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Calming the gut brain
This may seem like a humorous question, but I'm asking in all seriousness, since I have long-standing chronic stressors in my life over and above my current health problems. Given my current situation, those chronic stressors are not susceptible to easy fixes. Hence my interest in the possibility of other strategies.
My major medical situation is that I was diagnosed (then age 73) last year about the end of summer with inoperable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas; probably already with lung mets.
At my most recent medical evaluation 2 days ago, my oncologist was not satisfied with the response of my tumor to gemcitabine - abraxane, so has decided to switch me to a different 2-drug therapy, the details of which I am fuzzy on at this point, other than it involves one oral med and one to be administered via an infusion pump over 46 hours. This new therapy is scheduled to start around 10 days from now.
In the meantime I am feeling abandoned to my own devices - "abandoned" being the key word. Rationally I realize that is not so. But I'm finding that my emotions (anxiety leads the crowd) are not so easily ratcheted down. Hence the question that heads this post.
Additional recent observations leading to my question are:
Learning to switch off negative thought trains, even temporarily, has helped some, particularly when I am preparing to go to sleep for the night.
Unexpectedly, I have discovered that I am much more comfortable physically when I have congenial visitors or can experience some rare tranquility in my life.
This has somehow led me to remember the evidence that we have a larger "brain" in our gut than the one in our heads.
Does anyone have any experience to share that indicates what approaches have worked or not worked?
I'm prejudiced against pharmaceutical approaches since my professional experience in health care indicates that one drug prescription frequently leads to the necessity of prescribing another drug to treat the side effects of the first, which then may need another prescription drug to prevent the new side effects.
On the other hand is there even such a "thing" as talk therapy for the gut-brain? Or anything else that has proven effective?
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I am making the changes after visits with my primary care provider and neurologist. Researching gut dysbiosis in medical journals. Making dietary changes.
What kind of dietary changes? I have no clue what to eat anymore.
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1 Reaction@kb2014 Could you help me to better understand your diagnosis? From what you’ve written I deduced that you have significant gastrointestinal problems due to both the removal of your gall bladder and your prescription for an anti-epilepsy (sometimes referred to as anti-seizure) medication. Are you prescribed the anti-seizure medication for anxiety or depression? Or have you been diagnosed with epilepsy? Since you’ve been seeing a neurologist I am thinking the medication is for epilepsy. Is that correct? I ask this because anti-seizure medication is often prescribed for mood stabilization.
I have posted information from Mayo Clinic on how anti-seizure medication is used for mood stabilization. I’m not suggesting that you have Bipolar Disorders - I’m only posting this as an example of how anti-seizure medication can be helpful disorders other than epilepsy.
Mayo Clinic Bipolar Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment (be sure to read to the bottom of this page as there is information on how anti-seizure medication is used for mood disorders).
— https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355961
There are many medications that produce gastrointestinal side effects such as Zoloft as @wishingonastar describes in the original post.
The brain-gut interaction theory has been the subject of research for a number of disorders including mood disorders.
Mayo Clinic: Heal your Gut, Save your Brain:
- https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/nutrition-fitness/heal-your-gut-save-your-brain/
@kb2014 Have you been diagnosed with anxiety or depression?
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1 ReactionI agree! Nobody has answers anymore. It’s so frustrating.
I have a seizure risk from a craniotomy done due to abcess left temporal lobe from bacterial meningitis of my brain in 2014. I have ptsd from the trauma of that incident . I was on a vent in medically induced coma septic multi organ failure. I was coded. I have never had a seizure in 11 years.
Thank you for all your responses. They have been helpful.
Does anyone have info or experience with escitalopram and IBS symptoms? I was on 10mg over 6 months ago. I take 5mg now. With CBT trauma recovery skills I don't need much. I will do my own research. Psychiatry pulled the wool over eyes . None of the polyphatmacu they carried out was necessary.
Great question, @kb2014!
I did a search from the home page for escitalopram and IBS but did not find much. You mention you do your own research. I did find conversations about the drug you may find helpful to look through.
- discussions about escitalopram: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=Escitalopram
Your question would be a great one for Digestive Health. Would you consider posting a new discussion there so members in that support group have the opportunity to provide feedback?
Working on more of a holistic type diet. Veggies fruits. Fresh then dice up and freeze. Yogurt. Love diet pepsi but do so much better without. Black tea. Lots of water. Next month need to make own bread- a first for me. Homemade bread helps me