Does anyone else feel utterly alone in the IBS battle because nobody understands? how much pain you go through, the crippling fatigue, eating restrictions, restricted social life... IBS-C gave me clinical depression, and its really hard to keep going. I am burning out. what does everybody do?

Hi, MomoN,

I have what my gastroenterologist calls a "complicated" digestive system and we're now trying to figure out if I have IBS-C. I definitely am struggling mentally with feelings of low self-worth, self-doubt, sadness and frustration that I've got another digestive issue to deal with, and thankful that I'm not trying to hold down a job but the housework is not doing itself and it's hard to accomplish much when I never know what my body is going to do next.

I am currently struggling with how gas can be this painful (although I am probably still healing from biopsies taken during an upper endoscopy because the pain is much worse since then - the biopsies were all normal, thankfully.)

I know you posted a while ago but if you're still here please know that you are not alone in feeling pain, fatigue, trying to find food that doesn't cause issues, wanting to be with friends but not trusting your body, and feeling depressed. My therapist has been such a blessing, but it's almost like once a week isn't enough right now. I hope you are able to get some support for your mental health that is meaningful.

Take care,

Ruth

On 4/25/2025 at 1:13 PM, Ruth G said:

Hi, MomoN,

I have what my gastroenterologist calls a "complicated" digestive system and we're now trying to figure out if I have IBS-C. I definitely am struggling mentally with feelings of low self-worth, self-doubt, sadness and frustration that I've got another digestive issue to deal with, and thankful that I'm not trying to hold down a job but the housework is not doing itself and it's hard to accomplish much when I never know what my body is going to do next.

I am currently struggling with how gas can be this painful (although I am probably still healing from biopsies taken during an upper endoscopy because the pain is much worse since then - the biopsies were all normal, thankfully.)

I know you posted a while ago but if you're still here please know that you are not alone in feeling pain, fatigue, trying to find food that doesn't cause issues, wanting to be with friends but not trusting your body, and feeling depressed. My therapist has been such a blessing, but it's almost like once a week isn't enough right now. I hope you are able to get some support for your mental health that is meaningful.

Take care,

Ruth

The thing that makes it even worse is if you suffer from Hypocondriac disorder. Every little move issue in my stomach = to me colonrecta can***. Wich makes me fall into a anxiety attack 

It is definitely something I think about with seeking medical treatment, whether I am overreacting or if it's anxiety. Unfortunately, I have a history of not paying attention to my body and ending up in far worse shape (I had two different doctors basically yell at me for not getting treatment for a hiatal hernia), so I currently take all symptoms seriously and let the medical professionals decide how to approach it.

I think everyone with a chronic health issue could probably benefit from counseling, so if you don't have a therapist I highly recommend finding one to work with who you feel comfortable with. It's been so good for me on so many levels.

Take care.

You are definitely not alone. I relate to this more than I ever wanted to.

For me, this has slowly taken over my entire life. I work a job I do not really want, but it is basically the only thing my gut allows me to do. Most days revolve around managing symptoms. Supplements, enemas, timing meals. Wake up grind at my desk for 9 hours at a soul-sucking sales job, spend the next 2 hours enema, toilet, shower…then trying not to eat too late. If I have anything left, I try to go for a short walk. By the time the day is over, there is not much energy left to feel like myself. Wake up in remember this is my life, wish I didn’t wake up and do it all over again.

Exercise is hard when you are constantly bloated and uncomfortable, and over time that starts affecting other areas of health too. From the outside, people notice the mood changes and ask why you seem depressed, but they do not see the years of dealing with this day after day. Doctor after doctor, plan after plan, hoping each time that maybe this one will finally help.

What really wears you down is not just the symptoms. It is carrying hope for years and waking up in the same body. That kind of grind changes you in ways that are hard to explain, even to yourself. And it is okay to hate it sometimes. This is genuinely hard.

I used to have a full life. I played basketball, went on the lake, golfed, laughed with friends, went out and actually enjoyed myself. For a long time, I was able to hold some of that together by leaning on nicotine and coffee in the mornings just to get my system moving and manage symptoms.

Eventually I had to stop because it was wrecking my health, and when I did, everything collapsed. Now I cannot do any of those things.

I do not have a perfect answer or a miracle fix, but I do want you to know that what you are feeling makes sense. You are not weak, broken, or failing for feeling this way. The fact that you are still here, still asking questions, still looking for answers says something about your strength, even if it does not feel like it.

You are not alone, and even if progress is slow, it does not mean it is impossible. Sometimes just staying in the fight is the win for now. I’m personally believe in and hope that maybe in the next life I’ll be OK.

I totally understand where everyone is coming from. I have ibs-d and most recently had a couple accidents where I couldn't get to a washroom. I was devastated to the point now I get anxious driving home from a restaurant. I literally think I have ptsd from this. I dont want to go places. I cant nail down what triggers it because it's always different. I just wish my stomach was better. Many yrs ago I use to get the severe has pains . I dont have those as much. I always feel bloated sorta near my sternum or upper stomach. Maybe for me it's stress related?