Hi, everyone I'm Jimmy with a terrible gut too

[Jimmy L]

I'm new here.  I'm comin out of crisis mode. Been to the ER 2 of the last 4 days.

My IBS is funny. I'm a 63 yr old male very thin.

My guts tend to just turn, unsettled. I don't get diarrhea. mild constipation. 

It's the unsettling that's throws me into a panic attack at times.

I don't throw up. It like my guts are spasmodic & its so upsetting

I have a hellava time distracting myself. I'm on Lexapro for the anxiety & Ativan for breakthrough

Attacks.

I eat like a bird, very little & bland plain chicken, rice, cream of wheat etc..

My panic & anxiety is 99.99% because of my stomach & guts.

What a horrible combination, you wind up in a spiral you can't break. Upset gut fuels anxiety which fuels upset gut.

Back in the 60's my mother was told he has a nervous stomach & belly.

2023 pretty much the same damn thing IBS.

I was looking for a support group in the Bay Area that meets or something.

It's like hey drs ?  If you get my guts under control you solve my anxiety issues as well ! Ya Know.

I'm at my wits end with all this.

It's SO debilitating.

My heart goes out to you all who suffer from this type of problem.

Honestly I feel for ya I swear I do!

 

Have you had any luck with (Bentyl) antispasmodic ?

 

God Bless

 

 

 

 

 

[Jeffrey Roberts]

Hi Jimmy,

I'm sorry to read that you had such a difficult week with ER visits. I am pretty thin too so I can relate. My mother also described me as nervous when I was young. That didn't help when doctor's were labeling me as nervous. IBS is not a nervous disorder. It is a real medical issue with unknown cause.

Anxiety and stress certainly turn up the volume on any medical condition. IBS is no exception.

Are you aware that the FDA approved a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy self-app for treating IBS. It is marketed by Mahana and it requires a doctor's prescription to use it. It might help you better manage your stress. Another option is Regulora which is a gut directed hypnotherapy app. It also requires a prescription.

I think you are beyond antispasmodics to manage your symptoms. While Lexapro and the occasional ativan might manage your anxiety, etc.. they might also be contributing to your diarrhea. Perhaps something like Cymbalta or Remeron might be a better option. Either might reduce diarrhea and also help with anxiety.

If diarrhea is the biggest problem and you don't want to switch from Lexapro, you could talk to your doctor about Viberzi.

I hope this is helpful information,. You are not alone.