[stablyunstableghost]

Hello all,
I am just wondering if anyone here deals with IBS(Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or POCS(Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), Cystic Acne, or similar issues..
I'm looking to share coping technique and get/give some general support that is mindful to the influence that BPD has on physical ailments. I'm also interested in learning more about the connection that Borderline has to illness in the body, there are few conclusive studies out there with any tangible kind of insight on the subject.

[Seraphine]

I have bad acne and when stressed get IBS like symptoms, i believe from the high stress hormone levels (research the gut-brain connection)
Idk if they're related to BPD at all, but BPD makes them difficult at best some days.

[smartiesparty]

I have quite bad IBS and get cramps and diarrhea pretty much every time I leave the house. It worsened my BPD. I try to cope by drinking a lot and taking medication to stop the diarrhea (loperamide). I also avoid bad fatty foods but give in often because I hate the feeling of being limited. I can safely say IBS has ruined my life just like depression, BPD and anxiety has.

[stablyunstableghost]

Originally Posted by Seraphine

I have bad acne and when stressed get IBS like symptoms, i believe from the high stress hormone levels (research the gut-brain connection)
Idk if they're related to BPD at all, but BPD makes them difficult at best some days.

BPD makes any kind of discomfort into a total nightmare. I swear. Do you have any suggestions to help treat the acne issue? I've tried almost everything out there, I thought insight from another Borderline might be useful.

[stablyunstableghost]

Originally Posted by smartiesparty

I have quite bad IBS and get cramps and diarrhea pretty much every time I leave the house. It worsened my BPD. I try to cope by drinking a lot and taking medication to stop the diarrhea (loperamide). I also avoid bad fatty foods but give in often because I hate the feeling of being limited. I can safely say IBS has ruined my life just like depression, BPD and anxiety has.

This past Thanksgiving, I had the worst episode of my entire life at my yearly family get together and then had to explain to everyone out loud that I have IBS and define the disorder with detail in order to leave early....ugh. I pretty much do the same preventions that you do with little improvement, though I don't really think there are many treatment options for IBS. I find the only thing I can really do is stay home if I feel an onset.

[johannah444]

Hi, I have had IBS for years and I have noticed that it is directly related to stress and anxiety which BPD makes worse. I thought I was the only one!

[Seraphine]

I wish I had some way to make it better, but I found I would forget to take care of my skin. Currently im using a brand of cocoa butter (can we give brand names?) facial wipes and keep them next to my bed, im down to like 5 pimples, mostly on my neck and chin (I play violin which contributes to the neck acne) and that's mostly when I have a hormonal fluctuation.

[WibblyWobbly]

I have fibromyalgia, IBS and adenomyosis (it's similar to endometriosis). My hormones are totally out of whack and I'm dealing with cystic acne for the first time ever. I've heard that may be due to my lithium.

[WibblyWobbly]

Originally Posted by Seraphine

I wish I had some way to make it better, but I found I would forget to take care of my skin. Currently im using a brand of cocoa butter (can we give brand names?) facial wipes and keep them next to my bed, im down to like 5 pimples, mostly on my neck and chin (I play violin which contributes to the neck acne) and that's mostly when I have a hormonal fluctuation.

Cocoa butter helps? It seems like it would clog pores.

I know that over the years I've read articles connecting autoimmune diseases to trauma (I equate that to many cases of BPD because of the trauma connection in BPD). I found the book Waking The Tiger very informative for me personally. It helped me to understand how what happened to me was stored inside my body.

Personally, I have the following autoimmune diseases: IBS, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and neuropathy (not caused by alcohol or diabetes--cause unknown). I used to take a medication for the IBS but it didn't seem to do anything. Now I take a high end probiotic (expensive and not covered by medical insurance) and watch what I eat--I still fluctuate between constipation and diarrhea. For the psoriatic arthritis, I take a weekly injection of Embrel (expensive, costing over $2,000.00 a month, but covered by medical insurance)--it's literally been a life saver for me because I over 85% of my body was covered in thick psoriasis patches and some of my joints were so swollen I was moving like a 90 year old! There's no cure for the neuropathy--it progresses slowly and I just make sure I keep my body moving. I also make sure to take daily vitamins (Folic Acid, Complex B & B12) Autoimmune diseases are wearing both emotionally and physically.

[technigal]

I have IBS, PCOS, GERD (severe heartburn), arthritis, and there is probably stuff I am missing. Never thought to attribute them to the BPD.

[Seraphine]

Originally Posted by WibblyWobbly

Cocoa butter helps? It seems like it would clog pores.

no, not straight cocoa butter lol, a company who is famous for their cocoa butter, they have facial wipes and night cream etc, and it's amazing

[Unrigged64072835]

I don't know if my GERD would count, but it always gets worse when I stress out.

[tattoogirl33]

I take Linzess for IBS-C, adderall for ADD and MS, and a slew of other stuff for BPD (symptoms ~ since as we all know there are no meds for BPD). Im only 38 and I feel like I'm falling apart physically along with emotionally most days.

I have the complexion of a 13 yr old girl about to get her period. Yep, this crap sucks.

I have found several articles over the years connecting BPD to physical illness.. Since I also have MS I found this to be quite informative.

http://www.examiner.com/article/bord...mune-disorders