What's the cause??
#37630 - 01/15/04 09:38 AM
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Lana_Marie
Reged: 01/31/03
Posts: 1968
Loc: Saskatchewan. Canada
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Lately I have been thinking about all the things we all have in common:
For example, there is alot of us who suffer from disorders and depression. A few of us have disfunctional familes. Others have parents who are divorced. Others are just plain people pleasers who are never really satisfied with their life decisions because they seem to revolve around everyone but themselves.
And so I wonder...could this be the root of our IBS issues. It's seems that hardly anyone on this board can say...."Yep I have a healthy relationship with my parents" or "I have never been depressed"
I am not trying to make anyone feel bad about themselves...my gosh...my family puts the FUN is Disfunctional so I am the last one to talk.
But do you think there is a link between all of this and our gut issues. Besides it being a trigger...I mean the actually root of the problem.
Just my thought! 
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Lana_Marie
Proud Mommy to Bentley Taylor
Born May 12, 2004 9lbs, 3oz
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That's actually a very good point. I think stress in general has a lot to do with it. I personally also suffer from depression and I think that has a lot to do with it.
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Bingo.
#37641 - 01/15/04 09:59 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Oh yeah. I've thought about this too, for a long time, and in fact mentioned it to Heather about a year ago. Some family issues are still chewing up my stomach today, and the fact that I let it "chew me up" just makes it even worse, because then I get angry with myself. I'm in a catch-22 situation.
You're definitely on to something here, pretty lady, and -- for me -- the answer is to stop allowing past problems or issues to affect us today, to let them go and move on with our lives. Thus, my New Year's resolution: think positively.
I refuse to let my PAST family still have power over me NOW.
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I agree totally. I know for a fact all these years of overwhelming anxiety and drama in my life has finally taken it's toll on me. I lived for so many years addicted to the drama and every one elses problems became more of my own. They say that IBS is 90% mental and 10% physical and I am not sure if I agree with the numbers but I do know that my way of thinking, depression, anxiety plays a huge roll in how I feel physically.
Jenn
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That's an interesting thought. I grew up in a verbally and physically abusive household. I joined the Army at 18 to pretty much run away from home. I got into a relationship that resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. The father was also physically abusive. I got out of the Army (was stationed in GA) and moved with him to Oregon (the abuse didn't start until after we moved). I gave my daughter up for adoption, 9 weeks later her father left and I was alone in Oregon (that's where we'd moved to). This all happened from the time I was born until 1999.
Fast forward to 2002 - my boyfriend and I get engaged. One of the happiest times of my life, no stress there, right? BAM - the IBS symptoms start. I can't figure out for the life of me why, if stress triggers this, why wasn't I sick years ago? It still baffles me that it took GOOD stress to get this IBS ball going. GRRRRRRR.....
Sorry for the long story 
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My former doctor told me I was depressed, therefore causing my IBS. Only thing is I didn't feel depressed as much as anxious.
About 10 years ago is when I decided to not let my dysfunctional family run my life. I felt better - not as many stomach aches until my car accident 7 years ago. I was lucky to walk away from it, but I got pregnant with my third child 7 months later and have never felt the same.
Make a long story short, yes, trauma can cause IBS to become worse. I'm not convinced my IBS is mostly Psych., since I do deal with GERD's, which can cause more problems without meds. I do believe there is a physcial problem causing IBS, but there hasn't been enough research to pinpoint the problem. There are doctors out there who don't believe IBS is a real problem.
If you can learn how to manage your stress better and make the choice to not allow past or current events to run your life, instead you take of your life, IBS will be easier to deal with.
I hope this makes since. 
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Funny this should come up, I've been thinking about this too! My belly has been feeling better, not perfect but better, for about a month now. I have also reduced my miralax and increased my acacia. But since my belly hasn't been the center of my life, I feel SO much happier overall! I have some great things coming up-going on an 11 day caribbean cruise the last 2 weeks in February and going to stop my birth control pills when we get back to try and get pregnant!
So, Is by belly feeling better becuase I'm happy about the future? Or am I actually able to be happy because my belly isn't killing me everyday?? I too, grew up in a very dysfunctional family, married right out of highschool to get away than my first husband was murdered. I've always had self esteem problems and problems "fitting-in". My IBS started when I was 15 so this is a very interesting point!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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I think mine may be contributed to the fact that I was verbally and mentally abused. A person is always beaten down and made to have no validating feelings.
