I'm new here

[o0Pleomax0o]

Hello, I'm a 42 year old male, been suffering with IBS for about 5 years now.

I have been taking 100mg of sertraline for depression for those 5 years.

I also suffer from anxiety, which seems to be directly connected with IBS episodes, sometimes only just making it to the bathroom in time.

I have to plan well and load up on loperamide prior to "going out".

I stopped taking the sertraline December 2016 without advice of my GP. Best not to ask what I was thinking at that time, however I am now back on the sertraline after seeing the GP this week narrowly avoiding another breakdown.

GP is focusing on trying to stabilize my mental state first and then hopefully look at ways of IBS management.

There I've said it, it's out there.

[Nicki1984]

Well done accepting it is a big step. Have you tried some counselling or different ways to relax? X

[o0Pleomax0o in reply to Nicki1984]

The GP has given me the local wellbeing group contact details and Cruse contact details. I've got them to contact on Monday. I've got a follow up appointment with GP in two weeks.

I did some CBT about 3 years ago but seem to have strayed from the path a bit so to speak.

[Lynnetod]

Well done 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[Lynnetod]

I started with really bad anxiety attacks maybe 30 years ago, Valium , diazepam, the usual . Didn't take them for long but through counsel managed to function. As for anxiety related IBS, I find a large gin and tonic does wonders for me, relaxes my bowel and my head 😮😀

[runswithdogs]

During those urgent times, try to distract yourself. Do some deep breathing, repeat a mantra over and over in your head, anything to calm you down. I find this can buy me a little time when I'm in danger of not making it to the toilet. Otherwise, if all I have in my head is panic and urgency, it seems to make​ the bowels move faster.

[ronij]

I understand how hard it is for you. I too are on lexapro - since my semonella poisioning resulting in PI IBS or could be sibo it's been awful. Feel like crying each day and the upset to my bowel everyday upsets me. Even though I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy and ruled out anything sinister - I still feel like crap. Hold on surround yourself with good people.

Goodluck

[Tibblington]

I can't give you any specific advice but what I can say is that all the time you are taking drugs you are damaging your gut flora and it is that you need to aid your digestion.

I don't know where you are but your best plan is to find a homeopathic doctor, that is a doctor who has followed the normal training and qualified but decided to specialise in homeopathy. They will make the effort to identify the cause of your problem and help you deal with it rather than fill you up with drugs that only treat the symptoms. I use a homeopathic doctor when and if necessary which. fortunately, is not very often.

I hope that might help you.

[Kory]

Get rid of the medication... do healthy diet, exercise instead... medication will worsen your situation. Watch this, practically I healed myself with the help of this guy, had very bad symptoms for a year or so, literally thought I will die... then I changed my lifestyle, got rid of bad habits, went into sports, exercises, healthy diet and in a matter of 3 months, I got completely reborn... don't take any medication, it won't help you, go natural, that is the key... wish you success! youtu.be/MYKdLeL3SGo(Not working as expected?)

[PMM54]

Since diagnosis in November and seeing mention of FODMAP on here I have cut out a range of foods especially onions , garlic and leeks and have been mostly well. Medication made me worse!