Sleep and stomach symptoms

Good day, all. I hope everyone finds a few moments of peace today. I'll start by sharing something that made me smile yesterday. I was at the grocery store yesterday and the woman in front of me (had to be at least 80) was buying just daffodils. I remarked that they were pretty and she said, "I just love them! They tell me spring is coming soon!" Oh, friends I am so ready for spring.

Here are my "questions". Are these symptoms anything anyone has experienced before and if yes, any suggestions?

1. Sleep: I know many of us struggle with sleep. My problem is that I see to be falling in to a dream state almost immediately after I am asleep. This doesn't seem normal and I'm wondering if it is causing me to wake up tired. I am also not really moving in my sleep. I wake up in the same place and position that I fall asleep and as a result I seem to have some aches and pains from remaining in that position too long.

2. Stomach: this one is a bit less pleasant and may provide more info than you ever wanted to know about Kate, but here goes. My upper "gut" has been feeling full quickly (haven't had an appetite for weeks so I assume things have "shrunk") and I am getting some heartburn symptoms. Once things get down to the lower "gut" everything seems very gurgley and upon exit, things aren't... Quite right... Does this sounds like anything anyone has experienced? Depression/anxiety related? Suggestions?

Thanks, all. I am having a little more mental clarity today, but wish some of these physical symptoms would hit the road!

(As a bit of extra info, I went off zoloft after 10 years on it at the end of November.)

--kate

I bought daffodils for Mom last weekend. They are a sight for winter eyes.

Some use sleep meds. I do. More for the fibro than depression. One of the classic 'symptoms' is not getting into deep sleep, so the body never gets the rest it needs. You wake feeling achy, tired, and sore.

As far as the gut, is there pain or it is just not usual? And how long has it been not usual? Those are important questions to ask. Personally I tend to give things a couple of weeks before I take changes seriously. And when starting or stopping any med, I extend that period.

Are you taking another med? That plays a lot into things, too.

Holly, IBS is deal-able with, and certainly a better diagnosis that many others.

First, you have to find a way to reduce your stress. I see that you are adverse to medications, but it might help, briefly, in this very stressful period you are in.

I do not remember if you said you were in counseling. It can really help. Grief is a long term process, and is different for everyone. Getting help processing it and learning not to blame self is a genuinely positive thing.

Next, do you think you might have any food triggers of the IBS? Do you recall certain foods that seemed to bother you after you ate them? A food journal, where you note what you ate, and then aches, pains, gas, bowel issues every day for a few weeks to see if there is a pattern. It's how I learned I cannot eat beans (so sad!) and flour (even sadder).

Lastly, your IBS will not resolve itself unless you manage it, if it is only stress/depression. So, for yourself, join a group or club. Find some support. Force yourself to do things you enjoy. Find a useful way to manage your grief and support your daughter.