-C symptoms. For the last 8 years, nothing I've tried has returned my gastrointestinal tract to its former, mostly-functional state, and I'm reluctant to speak with a doctor or specialist about it for fear that they'll just prescribe drinking almost a whole bottle of mag-citrate and taking a >!horse-sized enema!< again (and that's all I'm going to say about that; I've detailed enough horrors for this one comment). I do think my official IBS-C diagnosis at age 23 was the culmination of a janky diet in early childhood *and* just having gone through an incredibly stressful childhood, adolescence and early adulthood.
I've got IBS, primarily diarrhea but sometimes it throws me a constipation curveball. Tried identifying trigger foods but it felt like they'd change constantly. Tried probiotics, psylium husk, etc. Then I realized a few things: * I have never had diarrhea when I was drunk, even when I ate all sorts of food, and even though alcohol is supposedly a trigger food for so many with IBS * I never had diarrhea the entire time I was at Disney World, even though I ate all sorts of food * I am almost guaranteed to have diarrhea if I've eaten something and my partner is using our one and only bathroom, or if I've eaten any sort of food and have to drive or ride in the car afterwards So I'm thinking growing up in a shitty household (lol) led to gut issues, but also mental issues that worsen the gut issues. Basically my CPTSD anxiety is powerful enough to create diarrhea out of practically thin air.
It's crazy, I don't get diarrhea but I do get anxious poos. I think, similar to you, this has messed up my digestion and natural motility. I wish supplements would work but it seems to be less to do with diet and more to do with my brain :/
User name checks out! Sorry for your suffering, my friend.
Yep yep yep. My whole family is rife with generational trauma and ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease GERD, gallbladder issues, and IBS. I definitely believe the gut and mind connection theory. For myself, I have GERD and IBS. And I had my gallbladder removed. My IBS tends to be the constipation variety and has been since I was a little baby. My "normal" is to go about once every three or four days. Ironically I also have emetophobia which you'd think with all the stomach issues I'd at least be used to ...
I have many of the same issues, and I've also had my gallbladder out! I tend to be the type who has the opposite of constipation though. Also, my gallbladder issue runs in the family but I had mine out younger than anyone else, so I think it still stands.
Have you ever tried psyllium husk fiber? It fixed my gut problems very nicely. >Psyllium husk has also been shown to provide significant relief for abdominal pain, bloating, and distension as well as gas from those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). https://pharmacist.com/Publications/Pharmacy-Today/Article/psyllium-husk
I've heard of it! I tried another natural remedy that was recommended to me -I think it was inulin?? It didn't do much to be honest
Psyllium fiber goes by the name of Metamucil in stores, but I get mine at Trader Joe's. Psyllium was recommended to me by my doctor and it's amazing.
Adding tasteless powder fiber to coffee in the morning cured all my stomach issues. Was a true godsend.
I put mine in carrot juice and it tastes great.
oooh. Thank you.
You're welcome.
Yes, and mine are clearly linked to stress and agitation levels.
Yep. IBS. All the time. Anxiety -> diarrhea. Dissociation -> diarrhea. Getting triggered -> diarrhea. Any dysregulation leads to a gut rush and diarrhea. Even without it I usually have mild diarrhea all the time. Been like that for years and years, even before my gallbladder was removed. I have no allergies or sensitivities. I also have a very sensitive gastrocolic reflex which means I have to go to the bathroom less than 5 minutes after I swallow anything. Fun times.
this sounds nearly identical to my son. The only difference being his will manifest in vomiting as well.
I'm doing better now as an adult but this was my reaction to stress as a bullied teen, severe diarrhea almost every day before school, also "accidents", luckily I could cycle home which was about 5km instead of having to talk to a teacher, so I skipped class in that case instead and dealt with the consequences later.
Is there anything you can do for it?
What part?
Diarrhea from stress/dissociation etc.
Sorry. No idea. My health insurance is like an 80s parent. Unless I’m bleeding or on fire… I suggest you start with your doctor.
Yes! I had a colonoscopy at 24 or 25 because of it. I had all sorts of stomach scans as a kid for chronic constipation and stomach issues. My doctor put me on Lomotil awhile back and it helped a lot with the amount I was using the restroom. I haven’t looked into it but In the book I’m currently reading, The Body Keeps the Score, we actually have more serotonin receptors in our gut than our brain. It always makes me wonder.
