I’ve just joined this forum in the hope of finding some support. I’m 37 years old and father to three young girls, and I suffer from IBS and severe anxiety / panic attacks. It seems clear to me that the two conditions are linked, although it’s difficult to know which one is triggering the other.
I’m currently bed-bound and feel like a let down to my partner. I know there are many people with worse circumstances than me, but I just want to be normal! My third daughter was born just over a week ago, and I’ve been running myself into the ground ever since, getting up with the kids, doing multiple school runs, and working until after midnight every day. It’s now caught up with me and I’m suffering with crippling anxiety attacks, IBS symptoms (painful stomach, loss of appetite, diarrhoea), and I’m having trouble sleeping.
For the past 2/3 weeks I’ve been sticking to a FODMAP diet in the hope of relieving my IBS symptoms, but it doesn’t appear to be working. I’m exhausted but when I try to sleep my mind and body won’t switch off - I’m not shaking on the outside but it feels like all my nerves are jangling and on high alert.
Sometimes I can eat junk food and be absolutely fine, and other times the slightest thing can lead to constipation/ diarrhoea and stomach cramps. I guess the frustrating thing is still not knowing what triggers my symptoms. I tried keeping a food diary but gave up; I couldn’t see any obvious causes. Perhaps I should try again. I think one of my biggest triggers is lack of sleep, that always seems to set me off, but as anyone else with young kids knows, getting enough sleep is a real challenge, especially with a newborn.
To be perfectly honest, I’m scared. I’m suffering from depression as a result of what’s going on felt suicidal a few weeks ago, so even a message of support would be very much appreciated. Sorry to dwell on my own problems, I know people reading this may have it worse, I just need to get it off my chest.
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I have similar symptoms but also weight loss and iron deficiency which is concerning..I've consulted numerous drs and gastroenterologist s and have had many tests. After five Years its become debilitating. Have you had any test to exclude any digestive issues?.
Hi - it’s only recently that I’ve started to confront my IBS issues, so I’ve not had much in the way of tests. I haven’t been to the GP, as I’ve never found them to be very helpful (although they’re usually pleasant). I was however in hospital earlier this year with pancreatitis and they did a couple of CT scans, but only to confirm the inflamed pancreas, and my suspicions of IBS. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Hi there the anxiety you are having is probably fuelling your ibs , I’m taking low dose citilopram for this it does help somewhat with my anxiety , don’t be put off from seeing your gp you can’t go on suffering like you are . You are not letting your family down it’s not your fault , ibs is a horrible illness and it can and does affect people’s mood and disrupts your life x
Thank you, I think there are three main issues I have that are like a vicious cycle - anxiety, stress and then physical IBS symptoms, and I I could wave a magic wand and have one of them disappear, it would definitely be the anxiety, so I will look into the citilopram. Is it something you take for life, or just a short time? I’m wary of becoming dependent on medication which is probably why I haven’t tried any up to now. Thanks.
Hi you can take citilopram for a short time preferably until you feel better . Personally I’ve been taking them on and off for a decade due to ptsd which has gone now and just left with periods of anxiety . Have never found them to be addictive for me they’ve been a life saver , I would rather take them than be suicidal or have a stress related heart attack or stroke . I love the happy pills 😃 I do hope you get the help you need x
Thank you, and I am trying to get help, hopefully I can find someone or something that helps. During the last week I’m bursting into tears randomly throughout the day, and usually I’m a person who cries once every year or two, very rarely. My mind feels so weak, as does my body, and I just want something to halt the downwards spiral. If Citilopram is something that can help, I would definitely try it. I’m going to mention it to the GP.
There’s times in my life when I’m really happy and content (it seems a lifetime away at the moment), but it always feels like the anxiety is lingering in the background waiting to pounce. I hate the thought of being dependent on medication, but as you said if there’s something that can prevent me feeling suicidal when I have a flare up then I would gladly accept it. I suppose the ideal situation would be to have a form of medication that I’m not constantly taking, but is there as a backup in case it’s needed. Is that how you are with the Citilopram, or is it something you now take on a regular basis?
