Possible IBS?

[cnote]

25 male. Went to the Dr. for anxiety and digestion issues about 5 days ago. He said he was more concerned about my anxiety that my stomach issues.

So he upped my Lexapro to 5mg. 2 days ago I finally felt like I was coming out of my funk! I ate good etc.
Then in the past 2 mornings I've been waking up at 9am with diarrhea....

Now for about 3 or 4 weeks my stools have been changing texture as well... from diarrhea to soft.. to really soft... to hard.

But latley it just seems like I wake up every morning with diarrhea.

The Dr. gave me the Lexapro... and said see you in 2 months... so he must not be that concerned.

But what could this be!? I also am getting a dull pain in my lower left side, right above my hip bone. It doesnt hurt... but its feels stretched or something?

Grrr.... is there any suggestions on how to get my digestive tract working correctly again?

Yesterday I ate a bowl of cereal, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, then snacked on some broccoli, deviled egg, some fruite and about 5 of those BBQ tiny weenies.... and then had some hamburger helper at my moms.... and a piece of corn. Then before I left my moms I topped it off with a bowel of Frosted Flakes for fiber!

Now you think that would be enough food to make a hard stool.... =/ But it didnt...

Thanks for listening guys.

[bjfoste1]

I get this to man. And I met with pychatrist today and he said these symptoms indigestion/ abdominal pain/ diahrea were some of the main symptoms of anxiety. He upped my dose also. I hope it works!!!

[anonymous680]

I don't have diarrhea issues too often, but I had issues with my GI tract (upper GI bothers me most).

I take acidophilus with bifidus (about 10 billion organisms or more a day), and everything stays under control. When I run out (and I do run out quickly), my problems come back. It may not work miracles for everybody, but it keeps me under control.

Health food stores definitely carry better quality foods then your conventional grocery store, but it can be a rather expensive lifestyle. I honestly can't afford to get all my groceries from a health food store, but I definitely feel best when avoiding all those "brand name" processed foods. I find that Costco has a lot of good natural and/or organic foods, but of course they have all the junk too. You have to be careful. If you don't have a health food store near you, just look at the ingredients of food before you buy it. You just have to learn what ingredients to look out for (hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, MSG, high-fructose corn syrup, refined sugar, etc). If I buy items that are sweetened, I usually look for cane sugar or honey. I believe it's best to stay away extra sugar in general, and just get it from fruit. I don't necessarily follow my own advice, as I do love ice cream. I think I am addicted. :)

[Paxiled]

Yogurt you buy in stores usually has nothing but dead bacteria in them, since they pasteurize the yogurt and kill off the organisms.  But listen, it's your life, not mine.  Just don't expect to find anything worth using at Walmart or a drugstore in the natural area.  Just as you wouldn't get surgery from a naturopath or holistic nutritionist, you shouldn't be looking for natural remedies that actually work at Walmart or from your physician.  Go where the expertise is, and for buying natural remedies, that's at the best health food store in your area.

[cnote]

That Activa yogurt is loaded with Bifidus. I read it on there. And at walmart they have Bifidus pills you can take to put the good bacteria back in your digestive tract.

[Paxiled]

Seriously, stay out of the grocery store altogether.  Go to health food stores.  Yogurt is good for some people, dairy is hard on most but at least yogurt is cultured, but the best way to get probiotics is through a supplement if you have a significant problem, which you seem to.  Try Nature's Way Bifidus -- combination of acidophilus and bifidus.  Bifidus is the main probiotic that affects digestion.  But I meant it when I said to see a holistic nutritionist.  For someone with digestive problems, your diet, if what you listed is at all representative, needs a lot of work and education.  (Raisin Bran is also mostly simple sugar, by the way).

[cnote]

Haha. So Frosted Flakes werent a good idea huh? lol.

Maybe I'll try Raisin Bran? lol.

I took an Imodium yesterday, and I didn't have diarrhea today. =) But... it could be just a matter of time?

I'm gonna also try that yogurt that Jamie Lee Curtis promotes called Activa? It says it's guaranteed to get your digestive tract back on tract in 2 weeks or your money back?

It's worth a shot... plus it's good for you. =)

[Paxiled]

Sugar frosted flakes for fiber?  Please!  That's nothing but sugar.  Seriously, I've said this before on your threads, I think allopathic medicine isn't the best place to treat digestive problems.  You can get relief with natural remedies such as aloe juice and digestive enzymes, and a holistic nutritionist can help you find out what a good diet would be for you.  Anxiety messes with my digestion, too, but I keep it fairly well under control this way.  

[cnote]

Thanks! Yeah, my bowls have been like this on and off for about 2 weeks or more... already... but again... my doc said "lets work on your anxiety... and ill see you in 2 months"

so he must not be too concerned about it? peace out for now. =)

[nursegirl6572]

I know...we've both been around a long while...lol.  You've come so far....it's so awesome.  You are a testament that there IS indeed life after anxiety baby!

Could be something as simple as your diet...or even a benign stubborn lil virus....I wouldn't get too worried about it.  If it persists another coupld weeks, or gets worse...check in with your doc...just to be on the safe side.

Immodium is always a good bet too.  It may do the trick.

Havin' the scooters aint no fun, I know!  :0(  Pack some extra TP along with you....and hope for the best!  :0)  Take Care Hon!

[cnote]

Gosh it's so nice to hear from you again. lol. Long time huh?

The thing is, I feel that my anxiety is getting better... but I'm still having these "diahrea" episodes... today has been the worst. 3 times already today!

Gosh I hate even talking about it, but I want my old self back.

Maybe you are right, I just need to accept it, and move on... so what if I have diarrhea.. I'm staying hydrated... and I'm eating pretty good considering that I don't have much of an appetite most of the time.

In time this too shall pass I'm sure.

I took an imodium (spelling?) tablet today... maybe that'll help stop the diarrhea?

[nursegirl6572]

First of all...it isn't necessarily how MUCH you eat rather than WHAT you eat to cause a certain stool consistency.

Listen, you've been down this road of anxiety....one of the most COMMON side effects of anxiety is GI disturbances.  Diarrhea, constipation, nausea...you name it.  IBS is not what your problem is...is characterized very differently...and you would've have signs before now if that is what your GI issues are.

Don't overanalyze your symptoms....just embrace them as part of the anxiety process.  They too will dissipate when your anxiety is under control.