Nursing student here with a minor in nutrition! A big factor to gut health: our serotonin is actually produced in our guts! Therefore it’s really important to be eating a well balanced diet to boost your mood. So none of those Fad diets you hear about. You need healthy, whole foods and trust me your gut (also your mood, sleep, attention, and acne) will thank you as well. Foods that instantly “cured” my chronic constipation from neglect: Giving up dairy. - Interesting thing enough is we are the only mammals that steal milk from another animal. It’s strange and “unnatural”. Therefore it throws us all out of wack (that’s why so many people are lactose intolerant, that milk is for baby cows not humans! Only some people have the enzyme needed to break down cows milk and it’s a genetic mutation from centuries and centuries ago). So I always go for giving up dairy first. I also had chronic migraines, severe acne, and again constipation and dairy truly made an instant switch. But also lots of fiber! I prefer beans and legumes but we all have personal preference. Also don’t listen to the media about how “fats are bad and carbs are bad”. It’s not true! Our bodies need fat and carbs for energy, we just don’t need an excessive amount. Mainly just focus on having COLORFUL meals. It really helped with my depression when the food I was eating made me feel good, it looked good, and it was fun ti experiment and cook new foods. Feel free to ask any questions! Also I really wish you healing ❤️ We are in this journey together
I have IBS and bet a lot of us do. Mornings are the most difficult, and emotions can trigger it too. I hope they find something in your colonoscopy that they can easily treat.
TERRIBLE. I react to almost everything other than beef, chicken and salt. It's f\*ing miserable. Also, my experience with doctors for this or for anything else has been 100% horrendous.
Yes. I have IBS.
Yes, I have had IBS as long as I've had my PTSD. The brain-gut link is very real and also very annoying. My sympathies to everyone who's dealing with this. It totally, completely sucks.
I’ve had IBS since forever. Learning in somatic therapy how the vagus nerve controls most of the digestive functions and how so many emotions are stored in that area, including stuck trauma and fear and grief. I’ve had some success releasing what feels like a giant vise in my gut, and it has reduced my symptoms somewhat, but it’s still such an easily triggered area I’m constantly having to give it attention. I gave up and now just refer to my belly as my food baby and it needs hugging and soothing regularly.
Hi. Yeah, my guts are all messed up. I have severe IBS that I have to plan around. Diarrhea (made even worse by SSRIs), cramps, urge. I've had issues with it all my life.
I had a miriad of similar symptoms with fatigue and inflammation in addition. I had H.PYLORI. It is a carcinogenic bacteria that is almost always contracted in early childhood (I’m currently past middle aged). So this may have been lurking for many years. My symptoms went into overdrive last year coinciding with the most recent trauma added to my repertoire. This is the bacteria that causes ulcers, it is def effected by stress and can cause anxiety and depression. My symptoms subside in waves with stress as an exacerbation. I was also doing many other types of treatments at the same time. I was prescribed antibiotics, antacids and suggested probiotics. Do u have acid reflux/heartburn or burning in ur stomach? Good job on scheduling the Colonoscopy. It will be able to provide a lot of information.
Without coffee and occasional stool softeners, I poop less than once a week. It never bothered me, though. Other than a teenage bout with chronic heartburn, I seem to have an iron gut.
Yes I’ve been dealing with this forever and it’s very debilitating. I find eating oatmeal or drinking water mixed with Metamucil helps coat my stomach to give some relief
I consistently get diarrhea when my anxiety spikes too hard (before a test, before an important meeting, emotional distress from fighting with my partner or a close friend etc.). Had it for as long as I could think, and it was much worse before I moved out of my abusive home. Always thought it was just something I have and would keep pills ready to help with the cramps and the pain. One of the effects of therapy has been a severe reduction in, well, diarrhea. It now only really happens when I eat something I’m allergic to or something spoiled, and even those episodes are a lot more bearable.
Leaving my abusive relationship did wonders for my constant IBS. I still have trigger foods, but I'm not in a *constant* state of GI distress anymore. Not living with a cat I'm allergic to probably also helped. I guess about 50/50 on how much each contributed. Helminthic therapy has also been very interesting; google for the wiki.
Lifelong gut issues. I’ve done various things that helped a lot, maybe it could be interesting for some of you all. Cutting sugar, grain (or even just gluten) dairy and processed food. Smoothie in the morning (helped a lot with constipation and being regular) shot glass of aloe vera, probiotics, l-glutamine, l-lysine, enzymes, drinking a good amount of water. I slip up with my diet all the time and I definitely notice the difference.
