Yeah, 1st post. Stress effects the body in many ways. I am learning to not dwell on negative things as much. This is helping my IBS symptoms.
_______
Jammin' lo'flo's since 1977.

Traveling as frequently as I do over the years, I've noted that racing around trying to meet deadlines and keep appointments--sometimes in other states--can produce irregular symptons in my habits. Sometimes, things don't move as fast; and at other times, it's like drilling for oil. (None of this happens when I'm at home in my regular routine.)

I try to keep the hurry to a minimum, though. It's just that you can't control traffic delays sometimes, and your body interprets the mental stress you're feeling as an alert. Whatever is in the pipeline is going to be affected one way or another.

I have noticed that stress does make pooping worse--it's either more urgent or I don't poop. Either way, something's wrong when I get stressed.

_______
I'm so good at clogging up toilets, I can make mine back up when there's nothing in it.

I've noticed that everything is also funnier after I've had several belts of bourbon. Therefore booze is good for my poop.

OK, so it's a reach, but I tried.

_______
.....hugging bunnies since 1969
www.daphneszoo.com

Stress affects bowels huh? After doing that quest on runescape, I now expect some diarheaa.

Thank you, Motherload, for another great answer. I wholeheartedly agree that one should look for a reason to have a good laugh when they're feeling stressed. Laughter helps put worries and fears aside, even if for a short while, and sometimes helps to remind us of the good things we still have going for us. Life is never too bad if you can find reasons to laugh.
It's healthy. It feels good.

If some one "laughs their ass off", do they lose the ability to shit without a colostomy bag?
_______
Sir SamDamnit!
The Emir of Crapistan
Join The Poop Reporter's Lounge

Word up, when I went to basic, noone pood for about 2 weeks. We would all be exited, and tell each other about it in the common room after it finally happened. I still remember mine. Much to short to make a story though. I was escorting someone to the hospital, and we were sitting in the waiting room. I felt the urge like a Ding(for serious. Like a lightbulb turning on.), grinned at my comrade, and scooted to the can. It was very small, and very dark.

Another spin on nerves and poop... I get nervous doing public speaking / small presentations at work and that "worry" stops the bowels until right at ground zero for the speaking event....then it's ahhhhh, I got to gooo! To boot, I'm a shaaaameful shitter at the home office. My solution is to get up extra early that day and move around alot.. not as good as laughter, I'm sure, but moving that body gets the morning constitution a'rolling so I don't have the freak-out at work w/ my gut a'boil. Stress is horrible for us shameful shitters!

_______
Conquering the world, one poop at a time....

I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and when I am under any kind of stress, I go at least 8 times a day. Usually more.

I teach. I was very stressed today about a class, to which two extremely disruptive students were returning after a week's [blessed] absence. I must have worked myself up into a state. During the class, I exerted the most extreme control over the students that I have all year--and the class went very well. However, as it neared its end, I felt the familiar gut rumbles that forecast a mandatory evacuation. I made it through the class; then a boy came up and asked a question, as I felt my sphincter threatening to loosen. I finally made it to the men's room and had an excessively urgent movement, not quite diarrhea [definitely a 6 on the stool scale], but with cramps and weakness. About 40 minutes later I had to do it again--diarrhea that time, but not much volume. I hoped I wasn't getting sick--but then, since the offending class was over, my insides slowly settled down, and now I feel fine, even hungry. I attribute my two unexpected b.m.'s to nerves and stress. I have that class again tomorrow and Thursday, so I must address it with less stress.

About ten days ago, on a Friday, two events occurred--one to me and one to my wife--that struck me as both stupid and dangerous, to the extent that I became really angry, and I stayed that way all afternoon because I had to make long and frustrating phone calls about my own issue. I had trouble going to sleep that night because I was still gnawing away mentally at the problems, and even in the morning I was still very concerned. My bowels did not move on schedule that Saturday morning in spite of my having eaten lots of fibrous stuff on Friday. Finally late Saturday afternoon I had a small, hard movement in two short lumpy pieces--a classic #2 on the Bristol Stool Scale. It took a couple of days to get back to more normal rhythm and b.m.'s. No question, this was the effect of stress.

I am a married mother of two boys. One is 2 and the other is 3 months. On top of that I volunteer for 2 different organizations, work respite care and have recently started my own business. For the past couple of days I have been doubling over in pain because my gut feels like it's churning, or cramping. My poop looks like bile and I have been going a lot more than usual. Am I stressed out?? And if so, how long will being like this start to wear down my health?

stretched thin.....Don't bite off more than you can chew. Life is here to be enjoyed and believe me it doesn't take a lot of money to do that. Slow down and smell the flowers although you can occassionally expect a fart or, in your case, a soiled diaper.

_______
Eat chilies and feel the burn!!

I have been known to go through bouts of abnormal bms. It crops up every few months with cramping and gas and I go more often than normal 2-3 times a day but not rhea. I attribute it to stress. I work a demanding job, have a demanding commute, and do alot on the side for my own interests and hobbies. Diet makes a difference when I go through these bouts. I am unfortunately in the midst of one now.

It's definitely stress. I'm in college, and it's currently finals week. Of course, during these times, Pepto and a bunch of bananas are my only friends. Always happens the day before a huge exam... so much so that I've begun keeping some study materials in the bathroom. The best thing to do is just take it easy- don't take it all too seriously. I know, it's easier said than done, but when your roommate begins questioning exactly why the hell you've been in the bathroom for a total of 4 hours today, it's time to change some things.

if everytime you have something major coming up, or even not so major, you get horrible butterflies and diarrhea, do you have anxiety problems?