Slowly as I grew up I became more outgoing (when my mom wasn't around) but that's about when my tummy trouble started.
I know it is said there are no physical symptoms and nothing really pin points to our problem.
I just thought it was ironic how much we all have in common aside from IBS and wondered if that was a link. 
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Lana_Marie
Proud Mommy to Bentley Taylor
Born May 12, 2004 9lbs, 3oz
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If it doesn't cause it (and I think in most cases it does) then it sure as heck can exacerbate it!!!!
Why is it that it hit's women more, up to 80% more, than men?
Why does it hit YOUNG women in their 20's and 30's more than any other age group?
It certainly doesn't take a brain scientist to answer THESE questions, and others.
But in cases where the (sudden) onset has been to older folks, like myself it usually has been because of something physiological, not psychological. Since that's the case with me, and I certainly don't have anything to complain about in my past or present life (no dysfunction of any kind, except that I AM a pleaser) that could present itself as a cause of my IBS, my 10 years prior to the onset didn't help the immune system any. Being one who was solely responsible for the care of 2 loved ones during long term life threatening illnesses, in turn took its toll on me, in ways I never imagined would surface down the road until now.
For me, I don't believe for one minute my past is the root cause of my IBS, and in fact, I think my own psychological and emotional STABILITY and STRENGTH just might be the one medicine that enables me to take hold of this condition and shake it loose until it no longer has this kind of control on my life.
But then, that's just me and my own 2 cent's worth…
Kandee
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I have to agree. My first symptoms started during tough times with my family, rocky spots in my marriage, and becoming more in-charge at work. All stress seems to set me off, I am a pleaser (I prefer the term "Peace-maker," because the peace-makers are blessed, according to the Beatitudes), and I suffer from depression. I consider myself to be pretty layed-back, but I think that covers up the inner turmoil I feel when every one isn't getting along. Besides my main food triggers of lettuce, coffee, and fat, I am triggered by hubby's mood swings, sis's gushing over her baby (I suffer from infertility), and mom's guilt trips, not to mention hearing co-workers talking about me behind my back and them dumping their work on my desk and feigning ignorance.
If we all went away to live in a cave together, would our tummies feel better? 
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Re: Bingo.
#37685 - 01/15/04 11:45 AM
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louise
Reged: 02/05/03
Posts: 836
Loc: canada
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it is good to have closure on some personal matters as well, in order to move on.
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Wow guys... I may be the exception that proves the rule. I first got sick when I was 13 at a summer camp, probably one of the places I've been happiest in my life. I get along with my parents fine and am not depressed! I feel so bad that you all have to deal with everything and the medical problems... I have a hard time just coping with my medical stuff! I don't know how you all do it, you should be proud of yourselves!
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WOW! Chinagirl! Well, I guess that blows my theory LOL
That is so wonderful that you can say that though. I am so jealous of you
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Lana_Marie
Proud Mommy to Bentley Taylor
Born May 12, 2004 9lbs, 3oz
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Sorry to be a party pooper, but I suspect most people at times suffer from stress and/or depression and /or family problems -- not just IBS people.
I, for one, am rarely ever depressed. I'm almost always happy (in spite of my IBS affliction). I may be a bit of a people pleaser (except when posting these contrary views!), but I am quite satisfied and happy with my life's decisions. In fact, I think of myself as extraordinarily lucky in all aspects -- especially in career and love.
In terms of what triggered my IBS, well who knows? From what I can tell (and from what my mother recalls), I was born with it. My mother has told me I had the symptoms as a baby. The only thing I will say is that I went through a very strained, stressful time with my parents during the mid-1990s and my IBS became much worse during that time and has never improved since.
My guess is that depression and/or stress could contribute to the triggering of IBS -- just as it would contribute to any illness, depending on whether you are prone. I also suspect that a good many people on this board may suffer (or have suffered) from similar things such as depression, stress and family problems, which may be one of the reasons they have turned to this board for support. This could give a false view to someone on this board that IBS people in general suffer from these things more than non-IBS people.
I guess in order to know for sure whether depression, stress and family (parental) problems are a common link for IBS people, one would have to survey both IBS people on this board and other IBS people who are (hopefully) doing fine without any support, as well as the general population.
I think Lana Marie's theory is interesting, but I honestly don't think IBS people experience depression or family-related stress much more frequently than the general population -- except obviously IBS can cause someone to be depressed and put them under a lot of stress, including in personal relationships.
