PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS!!!! Please input...

Hello all! So I have been struggling with BPD symptoms although not officially diagnosed as I am only 17. My mother is also an undiagnosed borderline. I don't know about you guys, but I find this disorder not only horrific, but fascinating. I am doing some research (hopefully someday I'll write a book) relating to the physical aspects of BPD. I hope to seek cures in a non-pharmaceutical, holistic way. If anyone, PLEASE, has any physical illnesses or symptoms they experience along with their BPD symptoms, please share! Anything would help.
Personally, I have experienced the following illnesses/symptoms-
-Irritable Bowel Syndrome
-Celiac Disease
-Acid Reflux
-Flushing
-Blood sugar instability
-Ulcers
-Extreme thirst
-Energy fluctuations

But anyways, like I said this is solely for research in hopes of finding an alternative answer. Anything, even weird or seemingly unrelated would be awesome. Thanks!

bpd causes depression, eating disorder, anxiety which can lead to physical problems.

jaus tail wrote:bpd causes depression, eating disorder, anxiety which can lead to physical problems.

Yes, definitely so. However, I was more looking for the actual physical symptoms people experience day to day who also have BPD. Quoted directly from the American Psychology Association: "Gut bacteria also produce hundreds of neurochemicals that the brain uses to regulate basic physiological processes as well as mental processes such as learning, memory and mood. For example, gut bacteria manufacture about 95 percent of the body's supply of serotonin, which influences both mood and GI activity."

That's just an example of how our body and mind have such a strong connection, which I'm hoping to learn more about. PHYSICAL symptoms, please!

I have a lot of physical symptoms but obviously it's hard to know how closely they relate to BPD although I'm sure there is a connection. I have suffered with IBS for a long time that doesn't improve with meds at all. The only relief I have been able to get is from eating healthily and no foods that are known gut irritants, but I have never had healthy digestion no matter what I do. It started when I developed bulimia at age 15 though so I'm sure it's related to that.

I get all the symptoms related with anxiety too, heart palpitations, intense fear, stomach pain, shaking.

I get acid reflux only if I eat junk and processed foods. Healthy meals don't give me too much distress, but sugar really upsets my stomach.

I also have major blood sugar issues (I think the increased thirst is related to this as it's a symptom of high blood sugar) but I have PCOS so I'm sure it's linked to that. Maybe hormonal imbalance is related to mental health though, I don't know. As far as I'm aware I'm not insulin resistant yet I still get bad symptoms of high blood sugar which I don't understand and I thought it was related to eating a low carb diet but thinking back I think I've always had issues with certain high GI foods.

I get flushing, but I think this is related to anxiety, no? I mean I get it if I eat a large meal that is obviously too much for my body to process too but I think that's normal.

I have also been experiencing weird fatigue that comes and goes. I'll wake up feeling fine and then all of a sudden my eyes get extremely red and tired and I want to sleep. I haven't found a pattern with this yet as I can get it for weeks at a time and then I'll have days where I'm fine.

I also have acne and weight problems which is supposedly related to the PCOS, but medications that are supposed to help haven't done so and I have to use an antibiotic cream constantly to keep the spots at bay!

I also seem to have a compromised immune system as I get infections very easily - any type of infection. I also think I may have liver problems as I get quite ill if I'm not careful with my drinking and alcohol on an empty stomach makes me very ill. I don't know if it's related but I'm just stating all my physical issues

Physical symptoms I experience as a result of struggling with BPD but may not always be attributed to it include:

Mental exhaustion leading to physical fatigue
Lethargy
Irritability
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Insomnia
Hypersomnia
Mania
Depression
Piercing stomach pains (likely from indulgence in eating and alcoholic beverages, may have an ulcer)
Crying spells
Day dreaming/Spacing out

Probably more that just don't come to mind atm.

deethebee wrote:I have a lot of physical symptoms but obviously it's hard to know how closely they relate to BPD although I'm sure there is a connection. I have suffered with IBS for a long time that doesn't improve with meds at all. The only relief I have been able to get is from eating healthily and no foods that are known gut irritants, but I have never had healthy digestion no matter what I do. It started when I developed bulimia at age 15 though so I'm sure it's related to that.

I get all the symptoms related with anxiety too, heart palpitations, intense fear, stomach pain, shaking.

I get acid reflux only if I eat junk and processed foods. Healthy meals don't give me too much distress, but sugar really upsets my stomach.

