I’m 59 and I’ve probably had IBS since I was a child. It’s just something I’ve always lived with. Stomach pain, bloating, nausea. It comes and goes but gets worse if I’m facing changes in my life, even good ones like holidays, social occasions, my stomach flares up with pain and bloating. I get diarrhea when I get anxious and it doesn’t take much to set it off.
I’ve had massive stress in my life over the past few years and my IBS has become a battle. I have noticed that by cutting out so called healthy foods like whole wheat bread, cereals, pulses, beans, seeds my issues improve significantly but then I worry I’m not eating enough healthy food and the anxiety triggers more symptoms. Anxiety is at the root of my problems so trying to control that is a must.
Understanding the gut brain connection and reading up about that has helped me. It’s often my negative thoughts that triggers IBS.
I’ve stopped trying to fight it and learn acceptance, especially with my anxiety as the more you fight the more it triggers symptoms.
I try to tell myself that as unpleasant as it is, it’s not life threatening and I can cope with it though it does get me down.
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
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