Hi gut health the way I see it is if you had a heart problem you would would take daily medication to keep you alive , it’s no different for mental health , I still take my anti depressant as my mental health is much better for it , I want to live not just exist in misery. Stress and anxiety cause so many physical problems too , if you do decide to go with it , it takes about 2 weeks to feel better , it’s just replacing the serotonin you have a lack of in your brain . Keep us posted on how you get on and remember you owe it to yourself to not suffer anymore x
Hi … I was on citalopram a few years ago for 12 months, recently I’m suffering again with left side flare up and it’s sparked my anxiety so decided to try them again low dose … day two absolutely awful diarrhoea so I stopped them did you have any issues I didn’t remember getting that last time x
Hi sweepy that sounds like a side effect to me , the only side effect I have when I re start them is nausea which disappears after couple of weeks I make sure I take them after eating , you could try taking one every other day or ask your gp for a different antidepressant .citilopram is good for ibs c whereas trycyclic antidepressants like amyltryptine are prescribed for ibs d x
Hi 👋 I’ve recently been prescribed mebeverine and thankfully it’s working really well for me. It seems to stop the cycle of tummy going into overdrive after a meal…a welcome relief after suffering for a year with this. I hope you start feeling better soon.
Thank you, I will look into Mebeverine. I generally try to avoid medication but I’m at the point where I’m willing to give anything a go, so thanks for the recommendation.
Hi I'm sorry to hear you're suffering maybe a trip to the g.p is needed now even just for some support on how you're feeling emotionally. Anxiety is horrendous and can spiral out of control which like you say could be causing your symptoms. I hope you get some answers, take care.
I agree that you shouldn’t have to suffer like this. Tell your GP about the anxiety and depression. Citilopram can be prescribed for a short time, maybe six months, to try it, just to take the edge off your anxiety, it does work. Then you might be in a place to tackle the gut problems. I’m wondering why you had pancreatitis, I had that once, due to ibd meds side effects, it’s incredibly painful.
Thank you. The pancreatitis was in January of this year, after 4-6 weeks of stomach pain / bloating after eating. With it being Christmas time I was eating more fatty foods and large portions, and it would hurt to sit down afterwards. The pain would gradually ease over 24 hrs, but one weekend it kept increasing in intensity and on Monday I was rushed into hospital. I was in for 2 days and during that time the pain eased, and afterwards I was a lot more careful with diet.
Recently I was ill and lost a stone in 2 weeks, then as I started recovering my body was craving more fatty foods, so the careful diet went out of the window and after a few weeks, the pains started up again. Since then I’ve been careful, but the stress, tiredness and anxiety have started to build and it’s like they feed off each other and then you spiral downhill pretty rapidly.
Thanks for your advice, it’s much appreciated. I am going to speak to a GP and I will look into the Citilopram.
Hi. I have two young children. My IBS really gets in the way of things. I really feel for you. My situation is I can never really relax, the IBS causes me to become more stressed, as family life isn't as stressful enough.
Try and take time out, go for morning runs if you can. What worked for me is self help. But my schedule had to be around family which was hard. What I learnt in life if you can't help yourself then your fighting a losing battle. But it is hard.
Thanks, and you have my sympathy too! I feel like with kids you can never fully switch off, at any moment you might need to nurse them or keep them occupied and while I love my kids more than anything, it’s difficult when you’re in pain and a state of panic to give them your full attention. I think the feeling of guilt from not being able to fully give them my attention sometimes starts me off on a depressive cycle, but I know there’s people who have it far worse so I’ll just keep doing my best.
Hi, have you tried listening to sleep apps when you go to bed? I use Get Sleepy on Spotify and have found it to be really helpful in getting me to sleep and relaxing me.
Lately I’ve put meditation / healing music on when I’m trying to sleep - sometimes it helps, but currently I’m really struggling to get my mind and body to switch off at night, even though I’m absolutely exhausted. I will keep trying though, and thanks for your reply : )
Sorry to hear that your doing through a difficult time.congratulations on your new born. I also suffer with anxiety/depression and stress will trigger my IBS /diverticular. I did a food diary/fodmap over a couple of months and even though I found a few food items that triggered my ibs/diverticular it's stress that's the biggest issue.
