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Diarrhea and loose stools

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Posted 10/7/2013 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
A couple weeks ago I seem to develop loose stools and sometimes diarrhea.  It usually occurs as soon as I wake up and occurs once of twice within the first hours.  This is normally the only bowel movement I have all day.  I am a constant worrier with general anxiety and wake up worrying I am going to have diarrhea.  I do not have any abdominal pain.  I look everything up on the internet and always assume I have the worst disease listed.  I was at the doctor a couple months ago had a total blood test, chest x-ray, urinalysis and EKG.  All was fine except for my cholesterol.  He put me on 5 mg of Xanax twice daily.  Just a year ago I had an abdominal scan and a full liver blood panel done.  All was fine.  I had an EGD done almost 2 years ago and was diagnosed with GERD and a small hiatal hernia.  My colonoscopy was in 2009 and only diagnosed with hemorrhoids.  I drive myself nuts worrying about the loose stools and I feel it is being caused by my constant worry and anxiety.  I have become obsessed with having loose stools.  I take Xanax, benedryl, zantac, and sometimes Prilosec.  I wonder if the drug mixture is causing the problems.  Do you think my constant anxiety can be my problem?
Posted 10/8/2013 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi karual and welcome.

I am sorry to hear of your issues with anxiety and the resulting symptoms that you are suffering.

It sounds as if you have had a pretty complete panel of tests that would rule out anything physical that could be the cause.

Have your issues coincided with any of the listed medications that you are taking? How is your diet? Perhaps you can consult a nutritionalist for help. For instance, some peopld find that a pro-biotic or psyllium/fiber (for water absorption and  bulking) actually helps with D issues.

Anxiety certainly does take its toll on the digestive system! So it could be that you just need to get your management skills to a place where your symptoms can improve.

In our Resources (main page, 1st post) you will find a lot of self-help ideas that could help. Breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and meditation (links and videos) can be learned and practiced daily for relief!

Keep posting with us as well. We are here for understanding and support anytime.

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 10/8/2013 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
Karul, when my nerves are bothering me I have the same problems you do. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 10/8/2013 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your responses.  I am unsure if all the medication I take could be part of the problem.  I take Xanax ( .5mg twice a day), Benadryl (two pills once a day), zantac (150 mg once or twice a day), centrum silver daily, citracal daily, sometimes I take a Compazine if I feel nauseated from my anxiety.  Sometimes I take one or two Unisom Natural Sleep which has melotin, vitamin c and b6.  I sure this could mess up my digestive track LOL.  Yesterday I took 2 Kaopectate and this morning had a somewhat normal bowel movement.  But then I drank a cup of Hazelnut coffee and right after had a bm that was like self serve ice cream.  My anxiety level is really high.  I most likely will not have another bowel movement until tomorrow as that is my normal pattern. I just wish I could calm my self down.  Could I have IBS without abdominal pain?  Thanks for listening to me.  It helps to talk about it.
Posted 10/8/2013 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
 I also for to state my eating habits are terrible.  With my morning anxiety I find it hard to eat in the morning and usually don't eat until later in the afternoon.  In other words I hardly eat anything until dinner.  I can eat almost anything in the evening after dinner as my anxiety seems to settled down then. I am afraid to eat in the morning as I have a fear of vomiting although I never have.  As you can see I am a mess.
Posted 10/8/2013 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
My life style is much like yours, I'm like a pregnant woman in the mornings, never eat before noon, I also
take benadryl for sleep, and have xanax as needed, try adding a banana, maybe an apple in the evening
if that don't give some relief go to a doctor, sounds a lot like IBS to me. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 10/8/2013 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Karul,

Coffee with no food is a no-no!! That is most surely the reason for your last bout. However, I do not think that the consistency that you describe can be considered 'D'. Soft serve (good desciption, Lol!) is considered normal.

I still think that you may really want to consider seeing a nutritionalist to get your diet back into good balance. I do believe that this is heavily contributing to your issue.

For the time being, at least try something binding such as toast, crackers or plain white rice in the morning/early afternoon.

Best wishes, use those relaxation skills in our Resources and keep posting!

S.C.
Posted 10/8/2013 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
I was taking one or two sugar free Fiber Choice tablets for a few days but they didn't seem to help. Then I read that the sugar free ones have sorbital in them which can cause diarrhea. I will try and take the pro-biotic Culturelle for a few days and see if that makes a difference. Any other suggestions will be appreciated. I know a lot of the medication I said I am taking list diarrhea as a side effect. Just need something to make the constant worry go away. It seems like my anxiety and the loose stools are a vicious circle.
Posted 10/8/2013 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
You can check out this site....you may know most of this already, but you could find something useful. Remember to use the coping skills in our Resources to get at the probable root of the problem, which is likely anxiety.


http://ibs.about.com/od/diarrhea/tp/Diarrhea-and-Food.--04.htm

S.C.

Posted 10/8/2013 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Karul,

I deleted your lastest post as it was identical to this one.

This causes confusion and you have received, and will continue to receive good information and help in this thread.

Thank you for your understanding of the rules regarding double posting.

S.C.
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