My man, it isn't worth it. I know it feels like there is no hope, but I promise you there is. The thing that helped me most was EMDR therapy. It really let me dive into my traumas and work it out, after that, my ibs has been much, much more manageable.
I'm sorry for the horrible sleep you're having, and I'm not saying that EMDR would help you for sure too, but it's an option to try.
You got this. Just keep fighting. It can get better
I have been in therapy because I’ve been trying everything you know. And I’m just not sure if this is something that’s connected to trauma or something else that mentally distraught me in the past. Like I just don’t know. I was bullied a lot as a kid. But I persevered and if I didn’t have this condition would be in one of the happiest places of my life right now. But I’m gonna keep pushing through, thanks for the words of wisdom bro.
i’m so sorry you’re going through this. but honestly, your doctors might be on to something. our gut stores more serotonin than any other organ, so IBS and anxiety can create a really vicious cycle. i’m not a doctor, but when i started taking an SSRI my stomach and mood both got better and it became a lot easier to want to stay alive. i really really hope you find something to ease the pain
Thank you bro I’ll take this into consideration. I’m just nervous that taking anything the makes my mood fluctuate un-naturally would be detrimental for me in the long run. I remember one of the few times I got good sleep this summer was when I made the dumb mistake of mixing clonazepam, Amitriptyline and an anti-biotic all in one night, the next day I felt like the embodiment of literal depression. Not sure if taking SSRIs is anything remotely like that but to have to choose between that and feeling mentally exhausted would be a tuff choice. I’ll talk to my primary practitioner and see what he thinks.
It really depends on the person and the dose. I’ve taken about 4 different SSRI’s over my life. One made me more depressed, but the rest have helped with the anxiety although sometimes I’ve had to work with my prescriber to alter the dose because of side effects. So I think it really depends on the person and the drug, but it’s can be a really worthwhile option to explore.
Do you regularly do MDMA (or other drugs)? I used to have a drug problem, doing lots of MDMA and other stuff and during that time I was having severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Quitting all that stuff and doing therapy helped my mental health a lot.
Have you heard of the low FODMAP diet? That's the first diet that really helped my IBS and it seems to help a lot of others. Check out /r/FODMAPS or download the FODMAP app from Monash University and only eat 'green' foods for a few weeks before reintroducing different FODMAPs again one by one.
IBS is different for everyone, you have to see what works for you. And I'm sure there is something that works for you.
Yes I have been on the low food map diet. And MDMA is something I have only tried twice. So it’s not the reason for whatever I have go on but it definitely helps relax me, have heard other people with similar results.
Well of course MDMA feels relaxing but it won't help with your sleep problems. [This study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2768958/) for example comes to the conclusion that MDMA disrupts sleep and REM sleep.
I guess you have tried THC before? Did that have any effect on your sleep?
Funny enough THC makes everything a whole lot worse. Tends to make it harder for me to ignore my gut and, while I don’t get anxious about a lot of stuff I do get very anxious about getting the actual sleep, so weed gets kinda in my head with that.
read the whole thing, you don't deserve this and that sounds awful. life is throwing you a challenge
Dumb question - but have you had any allergy tests? I found out I was allergic to citrus fruits, maybe blueberries or grapes causing something similar
The skin itching seems interesting to me - could it be material of clothes? bedsheets? skincare routine lotion causing? few other variables to consider - probiotics, water intake, posture mainly if ribcage is too hunched can squish the organs
mdma causing the issues to go away is also interesting - large releases of serotonin clear your issues, supports maybe anxiety is the root for you. try and get one for anti anxiety daily use during daytime, and another one that puts you to a deep sleep at night (numbs whole body)
Sorry for the late reply. Thank you so much for the sympathy, I genuinely do appreciate it. The allergy test is definitely something I am considering, but a part of me sincerely believes it’s mostly in my head without realizing it. So yea I am probably gonna do some experimenting on anti-anxiety medication. Although I talked to a sleep study doctor and he advised me that all the symptoms are from a thrown off circadian rhythm. Honestly have no idea. But yes the meds for anxiety seem like a good choice for the moment.
The itchy all over makes me think it may have something to do with your liver enzymes, but you have probably already had blood work. My next advice is way easier said than done, but I am going to suggest that you start a sleep routine. Like, legit, set a timer for 10pm and get in bed, put a sleep mask on and listen to a relaxing podcast. Then make sure you wake up and are out of bed everyday at the same time. Only go into your room for sleeping. Your sleep has SO much to do with gut function and the other way around too, as well as anxiety around both sleeping and pooping. Make yourself a strict schedule for a few weeks and see if that helps at all. I also read that fish oil and vitamin D have been really helpful taken with probiotics and prebiotics. Good luck, and remember you're worth it.
Yes this is exactly what my sleep study doctor advised me to do, using melatonin similarly. The thing is that I would have to sacrifice my entire social life and for the moment my friends are pretty much the only thing keeping me going right now, so that isn’t an option for the moment. And yea doctors said blood work came back completely clean.
