Coffee

[Lauren9588]

Does coffee seem to upset anyone's stomach at times? Sometimes I can drink it with no problem and other times I end up feeling ill. I had a panic attack at school today because after I drank the Vanilla Iced Coffee from McDonalds, I suddenly had to go to the bathroom. Once I used the bathroom I started panicking thinking I was going to get sick to my stomach next. I had to leave the library and go sit in my car for an hour before my next class to calm down and relax. Eventually the nauseous feeling subsided and I began to have a lot of gas coming up. When I got home I used the washroom again. When I woke up this morning I felt perfectly fine and was starving. Thanks to the coffee I am now a nervous wreck! Not good either because I am going to the Bulls Game tonight! Need to calm down.

[KimberlyP]

My husband has this same exact problem. He has ibs and pretty much at his last sip, he has to go to the bathroom with D*.

[jab788]

Coffee is pretty well known for causing unpleasant stomach problems too bad it's so delicious and wonderful. Caffeine can also make us anxiety-prone people feel extra panicky. I've been trying to drink decaf instead.

[Lauren9588]

Yeah, I try not to drink it too often anymore. It used to make me break out as well. I think it's basically all anxiety now. I was able to eat a sandwich and some chips and keep it down. I need to find ways to relax. Pretty sure the panic caused the nauseous belly at school. It's hard to relax though because I was watching my local news station and it said the NOROvirus is most common now until April! They posted it on their Facebook page as well and tons of people were commenting on it saying that had it or have it! That is in my head now. I have been washing my hands more frequently and using hand sanitizer. I just hope I can avoid it and RELAX!! ;D

[jab788]

Well if it makes you feel any better, the CDC (and every other source I've checked) says the typical season peaks in January. The CDC is likely to be right. Maybe that local news station meant norovirus season is still in its peak (generally speaking since November) and will end in April?

Remember that most people don't wash their hands at the recommended times, and that's probably why we hear about it so often on Facebook and in general.

More importantly, try really, really hard to let go of the fear. I know it's much easier said than done, but do your best to stay distracted with things that keep your mind engaged and off of viruses. Avoid clicking through boards on the site that might trigger you. Look for the "get better" threads. Imagine what your life would be like without this fear. Use thought replacement to change your fearful thoughts into positive ones. It's a huge relief to not be worried about it for a little while.

[JackChris]

Coffee causes alot of problems for most people. Its kind of a gross belly feeling, later followed by a soft bowel movement or d* if you're unlucky. You could try less sugar and cream in your coffee to avoid some stomach issues.

[sarahcox]

I have found certain creamers make my belly upset. If it is too sweet or I use too much I am in the bathroom, my husband too! I have tried to cut back to one cup in the morning but it never fails...bathroom right after. I usually eat a peppermint right after I have the coffee and it takes the "yucky" feeling away. I eat a lot of peppermints bc they are a natural calming treat for your belly. I buy the soft peppermints bc I can chew them up right away and usually feel immediate relief.

[Lauren9588]

Yes! I love peppermint flavor! I carry around a peppermint flavor lip calm which helps settle my stomach believe it or not! And I also take mint tums when I am feeling uneasy and that usually helps too.

[sarahcox]

I always keep a bag of mints around me at all times...I even bite off some to give to my daughter when her tummy hurts, she has ALOT of GI issues and it always helps her when she wakes up in pain. Great stuff!

[Malalcala]

Funny thing is that I just looked this up because of another post. " Coffee is also a powerful stimulant for peristalsis (which is basically wavelike movement in the digestive tract that propels the contents down the bowel) and is sometimes considered to prevent constipation. However, coffee can also cause excessively loose bowl movements" The stimulative effect of coffee consumption on the colon is found in both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee."

I don't personally mind the side effects of coffee since I know they are totally normal....Although I agree with the poster that pointed out that coffee can increase overall anxiety and for a lot of us that isn't helpful!!
Coffee in moderation has some excellent health benefits though!

[jennjt]

Too much coffee definitely makes me feel... ugh. N* and anxious. But, my regular 1 1/2 cups every morning (no sugar, just a few mini-moos) are the ONLY thing that helps my constipation. I couldn't drink coffee at all when my IBS was d* focused. Now, though, it's a must. But I have had to "fine tune" it-- I have learned the hard way that 2 or more cups makes me just feel n* and jittery, but 1 cup is not enough to keep me "regular" lol. So, 1 1/2 c is good for me

[NaiveAndTrue]

That happens to me a lot . . . BUUUUT not enough to get me to stop drinking it! LOL. I find that if I eat something with the coffee I'll be okay, even if it's just a granola bar.

[Mowilson]

I feel like I'm the only person on this thread who absolutely loveesss the morning coffee poo...sorry if TMI but every single day, I take that last sip, then go to the bathroom for a wonderful poo. At first, it was looser, but not anymore. It's fabulous

[EmetPK]

Any hot drinks can do it. Hot chocolate, coffee, tea. If I'm ever stopped up I can usually drink hot chocolate and it works Too much caffeine and sugar together can do it to. Cinnamon rolls and Dr. Pepper together are a very bad combo for me.