Sleep deprivation is awful and impacts on anxiety/depression more than people realise.i may sound like a broken record but please be kind to yourself do self care i.e go for a walk/ take a long bath/ have you any interests that you can do? Do you have any skills for your anxiety while your in a state of a panic attack?
Sending you positive vibes and a hug.🤗. Remember ITS OK NOT TO BE OK......
Thank you for the kind words, it really means a lot. Having these issues makes me feel so lonely sometimes, even when I’m in a room full of family and friends, so it helps to know there are others who can relate.
During an anxiety / panic attack, I try to do the right things (deep breathing, mindfulness, etc) but honestly I find it so overwhelming that I really struggle. My heart races uncontrollably and it feels like I need to run and escape and find somewhere isolated to lie down and die. I know that sounds dramatic, but honestly that’s how it feels during an attack. Afterwards the world goes back to normal and I find it surreal how your mental state can change so dramatically in such a short space of time.
Regarding diet, yes, I also think stress is my biggest issue. Sometimes I can eat junk food and be fine, sometimes I eat FODMAP recommended meals and have an IBS flare up, so I’ve also had no luck with food diaries - but the ever present trigger seems to be stress and anxiety, and lack of sleep is almost guaranteed to set me off. If I get a chance I’m going to try and take a long bath - it’s been over a year since I had one (don’t worry, I do shower 😁), and hopefully that will ease a bit of tension. Thanks again for your reply.
Your welcome. Sounds like your identifying the triggers for the pain . Keep doing what your doing one step at a time is my motto and don't beat yourself up if you spend time in bed sometimes that's what you need/crave mostly in times of an attack/flare up. Like they say ITS OK NOT TO BE OK( my new mantra!) Xx
Hi I echo what everyone else says on here, you might not think GP’s are helpful but you need support with your anxiety/depression. There is no quick fix for IBS but if you are able to get your anxiety/depression under control it’s a big step forward to heal other issues. IBS you will have to learn to live with but there is so much support for anxiety/depression use it.
You are young and you want to enjoy your new baby and your other young children.
Thank you - I’m also great at giving advice but awful at taking it! If I’m dealing with someone else who is suffering I’m usually half decent at talking to them (I think IBS breeds empathy), but when it’s me who is suffering I can be my own worst enemy. I’m a perfectionist, so I’m quite hard on myself if I’m not 100% (health and work) and although I know it’s very counterproductive, i find it hard to change my own behavioural patterns.
I am going to give the GP a try, thanks for your reply and suggestions : )
Wow, you have a lot going on there! Easy to say don’t be so hard on yourself when you are at a time in your life when you have the biggest responsibility and challenges , you probably have a desire to get everything right which isn’t how life works.
I really think you need to speak to Doc, you need some support, you might need medication to help you forward, possibly some talking therapy. Don’t let this get out of hand .
Some of us just have to take medication to get quality of life, sometimes the jangling nerves don’t stop with deep breathing or mindfulness, we don’t have the luxury of ‘lifestyle changes’ or taking a break.
You will get through this, remind yourself that it is hard now, but the tough times are sent to challenge us, life is a very bumpy road.
Thanks for your message. Even when I’m healthy and we’ll I’m someone who is quite hard on myself, so during times of stress and pain I’m probably my own worst enemy. I perhaps need to find a way of changing my mindset, although I don’t know how achievable that is.
Life is indeed a bumpy road. I currently feel like things will never get better, and I know that’s probably the depression talking, it’s still an overwhelming feeling. Do you take medication to help control nerves and anxiety? When I look up the medications, the potential side effects terrify me, and I’m out off from using them.
Taking a break is not really an option with 3 young children and a busy work schedule, as much as I might try, and i just can’t seem to relax, so if medication is a potential solution then I’ll consider it, but I guess I’m looking for reassurance that the potential side effects won’t make things worse. Thanks again for your help.
