22yr old IBS symptoms ruling my life
Presenting condition:
IBS diarrhoea with urgency, which was impacting on daily life and activities.
Brief history of condition:
IBS symptoms for last 2yrs but intensity and frequency during last 6 months. Main symptoms are mucus in the stool, diarrhoea (type 5-6 on Bristol stool chart) with severe urgency to stool, feeling of ‘not quite done’ after a stool and lots of wind. Symptoms triggered by stress, but also anticipatory anxiety about the symptoms. This worry then triggers the symptoms, so a self-fulfilling cycle ensued.
Current medication:
Imodium (loperamide) to control the diarrhoea symptoms, which didn’t always work.
Mebeverine was taken for 3 days but then stopped as it didn’t work either.
Other relevant factors:
History of stress/anxiety in the timeline
Owns his own successful business
Relevant emotional timeline incidents:
4yrs-13yrs Bad eczema
8yrs Bullied at school
11yrs Withheld stool due to ridicule at school
12yrs More intense bullying at school
15-16yrs Severe panic attacks
17yrs Increased urgency to stool
19yrs Indigestion and gurgling sounds from abdomen with trapped wind. GP diagnosed anxiety and prescribed propranolol. These caused severe headaches, so client stopped taking these tablets.
21yrs Egg-white like mucus in stool, IBS symptoms of diarrhoea and strong urgency to stool. Began to see therapist to manage stress.
Relevant familial history:
Maternal Grandmother died of pneumonia
Maternal Grandfather died of pneumonia
Paternal Grandmother died of bowel cancer
Father and sister both suffer with depression
Main remedy given: Nux vom
After 1st prescription:
Bowels now type 3-4 on Bristol stool chart. Now only going 1-2 daily. Feeling of completely ‘empty’ when finished stooling. Had diarrhoea after argument with his mum but was not anxious about the diarrhoea! This was huge for the client.
After 2nd prescription:
Type 4 stool (ideal) and going regularly and daily, first thing in the morning. Cried with relief! Anxiety and stress much lower now, and feels more excited about new business opportunities. Feels more competitive and this feels good. Return of old symptoms: headaches.
After 3rd prescription:
Bowels still regular and Type 4 daily. Headaches 65% better. Less intense and less frequent headaches. They are now every other day, rather than daily. Anxiety greatly reduced and feels much more in control.
After 4th prescription:
Bowels still fine! Small amount of mucus present in stool, when meeting new employee in person for the first time, due to nerves. However this didn’t lead on to diarrhoea. Headaches much less intense and less frequent than last month.
Summary:
Bowels and anxiety much improved after 2nd prescription. Anxiety was trigger for bowel symptoms so client was caught in a viscious cycle. This cycle has now been broken with help from his therapist. No longer taking Imodium or carrying it in his wallet as a ‘just-in-case’ measure.
