If you have IBS then you know that the Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms themselves cause emotional distress. This emotional distress then acts as a catalyst for other IBS symptoms to worsen. It is all a vicious circle.
The thought of moving my bowels in a public restroom makes me uncomfortable. Now, the thought of moving my bowels in a public restroom while having diarrhea and severe abdominal cramping makes me feel anxiety. Sadly this is a fact of life from thousands of people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome.
What Are Common Symptoms Of IBS?
- Abdominal Cramping
- Abdominal Pain
- Bloating
- Flatulence
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Now think of what it is like to have to deal with any one of these Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms, let alone all, while you are out on the town. You would constantly be thinking, obsessing, worrying about it. That right there causes emotional distress which would then cause your symptoms to worsen. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a psychological disease and I’m in no way saying that it is. It’s just that stress worsens IBS symptoms.
IBS Sufferers Need To Relax
How can you relax when you have all of these symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome going on? Well there are a few things that you can do to cut down on the amount of emotional distress you suffer as a result of your IBS symptoms. If you feel a little more prepared to handle some of the symptoms while you are out…that is a great start.
Be prepared with over the counter medication that will lessen your IBS symptoms should they arise while you are out. Just knowing that you have that as backup will make you relax a little more. You could carry Beano for flatulence, Imodium for diarrhea, etc. Sure you will be walking around stocked like a drugstore but the peace of mind will be well worth it.
I would also suggest being able to make a quick getaway. Part of my worrying when it came to being out with a group of friends was the fear that if my symptoms kicked in and I wanted to go home I would need to ruin other people’s night by asking them to leave to. I now make sure that I bring my own car or have a plan as to how I can leave by myself if it comes to it. This way I can just make something up and don’t have to suffer the embarrassment of people knowing I needed to go home and sit on the toilet all night.
If you truly find that you can’t relax because of the dreaded irritable bowel syndrome symptoms looming over your head you may want to consider the option of having your doctor prescribe you a mild tranquilizer. This will make you relax whether you like it or not. Once you take out the emotional distress piece of IBS I think you will find it easier to deal with your symptoms. Once you find it easier to deal with your symptoms you won’t worry so much about having them. Once you don’t worry so much about having them you will find that the symptoms of IBS decrease. You’ll turn the vicious circle around the other way.
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Hi Ken.
I’ll be up front and honest. Yes. I work for Ganeden Biotech. And yes, we make a product for IBS sufferers. But please just hear me out Ken.
I’ve been reading your blog and was just wondering if you’ve ever heard of our product, Digestive Advantage Irritable Bowel Syndrome. We’ve received hundreds of emails, letters and phone calls of people with IBS who have been helped tremendously by using our product.
I was wondering if you’d like to try the product for free for two months and blog about your experience.
This is not spam. I’m a real person. Really. You can read more about the product at http://www.digestiveadvantage.com or call me at 440/229/5200.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Take care,
-Dovid
= )
The thing I stick to is my doctor’s orders. I take what he gives me and not something that I find over the internet. I’m not saying your product is inferior but I’m going with my doctor because I don’t want to suffer like so many other irritable bowel syndrome patients do.
if you would like to submit relavent and unique content to this blog about your product, you may. I’m always open to suggestions. Also I saw this product of your’s in CVS today so at least there must be some merit behind it.
Yup, it’s in CVS, Wal-mart too, and it really is a miracle worker. I’ve been having stomach problems all my life; I’ve had tubes down my throat and up my butt and they’ve never figured out the problem. What I’ll say is that Digestive Advantage has really helped to let me eat the foods I love, which mostly consist of a variety of different meats, so not the easiest on my stomach by any standpoint.
I got the stuff recommended to me by a close friend who could not function during the day without DA.
I’m telling you man, give it a shot. It’s worth it for how incredibly a change it can make.
Jom, you’re talking about Digestive Advantage?
We weren’t able to find it in CVS or Rite Aid. Our local pharmacies. We can check again.
Check Wal-mart; I know they have it, I’ve hauled it off of their trucks and bought it their so I can doubly confirm.
Do what I did though, get the eight day trial from ‘em at http://www.digestiveadvantage.com/prod_ibs.html, that way you get nearly forty days if you buy a month’s supply at Wal-mart. It’ll take maybe a month for you to notice the full effect.
We’ll check it out. thx again.
speaking of… gotta go now. DAMN!
I have a question. Is taking Digestive Advantage the same thing as eating yogurt. I try to eat yogurt every morning. I have not noticed any change. I have had IBS since I was 19 and I’m now 46.
Thanks for you help.
i think, i may have this, but i’m really not sure. over a year ago, i took a flight over to new york, to perform at carnegie hall. during the plane ride over, i started feeling like i would throw up, and i tried to eat something and i just felt worse, i know it’s not the plane ride because i’ve never had flying problems before, and i had nothing to eat before the flight. the feelings continued after that, when i got to new york, and i lost alot of weight. the strange thing was i never actually threw up. it’s been over a year now, and i’ve gotten much better,i tried to find out what was wrong and got a ultra sound of my pelvic area, and all they said was my bowel moved constantly. please let me know at all if you think you know what i have and if i have this.
Kasey, of course I’m no doctor but I’m trying here to just share what I’ve gone through. Are they constantly moving or you’re actually producing waste from your bowels?
I assume you are still under medical care?
i’m not sure, i was just told my bowel moved constantly, yes i’m producing waste. Sort of, i kept seeing my doctor, but i’ve stopped because she wasn’t helping much and also thought i was pregnant. i do plan to try and see a gastrointerologist. right now though, i don’t have the money, and i’m not health inssured. i know i spelled that wrong. i know your not a professional doctor or anything, i just thought i’d ask for your opinion.
Thanks!
Cool. I’d just stay up on it and see someone when you can. There’s all kinds of free care you can take advantage of. Seeing a Gastro Dr is the first step if you don’t have a primary care Dr.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Hi,im just wondering if anyone has the same problem as me…ive had ibs wif constipation 4 about 6months now which has been total hell, and now im starting to have panic attacks because of it and im afraid to leave the house..does anyone else feel like this? thanks
I have just been diagnosed with Ibs about a month ago. I know I’ve had it for years but was to afraid to see the GI. I finally went and I’m not sure he helped as much as I wanted him to. I guess I kind of knew what he was going to tell me. He gave me a medicine for spasms which helps some, but not everything. I took my meds today and left work early because well…you know the rest. I think I’m kind of starting to get used to the whole idea, but I just hate not knowing when I’m going to have a bad day like today.
I have severe IBS and every doc I go to is an idiot. They never want to help and my IBS keeps getting worse. I changed my lifestyle and so I’m living super healthy but still it only helps a tiny bit.
I agree. My Doctor scheduled an ultra sound to ensure that I didn’t have gallstones and then rxed an anti spasmodic or peppermint oil capsules and told me to avoid fatty foods. He didn’t even call me for a follow up but had an asst call to tell me the results of the ultrasound (no stones). No blood testing, no urine sample. Took my money and that is it. So frustrating. I went to a nutritionist who was able to access the helpforibs.com website. That has been helpful. But who knows if i actually have ibs? I have only been eating soluble fibers (strictly for a few days) since yesterday and feel a bit better…but I do drink coffee and it isn’t hurting me. I’m very frustrated with this whole process.