I also have major blood sugar issues (I think the increased thirst is related to this as it's a symptom of high blood sugar) but I have PCOS so I'm sure it's linked to that. Maybe hormonal imbalance is related to mental health though, I don't know. As far as I'm aware I'm not insulin resistant yet I still get bad symptoms of high blood sugar which I don't understand and I thought it was related to eating a low carb diet but thinking back I think I've always had issues with certain high GI foods.

I get flushing, but I think this is related to anxiety, no? I mean I get it if I eat a large meal that is obviously too much for my body to process too but I think that's normal.

I have also been experiencing weird fatigue that comes and goes. I'll wake up feeling fine and then all of a sudden my eyes get extremely red and tired and I want to sleep. I haven't found a pattern with this yet as I can get it for weeks at a time and then I'll have days where I'm fine.

I also have acne and weight problems which is supposedly related to the PCOS, but medications that are supposed to help haven't done so and I have to use an antibiotic cream constantly to keep the spots at bay!

I also seem to have a compromised immune system as I get infections very easily - any type of infection. I also think I may have liver problems as I get quite ill if I'm not careful with my drinking and alcohol on an empty stomach makes me very ill. I don't know if it's related but I'm just stating all my physical issues

So sorry to hear you have all those symptoms, it must be miserable:( But thank you sososo much for your in depth response, it was extremely helpful! It's amazing to me how I experience almost all of your exact seemingly unrelated issues. I definitely think there's a connection-there's just too much coincidence for it not to be.
PS. Have you ever looked into getting tested for celiac? Almost all your symptoms are that of Celiac Disease. I was recently diagnosed, and still healing. It's an auto-immune disorder which would explain the frequent infections, it absolutely destroys your stomach, causes fatigue, brain fog, etc. A lot of people with celiac also have eating disorders because eating gluten makes you feel bloated and nauseous so people starve themselves or purge. Just a suggestion, as cutting out gluten has drastically improved my symptoms. I hope you feel better and I'm sending my love and blessings!

-- Sat Apr 19, 2014 4:15 pm --

BleedingHart wrote:Physical symptoms I experience as a result of struggling with BPD but may not always be attributed to it include:

Mental exhaustion leading to physical fatigue
Lethargy
Irritability
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Insomnia
Hypersomnia
Mania
Depression
Piercing stomach pains (likely from indulgence in eating and alcoholic beverages, may have an ulcer)
Crying spells
Day dreaming/Spacing out

Probably more that just don't come to mind atm.

Thanks! I too struggle with almost all of these...very useful information. There seems to be a common issue of stomach/digestive issues and energy levels. I really hope you find health and happiness and stay strong!

I've had multiple tests for celiac disease, all were negative. I actually think I may have leaky gut which causes a similar reaction as it allows food particles to break through the gut lining, but as I don't eat anything containing gluten anyway it's unlikely to be related to gluten. I don't get worse reactions when I eat bread either. I have been working on trying to treat leaky gut with gelatin and probiotics but not much improvement yet. I just think I have a very sensitive digestive system...I feel like it will never heal. 80% of my diet is made up of healthy fats, animal protein, fruit and veg so I stay away from processed foods most of the time. I have seen improvements, but certainly not perfect health. It's possible that even occasionally eating those foods is preventing me from achieving perfect health, but I just can't avoid them 100% of the time. I do my best, ED and everything considered.

Thanks for the suggestions and hope you get somewhere with your research!

I have Celiac disease, leaky gut, migraines, endometriosis, and extreme food allergies besides gluten. I'm allergic to dairy, soy, eggs, corn, as well as gluten and many grains. My body doesn't process any types of grain well, so I eat a very restricted diet. I don't stray because I've had allergy testing for all IG groups by the Mayo Clinic, and I can definitely feel a huge difference if I get glutenized or any allergen in my system. Not only physical, but my mood is terribly affected too, and my BPD manifestations get worse. I also don't eat sugar.

I get
Lethargy
Irritability
Loss of appetite
Insomnia
Depression (severe)
Day dreaming/Spacing out
and do not tolerate much dairy except for yogurt.
sugar can lift my mood for a short time.

anna_bel wrote:For example, gut bacteria manufacture about 95 percent of the body's supply of serotonin, which influences both mood and GI activity."

*rolleyes* Serotonin isn't JUST there to regulate the brain, it also regulates other things in the body. Also, Serotonin, as well as Dopamine, Noradrenaline, Adrenaline, GABA.... can not pass over from the body into the brain and vice versa... they are produced in the brain and in the body if neccessary.

This is why you cannot give a depressive person a dose of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline and they are happily dancing around half an hour later. Cannot reach the brain.