Social anxiety & IBS taken over everyday life

[panicangel]

Having a really bad time with IBS, I have suffered with symptoms after getting diagnoised in 1993. Have tried CBT and live on immodiums on bad very bad days. However problems has risen due to job changes that involve more travel and meetings that just set off all my symptoms.
Take the other day for example, had to be out the door at 9am for meeting at 10am after not eating much the day before with fear off anxiety rising, from 7am onwards I had several visits to the loo with loose bm, sore nervy tum, then got to the work meeting venue and it all started again running to the loo, all the way through the meeting I felt like I need a bm and it was really difficult to concentrate on my work. I persume I am bringing on these feelings myself through being anxious? I just want normality in life where normal people just go to the loo, go to work, on holiday and don't think about these things. This is taking over my daily life and not sure what road to down now, GP is fairly understanding but wants me to do CBT again, which helped while constantly going on a weekly basis but once that crutch goes I am back to square one. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks panicangel.

[bazbaz71]

Hi Panicangel,

Don't know if I can help much but really sorry to hear as it sounds horribly uncomfortable. One thing I would say is that I think it may be more common than you think. A lot of people suffer with IBS from what I hear and stress can be a trigger.

Certainly travelling a lot for work can be unsettling I know and also very tiring (I had a period when I had to do lots of travelling last year for my job). When abroad I've sometimes had 'toilet issues' in the first few days - I don't want to give too many details but it either seems to be one extreme or the other if you know what I mean. The funny thing is lots of people who I know who don't suffer from anxiety normally have also said the same thing.

If you think that stress is triggering it then relaxation and breathing exercises could help (either at the time or before you go if not practical)? I'd be tempted to try the CBT again as well - at least it gives you a temporary break if nothing else. Have you discussed your diet in detail with a GP or specialist as well? Might be worthwhile. Just suggestions really.

Take care and hope you feel better soon.
Barry

[Spidergirl]

Hiya,

I have been through similar, its all about changing how you think and what your worried about. You could try hypnotherapy, I've often thought about trying that. I over came a bad attack of IBS and havent been as bad since, well with IBS symptoms. Things take time so keep your chin up and if you want to talk pm me

S