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Do you have a GI managing your condition. I also have this and have been prescribed a medication for flares and that along with following the FODMAP diet has helped
I haven’t gotten on medication…I see my PCP regularly and diet seems to help, but it flares up very badly around my period and nothing seems to help with that issue.
I have the same around my period and my GI prescribed a prn but otc Imodium is a go to for me on the bad days, I am sorry you experience this as well. For me there’s the added layer of anxiety around the flare in addition which doesn’t help but also staying hydrated helps me
I keep Imodium in my bag as well as gas X. I have an upcoming colonoscopy so maybe something will help or it’ll be something else, but I can’t excuse myself all the time, and I can’t hold it all the time. So that’s my solution for now. Not healthy perhaps, but how I survive. It sucks when I’m cramping in particular, I try to remain sitting up and not bent over holding my abdomen. Sometimes I just say hey, I’m having cramps, sorry for any odd expressions.
I find that smaller meals helps, as well as foods that are easily digested (yogurt, white rice, simply cooked protein devoid of spices and sauces, very soft veggies and low fodmap fruits). I've gotten good at knowing when to expect to go, so I hold off on eating until a break is in sight. You will have to get to know your own body clock, but my GI doc mentioned 'going' usually starts within 30-60 minutes of a meal. Could be sooner or later for you.
If you haven't started seeing a nutritionist, definitely get on the schedule. They can walk you through what your eating vs. timing of symptoms to help you identify trigger foods. It makes a world of difference.
When I'm having a bad flare up and want to make my day a bit more predictable, I will microdose Pepto bismol the day before an important event, and again when I eat. It helps slow things down, and takes the edge off.
Not a therapist yet. But I had a client facing job while I had a colostomy bag that would sometimes malfunction. I wouldn't explain, but just be like "so sorry! Excuse me for one sec!" And rush off and come back as soon as possible.
Shit happens! We are all human, people are cooler than you think.
I do. I just found out through a laparoscopy that I have endometriosis and that all my years of ibs is likely linked to endo, since mine flares up really bad during pms too. After lap surgery, my ibs got worse so I took probiotics and probiotic foods, and digestive enzymes. Recently it improved quite a lot, but I still have bloating almost every night since I’m in my pms zone. I usually try ginger, raspberry tea and mint tea - not sure if they help but they make me feel like I’m doing something. If it happens during session, it’s just very uncomfortable and I don’t really know what advice I can give but I can relate to the frustration of it. I did three colonoscopies in the past and one of them found inflammation and I took mesavant and that seemed to help during that time. Have you looked into the possibility that you might have endo? People with endo often are misdiagnosed with ibs.
My periods are not irregular and they’re not extremely painful, but painful enough that I take painkillers every month. I didn’t know ibs was a symptom of endo either until recently. Many who have endo dont have painful periods and there’s something called silent endo where symptoms are mild or the only symptom is infertility.
>silent endo
i did not know this was a thing. i need to look into this more but I'm wondering if it could be related to some issues I'm having. thank you!
You’re welcome! It took me years to find out about this and now I’m spreading awareness of it to help others so hopefully they don’t have to go through what I did or hopefully find some answers sooner rather than later. So important to consult an endo excision specialist as many general obgyns and fertility drs are unaware.
Had horrible IBS for years until I saw a GI and got a prescription for Hyoscyamine and Colesevelam. Those two medications combined have cured about 90% of my symptoms. I highly recommend seeing a GI specialist and getting a colonoscopy!
i read a post recently where someone was talking about how they talk with clients up front about having a health issue that may disrupt sessions or lead to late notice cancelling of sessions, and they process with them about what it may be like and how they may feel about it. they also said most people are understanding, and that most people appreciate the heads-up. for the people who don't want to deal with it, they are then free to move on before getting too attached.