What you have to weigh up is which is worse, side effects ( which you may or may not get, not everyone gets them, and you won’t know that unless you take them) or the lack of life quality you are getting now. It might be that you just need something to get through a bad patch, for me amitriptyline has been my lifeline, I hate taking any medication, but the symptoms I get otherwise make life miserable.
Amitriptyline is an older antidepressant, for IBS it is given in very small doses that do not act as an antidepressant, it doesn’t work any better if you take more ( this information is what I have read and learned) I understand other forms of antidepressant can have a helpful effect, but there is a lot of evidence pointing to amitriptyline being of help. It isn’t a miracle cure, it may not help or be suitable for everyone , all I know is that my life is better with it ( even with side effects from it). Oh and I have tried almost everything else there is available, and I have been taking my drug for over 20 years!
We are living in a very unnatural and technology ruled world , this is what causes our problems, so I think sometimes we have to go with that to fix things as well.
I saw the GP, and he instantly recommended antidepressants. I have a sister who takes them, and they clearly work for her, as they do for many others, but for me it’s never felt like the right route. I wouldn’t rule them out as a last resort, but I wanted to try another route first, so I asked for some sleeping pills (I got a 7 day prescription, which I stopped after 3 days), and they really helped, and got me back into a good sleep routine. I also got some Mebeverine which helped with the stomach pain and bloating, and finally I started practicing Qi Gong / Tai Chi which I already feel has helped me to feel a lot more calm and mentally stable. Since I last posted my symptoms have been gradually improving, so I’m going to keep going with the Tai Chi and see how things go, and I also have some CBT counselling scheduled, so fingers crossed for the new year!
The other replies are all worth considering; the gut/brain interaction is very well known and even though you have spoken to GP 's it is worth seeing which one at your surgery could be the best to help you (if you are at a surgery with a number of doctors). Sometimes reception staff are knowledgeable enough to put you in with the 'right' doctor especially if they know the reasons why you want an appointment in the first place (face to face ideally).
IBS and anxiety go hand in hand (well, for most of us) and if you reduce the anxiety you will be better placed to think about your new baby and the family and all the wonderful things that will be in your life in the future. For what it is worth, I downloaded a couple of comedy audiobooks on to my phone and when I am feeling really low (I asides 20 plus years of IBS also now have IBD) I try to take some time out to listen to say half an hour as it does put a smile on my face and that helps my mood...
I hope you find the right help but it is not straight forward as everyone on this forum will tell you. Seeing a doctor is a starting point - tell them exactly how you feel etc... Good luck and congratulations on the birth of your new daughter. Things will improve for you over time..
I'm sorry to hear you're in a bad place with all of your symptoms. I have been suffering recently and been diagnosed with IBS which was starting to get in the way of my work and daily life. I used to be on citalopram but came off it at the beginning of the year , then all the symptoms started. I am now back on it and it has settled them and made a massive difference . I had no idea this was previously helping my stomach issues, I just thought I had recovered from whatever it was. Now I understand anxiety and digestive issues are linked . They're also trying me on amatriptoline? To see if it eases it even more in terms of the pain. Definately go to the GP and discuss medication. It really does work .
Thanks for your message. I have asked for a GP appointment and I’ll write down Citalopram and mention it. As I mentioned to someone else in this forum, of all my symptoms the anxiety and depression is the worst thing, and I could could find something to help control that then I feel like my stomach would improve. Is citalopram for controlling the physical or mental symptoms?
So sorry to hear that you are feeling so overwhelmed - but do get a GP appointment and tell them how you feel both emotionally and physically. Sounds like you could do with some support right now, and there are drugs that can help - even short term anti anxiety meds to get you over this hump and once you are more in control your gut symptoms will probably improve. There are some free tools to help you with this which you can find immediately on the NHS website - look at CBT for IBS and anxiety- it’s a free course you can start immediately which can help you look at your life and what’s going on. I hope you get some help and support from GP. You can always offload on this group, we’re all fed up with our guts!
