I've never heard of depression being a symptom but stress can trigger IBS. My brother has IBS like symptoms but hasn't been diagnosed. His wife sort of makes fun of him.

I have this book called "Food Cures" by Joy Bauer (The Today Show dietitian/nutritionist). In the book there is a section about IBS. You might already know about the foods that can trigger IBS so I won't go into that (unless you need me to). The list is long. Some supplements she recommends are a multivitamin, calcium and vitamin D3, probiotics, enteric-coated peppermint oil, Beano and artichoke leaf extract.

 

My brother has IBS like symptoms but hasn't been diagnosed. His wife sort of makes fun of him.

If my husband did that, I would pack my bags and leave, and I am not kidding about that. There is nothing funny about feeling sick and crampy and having your esophagus burn like you swallowed fire (I am on Prilosec for that). You would think someone's spouse would have a bit more empathy than that.

 

Stress does trigger IBS but I have also read it being a nonGI symptom:

Nongastrointestinal symptoms

You may sometimes have other symptoms that don't affect the intestines, such as:

• Anxiety or depression.
• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth.
• Backache.
• Sleeping problems (insomnia) not caused by symptoms of IBS.

http://www.webmd.com/ibs/guide/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs-symptoms

But either way....nothing can be done about IBS except to watch the triggers from what I have learned.

I know a few things that are triggers for me and have gone over the list. Basically, I could live just fine on pureed baby food. :lol

The lists for what triggers IBS is quite extensive. Yesterday, I had a few margaritas when my husband took me out to a Mexican restaurant. Then we made one at home. There is something about tequila that seems to be a trigger for me. I enjoy a shot every now and again with beer or in a margarita but its quickly becoming something I dont think I can do anymore. Having stomach issues all day today is convincing me of that. It also saps the energy out of me.

 

I know a few things that are triggers for me and have gone over the list. Basically, I could live just fine on pureed baby food. :lol

That makes sense because the best foods for IBS are the ones that are gentle on the digestive system.

 

^ I do aggree there's nothing funny about it. Mind you I'd try not to talk about it at all it's kind of undignifying. I have ibs like symptoms but not been diagnosed officially. Main trigger is stress!! When I'm too stressed I avoid caffeine... I'ved noticed alcohol doesn't help too. I don't know it's hard to control because the main main issue is stress everything else is just what can make it worse.

 

For the past 2 years I've had some kind of a digestive disorder that controls my life (more than anxiety...if only I didn't have digestive problems, I'd be able to try to do things more...I'm mostly stuck at home because of this) But I'm too scared to go to a doctor to find out what's wrong and if there's anything that could help me.... :sigh (I don't like doctors, hospitals, medicine, medical stuff....)