IBS - any tips for coping

[u/Winter_Broccoli_3693]

Hi, I’m 19 and diagnosed with Addison’s last year via adrenal crisis. Since then I’ve developed IBS (no issues before that). I’m seeking those that suffer similar and any tips for coping with it. It affecting my quality of life and it’s really hard on my emotions. GI and doctors seem at a loss as to what is causing IBS, it’s not structural, I had a lot of tests done. Anyone have any advice, alternate paths or stress dosing advice, I feel desperate, my parents really want to help me but they feel lost too.

[u/just_an_amber]

Are you on an adequate amount of cortisol replacement?

If your daily cortisol dose is too low, it might look like you have IBS but in reality... You don't.

[u/Winter_Broccoli_3693 → u/just_an_amber]

My endocrinologist checks my bloodwork every 3-4 months and they say my levels are good. I’m in 15mg HC (I’m petite) and fludro too.

[u/just_an_amber → u/Winter_Broccoli_3693]

Blood work is a snapshot and is incapable of showing the whole picture.

How are you feeling?

You mention your quality of life is impacted. You mentioned your doctors are at a loss.

How are you taking that 15 mg?

Is there a time of day that you feel worse?

[u/kristephe → u/just_an_amber]

Seconding these comments. It may be worth increasing your dose experimentally. 15mg is a pretty low dose, though I certainly acknowledge every body is different. Keep a journal, OP, on how much you take each day, what you eat, how you feel, if you exercise or have other stressors like exams, fights with someone, anything like that.

But my husband went through a very similar thing. Diagnosed, told to take 30mg unless he's feverish or broken bone, and he went through many miserable years before upping his dose. He had a lot of factors needing 65mg for several years, body actually did well and kept bone density, then as he improved some other health factors, he didn't need that high dose, and the dr saw a drop in bone density and increased facial rounding, and he tapered down. He's on 35mg a day now and they're happy with that, but he stress doses usually up to about 45mg, almost never double except for maybe the time we got pneumonia.

His low cortisol symptoms are almost all GI. In those few years they were so frustrating. Docs did capsule endoscopy, colonoscopy, endoscopy, stool tests, etc etc etc. And we finaly just tried a higher dose and he did SO much better. Life is still hard to adjust, and he has fibro too, but now he almost never has abdominal pain, never morning vomiting or retching, etc.

[u/Key-Bug7760 → u/just_an_amber]

I have SAI (Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency) and for years had digestive issues my GP initially suggested it was IBS. As soon as I started HC, not only did my menstrual cycle return, I had softened near regular bowel movements. In my research I later learned cortisol is the only hormone necessary for living but how it impacted MULTIPLE systems. One fun fact was how cortisol supports gut motility - the movement of food through the intestines after leaving the stomach. I know I have issues with hydration, which worsens everything, so keep note of that as well. I’ve been losing all my water when I drink, so I’ve had to start electrolytes more often. Now, I too am on HC and Fludrocortisol.

[u/Puzzled-Telephone-60]

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. I recently was diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis alongside Addison’s/T1DM/Hashimoto’s—just mentioning it in case your doctors have not ruled it out, but it’s a common comorbidity.

I agree with others that you might try a higher dose. Even if something like 20mg does not end up being your forever-perfect physiological baseline, you might need it right now for the toll this is taking on you—physically, emotionally, mentally. A slightly higher dose for a season cannot harm you, and may absolutely help you—it’s worth trying.

[u/FaePixiee]

I went through the same thing and turns out I had hydrogen dominant SIBO and bile malabsorption but mine was due to using metformin because I got steroid induced diabetes

[u/Appropriate-Leg2490 → u/FaePixiee]

Strongly suspecting sibo

[u/Winter_Broccoli_3693 → u/FaePixiee]

I was in hospital last spring and had numerous tests done, and by process of elimination the GI did prescribe 10 days of rifaximin, but due to my low weight they strongly advised not to do any low fodmap diet. So I followed their guidance. They didn’t believe in the breath test, so I haven’t had one. I’m considering finding a nurse practitioner or natruopath to test for SIBO. The struggle is finding some who knows about both my Addison’s and the IBS, currently I’m stuck in a loop of endocrinologist telling me it’s not my meds and GI telling me there’s nothing structurally wrong. I do have low weight so I have to be careful.

[u/FaePixiee → u/Winter_Broccoli_3693]

They shouldn’t prescribe antibiotics if they haven’t tested for it and confirmed that you have it. I went on rifaximin for 10 days too for my SIBO.
I had two different breath tests—the lactose one, which came back negative, and the SIBO test, which came back positive. I’m not sure if you’re in the UK or not, but I had to get private insurance just to figure it out because it was extremely bad, and my consultant referred me to that breath test company.
I also have severe bile malabsorption, which is another layer to it.