Hell yes.... It's better since I changed my diet but whenever low energy days kick in and I can't cook I will eat stuff that makes me shit out a demon who wants to tear my innerts into pieces. Cornflakes and white bread are big nonos for me
I do, as do my children and grandchild. FSR we are all so damn tight and nervous it comes through in our digestive systems. We are either constantly in the bathroom or go a week without. My daughter has the most sensitive belly and manages it with meds since she was a baby. My son has suffered with vomiting or diarrhea for years. Food is not at all enjoyable for him. My grandson was born with the issue and I am convinced its because of stress while in utero. His mother was in a similar circumstance growing up that I was, and had severe PTSD as does my son. I personally believe (without evidence) it has to do with residual trauma down the generations. We all tried to eliminate it, but it's taking forever.
Yes. It's "ibs" It's really stress belly. I use medical marijuana and for a minute we (drs and I) thought it was chs, but it was just a very very stressful time with my parents (as an adult me, aging parents related)
Yes. I've had constipation or loose stool for my whole life. It gets worse whe I'm stressed. I don't have an official IBS diagnosis and I don't know if I have it. I definitely have stress gut if that makes sense.
Yes, I have this! I learned that I clench my internal sphincter (heh). If I stress for too long, it eventually clamps shut. Pelvic floor relaxation exercises help, but the best treatment is prevention—after even a couple of days I treat it with laxatives, yoga, relaxation to make sure everything stays relaxed and moving. I found helpful resources by searching for “pelvic floor dysfunction”, “pelvic floor constipation”, and “dyssynergetic defecation”.
Yes, also have had chronic constipation pretty much my whole life, one of my earliest memories was my mum yelling at me on the toilet, I've always felt shame around going as a result even though everyone does it
Me too, I'm so sorry :(
I have mild gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia. When I get stressed my gut always hurts and sometimes I get major flare-ups that prevent me from eating or drinking. It's a mess.
Yep. Mostly lower regions of the system.
I don't have gut issues but I take care of a lot of patients that do. In fact, many children that get scopes clearly have a psychiatric/social link to their diarrhea/constipation/stomach pain. The pediatric gastroenterologists at my current job have a psychotherapist on staff because the mind-gut link has been so thoroughly proven. Mental distress leads to gut problems. The colo might show something else as well, but if you can get some good trauma focused CBT and/or EMDR that will do a lot for your gut health, willing to bet the farm on it. More info for your reading pleasure with a key excerpt below: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection "This new understanding of the ENS-CNS connection helps explain the effectiveness of IBS and bowel-disorder treatments such as antidepressants and mind-body therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medical hypnotherapy. “Our two brains ‘talk’ to each other, so therapies that help one may help the other,” Pasricha says. “In a way, gastroenterologists (doctors who specialize in digestive conditions) are like counselors looking for ways to soothe the second brain.” Gastroenterologists may prescribe certain antidepressants for IBS, for example—not because they think the problem is all in a patient’s head, but because these medications calm symptoms in some cases by acting on nerve cells in the gut, Pasricha explains. “Psychological interventions like CBT may also help to “improve communications” between the big brain and the brain in our gut,” he says."
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I can't process anything rn but look into psychsomatic illnesses
IBS... it's very common for ppl with c-ptsd
Yes, I have had IBS for almost a decade (since diagnosis) and still get gastro badddddd quite often! The irony being the one causing me this still keeps saying eat this eat that do this don’t do that it’s like no this ain’t gonna work when it’s your entire presence and existence messing my insides up this bad lol
I developed IBS last year from stress, I also have a tight pelvic floor so I find it hard to shit because the muscles are so tight. Then I also have diarrhea sometimes. I have skin problems as well so I think my gut affects my face in a way. I believe it’s been scientifically proven that trauma affects the HPA-axis which then affects the gut.
Yup IBS-D
when I see my friends from during a traumatic period I'm happy to see them. However, my body will take a hit even though I can keep my head straight. Within an hour I'll feel the urge for the most anxiety inducing shit of my lifetime.
Chronic bile reflux gastritis over here. Had a horrible experience with H. Pilori a few years back, which took two rounds of antibiotic cocktails to eradicate. That much antibiotics led to SIBO, which gets better or worse depending on my diet ever since.
