Psychosomatic IBS ??? mind body connection???

[idahog]

Hello,

I am 18 and am currently attending college in seattle.  I grew up in Idaho and did not have
any prevelant bowel problems.  However, about one month after moving to seattle i developed
constipation symptoms along with bloating and a tense feeling in my abdomen.  Most stools that
i do pass are pencil thin and most often than not are yellow in color.  I usually am not able to go to the bathroom unless
its morning and i have trouble sleeping. I went to the nurse and had tests done to make sure nothing else was causing my symptoms.  They all came back negative and she concluded that it was just stress.  I don't feel like i am stress or overcome with anexiety.  However, i do know that i am thinking about eating and bowel movements more than i should (preoccupying my mind is worrying i suppose).  The funny thing is though, when i went on a business trip to chicago my bowels cleared up almost immediately...night and day difference...though there was still some pain, it felt like everything was going to be okay.  However, as soon as i got back to seattle everything reverted back to how it was, pencil thin stools, yellow, bloating, constipation.  I was in pain and hurting for a good 2 months and then when back home for christmas break.  I saw a doctor and she gave me miralax.  I had developed and impaction.  However, after a week everything reverted back to nomal...and i felt wonderful. I got off the miralax and everything.  However school break ended and now im back at school and seem to be in the same boat...yellow pencil thin stools, constipation, etc...i've tried the miralax again, along with stool softeners, but to no avail...

Does anyone else deal with Pyschosomatic constipation or IBS...?
or does anyone else have any suggestions on how to deal with the mind and body connection?
I am also curious as to what yellow (partly mucus) stools mean
I want to be in seattle, but apparently my body doesn't

any help/suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks

[peggy64]

yellow sounds like it might be a bile issue. have your gallbladder and liver checked out.

[TrudieC]

You might want to look at what you are eating.  Your diet may change when you are home or travelling versus what you are eating at school.  Perhaps you should check out a gluten free diet or do an elimination to figure out what is bothering you.