Affecting my mental health

[BELAwesome]

Does anyone get feeling really depressed or anxious or messed up in relation to this condition? I can be just fine and all of a sudden my mood goes way down, like tonight and I'll admit, I was having unhealthy, pretty much suicidal thoughts. I seem to get mood swings easy. I was surprised I felt so much like death pretty much and shortly after I start burping, which helps a bit. So I wonder if my body is feeling crappy and it turns out in my feelings. Like chest discomfort, but makes me feel depressed somehow. It's strange...Any thoughts or anything to share?

[Hidden]

So many brother has ulcerative colitis- which is similar to IBS and my sister and I both think we have something similar- not a diagnosis but certain food and times of the month can create a day of being at home. My brother couldn't work and lost some 40 lbs - for him, his mood was effected - like grumpy and forlorn but not suicidal as far as I know. I think there is a correlation between anxiety as it really can create stomach problems. And then feeling like you're going to poop your pants makes you hot, sweaty, and is warning you that this is not a drill - get into the bathroom asap. I'll let someone who does have this share their experience. Hope you start to feel better - do you take steroids for ibs or anything that helps you?

[BELAwesome in reply to Hidden]

There's not much treatment I've gotten for it. I just take lactase for lactose intolerance and have to be careful what I eat I guess...

[RealAdorablePenguins]

I'm really sorry that you're struggling with this. My mood has definitely been all over the place because of this condition, and I've finally given in and just been to speak to my GP about this who has prescribed me some anti-anxiety medication.

You definitely need to speak to your GP. Your brain and your gut are connected, and if you feel stressed/anxious/despressed there's a good chance your gut will be acting up, and vice versa. Its a vicious cycle, it's not unusual but there's help available and it's gotta be worth a try!

Hang in there.

[BELAwesome in reply to RealAdorablePenguins]

Okay, thank you. I'll try to see my doctor sometime soon or if I can see a specialist related to it...cause I don't know what I can eat and I would need help/some direction on how to do a food illumination diet...I'm also afraid to cause I think I'm maybe not eating enough as it is..more on the underweight side. It's hard to know what I can eat without messing up my stomach, etc :/

[ramblingplomer]

I ended up at my GPs surgery in floods of tears after a year of poor sleep, faecal incontinence and continually feeling nauseous. I went on anti-depressants for a year following that consultation. I think that you are bound to feel bad when being told it is IBS and there is nothing to be done for it. I have also read that if you live with SIBO for some time that it can cause a "leaky gut", which means that the toxins build up because the body is not dealing with the waste products properly. This in turn is absorbed into the blood stream which takes the waste around the body again! This can cause all sorts of other problems linked to the auto-immune system. The small intestine needs to be healthy because it is a major factor in keeping the immune system working, no wonder we are getting other things wrong with us if this is compromised by hosting undue amounts of bacteria which should only be found in the colon.

[BELAwesome in reply to ramblingplomer]

That makes sense. I seem to have autoimmune problems. I have asthma and eczema and allergy stuff...I'm wondering if I'm allergic or sensitive with certain food. Cause bowels change frequently, etc. I also think the fact I seem so small, though sometimes I don't eat much, but I think it is a bit extreme cause I can eat a lot sometimes.

[Claire44]

Good afternoon

I know exactly how you feel I feel the same. I went to my GP and he gave me anti depresssant. I have tried councilling but it has not really helped. I I would try talking to your GP as it helped me. Good luck and you are not on your own.

[BELAwesome in reply to Claire44]

Hmm, it's been over a year I think since I've seen a gastroenterologist and I'm wondering if I should go back. I didn't have a follow up appointment after the last time, etc.

[Nicki1984]

Yes I have anxiety related IBS and I found it very hard to get on top of but counselling, acceptance and breathing techniques have helped lower the anxiety. Go and see your doctor for some support regarding your mood/depression maybe cbt would be of use to you. What are you doing currently to manage your IBS? X

[BELAwesome in reply to Nicki1984]

Thank you. I somewhat try to eat healthy but usually I have too much anxiety or overwhelmed to make really healthy stuff or I procrastinate on it. I'm more on the low weight side. I can eat a lot sometimes but it's hard to know what's good or not for me. I take lactase for lactose intolerance. That's about it. It helps somewhat I guess. Not as much gas. Lol

[BELAwesome in reply to Nicki1984]

Thank you! I have been to counselling and CBT has been the most helpful to me to address mental health since he used to be a doctor it also helped differentiate what health things I should address or what's mental health related perhaps.