Thanks for your reply. I’ve been referred for a course of CBT so I’m hoping that helps - I’m certainly going to approach it with an open mind and give it my best shot - and I’ve started practicing Tai Chi (at home for now) which has helped so far : )
Hi. Sorry to hear your feeling low and in pain. It is hard work with 3 little ones especially with 1 recently born. So don't feel your letting your partner down. Also you say you had pancreatitis earlier this year. Were you given treatment and have you been checked recently? If not maybe you should talk to your gp again and ask to be referred. You might have gallstones which can cause the symptoms you say you are having and this might be the cause your depression with worry. Speak to your GP. I wish you well.
Hi GutHealth, Sounds so much like I was. My last diagnosis was that my IBS had become worse and I had Diverticulitis. I was in excruciating pain which was so much more acutely painful than giving birth twice.
I noticed pain when eating foods I'd eaten all my life. I looked into what happened inside my body after eating the foods. I looked at possible threats of potential pain when I'd eaten certain combinations or just singular additions to certain foods.
I became suspicious and looked at the NHS and Celiac UK websites as well as Healthline. Everything pointed to a gluten issue. I also learned that the medical professionals believe everyone would be better off on a gluten free diet.
I completed a questionnaire on the Celiac UK website then received an email. It stated I had issues with gluten in my diet and should be tested.
I'm amazed at the 360° change to my diet, pain, bloating, bowel issues, etc. I cannot believe I managed daily life with the acute stress and depression I endured. It's just all gone. I'm still shocked, happily amazed and people cannot believe the change in me. I'm happy, bubbly, go out now, wear what I want, etc. After 30+ years I feel that I can take on the world. 💪 I look at everything with totally different eyes. I'm so pleased I don't need to take medication anymore for pain and bowel issues.
Look into it for yourself, or try a gluten free diet for a week or two to see the difference or changes. It's expensive but worth it 100% . I wish you the best and hope this helps. Please let us know how you get on 😍
Thanks for your reply, and I’m so glad to hear that you’ve managed to find a way to improve your quality of life. It gives me hope! Recently I’ve been on a gluten-free FODMAP diet (3/4 weeks now) and I’m experiencing the worst flare up in years so I don’t think it’s a gluten issue for me, especially as I can sometimes eat junk food and not have stomach issues at all. It seems to be linked to my struggles with anxiety and depression, so I’ve taken the first step and asked for a GP appointment - even the thought of speaking with someone is enough to start me shaking and worrying which sets my stomach off again, but im going to at least try.
Good morning, After trying so many different things to help with my chronic IBS , I eventually tried gut directed hypnotherapy. There has been much research into this. A medically trained gastroenterologist who works within the NHS called Professor Peter Whorwell started using it in the 1980’s. I did the hypnotherapy at home after finding what I believe to be a reputable practitioner online., I downloaded the audio files which were very reasonably priced.
I also then found the Cureable App which is about resolving chronic pain and anxiety and have more recently used a book by Alan Gordon called ‘The Way Out’. After 20+ years with chronic and often very debilitating IBS these have been absolutely the most useful things for me.
Thanks for your reply. Finding a peaceful time to be alone and try this therapy will be a challenge for me but I’m definitely willing to give it a try. Did you feel that your stomach issues were caused by your mental state? It seems to me that my mind is my worst enemy, and it worsens my IBS…
IBS is a symptom not a diagnosis. Unless you feel your GP is competent to organise the tests then ask nicely for a referral to a Gastroenterologist to do all the right tests to rule out various conditions that could cause the symptoms. I won't try to list them, I'm not a doctor.
If you pass all those tests and want to look at FODMAP then again ask your GP for a referral for help on that. It's not simple to do and takes time, but worth it.
In the meantime as you lie in bed, visualise a time in just a few years when the daughters are all grown up a bit more, and you are feeling great.
Thanks Ernest. I feel so guilty for not being able to function ‘normally’ and enjoy days out with my daughters, and in turn I think this guilt feeds my depression, especially around Christmas time when all I want is to enjoy time with them. When I have a bad flare up, like I’m currently experiencing, it feels like there’s no way out and my whole life ahead is just misery and pain, dramatic as that may sound.