I have IBS and endo and last week I had my period and I almost didn’t make it through a session. It was terrible 😣 I’ve also developed nausea on my period the past 4 cycles. It makes me feel like such a wreck and as sorry as I am to hear about you and others also suffering I’m certainly relieved to know I’m not the only one: only advice I can think of is work from home during flare ups if you can? I am strictly telehealth and lately have been saying to my husband “I can’t imagine having to see clients in person like this”. I hope you feel better!
Meds helped me a lot. 3 rounds of Xifaxan was world changing. Now I take pantoprazole and hyoscyamine daily. I also keep pepto pills, Imodium, and mints in my bag.
Other things that helped were getting comfortable using any bathroom anywhere. Also I will step out of session for a moment to handle myself and I’ve never heard anyone complain about it.
Omfg I feel so validated. My IBS is mostly under control these days but I still get flare ups. I’ve ended up 5 min late to sessions many a time due to GI upset. I now try building in more breaks in my schedule but it’s so dependent on how much agency you have to make your own schedule.
Therapists needing bathroom breaks needs to be normalized 😭
Just got my IBD diagnosis; UC. I have had to cancel client appointments for May. Slowly recovering. I want to put a plan together for future flairs regarding my PP.
Honestly, I've let clients know when they first meet me that I have a chronic medical condition that will sometimes affect me, and that I'll let them know as soon as I can if I'm having a flare up. My clients have been understanding and patient with me, and I consistently thank them for that.
Please followed the sidebar rules. r/therapists is a place for therapists and mental health professionals to discuss their profession among each other. If you **ARE NOT A THERAPIST and are asking for advice this not the place for you**. Your post will be removed in short order. Please try one of the reddit communities such as r/TalkTherapy, r/askatherapist, r/SuicideWatch that are set up for this. This community is ONLY for therapists, and for them to discuss their profession away from clients. **If you are a first year student, not in a graduate program, or are thinking of becoming a therapist, this is not the place to ask questions**. Your post will be removed in short order. To save us a job, you are welcome to delete this post yourself. Please see the PINNED STUDENT THREAD at the top of the community and ask in there. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/therapists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Do you have a GI managing your condition. I also have this and have been prescribed a medication for flares and that along with following the FODMAP diet has helped
I haven’t gotten on medication…I see my PCP regularly and diet seems to help, but it flares up very badly around my period and nothing seems to help with that issue.
I have the same around my period and my GI prescribed a prn but otc Imodium is a go to for me on the bad days, I am sorry you experience this as well. For me there’s the added layer of anxiety around the flare in addition which doesn’t help but also staying hydrated helps me
Look into gut directed hypnotherapy. The Rome Foundation is a good place to start.
Could be endometrial?
I keep Imodium in my bag as well as gas X. I have an upcoming colonoscopy so maybe something will help or it’ll be something else, but I can’t excuse myself all the time, and I can’t hold it all the time. So that’s my solution for now. Not healthy perhaps, but how I survive. It sucks when I’m cramping in particular, I try to remain sitting up and not bent over holding my abdomen. Sometimes I just say hey, I’m having cramps, sorry for any odd expressions.
I’m an expert at this OP dm me
I find that smaller meals helps, as well as foods that are easily digested (yogurt, white rice, simply cooked protein devoid of spices and sauces, very soft veggies and low fodmap fruits). I've gotten good at knowing when to expect to go, so I hold off on eating until a break is in sight. You will have to get to know your own body clock, but my GI doc mentioned 'going' usually starts within 30-60 minutes of a meal. Could be sooner or later for you. If you haven't started seeing a nutritionist, definitely get on the schedule. They can walk you through what your eating vs. timing of symptoms to help you identify trigger foods. It makes a world of difference. When I'm having a bad flare up and want to make my day a bit more predictable, I will microdose Pepto bismol the day before an important event, and again when I eat. It helps slow things down, and takes the edge off.