[Iesgobdafydd]

Yes! There's so many people out there saying stress causes IBS, or is one factor, and to me it's seemed more like the other way round - the illness has caused stress, mild depression and anxiety for me. Why wouldn't it, when it plays havoc with our lives? Also discomfort in the gut can mimic one of the body's natural responses to fear, and recently I've been starting to think maybe I find it harder to dismiss fearful thoughts when my IBS is worse than usual. When I'm having a bad episode with severe fatigue, any extra burden that comes unexpectedly, like a parking fine that needs to be paid or appealed, becomes a huge emotional deal to me, and I withdraw into myself and only do the absolute minimum I have to.

You mention mood swings; it's a term strongly associated with hormones. Some of the reading I've done, when looking for help for my symptoms, has been about hormonal imbalance - it's said this can cause digestive symptoms as well as many others. I haven't actually gone as far as having my hormone levels tested - apart from standard blood tests the GP wanted done - or trying the special diets to fix hormone levels, so I can't personally recommend it, but perhaps if your mood swings are severe it might be worth looking into? But for sure talk to your GP and see what help you can get, don't be afraid to give counselling a try (most counsellors are really nice but if you don't like one you get or you're not happy with what they're doing, you can tell them to stop or you can walk out.) And don't forget the Samaritans helpline is there 24/7 if you need it.

[BELAwesome in reply to Iesgobdafydd]

Thank you. That makes sense. I've wondered if my hormones are off but I didn't know to ask specifically to get that checked. I've had low thyroid for a little while but it got better after time. I've had low iron and vitamin D too but I have supplements for it.

[Hidden]

I fully understand and although I haven't felt suicidal or anything like that I do have low mood and it's worse if I have nausea as that is the worst symptom for me as I suffer with Emetophobia. I am tackling that phobia now as I have a very good book called 'The Thrive Programme' which focuses on those people with this phobia - I know have the first exercise to do.

Diet has loads to do with IBS and so far I know I cannot eat raw carrots or onions, sweetcorn, very little broccoli or cauliflower. I am also buying lactose free products and looking at other areas of my diet. I will also be following the FODMAP diet in a couple of weeks once I have had a meal out with friends, don't want to be on a restrictive diet whilst out as there aren't many restaurants out there that would cater.

As well as your hormone levels (I have read what has been said below) I would strongly recommend looking at your diet. Also, as a natural supplement for mood St Johns' Wort is really good as I took it years ago. I can no longer take it as I suffered the 1 in a million (I think that was right) side effect in that it can affect your eyes. I have reasonable sight but just need glasses as I burnt my retina by inadvertently looking at the sun.

If you decide to look at St Johns' Wort check with your GP first before taking them.

All the very best

[justmyluck]

I am sorry to hear that you are having these mood swings. I find that IBS has been controlling my life's quality for a long time already, but considering the fact that I lost my daughter 16 years ago, my husband left shortly after and I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer last year, it may have increased my stress level that made this all very uncomfortable, so of course it brings me down often but because I have other kids and now 4 grandkids, I fight these emotions and try to be thankful that I am still here and breathing, it could be worse. I try to stay positive and keep telling myself that I am not alone in this, there is the guy upstairs who must have had a reason to make all this happen and it tests my strength. You have to think of all the good things you do have in your life that make it worth living. Make a list of all the things that make your life worth living and it will remove that feeling of wanting to end it all. Every moment that you are sad, is one less moment to be happy. I say a mantra every day when I get up - Everything is as should be, nothing is by chance and I am ok!!!!!

[bobbyrita]

i take lemon juice and water every morning. I just started taking ginger supplements and they see, to help the nausea. I just started another anti anxiety pill buspar for severe anxiety which my doctor said may help the ibs. i have been chronically been constipated for years.

when my best friend died a half a year ago i have so many stomach aches,bloating,nausea and gas. poor quality of life. i take maalox, probiotics and magnesium citrate in the bottle.