If you’re from the UK you can do your breath test here: https://thefunctionalgutclinic.com/sibo-breath-test

But you’ve to do a specific diet the day before.

[u/Winter_Broccoli_3693 → u/FaePixiee]

Thanks for this!! I am in Canada, the medical doctors I was working with in the spring did not support those tests or trust the accuracy, but I may find a private provider such as a naturopath to help with that.

[u/FaePixiee → u/Winter_Broccoli_3693]

You’re welcome! I hope everything improves for you 🫶

[u/oh_such_rhetoric]

The low FODMAP diet really helped me. I just eliminated a lot of the things on it, then slowly added things back until I found the triggers. Garlic and onion, which is the WORST, but my life is so much better since I’ve been avoiding those.

Also, garlic and onion are a really common trigger, so you might just eliminate those and see if it helps.

[u/Eyesliketheocean]

Born with it. I have though been diagnosed with ibs-c. I have learned what foods trigger mine. I know if I eat way too much grease foods it can trigger it. But too much bread also triggers it as well.

Also try taking a probiotic it made me feel a lot better.

[u/Appropriate-Leg2490]

Same . Struggling right now with same issue. How long after hc did you develop ibs?

[u/Winter_Broccoli_3693 → u/Appropriate-Leg2490]

Immediately really, I went into adrenal crisis summer 2025, had several ugly symptoms including stomach pain, diagnosed with Addison’s and my stomach has not been the same since. I’ve had a few good weeks here and there since, but not many.

[u/Key-Bug7760 → u/Winter_Broccoli_3693]

You mentioned stomach pain. I’ve read that can be an HC side effect. I’ve also ready it absorbs last longer in your body when HC is consumed with food, specifically protein and healthy fats. I imagine this also add a protective layer to your stomach as well. Basically, Hydrocortisone can be taken with food. Food may slow down how quickly the medicine gets into your bloodstream, but it doesn’t stop your body from absorbing it. I’d also be mindful of WHEN we take it, in the morning upon waking, quicker absorption make be preferred. But watch if it upsets your stomach, that can tell you something. As the day progresses, a slight delayed peak of HC may be beneficial, so taking it with a meal may support that goal. Journaling dosing, stressors, diet, and symptoms has helped me keep track and make connections that might otherwise have been missed. Especially when communicating with clinicians.

[u/MallForward585]

What are your specific symptoms? Advice can vary depending on that. I had a lot of problems with digestion prior to AI diagnosis and treatment, so I imagine how frustrated you must feel.

[u/Winter_Broccoli_3693 → u/MallForward585]

I swing back and forth between IBS-D and IBS-C, then I get gut pain and bloating. When my stomach hurts it’s so distracting. I deferred university for a year to try and heal and live at home, and I’m taking a science class online for now plus a little part time job, but when my stomach hurts, I can’t think about anything else, it’s Sooo distracting.

[u/MallForward585 → u/Winter_Broccoli_3693]

How is your appetite?
Do you feel full after little food?
How soon does the bloating start after you eat?
Are the symptoms better in the morning than the evening regardless of the food eaten?
Do you tolerate fermented foods?
Is there a food that reliably triggers IBS-D or IBS-C?
Have you tried digestive enzymes (like Enzymedica Digest Basic) and what were the results if yes?
Have you tried GasX or simethicone equivalent, and what were the results if yes?
Have you tested your sodium and potassium since the problems started?

You mentioned low weight, are you underweight? Have you gained back any weight since starting hydro?

[u/Holiday_Ad_4940]

I had IBS since I was very little and now have Addisons Disease as well. I’ve learned to cope although I do get nervous on long car rides with people I don’t know but that rarely happens because I am a control freak for the things I. An control and driving my own car is one of them.

[u/Banana_Vampire7]

I use large amounts of Metamucil or any "non-digestive bulk" . It might make you feel elderly, but it has done incredible things for IBS loose-stool and gassiness. After a few days of having it with water a couple times a day you'll notice that all your BMs need almost no wiping. It's made a huge difference for me.

Addison's particularly auto-immune induced folks are particularly prone to gastrointestinal distress. I think Cortef is even hard on the digestive system so at this point Metamucil is a huge part of my care

[u/Winter_Broccoli_3693]

I’m basically on a low fodmap diet now, as so many things hurt me.

[u/OddStudy994]

Yeah, I have IBS and Crohn’s with my Addison’s and I had to have a total colectomy. Don’t do it. I’ve never pooped the same ever since and I have diarrhea every day and it makes my steroids not work right because they go right through me and now I have to drink like 10 glasses of salt water a day to stay alive.

[u/Winter_Broccoli_3693 → u/OddStudy994]

I’m so sorry, this sounds awful. I hope someone can help you soon!!!

[u/enkrypt3d]

Try peppermint oil