I will speak with a GP and take it from there. After being hospitalised earlier this year I had a telephone consultation with a gastroenterologist, but I had to wait 6 months for the appointment, so by the time I spoke to him my symptoms were under control and I was in a happier state of mind, so nothing came of the call. Actually, he did send out a test kit for a stool sample but I was too embarrassed to do it (I regret that now) so there was never any follow up.
Right now I think the biggest thing I need is help with my mental health. I have constant depression and panic attacks, daily at the moment, and it just feels like everything is spiralling out of control.
The time of year doesn't help and many others have problems with that so don't beat yourself up about that. When you are unwell it is time to be a bit selfish and put yourself first at times.
With the GP you can politely explain how the 6 month delay confused matters. They should be able to supply you with fresh kit for another sample for the lab. Discuss the medication also.
One thing you haven't mentioned is "work" and how you are coping, or not coping with that. Work takes many forms, not just paid work. So if it helps have a think what you could realistically do. That may help divert the brain from all the bad stuff. Pick something simple to get started.
Somehow you also need to schedule something fun, some fun time. Think back to what you used to do when things were ok. Is there any bit of that you can replicate, even if it's just after Christmas (which isn't far away). Even if you can't do it just right now, dream up a positive plan for a time when you can. Just spend some time visualising a good place to get started. Believe you can get better, and accept it will take a bit of time.
Thanks again Ernest. My mental state has been improving over the past few days, thanks to two things - some short-term medication which I’ve now stopped taking (Zopiclone and Mebeverine) and taking up Tai Chi / Qi Gong which I honestly never realised could be so calming. I’m not cured yet, but I’ve taken some steps in the right direction and I hope others on this forum are able to do the same. At the very least, I was able to enjoy a pain-free Christmas Day with family which I’m incredibly grateful for. I hope you’ve been able to enjoy Christmas time too : )
Thank you - I’ve asked for a GP appointment, and I guess that’s the first step in hopefully figuring out a way to deal with it. Because of the depression it’s hard to imagine that this will ever get better but I’m trying.
I started off with anxiety, due to burn out at work, shaking on the inside, couldn't catch a breath, dizziness. Then came the stomach, immediate need for the loo, diarrhoea / constipation.. Worry why the both were happening, was it something serious, worrying about going out seeing friends.... On and on in my head! No wonder our tummies get messed up! I did get checked and its best to do that. But over thinking drains you, till as you say you can't sleep, and yes I realise you are at that stage of life where you have little time for yourself, but we still manage to worry and think 24/7.
People that don't suffer anxiety just get on with situations and life, they don't over analyse, and so just get on with it, it seems so simple.
Have a look at Anxietycentre.com, interesting explanations of symptoms.
And the guy who runs it... Google " Jim Folks Story" His story sounds similar to us and eventually he got through it.
Hope I have helped you a little, oh and by the way I definitely think the two
Thank you. Yes, I can remember struggling on and off with IBS for most of my life, and thinking back it always seems to be linked to stressful situations or times. And lack of sleep is also a major factor.
Since writing this post a week or so ago, when I felt rock bottom and couldn’t see a way forward, I’ve been to see a GP who recommended antidepressants. I declined, and instead took some sleeping pills which I wasn’t too keen on either, but they really helped me sleep for 2/3 nights afterwards, and at the same time I started practicing Qi Gong and basic Tai Chi. These were things I’d heard mentioned and recommended many times before, but had never really looked into. However, as soon as I did the first Tai Chi lesson (at home, following an video tutorial online) I couldn’t believe I hadn’t tried it sooner. Within days my breathing is is more controlled and relaxed, and when I felt some stomach pain and anxiety trying to rise up I managed to breathe it away with a much calmer mind than before. I’ve been doing 15-20 minutes each morning, and the same in the evenings about an hour before bed, and it’s helped immensely.
