IBS, Anxiety and Anitdepressants

Southernbunnyi can only repeat the advice of the others (its good advice) - I can completly understand where you are coming from, I have been there and let it get me depressed - and boy its tough to be strong and find a way outI have speant the last 2 years fighting against the IBS diagnosis - Have had all the tests done, most twice now and seen my dr (and lots of others) too many times to mention !! Before I started with IBS I saw my dr around once every couple of years.I could not accept that this pain and uncertain BM could be IBS - it had to be something serious - much more serious.I would get the pains - start worring "what if's" - the pain would get worse - more worry - more pain and so on.When in this circle I would assume the worst - which for me was cancer - and I would push until they tested me clear if cancer - and I would be happy until the next time and on it goes....The fustration of the attacks coming back - the tests being clear - the fear of cancer - not knowing where to turn for help next and feeling low because I have IBS - it was all dragging me down.I became very depressed and would not accept any help - just more tests which in itself can become a health risk My Gi doc struck a deal with me - he would run the tests again if I would think about anti Dep and Cognotive therapyI agreed - the tests were clear and I am going through with the therapy and in the 3rd week of anti Dep.The therapy has helped me challenge the way I think and the what 'If's' - and to accept that I have IBS (this board has helped so much with that too) Because I let it get too far this is sooo tough for me to do - but it does work for me - I still have the IBS attacks and the worry still comes - it always will but now I have a way of fighting it (I won't always win) I to get worse when I am not busy !!I am learning alot about the way I see things and hopefully if I can lessen the worry about the attacks the attacks will lessen !!!!makes sense ?Sorry to go on - I normally only answer with 1 or 2 lines but having been through this and still going through it - if I had seen a post realting to how I fealt, I might have done something sooner and spared alot of heartache for me and my family.Thank you all for giving me the chance to offload - sorry if I bored you but I think it has helped me a bit.Southernbunny I hope you find your way - please don't take the road I did !_____________________Worry never robs tomorrow of it's sorrow; it only saps today of it's strength"

SouthernBunny,I have taken Zoloft for around a year now. I was actually given it for fibromyalgia, but it is sometimes tried for IBS, and is of course for depression. Since I also have panic/anxiety order, my doctor put me on Xanax as well. For those who have panic/anxiety, Zoloft can increase and cause more severe panic for the first week. I had a horrible first week, but I got through it with the Xanax, and knowing to expect it, so not to fear it. If you are panicky, please call your Dr. for Xanax, or at least have a talk with him. After a week, there was more no panic, and I've been fine on it since. It didn't seem to help my IBS, but does help the fibro.I dealt with my panic with hypnotherapy, and a course through the Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety. They teach you to stop the negative thinking. The most important thing to know is the anxiety cannot hurt you. You need to lessen its importance in your mind, "It's no big deal. I know it's just panic, and it will pass." I recommend you look into Mike's tapes. They will help with IBS, and as an added benefit, it helps with relaxation. I think Mike is coming out with anxiety tapes as well. Join us in chat on hypnotherapy at 7:30 this evening.Take care,AZ

I totally understand where you are coming from. For about 4 years I was experiencing just what you were. i tried every medicine and nothing worked.it took me four years to get a grip...and maybe i could share some of them with you to help. i had panic and anxiety attacks, which brought on my IBS, which caused me more anxiety which had me in fear. it was exhausting. i would eat just to maybe think my ibs would go away or try to soothe myself somehow. all i thought about day in and day out was my ibs. am i going to make a **** today? is my stomach bloated? all i thought about was my stomach. well, the best advice i could give you is to find a place where you could do some yoga. that will quiet your body and mind. treat yourself to a massage which for me, began my week on a good note. i would WATCH what i ate. and sometimes if it really acted up, instead of eating i would not eat and i felt better. exercise does wonders for your mind and body. push yourself even though you don't want to. take a walk if you don't want to do anything vigorous. talk to friends, talk to us...but do not feel you are alone. we all have felt this and still feeling it. i think you should also be put on the right medicine for you. it may take awhile, but don't get frustrated...one day you will notice a difference.good luck to you!

Hi SouthernBunnyI know you may not want to hear this, but I have fought anxiety and depression for years without meds. I think I'm over the worst...I still get anxious and I'm really not a fan of taking any meds. I needed a lifestyle change. I've taken a lot of sick leave with IBS and the associated anxiety. I found a counsellor who is also a hypnotherapist who helped me see that the I could change the way I was thinking. I'm also finding relief from the anxiety cycle by using Mike's tapes. The worst think about the tapes is that it makes you anxious waiting a month to receive them...but when I did get them they made a world of difference.I also took up some new hobbies..kick boxing, yoga and tennis. Yoga and meditation have really helped me.I'm improving slowly..I feel the best I've felt for 12 years (with the exception of the flu last week). Stay positive.I know its possible for all of us. ------------------Jane*************C/D/G type *************