Hello all.
I've had a rough time at work the last couple of days and the stress is showing up in my gut. Watery stools yesterday and today, 2 or 3 times a day. I pretty sure it is the stress; I did try Betaine HCl for two days (discontinuing to see if that helps) but I just don't think that was the trigger for this bout of D.
Other than this problem I've been doing better. Usually have soft but solid stools (#4) once a day and fatigue is considerably less (still can't gain weight). Some nagging symptoms that suggest MCAD but they are minor.
I am wondering if there is anything I can do to preempt the D when things get stressful at work; that is, if a stressful situation begins is there anything I can do to keep it from resulting in D (chugging Pepto, fasting, etc.). I'm 59 so have a few more years to go. Thought about getting a less frustrating job to glide into retirement with but it might be hard to find one, what with my age and current health (MC).
Or should I just bear it? Will the gut issues return to (my) normal once the stress abates, or will my road to remission suffer a major setback if I don't deal with this?
Any similar experiences or thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.
John R.
Preempting Stress
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
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Re: Preempting Stress
Stress can be a major trigger for many MC'ers (it is one of mine)
In MC world our best way to stable remission is to avoid as many triggers as possible
what I do
increase Vit D and magnesium to help body reduce inflammation levels
do more relaxation items / look after my body
- breathing exercises
- meditation
- yoga / go for a walk outside in relaxing environment
- calming podcasts / audiobooks to balanced mind and emotions each morning (and at lunchtime if necessary)
- increase time of rest / good quality sleep. avoid tv blue screens of a night. play music or relaxing book for an hour before bed
- minimise any high sensory events situations (ie I do grocery shopping at 6am so there is minimal people)
as we age, the bodies ability to heal does slow, so coming up with 'stress management' routine is essential for long term health.
In MC world our best way to stable remission is to avoid as many triggers as possible
what I do
increase Vit D and magnesium to help body reduce inflammation levels
do more relaxation items / look after my body
- breathing exercises
- meditation
- yoga / go for a walk outside in relaxing environment
- calming podcasts / audiobooks to balanced mind and emotions each morning (and at lunchtime if necessary)
- increase time of rest / good quality sleep. avoid tv blue screens of a night. play music or relaxing book for an hour before bed
- minimise any high sensory events situations (ie I do grocery shopping at 6am so there is minimal people)
as we age, the bodies ability to heal does slow, so coming up with 'stress management' routine is essential for long term health.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Re: Preempting Stress
John,
in addition to trying to limit stress issues, you can get temporary relief from urgent D by taking Imodium. It won't suppress any inflammation, but it will allow you to postpone frequent trips to the bathroom while at work, shopping trips, or whenever you need to postpone the need to immediately go to the bathroom. You'll have to experiment with the dose, each day, or take it as needed, but it's one of the safest medications on the market, it's available over-the-counter, and it works to postpone diarrhea. As I recall, it's safe to take up to eight tablets per day, if needed. Don't take more than you need, however, because that can lead to constipation. Some brands better than others. I believe the original version worked best, because it didn't contain any dairy-based ingredients.
Tex
in addition to trying to limit stress issues, you can get temporary relief from urgent D by taking Imodium. It won't suppress any inflammation, but it will allow you to postpone frequent trips to the bathroom while at work, shopping trips, or whenever you need to postpone the need to immediately go to the bathroom. You'll have to experiment with the dose, each day, or take it as needed, but it's one of the safest medications on the market, it's available over-the-counter, and it works to postpone diarrhea. As I recall, it's safe to take up to eight tablets per day, if needed. Don't take more than you need, however, because that can lead to constipation. Some brands better than others. I believe the original version worked best, because it didn't contain any dairy-based ingredients.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Re: Preempting Stress
Hi, John. I had a very stressful job and I'm still trying to recover from all of the years of stress. I found that walking was essential to keep my stress levels under control as well as deep breathing when I felt overwhelmed. My faith kept me grounded when I didn't have control over the situation I was in. When I went home from work I would sit on my patio with a cup of tea to enjoy the beauty of nature & calm my mind.
Marcia
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
Re: Preempting Stress
Thank you Gabes, Tex and Marcia for the reply.
Fortunately, the D is not debilitating so far - the stools that are watery are once or twice a day, between 10:00AM and Noon, and the urgency is not bad. My main concern is that it will eventually knock me back to square one. My wishful thinking is that the restrictive diet will make the stressful situation a temporary setback - that once the situation at work calms down so will my inflammation. It is the construction design industry, so the stressful situations come and go. In the near future it might get more constant - we seem to get more anal-retentive and imperious clients (and employees) as time goes by.
Thanks again,
John R.
Fortunately, the D is not debilitating so far - the stools that are watery are once or twice a day, between 10:00AM and Noon, and the urgency is not bad. My main concern is that it will eventually knock me back to square one. My wishful thinking is that the restrictive diet will make the stressful situation a temporary setback - that once the situation at work calms down so will my inflammation. It is the construction design industry, so the stressful situations come and go. In the near future it might get more constant - we seem to get more anal-retentive and imperious clients (and employees) as time goes by.
Thanks again,
John R.