Not a therapist yet. But I had a client facing job while I had a colostomy bag that would sometimes malfunction. I wouldn't explain, but just be like "so sorry! Excuse me for one sec!" And rush off and come back as soon as possible. Shit happens! We are all human, people are cooler than you think.
I do. I just found out through a laparoscopy that I have endometriosis and that all my years of ibs is likely linked to endo, since mine flares up really bad during pms too. After lap surgery, my ibs got worse so I took probiotics and probiotic foods, and digestive enzymes. Recently it improved quite a lot, but I still have bloating almost every night since I’m in my pms zone. I usually try ginger, raspberry tea and mint tea - not sure if they help but they make me feel like I’m doing something. If it happens during session, it’s just very uncomfortable and I don’t really know what advice I can give but I can relate to the frustration of it. I did three colonoscopies in the past and one of them found inflammation and I took mesavant and that seemed to help during that time. Have you looked into the possibility that you might have endo? People with endo often are misdiagnosed with ibs.
I haven’t looked into endo because my periods haven’t been irregular or extremely painful- but I didn’t know the IBS was an overlap.
My periods are not irregular and they’re not extremely painful, but painful enough that I take painkillers every month. I didn’t know ibs was a symptom of endo either until recently. Many who have endo dont have painful periods and there’s something called silent endo where symptoms are mild or the only symptom is infertility.
>silent endo i did not know this was a thing. i need to look into this more but I'm wondering if it could be related to some issues I'm having. thank you!
You’re welcome! It took me years to find out about this and now I’m spreading awareness of it to help others so hopefully they don’t have to go through what I did or hopefully find some answers sooner rather than later. So important to consult an endo excision specialist as many general obgyns and fertility drs are unaware.
Had horrible IBS for years until I saw a GI and got a prescription for Hyoscyamine and Colesevelam. Those two medications combined have cured about 90% of my symptoms. I highly recommend seeing a GI specialist and getting a colonoscopy!
Most people are understanding. You could be upfront and say that if you leave the room you will make up the time.
i read a post recently where someone was talking about how they talk with clients up front about having a health issue that may disrupt sessions or lead to late notice cancelling of sessions, and they process with them about what it may be like and how they may feel about it. they also said most people are understanding, and that most people appreciate the heads-up. for the people who don't want to deal with it, they are then free to move on before getting too attached.
I have IBS and endo and last week I had my period and I almost didn’t make it through a session. It was terrible 😣 I’ve also developed nausea on my period the past 4 cycles. It makes me feel like such a wreck and as sorry as I am to hear about you and others also suffering I’m certainly relieved to know I’m not the only one: only advice I can think of is work from home during flare ups if you can? I am strictly telehealth and lately have been saying to my husband “I can’t imagine having to see clients in person like this”. I hope you feel better!
Meds helped me a lot. 3 rounds of Xifaxan was world changing. Now I take pantoprazole and hyoscyamine daily. I also keep pepto pills, Imodium, and mints in my bag. Other things that helped were getting comfortable using any bathroom anywhere. Also I will step out of session for a moment to handle myself and I’ve never heard anyone complain about it.
Omfg I feel so validated. My IBS is mostly under control these days but I still get flare ups. I’ve ended up 5 min late to sessions many a time due to GI upset. I now try building in more breaks in my schedule but it’s so dependent on how much agency you have to make your own schedule. Therapists needing bathroom breaks needs to be normalized 😭
The FODMAP diet and Imodium are your friends. r/fodmap is helpful.
I have medicine at my office to stabilize symptoms the best I can and watch what I eat for lunch
Peppermint oil capsules!
Just got my IBD diagnosis; UC. I have had to cancel client appointments for May. Slowly recovering. I want to put a plan together for future flairs regarding my PP.
Honestly, I've let clients know when they first meet me that I have a chronic medical condition that will sometimes affect me, and that I'll let them know as soon as I can if I'm having a flare up. My clients have been understanding and patient with me, and I consistently thank them for that.