Digestive Problems Anyone?

[RiseAbove]

I've been having digestion problems for the last few years. It's been worse after I left my abusive ex about 4 months ago. I'll get stomach pains and my body has trouble digesting most things except eggs, yoghurt and other easily digestible foods. It gets a lot worse during stress and if I'm going somewhere. Anybody else experience this? And what has helped for you?

 

[franciemarnie]

Ugh. You are not alone.

Even with plenty of fiber, water and exercise, I can have trouble.

I noted last year that after I cry I have no trouble at all. For that reason only, I wish I had a good cry every day.

I disconnected from my gut, my instinct, my feelings in childhood. I am paying the price, but I am much better now with mindful meditation of body states, etc.

For me, on top of the water, fiber and exercise, a great big revolting glass of prune juice does the trick.

 

[Ed Norton]

What type of digestive problems. cramping? gas? reflux/ heartburn? it would be important to rule out anything serious first then rule out common digestive problems such as celiac disease or gerd or H. pylori. Talk to your doctor and get a workup first. that being said emotions can definitely play havoc with the digestive system

 

[Al_Lurker]

My ex has been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. I have read at least one thing that suggests the bowel problems are related to the hormones produced during fight or flight reactions. I've observed that her IBS got worse when under stress or some duress that I now think was PTSD related. These are all my opinion but there is a school if thought that mental stress causes and contributes to many more physical ailments than ever thought. I think the piece I recall was Kelly Mcgonigal?

 

[Dee Morris]

Yes! I have terrible IBS and it's worse when my stress level is high. Back when I was married and had access to good, affordable healthcare, I spent about a year going to various Dr's looking for relief. I was on so much medication all the time because of it. Now I have had to find alternative methods of treating the IBS. My diet, exercise and stress management is my focus and mostly it helps. I try to eat healthy as much as possible, exercise and meditate to help manage stress. I still have symptoms but not nearly as bothersome as it was. There is definitely a marked improvement.

 

[MissMacD]

Oh goodness. Do I ever get horrible digestive problems when I am stressed out. It only seems to get worse with age. I've made a few investments: a juicer and a food processor so I can make nutrient dense liquid meals for stressful times. There are times when I live on fresh juiced fruits and veggies and smoothies for days at a time. It helps lift me out of my funk and saves me from having to deal with digestive issues.

 

[HFA_Cat]

Severe colitis. Been hospitalized twice in last 2 months: have lost so much weight I'm in the danger zone. Fight or flight is a huge cause. Whenever I feel that massive jolt of adrenaline, it goes straight to my gut. And sooner or later the gut explodes both ends and I'm being carried out. :(

Been 3 weeks since last hospital trip and I've done my utmost to take control in a few aspects: we have to watch what we eat. If you have a smartphone, go get MyFitnessPal. It aids you to either gain/lose weight: in the process, it chills your gut out. If you're having an attack/just had one, you want to go soft for 1 minimum week. Jello. Soup. Clear liquid. Avoid Coke: ginger ale is good *especially if you're ralphing. For major diarrhea, you do not want vegies nor roughage of any sort for a GOOD while or you'll trigger it into coming back.

My therapist has taught me relaxation techniques that do help. Breathing. Honestly, clonazapam is the only thing that works: that and Bentyl for the spasms. (I only take half of the smallest Clon. dose.) Once you take it and calm, so will your gut. The major thing is a bottle of powerade/gatorade daily and a bottle of high protein Boost. I learned that when your gut is hurting/growling, sometimes it's because you've gone so much you're dehydrated. 8 good gulps of Gatorade pronto. Sounds crazy, but you'll see that it works.

Best of luck.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

I need to have my gallbladder removed due to gallstones - in most cases gallstones come from eating too many fatty foods and these trigger gallbladder attacks which get more and more excruciatingly painful (started out like a migraine in my abdomen but now morphine doesn't touch it). Except mine don't have any relation to fat content in my diet - they come about under stress, which is far less common, but not unheard of.

 

[Faerie]

Oh yes. Always had stomach pains as a kid, then felt worse as I got older, but no one seemed to care so it never got treated. Now as an adult I realized I was lactose intolerant, then gluten, and now I've found out through testing that I have a whole slough of food sensitivities that are causing digestive problems as well as pain problems (think fibromyalgia pain). I'd check out Whole30. It's an intense food elimination diet, but it's good, and it really promotes healthy body image too.

-Faerie

 

[Maggiemay]

I struggle a lot with IBS symptoms. Lots of cramping that gets so bad I can't sleep on my side as so painful :( Also get a lots of diarrhea and constipation, as well as flactulance. It makes me feel so dirty & unclean. :( Boo!! I haven't really found anything that helps - Dr. Prescribed me fybogel a while ago but made things A LOT worse :(
X

 

[AmyArtist]

Definitely... At first I thought it was a medical/physical issue, had such severe diarhhea I ended up going to the doctor about it and was told it's a symptom of panic disorder. So I've been taking SSRIs for it. It's definitely helped but I still get it.

Usually before I work (which is one day a week now) I get terrible gas, stomach pains and go to the bathroom far more often than is normal. This will be at least one day before an one day after I work. My fiancé was so concerned he convinced me to stop working, but I didn't like feeling useless which is why I'm back doing one day a week now.

I take donnatab to help with the pain and bloating, eat yoghurt and oats, try not to drink much and just sleep a lot. I suppose it helps a bit, but it's just so irritating!

Apparently going to the bathroom for number 2 between 1 and 3 times a day is normal. Anything above that isn't.

I get so scared of not making it to the bathroom on time, especially when my gas and stomach pains are severe. At work I'm alone all day in a store so I have to wait for all the customers to leave and put a back in 5 minutes sign up to go to the bathroom. People give me death stares for doing it and I once had a woman follow me to the toilets because she didn't want me to close the shop.

Has anyone had an accident because of stress related bowel problems? (Or know of someone who has?)

Also, have you found anything that helps? I've tried eliminating foods like lactose but that didn't help. I also try to eat regular, healthy meals and I think that helps to not make me sick.

 

[AmyArtist]

Severe colitis.
. If you're having an attack/just had one, you want to go soft for 1 minimum week. Jello. Soup. Clear liquid. Avoid Coke: ginger ale is good *especially if you're ralphing. For major diarrhea, you do not want vegies nor roughage of any sort for a GOOD while or you'll trigger it into coming back.
.

Apologies for my lack if tech-abilities in quoting you!

Just wondering if eating like this means you don't get enough nutrients? Or do you just juice everything and eat it like a smoothie? Also, why no veggies? I thought they're supposed to be good for your stomach. I suppose I don't really know much about our digestive systems.

It sounds like you're having a pretty rough time! I hope you start feeling a lot better soon.