having such a terrible time with digestive problems and anxiety. my symptoms seem so limitless. light-headed, weak shaky. stiff and foggy. didn't sleep until 6 a.m. then phone rang at 8:30. nothing helps with digestive dis-comfort and only med on hand is alprazolam. do i just need to take it day and night for awhile?
Hi Valleyhopper,
Sorry you are not feeling well. I can relate to your anxiety and digestive problems. I just had a really bad anxiety attack yesterday. I usually have problems with being light headed, foggy, weak, and shaky on a daily basis, but yesterday was the first time in a long time that I had a full blown anxiety attack.
I also have digestive problems due to acid reflux and IBS. I cannot give you any advice on medications because I am not able to take any medications, except for Tylenol. Like you, I have trouble sleeping as well, and that just makes dealing with fibromyalgia much harder. Hope you find some relief soon.
Hugs, Shell
Hi, valley.
I am sorry you are experiencing digestive discomfort with anxiety. I do believe there are medications that can help with both as well as stress and anxiety relieving techniques you may want to explore. We have a Mindfulness group here that is terrific. Your doctor should know best on how to advise you on which medications and dosages you may be able to take.
Hugs,
Laurie
I definitely relate to what you are going through. My IBS has been flaring up something fierce lately. Are you feeling constipated at all? For me taking a mild laxative has been helping a little, as for the constant anxiety attacks, when I feel one coming on I try to go to a quiet room and listen to relaxing music and just focus on soft breathing. It does help a little. I hope you feel better soon!
Blessings and prayers!
Hi. I have IBS and am pretty much gluten free and very limited in what I can eat. The list for what I can eat is tiny and the list of what I cannot eat, which includes most of my favorite foods, is very long. I follow a diet given to me by my GI doc, called the FODMAP diet. It has helped considerably with the IBS. I also don't sleep much. And, my primary doc is out on maternity leave so it is like pulling teeth to get anyone to listen to me as she does and help. I take 3, 100 mg. Trazadone and 1/2 Halcion at night and that still only allows me about 4-5 hours a night, if I'm lucky. Best of luck. I am sorry life is so hard for you right now.
Hi Valley,
You should definitely talk to the doctor who prescribed the alprazolam. What does the bottle label say, usually it is prescribed two or three times per day for anxiety?
After 17 years with IBS, I have put together a management program for myself. I only have flares every few months now (instead of daily), which usually go away within 24 hrs. Stress is definitely a trigger for IBS, so hopefully you can get that under control soon. I avoid high-fat diary or fried foods as they tend to cause flare ups. A major issue is getting enough fiber to avoid the IBS cycle of constipation/diarrhea. I try to get 20 gm to 24 gm of fiber per day in my diet, also take 2 fiber gummies per day (4 gm fiber). I also use OTC Fibercon when needed.
When I’m having an IBS attack, I lay down with a heating pad on tummy and take prescription medication Levsin, which stops the cramping. (Ask your doctor about Levsin if this is one of your IBS symptoms). I also use OTC Loperamide if needed. By the next day usually the IBS is gone.
I hope you feel better soon.
<3
Starr