I remember a doctor once telling me that everyone handles stress differently. Some people's stress goes to their back, others to their shoulders, others to their head (headaches) and others, like me (and probably those prone to IBS), to their "stomach."
Okay, I await annoyed replies to this posting!!!
Belinda
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Thanks. I'm jealous of your upcoming baby though... it will be a long time before I'll have the time and opportunity to have a baby. I have to finish my PhD and worry about the fact that women with children get tenure 30% less often. 
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I'd like to join chinagirl and Belinda to say that not all of us are depressed and dysfunctional! Too bad there is not a more happy common thread between IBS sufferers - as if having IBS isn't bad enough!
I have a great relationship with my family and I am generally happy. I am DEFINITELY not a people-pleaser. I am still trying to nail down what exactly causes my IBS and if in fact I do have IBS. It seems to be caused by things that aren't supposed to be triggers (sometimes even Heather's recipes bring on attacks) and sometimes I can eat things like pizza and I'm fine. Stress more often causes minor irritation than full-blown attacks. Who knows, maybe this whole IBS thing is somehow related to the fact that I was lactose intolerate, which I seemed to have grown out of by college.
But anyway, sorry to hear sad stories from so many. Hopefully we can all keep making progress towards feeling better both mentally/emotionally and physically!
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STEF
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I agree, Lana...we all have so much in common....shyness, depression, people pleasing personalities, etc., etc. Maybe there is a link there that someone could research and get to the bottom (so to speak) of this (sorry for the wording there)  . I think it has a lot to do with our chemical make up....I know that seretonin (sp?) has a lot to do with depression, and when I was on Zoloft for depression/anxiety, my IBS was better.
Maybe there is a cure after all if someone would research our common links.
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That is so great that people are very pleased with their lives and have been so blessed! I have definitely been blessed in my adult life.
I guess not everyone drops in this category, but until I voiced it, it seemed like a common link.
And....this is why there is no given symptoms LOL
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Lana_Marie
Proud Mommy to Bentley Taylor
Born May 12, 2004 9lbs, 3oz
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I'm not so sure. I've had my share of severe stress in my life, and I'm of shy, slightly nervous, and introverted disposition; but so are my mum and 2 sisters who all lived through those years of hell with me. My mum suffers from severe depression, anxiety and phobias/panic attacks and my sisters are of similar disposition to me but....
I'm the only one with IBS.
I'm convinced IBS has a physical cause somehow, but that stress is THE major trigger that can tip you over the edge into life-interfering level of illness.
Also, there are many people with healthy, happy backgrounds who IBS hits quite early in childhood or much later in life. We don't all fit the same pattern.
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Happiest childhood in the world, great parents and family, loved school and did well, got hit with my first attack playing in a neighbor's backyard on a gorgeous summer day. Just - bam! - out of the blue, and I blacked out cold from the pain. I was nine years old, and that was the beginning of my IBS. There was absolutely nothing that can be pinned as a physical or mental trigger that would have started this whole thing. I was also nowhere near puberty, so it wasn't anything hormonal.
I do think after hearing from so many other people with IBS that I'm the exception, not the rule, so Lana Marie may be onto something. There are lots of theories about IBS that explain a good subset of folks with the disorder. The problem is that there are always lots of exceptions to the theories.
- H
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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I have only been visiting the board for a week or so and was noticing the same thing. Which worries me even more...IS this all in my head then???? The psychiatrist i saaw at my MD's recommendation beleives that it is all stress induced and that my fear of eating caused the symptoms....I have to say though that I have symptoms even when i'm NOT worrying about it....This is very complicated!!!! ANd the fact that my sister was once anorexic is making my whole family gang up on me as if I were.....
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I'm also an exception to that very good theory. I've always considered myself an extremely happy person and I've been very lucky in life. I grew with very supportive parents and a great group of friends, had a great experience in college, and was living at home and doing very well in grad school when the IBS hit. Granted, I have always been an anxious person, but it wasn't even an overly stressful part of my life when this began. As a matter of fact, I had just finished the semester and was relaxing for Christmas break. Although it did start right after I had my wisdom teeth removed, and my mom and I have both wondered if that could have somehow triggered it. I know my anxiety certainly does make things worse, though, there's no question about that. I agree that it's very interesting to look at the possible things we all have in common.