I’ve also been prescribed Mebeverine to help with the bloating and stomach pain, and I’ve taken it on three occasions before eating, which has helped. I’m not intending on using it forever, but it helps calm my mind to know that I have it there in case it’s needed. Likewise with the sleeping pills (Zopiclone); I don’t intend to take any more unless l’m really struggling, but again it’s a relief to know I have a few if necessary. Now that my mind is getting calmer, my stomach seems to be following, and I hope that my experience can help someone else.
Finally, I’ve been referred for CBT with a local counselling team, and I'm hoping that will help me to improve my mindset when anxiety and panic does arise. I’ll post an update in the near future : )
A few days ago Frasina mentioned the gut/brain interaction and it's important to note a common denominator to both is a magnesium/thiamine deficiency. In the brain thiamine plays a critical role in brain function along with magnesium that is also required to activate thiamine. The blood/brain barrier makes it difficult for both thiamine and magnesium to pass however fat soluble forms of thiamine like TTFD and the threonate form of magnesium offer higher absorption levels. Active thiamine is needed for the vagus nerve brain/gut connection. The third link offers a visual of the vagus nerve. The last link discusses magnesium and it's important to note the causes for magnesium loss. Always consult your health care professional before using any supplement.
Hi, I been diagnosed recently with IBS but I do suffer with bad anxiety too mine is health anxiety so I am in circle all the time. I went to homeopath thinking to try something else. I got probiotics mindlinx Bio care they helped so well I didn’t had any symptoms for 6 weeks till now at Christmas I decided to have drink and I eat way too much so now I suffer for 2 days with so bad cramps and pain that I think my trigger is alcohol. I tried different probiotics but only ones helped was which I got from my homeopath. I hate living like this so I think I need stop eating late and too much.
1. About 1 in 55 people ultimately die of colon cancer in the USA. About 1 in 6 or 7 have chronic IBS.
2. Colon cancer is in the rectum or sigmoid colon more than 55 pct of the time--that's the last several inches of the bowel...
3. Pain presenting as the first symptom of bowel cancer occurs less than 5% of the time. Much more common is blood in the feces and/or weight loss.
4. About 40% of all bowel cancer is diagnosed in people over 75.
5. Smoking and alcohol use account for at least 20% of bowel cancer. Genetics another 15%. If you don't smoke or drink and haven't, your odds are 2/3 those of someone who does.
6. If you don't eat a lot of bacon, salami and similarly processed meats, your odds again improve by 20%.
On the other hand, if you have anxiety, chronic depression, chronic pelvic pain or fibromyalgia, your chances of having IBS are at least 3x greater.
All of these are easily researched and confirmed in medical studies with high N's. High N's means the number of subjects--I disregard any under 75,
Doctors will tell you it can take 18 or more years for a polyp to turn into a cancer. Truth is, they don't have any idea. If the above were the majority of colon cancers, how could anyone who is 12 get it? Obviously there is a spectrum of causes, diseases and outcomes.
Colonoscopy can and often does make IBS far worse. It may calm you down, but ask yourself, am I the 1 in 7 with anxiety, or am I the 1 in 55 who smoked, drank, etc. Normal healthy people do get colon cancer who have not had bad diets etc. This is sort of a 1 in 500 thing for someone under 50. Can it be you? Yes. Is it as likely as another explanation? No. Doctors get paid for procedures and get punished by insurance firms for not doing them. At some level, you need to make sensible risk assessments and realize that even with bleeding and weight loss, the average colon cancer victim lives more than 10 years. Getting "cured" of any cancer is something of a myth unless you were lucky enough to have full surgical excision. You are and remain at statistically elevated risk--for life. Scary stuff.... but remember, more than 1 in 2 people end their time on this planet never having gotten cancer. Those who do, often work in high risk jobs, take high risks (e.g. Hep C) or smoke and drink and are obese. Whic are you? I totally recommend How not to die a book by Dr. Michael Greger--pure science, no politics.
Don't give up on living please. You are loved and needed by your family and friends. There is only 1 of you. No substitutions, no replacements.
Let your partner know what you are feeling and that you need support, also perhaps finding a medical professional that could listen to you and give you the help you deserve.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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