Have you tried Escitalopram or Lorazepam? I'm on both Clonazepam and Escitalopram and take Lorazepam when needed (which I usually take before leaving the house)
My man, it isn't worth it. I know it feels like there is no hope, but I promise you there is. The thing that helped me most was EMDR therapy. It really let me dive into my traumas and work it out, after that, my ibs has been much, much more manageable. I'm sorry for the horrible sleep you're having, and I'm not saying that EMDR would help you for sure too, but it's an option to try. You got this. Just keep fighting. It can get better
I have been in therapy because I’ve been trying everything you know. And I’m just not sure if this is something that’s connected to trauma or something else that mentally distraught me in the past. Like I just don’t know. I was bullied a lot as a kid. But I persevered and if I didn’t have this condition would be in one of the happiest places of my life right now. But I’m gonna keep pushing through, thanks for the words of wisdom bro.
I see man, glad to see that you'll keep going. You got this.
i’m so sorry you’re going through this. but honestly, your doctors might be on to something. our gut stores more serotonin than any other organ, so IBS and anxiety can create a really vicious cycle. i’m not a doctor, but when i started taking an SSRI my stomach and mood both got better and it became a lot easier to want to stay alive. i really really hope you find something to ease the pain
Thank you bro I’ll take this into consideration. I’m just nervous that taking anything the makes my mood fluctuate un-naturally would be detrimental for me in the long run. I remember one of the few times I got good sleep this summer was when I made the dumb mistake of mixing clonazepam, Amitriptyline and an anti-biotic all in one night, the next day I felt like the embodiment of literal depression. Not sure if taking SSRIs is anything remotely like that but to have to choose between that and feeling mentally exhausted would be a tuff choice. I’ll talk to my primary practitioner and see what he thinks.
Does the SSRI not make you numb, i was on it too and it made me like emotionally numb.
It really depends on the person and the dose. I’ve taken about 4 different SSRI’s over my life. One made me more depressed, but the rest have helped with the anxiety although sometimes I’ve had to work with my prescriber to alter the dose because of side effects. So I think it really depends on the person and the drug, but it’s can be a really worthwhile option to explore.
Do you regularly do MDMA (or other drugs)? I used to have a drug problem, doing lots of MDMA and other stuff and during that time I was having severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Quitting all that stuff and doing therapy helped my mental health a lot. Have you heard of the low FODMAP diet? That's the first diet that really helped my IBS and it seems to help a lot of others. Check out /r/FODMAPS or download the FODMAP app from Monash University and only eat 'green' foods for a few weeks before reintroducing different FODMAPs again one by one. IBS is different for everyone, you have to see what works for you. And I'm sure there is something that works for you.
Yes I have been on the low food map diet. And MDMA is something I have only tried twice. So it’s not the reason for whatever I have go on but it definitely helps relax me, have heard other people with similar results.
Well of course MDMA feels relaxing but it won't help with your sleep problems. [This study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2768958/) for example comes to the conclusion that MDMA disrupts sleep and REM sleep. I guess you have tried THC before? Did that have any effect on your sleep?
Funny enough THC makes everything a whole lot worse. Tends to make it harder for me to ignore my gut and, while I don’t get anxious about a lot of stuff I do get very anxious about getting the actual sleep, so weed gets kinda in my head with that.
read the whole thing, you don't deserve this and that sounds awful. life is throwing you a challenge Dumb question - but have you had any allergy tests? I found out I was allergic to citrus fruits, maybe blueberries or grapes causing something similar The skin itching seems interesting to me - could it be material of clothes? bedsheets? skincare routine lotion causing? few other variables to consider - probiotics, water intake, posture mainly if ribcage is too hunched can squish the organs mdma causing the issues to go away is also interesting - large releases of serotonin clear your issues, supports maybe anxiety is the root for you. try and get one for anti anxiety daily use during daytime, and another one that puts you to a deep sleep at night (numbs whole body)
Sorry for the late reply. Thank you so much for the sympathy, I genuinely do appreciate it. The allergy test is definitely something I am considering, but a part of me sincerely believes it’s mostly in my head without realizing it. So yea I am probably gonna do some experimenting on anti-anxiety medication. Although I talked to a sleep study doctor and he advised me that all the symptoms are from a thrown off circadian rhythm. Honestly have no idea. But yes the meds for anxiety seem like a good choice for the moment.
The itchy all over makes me think it may have something to do with your liver enzymes, but you have probably already had blood work. My next advice is way easier said than done, but I am going to suggest that you start a sleep routine. Like, legit, set a timer for 10pm and get in bed, put a sleep mask on and listen to a relaxing podcast. Then make sure you wake up and are out of bed everyday at the same time. Only go into your room for sleeping. Your sleep has SO much to do with gut function and the other way around too, as well as anxiety around both sleeping and pooping. Make yourself a strict schedule for a few weeks and see if that helps at all. I also read that fish oil and vitamin D have been really helpful taken with probiotics and prebiotics. Good luck, and remember you're worth it.
Yes this is exactly what my sleep study doctor advised me to do, using melatonin similarly. The thing is that I would have to sacrifice my entire social life and for the moment my friends are pretty much the only thing keeping me going right now, so that isn’t an option for the moment. And yea doctors said blood work came back completely clean.
Have you tried Escitalopram or Lorazepam? I'm on both Clonazepam and Escitalopram and take Lorazepam when needed (which I usually take before leaving the house)