IBS flare, constipation, indigestion & anxiety – advice please?

[Limon87]

Hi all,

I’ve had intermittent IBS for years, but usually manage it quite well with lifestyle (diet, exercise and stress management).

This summer I had my fourth baby loss, and between the trauma and anaemia from surgery my anxiety has been very high. A few weeks ago I caught a viral illness from my toddler, and ever since my digestive system has gone haywire and I just can’t seem to shift it.

Symptoms:

• Ache in my back (something I always get with IBS flare-ups)
• Constipation – to the point caffeine doesn’t help anymore
• Indigestion/food repeating on me (one episode of uncomfortable swallowing but that passed quickly)
• Bad trapped wind
• Constant feeling of needing a poo but not being able to go
• Manage to go with suppositories, but stools are very hard/bitty (sorry TMI!)
• No major pain, just mild wind-like cramps that move around and come and go
• Occasional twinge on lower left abdomen
• Feeling sluggish, nauseous and generally low

Diet is decent (variety, fibre, barely touch alcohol, just the odd bit of sugar) but water intake could definitely be better. I exercise a lot (walking + gym) so that’s not the issue.

I’m also on quite a few supplements/meds (iron, metformin, levothyroxine, plus others for fertility as we’re TTC with PCOS).

It’s been about 2 weeks now, on and off, and I just feel so fed up. I’ve struggled with health anxiety for a while, and my mind always jumps straight to cancer, which makes everything feel 100 times worse.

Getting tested for H. pylori on Monday.

Any advice/reassurance would be so welcome.

Thanks x

What you are going through is absolute misery, I've experienced and still suffer some of these symptoms, you have my sympathy.
Gut problems are often intractable. Having no one simple treatable cause and several nasty symptoms they're exhausting and can be frightening. Anxiety makes everything worse!

Sometimes it's hard to know if something is new & potentially worrisome, or just a new manifestation of the same old trouble. The only way to know is, oh joy, more testing. More waiting.
You'll already know the "red flags' to watch out for.
I wish you all the best and hope your future holds better health.

Thank you so much ❤️

I can relate to this and have just written a similar post just now. It sounds like you have had such a difficult time which probably exasperates your stomach issues.

I'm also trying to navigate the worries and anxiety. I do wonder if I could train my brain to not think of health worries - would I even notice the symptoms, or do I almost bring them on.

I'm reluctant to constantly bother the GPs, and thought about getting private blood tests etc, even these thoughts are draining and not rationale.

I'm hoping to look into anxiety counselling or such like.

Just wanted to say you are not alone and appreciate how hard it is x