My IBS is causing extreme anxiety issues. Please help me overcome it.

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been having IBS from the last four years. I have symptoms of anxiety, skin rashes, low sex drive, low energy, digestive issues, acidity, and heartburn. An endoscopy and colonoscopy done two years ago came back normal. But, I am following up with my doctor who recently found excess hydrogen in my breath and is treating that. But, I think that my real problem lies somewhere else. I have a pulse-like movement in my stomach. It is next to the heart beat. I eat a lot but digest literally nothing. I get severe cramps in the stomach. The pain spreads to my entire body at times and leads to me being extremely lethargic and dull. Please suggest what I should do.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It does not look like you are harboring a major illness. Most of your symptoms are resulting from your excess stress and anxiety. Do not worry. Addressing them will cure your health issues.

The breath test positivity may be due to a bacterial colonization of your stomach. Since you are already getting a treatment for that, do not obsess over it as it can remain as a normal colonization too.

The pulsation you described can be normally seen in lean individuals. It does not sound like an abnormal finding. It is just a transmitted pulsation from abdominal blood vessels.

I suggest the following:

You need to practise regular physical exercises, meditation and yoga to be off from stress and anxiety. Devote an hour every day for such activities.
Start practicing the intake of short frequent meals, rather than bulky meals three times a day.
Avoid taking junk foods, and unnecessary stimulants like coffee in larger amounts.
Consider getting a thyroid function test (serum T3, T4, and TSH) and an ultrasound scan of the abdomen.
Keep yourself engaged and stay away from the thoughts of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Enjoy a happy, stress-free life ahead.

Please revert with the reports next week, so that I can guide you further.

Revert after a week to a medical gastroenterologist online.