Has anyone found what causes this yet?

[BoaterSteve]

I'm nearly 36 and my ibs is going to cause me a fit of depression which I feel will drive me to do something I shouldn't. Please tell me someone somewhere is making progress towards effective treatment or even a cure? Please!

[Hidden]

I already have Depression (Bipolar)!!!!!,,, its such a complicated illness!! am really trying to sort out out which/what food to avoid!!, have worked out a few culprits n folk on here have helped.

Sorry I canna say anymore, my meds have disrupted my concentration big time,.

[runswithdogs]

Have you tried the FODMAPS elimination yet? It's given a lot of us major improvement.

[pseudenim]

It's different depending on the person - for me, its incredibly severe anxiety, dairy, and gluten. It turns out I'm also intolerant to a whole bunch of different foods so quite possibly that, too. It's worth getting tested!

What helped my IBS significantly was trying to just chill out a bit. It took me 2 solid weeks of being in bed, eyes closed, breathing exercises (I hate them too, they're so condescending but they work!) and trying to figure out what my problems were. They stretched as far back as 4 years old. After those two weeks, and soon after, cutting out my intolerance foods, I've felt much better. I'm still mostly housebound and am on anti-depressants, but making sense of things in your own head, not being scared of your capacity to go "crazy" is what's key. Try to relax whenever you can, it helps if you're a bit of a hippie as you'll take to it naturally! Things like guided meditation, clinical hypnotherapy, counselling or just all-round relaxing really help a lot. I still have my bad days and the prozac hasn't kicked in yet, but taking a different approach to it and not seeing your mind/body as the enemy will help at least get you through the ordeal, if not alleviate some symptoms. I hope this helps, I know what a low low place you can find yourself in at these times. When I feel anxious or depressed, I immediately get the pains/nausea back, it's a nightmare, but we'll figure it out. Good luck!

[Rozroz in reply to pseudenim]

Thank you so much. Such a great help to me as have been working along the same lines. Comforting to know of a similar experience and situation.

Anxiety box overful, over a lifetime, body expressing itself through ibs symptoms.

[pseudenim in reply to Rozroz]

Not a problem! It's a scary place to be for anybody, I'm glad that we can all share our experiences as it really helps you not feel so alone in this

[grahamrupertrules in reply to pseudenim]

hi there a lot of evidence to show prozac actually causes depression,anxiety,panic attacks when used for awhile. it was originally tested on young people but prescribed to all ages hardly a good test. be warned drug business is big business!

[Hidden in reply to grahamrupertrules]

Mmmmm, not sure whether being on Fluoxetine long time,,,, or Hysterectomy caused my mania??? turning my Depression to Bipolar!!!, now its 'zombie' from Lithium!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ibs2004]

hi there boatersteve i am 48 andi have had ibs for about 5 /6 years now and i have tride all the meds from the gp also i have tride a diet change and i now the worst thing that makes my ibs flare up is strees both of my parrents have cancer and i am there carrer so i get plenty of stress and also there is one main food that triggers mine and that is viniger and anything with it in so may be worth trying to see if the same applies to you but also if you are having horrible thaults its worth seeing your gp as i know there is a small pill called anetripterline or something like that and it is a good pain killer and it is a antidepresent so might be worth asking your gp anyway as you can see from what i have said life is to short so take it easy any try and work it out and i hope this helps you please let me know how you get on jeff a fellow ibs suffer

[Hidden]

Yes do try FODMAPS it really helps lots of us on this site. Sometimes going gluten free and lactose free also helps. You could try those first for a couple of weeks and see if any difference. Worst culprits are onions garlic soya and some veg like sweet corn, peas, lentils if you are bloated.

For stress I use CD's from

IBSaudioprogram100.com

Which is for relaxation and specifically tips to help you through IBS. Good luck

[Hidden]

Have you tried controlling your symptoms with dietary changes, lkie eliminating one food group at a time like dairy to see if that makes any difference

I don't think anyone knows what causes it. I was diagnosed at the age of 65 and 3 years on I have to have a compketely dairy free diet- a whole life change for me. I used to be able to eat what I liked.

