I am presently suffering from stress-related migraines, depression, and "irritable bowel syndrome". I have been suffering from these conditions for around four months now, and have seen very little improvement or alleviation in any of my symptoms, with the sole exception of less frequency and intensity of the migraines.
My physician has had me on a wide range of "trial and error" drugs. Most recently: Voltaren, Prozac, Prilosec, and Aphrazolam.
I am male. 175 lbs. 32.
My symptoms include: Head/neck aches (with occasional shoulder pain), seeing round floating spots (like glistening water droplets), depression, anxiety, diarrhea, stomach gurgling, occasional constipation, and acid indigestion which worsens upon lying down.
I also have recently suffered skin rashes, bouts of impotence, dry mouth, easy muscle fatigue, numbness in the legs (when crossing the legs or sitting on hard surfaces) and tremors in the muscles upon strain: all which my doctor claims may be side effects of the drugs.
My questions is: what can you tell me about "Irritable Bowel Syndrome" and how can it be related to stress and/or depression?
Thanks for your help.
REPLY:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the intestines that leads to crampy pain, gassiness, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.
Some people with IBS have constipation (difficult or infrequent bowel movements); others have diarrhea (frequent loose stools, often with an urgent need to move the bowels); and some people experience both. Sometimes the person with IBS has a crampy urge to move the bowels but cannot do so.
Through the years, IBS has been called by many names - colitis, mucous colitis, spastic colon, spastic bowel, and functional bowel disease. Most of these terms are inaccurate. Colitis, for example, means inflammation of the large intestine (colon). IBS, however, does not cause inflammation and should not be confused with ulcerative colitis, which is a more serious disorder.
The cause of IBS is not known, and as yet there is no cure. Doctors call it a functional disorder because there is no sign of disease when the colon is examined. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not cause permanent harm to the intestines and does not lead to intestinal bleeding of the bowel or to a serious disease such as cancer. Often IBS is just a mild annoyance, but for some people it can be disabling. They may be afraid to go to social events, to go out to a job, or to travel even short distances. Most people with IBS, however, are able to control their symptoms through diet, stress management, and sometimes with medications prescribed by their physicians.
How Does Stress Affect IBS?
The potential for abnormal function of the colon is always present in people with IBS, but a trigger also must be present to cause symptoms. Many people report that their symptoms occur when they are under stress. No one is sure why this happens, but scientists have some clues.
Stress can stimulate colonic spasm in people with IBS. The process is not completely understood, but scientists point out that the colon is controlled partly by the nervous system. Mental health counseling and stress reduction (relaxation training) can help relieve the symptoms of IBS. However, doctors are quick to point out that this does not mean IBS is the result of a personality disorder. IBS is at least partly a disorder of colon motility.
Source:
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
National Institutes of Health
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Bruce Sckolnick, M.D.
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