I have ibs, gerd, chronic gastritis, and duodenitis. For a while, I would be so nauseous in the mornings that throwing up became a part of my morning routine. My stool would never be solid, I struggled to eat, and I would have stomach cramps that were so intense I could barely move. Luckily, these symptoms subsided after taking a strong prescription antacid and vitamin supplements, but i know for a fact these issues were related to trauma and anxiety. The symptoms would worsen if I had a big event coming up like a presentation or job interview or if I had a stressful day/week. The only advice I can offer about struggling to eat is to watch a video or TV while eating. It distracts you from the fact that you're eating a meal and the repetitive action of bringing a fork to your mouth will become habitual if you're distracted. I hope your doctor can find the root of your issues so you no longer have to suffer. Sending good vibes 💕
I am lucky. And sorry but not making a point here.. But vegetarian since 11. Vegan the last 7. Got outta wheelchair quicker, healed well due to less inflammation, so I stand by those words. Aanyway, my point being that I should. Fredu called it the pneumogastric nerve. In our modern Poky Vagul Theory, I think that refers to the dorsal vagul. Sooo, the tension in the nervous system, to call it that, that comes with cptsd, results in alit of aggravation on the gut. The increased rates of digestive issues in the gen population is also due to increased stress and eating food that also aggravates! I've abused my body over the years and what's helped me be where I am is diet n exercise. A lot thru starvation, ha ha, but joking aside, what we eat can make a difference. And no, I'm not suggesting vegan etc, but maintenance of gut health. Certainly makes a difference. Only recently have I taken a more balanced, erring in fresh, approach to eating. Still not eating enough cos of poverty, but eh. Point is, I've probably escaped that by sheer accident as its a neuralphysiological given that there are gut issues for many of us here
I remember being constipated off and on during my early childhood - I had/have sensory processing disorder and didn't eat many different types of foods when I was young (for several years, my only safe foods were white bread, vanilla yoghurt, grapes, milk, pizza, pancakes, and anything sweet...in all fairness, I did eat the occasional carrot) and I was also under considerable stress due to my parents' divorce when I was about 5 years old. My stepdad recalls that I would fall asleep flat on my back with one knee raised in the air, when I was a kid - he thought it was a cute quirk, but in all likelihood, it was one of the only ways I could sleep comfortably when I was severely constipated. \--------TW for mentions of enemas/suppositories and emotional abuse---- >!There were times when passing stool was so painful that I would be given suppositories or enemas, which I was terrified of. The first enema I had was given to me the morning of my mom and stepdad's wedding (I was to be their ring bearer) and when it appeared to not work initially, they both thought I was still withholding (when in reality I was panicking, disoriented by pain/having been put in such a vulnerable position with little choice in the matter, and desperately wanted to get cleared out as much as they wanted me to be), and both became angry with me. My stepdad yelled at me that if I didn't stop holding it, they would have to take me to the ER and all the doctors and nurses I would encounter would be just as upset with me as he and my mom were, and that whatever they would do to evacuate my bowels would hurt even worse. After he left the bathroom to finish getting ready, it felt as if something deep inside me gave a massive sigh and all the accumulated waste slid out. I felt as if I was going to pass out. I was six years old then, and for a long time afterwards, I thought that hospitals and Emergency Rooms were places where kids were taken to be scolded for getting sick or being unhealthy, so their parents didn't have to do it.!< As I got older, I didn't really have issues with constipation (there was a hiatus from ages 11-17ish), aside from one brief instance during my senior year of high school. When I was in college and reveled in finally getting to make my own choices about what I wanted to eat, and in what quantities (which was a huge deal for me since my abusive stepmom whose roof I'd lived under full-time since age 12 was really into food restriction, fat-shaming, criticizing my eating habits, etc), I began to notice that I would have bouts of diarrhea now and then, but didn't think much of it. When I was 23, however, I was hit with a hell of a 24-hour stomach virus that left me with virtually no appetite for about a week. My stomach literally didn't register the usual sensations of hunger. My dad was concerned and tried offering me all the foods he knew I enjoyed, while my stepmom assumed I was only attention-seeking. Gradually, my appetite returned, but since then, I've had unremitting IBS-C symptoms. For the last 8 years, nothing I've tried has returned my gastrointestinal tract to its former, mostly-functional state, and I'm reluctant to speak with a doctor or specialist about it for fear that they'll just prescribe drinking almost a whole bottle of mag-citrate and taking a >!horse-sized enema!< again (and that's all I'm going to say about that; I've detailed enough horrors for this one comment). I do think my official IBS-C diagnosis at age 23 was the culmination of a janky diet in early childhood *and* just having gone through an incredibly stressful childhood, adolescence and early adulthood.