It's not a life threatening disease like cancer and it can mostly be managed

Have you tried counselling - I'm sure your GP could arrange something foryou

[Paulus]

In the short term, try a combination of the above, amitriptinine (from your doctor), peppermint tea three to four times / day .Cut out all wheat and gluten, (bread ,pasta), lactose (milk, cream), all junk foods, gravys and sauces (you'll be suprised how much they affect you......and above all...relax !! I f your job is stressful, have a week off and try your new diet and try and be a new person..........it works !

Long term, bring foods back one by one to see how they affect you, and change to less stressful job !

[Franjanu]

I've suffered for years and and tried so many different things to help myself. It's really a struggle that may never be cured but we can prevent it from happening every single minute of our precious lives with a few solutions. Have a look at the link below. . coconutandwhat.com/2015/10/...

[brities]

in addition do not let get to you peoples remarks which ignore your condition existing. Speak up and by accepting yourself you may be stronger

[katesampson65]

Try to eat some kind of ginger- there's teas too. Do FODMAPS it helped me. Just when you think you have control of it then comes another bout of being miserable. I think the IBS is plenty enough to make a person depressed. I've tried it all and the thing that I would suggest is make sure you have nothing unnatural for s few weeks - if you need a sweetener use stevia or honey.

[beautifulmouth]

Oh honey, I feel your pain. I suffered for 12 very long years that I'll never get back. The depression isn't just exhaustion from the illness but it's your gut/brain being out of whack.

I started a low-FODMAP diet for 5 months which helped relieve me in the first instance and then I started Symprove in April this year and never looked back.

I wrote up my review on a blog which is now going well (I didn't know how many people had IBS across the planet!) But in the meantime, lots of hugs to you and I hope you find your answer.

If you're interested in having a read of my experience you can go to: thebeautifulmouth.com. Xxxx

[Hidden in reply to beautifulmouth]

what is Symprove??

[beautifulmouth in reply to Hidden]

Sorry! Haha. I keep assuming everyone knows it already, it's a probiotic. Proven to reach the gut by Kings College! I've got links and stuff on my blog under 'my journey' and 'what the heck is Symprove' or you can check them out on Symprove.com

[Hidden in reply to beautifulmouth]

cheers,,, will check you out

[JoyGreennhalgh]

LOW FODMAP DIET relives symptoms for 75% of IBS sufferers, so there is a very good chance it will help you. It has revolutionised my life. Go to the scientific root at Monash University. Read their low FODMAP blogspot. Free at Last by Patsy Catsos is my recommended book on the subject.

For me IBS causes depression and anxiety, not visa versa.

Joy

[Sengeanya]

You're stronger than you think. Just keep doing whatever you need to get relief & keep at the doctors to get you sorted. Stay strong & let me know how you are doing. We're all here to listen to & help each other.

[BoaterSteve in reply to Sengeanya]

A very helpful response. ☺️

I think this bout just knocked me for six but I've gone to stay with my dad and I think I'm over the worst!

Thank you.

[Sengeanya in reply to BoaterSteve]

Glad to hear it. You stay strong

[mich631]

Please try from Holland and Barrett, probio7 and regucol. You will have fabulous results

[hope60]

I have had ibs for 21years . Have had every test under the sun ,also had to swallow a small bean camera. Have done the food thing , keeping a diary. Was told it was stress did the deep breathing . It was strange how it would take me ,. Weeks of being ok ,then feeling very sleepy head ache feeling that I was coming down with something .Then OMG bad for weeks none stop . Then 7 years ago started to get pain in different parts of my body . After having lots of tests at the hospital was told I had fibromyalgia and ibs and over active bladder along with a hundred and one things including feeling very sleepy ,are all part of the symptoms . Ibs still bad but at least I no why .

[Sengeanya in reply to hope60]

Very useful info. Thanks