Do any students deal with a nervous stomach or IBS?

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if so...how do you handle it while in classes/clinicals? this terrifies me.

depends on the instructor and/or the class.. usually instructors are okay with it during classes, except during test time...at clinicals some instructors will only let you go on your meal break...you will learn quick how to manage to go during clinicals if this happens...try not to worry...where there is a will, there is a way..cheesey but true...

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we didn't get a break(food or drink kind) on our clinical, but the bathroom was always available.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

I've used Nulev when I had the cramping. It really helps with the cramping which helps curb the urgency.

They have sub-lingual and I took them as needed and they worked FAST. They have a regular pill that can be taken in the morning. I don't know how it works taken that way. I have some but haven't taken it because I'm in a quiet time right now.

There is a guy in my class with Crohn's...he's making it and doing it. I know it's hard on him from time to time but it's working out.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Not only do i suffer from IBS but also I have the silly fear of using public bathrooms when i have a belly ache ( if ya know what i mean!!:imbar ). I always looked for a bathroom far away from everyone else. There were a couple times during school that i would get panic/ anxiety attacks. My Dr put me on klonopin for my anxiety and it really seemed to help! If I could do it you can do it!! Find another Dr that will take you seriously! Good luck!!

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I have IBS plus I have a ton of food allergies. Although I won't start nursing school & clinicals until the fall, I currently work as a patient care associate, so I can relate with the interruptions while already taking care of sick people. When I'm having a flare-up, I tend to stick to the BRAT diet and supplement with Boost. I use it simply because I'm allergic to milk but Slim-Fast, Ensure, etc would work well also. (I use the high protein, but they offer glucose control, high fiber, etc. The chocolate is pretty good AFTER the first sip, so don't judge it from the first one, ok?). Also, I just had my gallbladder out 2 weeks ago & was having some vomiting & diarrhea issues so my surgeon told me to drink Isopure. It has a whopping 40 grams of protein per serving so I was able to get nutrients without feeling hungry. They offer it in the regular old chocolate & vanilla where you mix the powder into water (not too bad, but I prefer adding a banana with it in the blender with ice) and they also have fruity Gatorade tasting ones, but I found those to be a bit pricey for me.

Oh! I almost forgot the most important part! I am a huge fan of those flushable wipes. When I have flare-ups & my hiney is sore, I will take some and put them in a ziploc baggy and keep them in my pocket. That helps too!

Best wishes to all of you IBS sufferers & those with food allergies. We will make it in nursing school!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Hospice.

Another IBS sufferer here.

I didn't manage it very well during my first semester of nursing school. I relied heavily on Coke and chocolate to keep me awake during classes, study time, and clinicals, ate way too much fast food while on the run, and paid for it with frequent flare-ups and exhaustion. I had constant diarrhea and was unable to eat anything but plain white bread for weeks.

I haven't had an episode since I started eating properly again. My nutritionist recommended eating cooked beans 6 times a day. (She said that Metamucil is an alternative to the beans, but it's a little too rough on me.) I eat hummus, refried beans, lentil or split pea soup, bean salad, etc several times a day and it works for me. (I eat just a few tablespoons each time.) An added bonus to eating beans instead of taking a fiber supplement is that they also provide low fat protein, a major plus since I have trouble digesting meat as well.

I eat a lot of fresh veggies and fruits and whole grains. I don't eat a lot of meat, but when I do, it's boneless skinless chicken breast, turkey, or fish. I don't eat any chocolate, or spicy and greasy foods. I am also lactose intolerant (many IBS sufferers are), so I avoid all dairy products with the exception of yogurts that have lots of active live cultures (Dannon Activia really helps regulate my bowel too.) I drink tons of water and no coffee, tea, or soda.

It seems a very limited diet, but I had gotten to the point that I was sick all of the time and knew that I had to take my health seriously if I was going to make it through school and work as an RN.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i don't have IBS , but i have a ulcer and gasritis.. and nervous stomach ... i am a worry wart ,,,,

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Specializes in None! Only experience was during school.

Hi-

I know this post is old but I am the same way! Nursing school was really though to get through, always considering what to eat and where the bathroom was. Now that I'm about to start my first job, I have the same fear. Any type of stress- good or bad- seems to start problems with my digestive system. I have prescription meds, but always worry they won't work when I need them to.

It's so reassuring to know that I am not alone in my worry!

EB

Wow... it is sooo comforting to know that I'm not alone in this. I mean, I'm so sorry that you all are sufferers too, but I really have been wondering if it's even possible to be in nursing school with it. I had a doctor laugh and tell me it'd be next to impossible. He was so rude, like it was my fault. BoonersMom, you described how I feel exactly. Always having to know where the bathrooms are. It's caused a slight agoraphobia. I'm actually hoping nursing school well help me to learn how to deal with it so I can live normally. Thanks to all of you for your replies!
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Specializes in 2 years as CNA.
Hi-

I know this post is old but I am the same way! Nursing school was really though to get through, always considering what to eat and where the bathroom was. Now that I'm about to start my first job, I have the same fear. Any type of stress- good or bad- seems to start problems with my digestive system. I have prescription meds, but always worry they won't work when I need them to.

It's so reassuring to know that I am not alone in my worry!

EB

I'm glad you posted to this old thread or I might have never seen it. I too suffer from what I believe is IBS. The doctor that I was seeing basically told me that I just needed to manage my stress and gave me a pamphlet on IBS and that was it! I have not had insurance but my DH just got a new job where we will have insurance again and I am going to try and get some help.

Last week at school I was trying to study in the library but kept having to pack up my stuff and run the bathroom. I also have some intolerance to milk products. It is weird because I can eat cheese and yogurt but I can not drink straight milk or eat icecream. I haven't tried adding a fiber supplement but I have been eating the Activia and it has helped plus I have been trying to eat a higher fiber diet.

Thanks for letting me know that I am not alone!

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Specializes in None! Only experience was during school.

IBS is kind of like a "taboo" health problem. I do see a gastro who did prescribe NuLev (which really helps when attacks come on) but basically laughed at me when I suggested seeing a nutritionist or any type of alternative therapy.

The problem with the NuLev is that it's an anticholinergic so it drops your BP. I already have orthostatic issues. On top of that, when I get nervous, I don't eat because I don't want to have any "problems" during the day. So, during flare-ups, I literally feel like crap.

Hopefully, more attention will be brought to this health issue because I think there are a bunch of people like you and I who have to suffer and wonder if we're the only ones!

Hang in there- and do see a gastro. At least if you can get a prescription for a "rescue" med like NuLev, you won't have to interrupt your studying as often.

:nurse:

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Specializes in NICU.

Old post, but it kind of interested me.

I have lifelong acid reflux disease..emphasis on reflux. I take nexium to control the acid, but I still regurgitate, especially with stress, and thanks to frequent and long term ppi use, I also have frequent diarrhea. Fun times...and I'm only 20. No ulcers though.

I'm curious if this will get worse with the stress of nursing school.

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I know this is an old thread, anyway, I am very nervous about being in NS and clinicals and my IBS. I would think it would be wise to let your instructor know about your situation. If you gotta go you gotta go. They should understand this of all people. I am still trying to find what works best for me in regards to IBS. My biggest problem is the paranoia I have when traveling!

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