Can stress cause IBS?

[erinnjohnson]

Hello,

I'm a little lost here and hoping someone can help me out. I am kind of wondering what is going on with me. About 6 months ago, my mom came out of remission from her breast cancer. It was found in her liver, lungs, bones and brain and it was just really shocking because ever when they found it, she was completely healthy. She was just having a routine physical. Anyways, they told her she had 6 months left, but she died in October, 2 months after she was diagnosed, at the age of 47. It was really really horrible and tramautic for my family and I. I guess this point, I should say I'm a very sensitive person, and I am always noticing things that don't feel quite right in my body that other people would probably not even notice. I have had past problems with anxiety/depression the first time my mom got sick and I feel that my problems now are probably somehow related. However, I think I might even be hypochondriac. My dad is also sick with a very serious heart condition that was missed for a long time and this was found in his early 40's. I think because of what has happened with my parents, I have a hard time when I feel not great. I always think that something is seriously wrong and its being missed. I try to find comfort in the doctors, but I still worry....So this leads to my problem: When my mom got sick again, I started having problems sleeping. I didn't sleep more than 3 hours per night for about 3 months. Finally, I started sleeping again about 2 months after she passed away. But, at the end of December, I started noticing bad stomach problems. I just had almost a burning pain in my upper abdomen with really bad gas and bloating pains all over my stomach. I would feel like I had to have a BM but when I tried I would just cramp up and not be able to. I got really constipated and one night I threw up, so the next day I went to the doctor. They sent me for blood work for my pancreas and gallbladder and also did a CBC. Everything came back just fine. Soon after, I started taking Metamucil and things seemed to get back to normal, though I still had bloating and stomach cramps. I seemed to bel relieved when I had a BM.  Last week, my stomach started acting up again. I should note that it seemd to start when our family business, that I've been working so hard to keep afloat, is going under. That day, it acted up. I went for dinner and about 3 hours later I came home and had really bad diarrhea! I was surprised because I have always had the opposite problem. I didn't think much of it and was fine the next day (with mild cramps and gas) but then the same time the next night, I had the diarrhea again. I had it twice and then took Immodium and was fine through the night and the next day. The day after that though, same thing- I had diarrhea just at night again, even though I was fine during the day. I had to take Immodium again. Yesterday I was OK, but had mild stomach cramps and gas- again. Of course, now I am starting to get worried. Another thing that kind of worries me is that my period was late and very light this month. I am always on time and very regular that way and it was very different this month. I have taken 4 pregnancy tests and they are all negative, so I'm worrying that something is seriously wrong, like stomach cancer or something! I am 25 and in good health (besides my stress and emotional trouble), not overweight, don't smoke, but I still worry. My sister who is 21 has had stomach problems too and has been told she has IBS but I haven't been to the doctor again about this. I feel embarrassed going, as I seem to be there all the time when I worry about my symptoms.

So, I guess I'm asking, can IBS be linked to stress? Does this sound like IBS to anyone? I don't want to go to the doctor again if I'm just over reacting as usual. I just get worried and the worry consumes me. I am hoping that if my stress level decreases, these stomach problems will go away, but the thought that something is seriously wrong is still in the back of my mind.

Thank you so much for listening. I really appreciate and advice or insight that anyone can give me.
:)

[kingdomh]

The person before me went into most of the detail I would have, so in summary----I believe IBS is absolutely related to food sensitivies/allergies and most definitely stress either causes or aggravates ALOT! My mom has IBS and is under chronic stress and it constantly is acting up when the stress is at a high. I have even have a mild case of IBS---mostly caused by food sensitivities. Once I started going to the gym and eating vegs, fresh fruits, chicken, fish, etc and cut WAYYYYY back on Cokes, sweet teas---the IBS all but went away. Now if I have a sudden situation of dire stress, I will immediately get diarrhea and stomach pain/issues---which is why I believe it is directly tied to stress as well. Once you have other tests to rule out any problem in the lower bowels, I believe you will find a lot of your situation arises from intense stress and maybe aggravated by some foods! You have been through alot----please try to work through your diet and focus on yourself and finding new ways to deal with stress. Working out, reading, walking outside for pleasure is always stress relieving, spending time with friends, the busier you keep yourself, the more it will help you get through this trying time. Good luck to you!

[FurballsMom]

I don't believe this is cause for concern about Hypochondria.  Don't give in to doubts or to anyone labeling you with this.  If stress doesn't cause IBS, it definitely aggravates IBS!  What you're describing sounds like IBS to me.  If you've had every other test under the sun for GI problems and they all come back negative, that's when your doctors start telling you that this is IBS.  By the way, if they tell you that this is IBS, then in a big way this is actually good news, because it means that it's not something more serious.  It sounds like IBS to me.  IBS will present itself as being prone to constipation or prone to diarrhea or the kind you just described that fluctuates from one to the other.

So, since you're describing stress as a big factor in your life, and you're talking about being worried a lot about these symptoms, then here are two things that you definitely need to address.  One way to address this is by getting the GI tests done as soon as your doctor will do it.  More than likely the doctor will be reluctant to run these tests, because he is already convinced that this is just IBS.  Tell the doctor that you need to be sure that this is not something more serious and make him do the lower GI series, like the colonoscopy and the barium enema, just to be sure.  Then, when these tests come back negative, you'll be able to calm down, knowing that this is for sure just IBS.  This doesn't mean that IBS isn't serious, but in comparison to the scary stuff, it is definitely minor by far.  

There are things you can do NOW to make IBS more bearable, so that it doesn't progressively become worse for you in your later years.  You see, I'm a lot like you, so I understand about what stress will do to you and how hard it is to get that stress under control.  You must get your stress under control the best you can.  If this means various therapy techniques, then by all means do the therapy.  If it means taking a medication, so you'll feel less stressed, then by all means do that, too.  Keep in mind, though, that some medications that are meant to help with stress and anxiety will affect your IBS, too.  So, you need to find a fine balance between the two things.

One thing I am certain will help you is working with a naturopath.  A naturopath will guide you through what is called an elimination diet, which will help you know which foods bother your IBS and which ones don't.  Most people with IBS also have some food sensitivity issues that they're unaware of.  Avoiding the foods that aggravate the IBS problems will greatly reduce your symptoms as well.  Even with stress being such a big factor involved with your IBS.  I know that if you do this, IBS won't have to be nearly as serious for you as it is for other people.  Just don't be dismissive of IBS if you're told that it's "just IBS".  It's still serious, but it's manageable and it's not going to kill you and it doesn't have to make your life miserable.  Taking care of it now, while you're young, will help you keep it from taking over your life.  Try not to worry if you do find out that it's IBS.  IBS is manageable and it's not bad news or scary news, like cancer is.