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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I agree that IBS is caused by a physical trait we all carry -- whether it is a lack of digestive enzymes or what the case may be…
I, for one, have an incredible relationship with my parents, AND my older brother is my best friend. I have also never suffered from depression... sure we all get down sometimes, but for the most part, I have been extremely happy with my life and those surrounding me The only thing that has ever gotten to me is THIS!! THIS IBS THING! AHHHH! Not saying I have a perfect life... I don't, none of us do.
I am not going to sit here and think it's all in my head... especially when I am having a fantastic time with my friends and family, yet after consuming food I feel like some creature is trying to escape from my tummy through my belly button! *lol* I think it's great that we are all here to support one another -- I AM SO THANKFUL I FOUND THIS SITE!
I haven't participated on the board nearly as often as many of you -- school keeps me busy, but whenever I eat, I honestly think about how I am going to feel... which reminds me to check the board . Not that I am glad others have to deal with this on a daily basis, but it's like having a bunch of pen pals Or something to that effect.
One thing I have learned from IBS is that they weren't lying when they said the first year was the hardest! I am still dealing with how to control my cravings!! I try all the tricks... eating a small homemade PB cookie on a full stomach (which doesn't seem to work for me) L
It's interesting to hear one another's theories on the cause—it gets you thinking. I can't recall when IBS really hit… sometime during high school. I just figured I was a chronic complainer, as did everyone else… we just sort of joked about it. Then, it just progressed. The funny part is, I felt the best when I was training for my marathon. I had a great diet (I don't know if I'd call it a diet, but for lack of a better word) – and pretty much ate what I was hungry for (with the exception of nuts) and felt fine… I really didn't have any troubles – training was from January to the end of June in 2002. Then, when I wasn't running as much – everything was a problem. If I don't run, I don't feel well… THANK GOD I LOVE RUNNING J
Wow... this is too long; I'm going to stop! I guess to sum it up-- it's not in our heads... we all have IBS for a reason... maybe we'll never find out what that reason is... maybe we will -- but we'll bear this together and know that somehow we will touch someone's life!
luvins & goodnight
ps—sorry for the long post, I don't even know if it's going to make sense, and I'm not going to read it over :P
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"If the sun isn't shining on your path... maybe you're not on the right one" --Me
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Quote:
Which worries me even more...IS this all in my head then????
I don't think my childhood issues were in my head and therefore I don't IBS can be either!
Just my thought
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Lana_Marie
Proud Mommy to Bentley Taylor
Born May 12, 2004 9lbs, 3oz
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Your post made total sense, and thank you for sharing.
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I've had depression my whole life, but I don't think that was really a cause for my IBS. The cause was that I anorexia/bulimia for years, and then once I tried to start eating normal I got hit with the IBS  So I believe mine is a physical cause, and in a way I caused it myself, but can't really put blame on myself you know? Gotta just accept it and move on... has anyone else got it from this reason?
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IBS-C
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I am a bit of an anxious person...not always, just at times. Like when I have to be somewhere by a certain time, worrying about health issues(whether mine or other family members),and traveling. My symptoms have been more lately and I don't know if it's subconsciously because I'm taking a car trip soon. In my past, I had troubles swallowing food because of emotional stress (was like that for a year and a half). Other than the trip, I really don't have any major stress triggers. Except for that my soon to be 5 year old will be attending kindergarten in the fall. So I've been thinking about that lately too. I'm worried because he has a severe milk and egg allergy. So maybe the subconscious is the root of this.
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Subconscious
#37946 - 01/16/04 10:13 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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I think you're onto something here, Dolphin!
Quote:
"So maybe the subconscious is the root of this."
You're a perfect candidate for the hypnosis -- you'd do very well with it!
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Yeah, but can we be cured by hypnosis if it's the subconscious??? I've done hypnosis for the food swallowing problem I had over 10 years ago and it worked for me then. Maybe it's time to try it again...I'll try anything.
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Re: Subconscious
#37988 - 01/16/04 11:39 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Dolphin, Michael's hypnosis program is all about the subconscious. Check out the hypnosis board above. Michael helped me immensely. I just finished his IBS program, and will be starting on his other, "Towards Inner Peace." I really believe in him.
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Bev, I will...thank you for your recommendation. 
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PS - There is no "cure" for IBS so don't be disappointed when you aren't cured. Hyno is designed to make you feel easier about social situations etc.
I have heard great things about it.
Sorry, just sticking my nose in! LOL
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Lana_Marie
Proud Mommy to Bentley Taylor
Born May 12, 2004 9lbs, 3oz
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