Hello, I'm new to this site and I have been living with an ileostomy since 1978 due to severe ulcerative colitis. The question I have is, after your (ileostomy only) surgery, did you start to develop periodic bouts with depression and or anxiety panic episodes? Did your bouts require medication and for how long? You see, after surgery I started experiencing anxiety and panic episodes on and off throughout the years and they continue today. After researching a little about serotonin, the feel-good chemical (which 85%-90% is produced in the intestinal tract), and now living without a large intestinal tract, I'm wondering if there is a connection here. After researching, I cannot find any information on this relationship. So, does anyone know of any information on this? Thank you for reading, Geo

Mental Health Challenges After Ileostomy Surgery

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looking forward

Nov 25, 2018 2:24 pm

Hi Bruce, I can certainly relate to your story, and I have not had my surgery yet.

looking forward

Nov 28, 2018 12:14 am

Oh, you poor thing. I am about to have a permanent ileostomy on Thursday. I knew months ago I was depressed, and my doctor put me on Cymbalta. It has helped, and I can even take it on my day of surgery. Try it; it just might help. I live alone, so that is also part of the depression.

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Eagles2023

Yeah wow, this site helped so much, I mean really who do you know with this infliction? No one, felt so alone and disgusted by myself every turn.
But it ended up being so damn strengthening, I got fucking moving, really only another choice.
That's
Honesty
Truth
I was damaged by a procedure and ended waking with this, I understand all of you.. perhaps you had to have it, I get it.. doesn't matter either way.
Just wanted to share that

StuLip

Sep 18, 2023 2:04 pm

Geo1958, I’ve been looking at the same thing.

With increasing science linking the close relationship between serotonin and the colon, I’m amazed that there hasn’t been research on ostomy patients and that relationship.

I went in voluntarily because my health was so bad, I had a terrible case of UC and nothing helped, then I got Enteropathogenic ecoli and cryptosporidium last summer from a pool or lake. Too much damage, couldn’t recover.

Anyway, I’ve never experienced depression or panic attacks until after my surgery (which I opted for and was prepared for). I think the medical community would be doing a disservice not to consider the link because it was unexpected and really difficult to work through.

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