Readers Respond: What Other Health Problems Are You Dealing With Alongside Your IBS?

One of the mysteries surrounding IBS is the fact that IBS patients often experience a higher rate of other health problems at the same time. Some of these other health problems involve the digestive system, while others involve other parts of the body. Do you have other health problems along with your IBS? Why do you think this is so? Have you found strategies that help your IBS and your other health difficulties? Share your experience and find out what other IBS patients are dealing with.

tired of the pain

I have had IBS and GERD for a long time. since 2003. In 2007 it was so bad I checked into ER sure it was a heart attack. This started a 3 year odyssey of stress tests and anxiety meds, to finally be diagnosed with really bad GERD. several EGDs later and I ended up having fundoplication surgery. That helped for a year or so, but now the Gerd is back worse then ever another EGD shows the wrap from the surgery has slipped and I am having chest pain (chest wall both sides and a mix of stabbing burning and aching pains on both sides and middle) IBS flareups like I have never experienced before, probably do to the anxiety of having to travel for work for the first time in 5 years. On top of that I now have back pain and arm and wrist pain from bad posture and typing on a keyboard for almost 20 years. I get jittery a lot, wake in the morning to burning chest and belching like you wouldn't believe (not supposed to be able to do that after the surgery)....anyway that's where I am ... ain't it fun?

—tkwoof

daily battle

just get through a day without any flareups is a miracle and constant battle, both mentally and physically. What people don't see, they don't understand. Bladder infections I seem to have more often and seem harder to resolve; controlling gassiness and the urge to go frequently creates a great mental stress for me, but I keep that hidden so no one knows I am stressed every single day

—Guest Texas2step

Food Allergies

Besides IBS, I've been diagnosed as having a variety of food allergies or sensitivities: dairy, eggs, wheat, gluten, beef, almonds, various vegetables, spices and other foods. It makes eating a real chore. No more pizza. No more latte at Starbucks. I've completely stopped eating out at restaurants. And all those gluten-free foods in the store? They usually contain something else I can't eat. But I've learned to live with it, and as soon as I get this IBS thing tackled, I will overcome this too.

—jeffiam

Depression, Anxiety

I am one of the lucky ones if that can possibly be because my main issues are depression and anxiety. As I age I also have the typical age related issues-arthritis for one. I run/walk daily which is my life saver as is an antidepressant. I learned long ago to meditate for relaxation when having an anxiety attack. Depression medication is the only solution. I have noticed a direct correlation between eating foods that cause IBS flares with depression and anxiety. Chocolate is one!

—Guest H. Jean

sick of feeling sick

i have had ibs for 24 yrs, have felt ill all that time, nausea, headaches, joint pains, anxiety, and depression. in july i had my gallbladder removed. sorry i did, i have felt worse since. now have bile reflux, as well as acid reflux. i get really bad pain in my stomach, unbearable hunger pains, bad wind, and still pain on the right side. to be honest like most people with ibs, i am sick of living like this. i feel as if i can't take any more pain. i have diarrhea ibs mostly and that is hell in itself.

—bennybean

It keeps coming and coming...and coming.

Depression, Hypochondriac, Anxiety Attacks, Acid Reflux, Horrible ovulation pains. IBS pain pain pain did I mention the word pain? I mean sometimes I would give anything to feel normal or in other words...not sick. Everyday it's a battle between my mind and my body...and well the world. Like Genie said I'm trying to live up to people's expectations...and act like any other person who does not have her stomach shooting pains every second...I don't wish having IBS on anybody...but sometimes i would like people to understand what I go through everyday...they don't understand...that having IBS is enough to make me feel worn out...and I don't want to get sick, not even the flu...(I think that's the reason why I became a hypochondriac)...I got food poisoning last week...and with IBS...I still feel sick... even if I get sick of something like the cold, I feel like the world its against me, IBS is enough, I don't need anything else. I'm not what I used to be two years ago and that's the hardest pain I have to deal with every day.

—Guest Tangerine

Other problems

Actually, my IBS saved my fertility. The symptoms actually sent me to my GYN, who discovered an infection in my tubes from a mistreated miscarriage. In my 50's and going through menopause, my symptons of bloating and pain are back. Also have low BP all my life, slightly elevated cholesterol, depression due to chronic pain from injuries while in the military. Scary part for me is knowing that an IBS attack will send my white count thru the roof, and the threat of unneeded antibiotics.

—Guest phredyfrog

Dawn C. Australia

I have had hypertension 26yrs, constant atrial fibrillation resulting in pacemaker & more pills 7 yrs, riddled with arthritis & now IBS-D 2yrs. I had breast cancer in 1989 & a benign ovarian tumour last year. I am very compliant with medications & rely on extremely expensive supplements to keep me working night duty as a nurse & running a farm where I live alone at age 67 years. The extent of arthritis & disc degeneration currently are causing terrible pain & difficulties standing & walking. I suffer with chronic insomnia & feel lucky to sleep for 2 hours at a time. Averaging 4-5 hours a day/night. I have become reclusive as the effort to socialise is just too much to cope with.

—Guest Dawn

Other Health Issues along with IBS

a real struggle... tendinitis, depression, anxiety, yeast infections, acid reflux, not to mention just had the stomach flu (real bad) and now fighting a cold. It is exhausting to not only have to deal with IBS every day, but then all the other things you can catch on top of that. I am worn out. Had a big fight with bf yesterday. I still work full time and it seems like I spend all of my time just trying to stay "healthy" so I can continue to live up to everyone's expectations of me. I am trying to take more time out for myself to do the things I enjoy so that it doesn't always feel like living in a constant struggle

—Guest Genie75

Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS and more.

As Bonnie says, "What don't I have?" As well as the fibro, ME and the IBS that I am diagnosed with, I suffer from Low Back Pain (Lumbago). As if those weren't enough, I also have symptoms (to some degree or other) of all of the following commonly overlapping conditions; Interstitial cystitis (since 1973), Irritable Bladder, Migraine Headaches, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Restless Legs Syndrome, Temporomandibular Joint Pain, Vulvodynia and various incarnations of Sleep Disorders.

—Guest Pamela

Bipolar, Anxiety, Fibroid

My main health problem is bipolar disorder. The fibroid doesn't help because it affects my hormones. The anxiety is sometimes a symptom of the bipolar, sometimes the cause of depression. These last 2 are both affected by the IBS, which is exacerbated by and exacerbates my anxiety, and causes depression and self-esteem.

—bloggochicago

back

I am diagnosed with herniated disc,but i have no classic symptoms involved with herniated disc.I often feel that my back pain is somehow related to my bowel.

—Guest danny

Fibro, CFIDs, GERD

What don't I have? Taking care of my body is a full-time job. I wish sometimes that I would just have one day where nothing bothered me. I would even settle for one hour!

—Bonnie