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IBS GI/stomach issues fine when stressed, bad when calm

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Strangelongtrip

MyPTSD Pro
Does anyone else struggle with gastrointestinal/GI issues? I have IBS (along with endometriosis) but I'm noticing a strange pattern. When I'm panicking, and in an "episode", my stomach is fine and normal. No issues. But as soon as I relax, I have problems with IBS flare ups again. I've been trying to find research on the mechanisms but drawing a blank as to why when I'm stressed, I'm fine, and when I'm calm, I have terrible GI issues. It's not food, because I eat the same things either way. My doctors haven't been much help with this kind of stuff and GI doctors are specialists, so they don't focus on any other part of the body or system. It's so frustrating when I have multiple systems going haywire, and I can't afford an integrative doctor. So, I research. I have a feeling that my body's "normal" is elevated cortisol and adrenaline, so that when I relax, my body sees that as "abnormal". I'm trying to figure out if I can reprogram my system in some way but no luck so far.
 
Sympathetic Nervous System = Fight/Flight
Parasympathetic Nervous System = Rest/Digest

Makes total sense if you have IBS & Endometriosis that you’re symptom free (or reduced) when your digestive system shuts off under stress. Then, when it turns back on, voila. Motility, movement, pain, flare ups.

It does make me wonder if you’ve got any endometrial adhesions to your bowel. There doesn’t have to be, of course, but it’s very worth mentioning to your doc the correlation.
 
@Friday ahhh that makes sense!! It’s frustrating because I almost prefer the anxiety because I feel less...ill (but more Sick in other ways..frustrated).

The last part is very possible. I was considering getting laparoscopy done soon because I have a doctor who can do it I trust, but two other family members had surgery recently and can’t lift things and we have to pack up and move soon and I feel like it’s too much. My family is like health first but I feel guilty about doing that.
 
When I'm panicking, and in an "episode", my stomach is fine and normal. No issues. But as soon as I relax, I have problems with IBS flare ups again.

Interesting. First thing that comes to my mind is vasodilation/constriction as it relates to adrenaline. Basically what Friday said :-)

A thought would be to look into vagus nerve stimulation as it relates to above.

It reminds me of the phenomena when at high altitude, extreme physical stress the body literally shuts down the gut as it is a huge energy hog and the body simply doesn't have the reserves.

Makes me think your IBS flares are the "normal" state and perhaps it does flare due to sudden blood flow return. How long before you "stabilize" post stress?

Do you generally have your IBS managed?

Take care,

Whirlwind
 
I’ll look that up @Whirlwind ! It usually takes me a few hours after stress to become “normal” again. My IBS isn’t managed at all. I have a medicine for it but it makes me so tired, but at least I don’t feel sick. I have episodes of GI issues like 7-24 times a day it’s pretty bad haha.
 
Do they/you have an idea of cause..ka Crohn's or ...when was onset/how long have you had it etc.


Not asking/trying to pry ... simply put I know a few situations where one was long term lactose intolerance which was ignored and early on low GI showed no scarring and flash forward a few years...a lot of scarring and comorbid autoimmune disorders. A few others were related/exacerbated to surgeries, hysterectomy, endometriosis, gall bladder removal etc. Has to do with what Friday said...

It does make me wonder if you’ve got any endometrial adhesions to your bowel

Its complicated and my info is dated but I recall that in these cases the "cause" was important when it came to controlling it and for some had it been managed earlier it could have made a big difference. Key is there were things that could and were done to improve.

These are not you but my point is there was some direct/indirect causality which is important. Would be worth some investigation and some consults....keep at it and don't take "idiopathic" as a diagnosis ;)

Good luck,

W
 
Do they/you have an idea of cause..ka Crohn's or ...when was onset/how long have you had it etc.

No Crohn's, but my grandma has that. I've had some issues as long as I can remember and then it got significantly worse when I was on NSAIDS and painkillers for another condition. It's honestly just been getting worse. I feel nauseous and sick most days. I went to the one GI doctor who took my insurance in this area and we didn't mesh well at all, and she just told me to take probiotics and gave me a handout of foods to avoid. Half those foods are fine with me. I think lactose in general probably irritates me, so I avoid it.


Key is there were things that could and were done to improve.

These are not you but my point is there was some direct/indirect causality which is important. Would be worth some investigation and some consults....keep at it and don't take "idiopathic" as a diagnosis ;)

Thank you @Whirlwind ! I'm going to keep at it. I pushed hard for about a year on my health and the only answers I got were endometriosis, possible connective tissue disorder, and a tachycardia syndrome. I needed a break from pushing because I wanted to focus on other things and my cup only have so much room haha.
 
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