Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Ibs and bloating

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Posts
    109

    Ibs and bloating

    Hi, I have health anxiety and it is a major thing at the moment. I older, live alone and during the pandemic I have had all sorts of anxiety-related issues.
    I have post infectious Ibs and have had antibiotics for it but it is still difficult. I also have gastritis, Gerd and I’ve had my gallbladder out. I’ve had a hysterectomy so not worried from that side and a year ago I had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy after having had all sorts of tests. The GP says all is fine but I had a darker stool last weekend (not black) I think it was because I had eaten dark chocolate and chocolate cake etc! and the Specialist Nurse agrees. The Ibs has been bad recently due to increased anxiety and for the last few days I have had bloating (notice it a lot when sitting down as pants are tighter), rib pain, lots of gurgling etc. I’ve had the Mirtazapine increased from 7.5mgs to 15mgs for the last week.
    Is this worsening Ibs symptoms? I am worried. Please help if you can.
    Thank you.xx

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    , , United Kingdom.
    Posts
    46,966

    Re: Ibs and bloating

    Hi

    This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your post was moved from its original place to a sub-forum that is more relevant to your issue.

    This is nothing personal - it just enables us to keep posts about the same problems in the relevant forums so other members with any experience with the issues can find them more easily.

    Please also read this post:

    http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=213239
    __________________
    Nicola

    “Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don't have to live forever, you just have to live.” - Natalie Babbitt

    Please help keep NMP running and donate to the running costs: http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/donate




  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Posts
    4,918

    Re: Ibs and bloating

    Quote Originally Posted by Elizabeth Fry View Post
    Hi, I have health anxiety and it is a major thing at the moment. I older, live alone and during the pandemic I have had all sorts of anxiety-related issues.
    I have post infectious Ibs and have had antibiotics for it but it is still difficult. I also have gastritis, Gerd and I’ve had my gallbladder out. I’ve had a hysterectomy so not worried from that side and a year ago I had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy after having had all sorts of tests. The GP says all is fine but I had a darker stool last weekend (not black) I think it was because I had eaten dark chocolate and chocolate cake etc! and the Specialist Nurse agrees. The Ibs has been bad recently due to increased anxiety and for the last few days I have had bloating (notice it a lot when sitting down as pants are tighter), rib pain, lots of gurgling etc. I’ve had the Mirtazapine increased from 7.5mgs to 15mgs for the last week.
    Is this worsening Ibs symptoms? I am worried. Please help if you can.
    Thank you.xx
    Hi Elizabeth,

    The bloating could be an IBS symptom or it could be due to the change in med dosage as increased gas and bloating is reported by people who've taken the drug. If so, it should settle down in a few days. I get bloating with my IBS and I find that drinking peppermint tea is very effective. Gurgling can definitely be IBS, rib pain is more likely Gerd, I think?

    It's interesting that you've posted this actually because I'm being investigated for abdominal pain and other symptoms, and as usual all tests are coming up clear - except my Calprotectin which I'm still waiting on. Oh, and Low Vit B12 which was low. Before the pain came on, I've had other symptoms which I can trace back to what I 'think' was the gastro version of Covid (back in February) and it's been downhill for my poor insides ever since. At around the same time, I was also needlessly given some hefty antibiotics so this would have been a double whammy to my insides and it's likely to be the case that the bad bacteria is now playing silly buggers in my insides, as what doctors generally don't tell you to take a probiotic when they dish out the antibiotics.

    You could also try that if you're not already? I'm off the dairy, so no yoghurts, but I open up a probiotic capsule and mix it in with my food.

    This is something that I'm going to put my GP if they continue to find no obvious cause for my issues..

    Anxiety will definitely worsen your symptoms, so the more relaxation you can do, the better you will feel. We carry a lot of nervous tension in our abdomens so it stands to reason that constantly tensing this area will make matters worse..

    Don't worry about your poo lovely - it's down to what you're ingesting and chocolate will do it every time. That said, the sugar in chocolate will also irritate your IBS along with the caffeine and a number of other stimulants like Theobromine. Good news though - studies show that chocolate also acts as a probiotic, so perhaps just limit the dark chocolate to a few ounces a day?

    Problem with milk chocolate is the lactose and a lot of older people become less tolerant. This has happened with me too and I'm a mere baby at 50.

    Low FODMAP is a good diet to be following with IBS, and chocolate has a place in it but only in very small amounts.

    If I was you, I'd go through my diet with a fine toothcomb, as it were, and eliminate (if only for research purposes) anything you're eating which is High FODMAP (naughty but nice foods - convenience etc)

    All the best.
    __________________
    A thought is harmless unless we believe it.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Posts
    109

    Re: Ibs and bloating

    Hi NoraB, Thank you so much for your reply - I felt so relieved to receive it. I’m sure it’s down to the meds as it happened a week after starting them. In one forum I read that a person had put on 14.5lbs in 2 weeks mainly in the stomach area!! I gained some weight just taking 7.5mgs of Mirtazapine for nausea. The nausea was breaking through as the anxiety worsened hence the increase to 15mgs.
    In regard to the Calprotectin my reading was 800 and that’s when they did the test for Sibo which was positive and quite a high reading. A while before I tested positive for Helicobacter, and was put on antibiotics for that and then stronger ones for the Sibo.
    I know my diet has been a bit off lately, more bread and cakes etc and that may well be a factor too. I was referred to a dietitian who went through the Fodmap diet. I was anxious about starting it as I was worried I would get anxious if I lost weight. Ridiculous I know! I’ll get it out and have a look. Since posting I haven’t had any chocolate and not eaten red eat just fish, chicken and vegetables. I’ll buy some peppermint tea though, as you say this might help.
    I was so upset this morning and having no-one to share this with is hard. I’m speaking to the nurse tomorrow - anxious about that too - but I will mention the probiotics to her.
    Your reply is so kind and really helpful. I’m sure you’re right it’s all digestive and the meds.xx

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    , , United Kingdom.
    Posts
    154

    Re: Ibs and bloating

    Ive had this for a whole year and they told me last December it was all ibs, I have horrible health anxiety and they made me feel like an idiot so it hasnt given me the confidence to go back and get checked out. Plus i am scared of what they will tell me. I had h.pylori and gastritis 15 years ago and it was horrible back then as I slightly remember, Ive no gallbladder eith and my stomach wont stop bubbling and extremely nauseas after i eat. Im just at a loss. Feel free to message me privately if you need someone to talk too x

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Bloating: IBS Or Appendicitis?
    By THoltz in forum Symptoms
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 18-06-20, 13:10
  2. Ibs bloating
    By HoneyH in forum IBS, IBD, Bowel, Stomach problems
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 25-01-15, 17:07
  3. Any men with IBS and mainly Stomach bloating?
    By Jaco45er in forum IBS, IBD, Bowel, Stomach problems
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 17-01-14, 21:44
  4. Ibs pain/bloating/nausea
    By jarmummy123 in forum IBS, IBD, Bowel, Stomach problems
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 29-11-13, 23:32
  5. bloating wind ibs cyst
    By pearl79 in forum Health Anxiety
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-11-13, 18:48

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •