depression, anxiety and stress

[Khoshnam]

I've had IBD for the past 4 years now, I was first diagnosed in 2019, at first I didn't think much of it but as I got older my symptoms seemed to get worse. I was never the "depressed stress or anxious" person but as life continued with this disease it has taken a huge toll on me. I really don't know what to do, it seems like this disease has really taken over my life and I really mean that, from a kid that use to go out all day enjoy time with friends to now a kid that stays at home worried about whether or not he could even get a job to support his family. I get extremely stressed out about how my life is with IBD. I always question myself, am I going to be normal?, will I be able to go out with my friends without having to worry about using the bathroom every two seconds, Will I be able to go gym and gain weight?, all these questions racing through my mind. My main issue I'm facing with IBD is that I'm unable to control myself, and the urgency of going bathroom, these two factors play a big role in my life as these are the reasons I'm unable to do the things I enjoy. My question to you guys is, how do you tolerate with depression, stress and anxiety? how did you overcome this, how did you overcome not having to worry about using the bathroom the second you step outside?. I really need help

[Valbaty54]

Sorry you're struggling so much. What meds are you on? It sounds as though you need something stronger to control your symptoms and enable you to go out without so much worry. Do you have an IBD nurse to speak to, or can you contact your Gastro doc? Make sure they know what you are coping with.

[Khoshnam in reply to Valbaty54]

I do have a IBD nurse I speak to, I actually have an appointed this upcoming Tuesday and I will let him know everything. The medication I'm currently on is (15mg panafcortelone [3 tablets], 20mg pantoprazole [1 tablet], 4.8g mezavant [4 tablets], also 1 vitamin d and calcium tablet to help with the steroids. My only past medication that I recall and that worked for me for 2 years was Pentasa.

[Valbaty54 in reply to Khoshnam]

It's good to hear you have an appointment! Do explain all about your symptoms and how it is affecting you mentally. There are many other drug options including the various biologics so I really hope you get some help. Good luck!

[Sarahvit]

Hi Khoshnam, I use to have IBD as a teenager, 20’s and 30’s but in my 40’s I was told after a colonoscopy pathology report came back I had ulcerative colitis. In my 50’s was told it went into deep remission. Which is where it is today but will be having a colonoscopy in the next month. I have other chronic conditions that has left me depressed, frustrated and tearful that I know the feeling you are experiencing in your life and future. I am doing an optimal wellness program through Carolinas Natural Health Center which I’m going through their detox now. I’m into the second month of their program. Am I feeling any better? Not yet. But they did extensive bloodwork and my thyroid hormone aren’t in the optimal range T3 especially so am on cytomel for the T3. I had thyroid goiters that turned into cancer which had total thyroidectomy in 05. Cancer free since. So I was only on the synthroid for T4 but my body wasn’t converting enough into T3 so long story short am waiting for the T3 levels to come up. Hypothyroidism causes extreme fatigue (on the cellular level), chronic pain, depression, constipation (which is probably what caused the ulcerative colitis to go into deep remission sliver lining in the clouds), brain fog, hair loss, cold intolerance etc. All this said I understand how you are feeling. Valvaty gave you good advise. I hope you are able to get on the right medication to control the urgency to run to the bathroom every 2 minutes. That is annoying and painful at the same time. People take good health for granted and don’t understand people who look healthy but are not healthy. I pray you will feel better soon and that your doctors have wisdom on how best to treat your IBS and mental health.

[012703060610]

I am in my 40s with a paralyzed stomach and microscopic colitis....plus some nasty autoimmune disorders. It can feel like an immediate change over night with a diagnosis. When I received my autoimmune diagnoses, I actually had to sit back and absorb for awhile before I even told my husband. I have something that is degenerative and progressive and will be the reason I die. While it isn't considered terminal, the outlook is poor and one disease never goes into remission. The progression is happening daily so we know that if we can't get it under control, I will lose more quality faster. I was told to get my things in order just to be safe as I have small kids, etc. I am told I am living my best quality right now. And right now, I am still mostly bed ridden. So when it comes to socializing, that has been the biggest mental hit for me. I too was very social, life of the party, mentor to many at work, etc. People don't seem to understand these diseases because they can't see them. Or we often put on the biggest front to ensure we aren't being pitied by anyone. I've finally gotten to the point where I am open about my issues and the people who are still around are the people who I know are my true friends and good family. So how do you get past this? I feel like food can solve a lot. I literally talked to my husband last night about base line plant level food only or Vegan. Both diets have limited things that I like to eat so the struggle is mental there. I think I have to view food as fuel versus any pleasure at all. I have begged for a stoma at the GI office. I think, and this is for me too, that if I can get the right diet, get some physical shape back, I can get back to some socializing. Right now, I don't see many folks as my days are filled with Drs or me just being too volatile. I will say it...I am angry as can be that I am dealing with this. However, the anger doesn't help. I am in really good therapy. I have a counselor who mostly takes on autoimmune patients and she is a wealth of knowledge. I think it's about finding our new normal and then finding acceptance. My therapist has worked with me on the acceptance of all of my diseases. I am terrified to death I'll stroke out (which is possible) at any moment or I'll choke (biggest reason people die with one disease). I already have choking bouts! My new normal includes planning for my kids future and I had to actually draw up an entire new will and deal with all of those things. I am glad I did it, it is over and my kids are protected. I just hope that I can get some better quality of life and I know that's your goal too. I think there is just probably a routine that will allow you to do the things you want to do! I have a routine that has allowed me to get to some events....albeit it includes barely eating the day prior to the event. So that can't be the final answer. I too struggle to keep weight on as well. Sorry this ended up so long and many days late. I fully empathize with you and understand. Has anyone talked to you about LDN treatment for IBD? Just sharing a random link so you can take a look if you'd like. Some of my friends on this for UC have been able to live mostly normal and even eat normal!

thehealthychoice.net/low-do...