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Anyone else have Anxiety issues?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/20/2008 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
I was just wondering if anyone else has anxiety problems. I have ever since I was diagnosed. And i've been trough mulitple meds and none seem to really do much for me. They were at first putting me on Paxil, then tried Zoloft, then Cymbalta, then Celexa. So I went to a mental health place and the doc. there said maybe I needed to try something a bit different. So now they put me on Effexor, and also Seroquel just to use as needed until the Effexor kicks in. I was just curious if anyone else with Crohn's has Anxiety and what meds work for them. I know everyones different, but I was just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat as me.

thanks

~Jill

Posted 8/20/2008 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
I too am on Effexor and it works ok. anxiety is still a problem through. last week I had alot of anxiety and my Crohns got worse for the week it's calmed down now. cool
Posted 8/20/2008 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Depends on what you mean by "anxiety".  I have anxiety in the form of panic attacks...agorophobia type anxiety.  I take the generic of ativan as needed and use exposure therapy.  I use safety nets such as if I fear going out because I feel I'm going to get D and be embarrassed by an accident I put on a depends, take an ativan, and go anyway.  The reality is I'm probably not going to have an accident but all my safety measures allow me to live.  After awhile the anxiety should start to subside where you forget to put all these safety nets in place and you forget you need an ativan...you just start living normally again.  I cannot be in my home for more than two days straight without relapsing at least a little.  If this is the type of anxiety you're talking about...get the right medicine, take small achievable steps and put your safety nets in place.   

Posted 8/20/2008 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Oh yes! I've had Crohn's disease for 9 years and just now feeling the anxiety aspect of this DD. I had to quit my last job because my job had me in the field (social work) and I had anxiety SO bad I couldn't leave the office. And trying to doing anything social was out of the question. Right now I'm on Paxil. I believe that switching jobs has helped a lot but I'm still struggling with social activities. I take Imodium to help with the possibility that I may "have to go". I was also on Valium. I didn't like the way it made me feel so I stopped taking it.

I'm slowly working on also trying use meditaion/prayer to help. I try really hard not to let it control my life but trust me, I know it's hard when it's such a part of your life! I'm sure your not alone in this! I've also visted the anxiety forum...they are a great support also!

Best of luck!
Posted 8/20/2008 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have anxiety issues. I think because I've had so many health problems at such a young age, I've also developed Health anxiety (where you worry about your health a little too much). When I'm flaring I get anxiety about having accidents in public. Seems like just being anxious about it can trigger pain and D. I bet a lot of us have anxiety issues.
Posted 8/20/2008 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Jill -

I have dealt with anxiety for many years...even before my crohn's diagnosis. I have found that a high dose of Zoloft began to work after a few weeks (150-200mg). I also take 200mg of seroquel at night to help me sleep. If I am in a severe panic-prone situation (like flying or public speaking), I take a weak Ativan. I am a recovering alcoholic, so I have to be extremely careful with Ativan, as it can be very addictive (since it is a fast acting valium). So, I probably only take about 5 of those a year.

Also, deep yoga breathing and meditation has really helped my anxiety as well. Also, I find that praying the rosary helps too - obviously I am Catholic :-)

Good luck and don't give up on the meds...it takes a while to find the right combo.
Posted 8/20/2008 9:17 AM (GMT 0)
Jill, I have had panic/anxiety attacks for years, much longer than having Crohn's. They started in my early teens, and became severe in college. I started psychotherapy and had to try MANY different meds before finding the right balance. It was truly trial and error. I have been taking Paxil for years, which works well for me. I also take Xanax. In addition, reading many books, exposure therapy, meditation, etc. Good luck to you! Julie
Posted 8/20/2008 10:33 AM (GMT 0)
In my opinion the single biggest trigger and the biggest effects of this disease is Anxiety, eliminate that and we would be 50% better.
Posted 8/20/2008 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
i have anxiety and depression which didn't start until 6 months after my diagnosis. I am currently on generic Lexapro which some people have said doesn't work for them but it does for me. I'm sensitive to medications anyway. I've always had anxiety and social problems....i guess it didn't become an issue until the CD. I do a lot of deep breathing and find things to distract my mind ( otherwise i will have visions that will make my anxiety worse) I pray and have tried to eat healthier(don't know if it will help....but i'll benefit from it anyway) My brother was on effexor for depression and it worked wonders for him. Good luck and God bless.

christina
Posted 8/20/2008 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have lived with this DD for almost 33 years. Earlier this year, I developed anxiety. I have the anticipatory type of anxiety. I worry about the what if's. I was prescribed the lowest dose of Xanax. I have learned if I catch the anxiety right away and take the Xanax I am able to stop it in its tracks. I only use this medication occasionally, not everyday. So you are not alone.

By the way, there is a wonderful group here on Healingwell that also deals with anxiety/panic disorders. You should pop in over there if you haven't already. Good luck!
Posted 8/20/2008 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
I have had anxiety issues since I was a kid. My Mom called me a worrier. However as an adult it is much worse. you can see the meds I am on in my Signature for anxiety. Mine was so bad I could not sleep because thoughts ran trough my head. I also would keep worrying about something that happened in the past over and over. I may have a touch of depression and the effexor was not enough for my anxiety so that is why I am on the other anxiety med. it turned off the anxiety for me. I wanted you to know Crohn's and live events can cause excess anxiety. I am not sure what kind of Dr you are seeing but I finally went to a psychiatrist and I am finally getting what I need some therapy and some meds... good luck, you are not alone!
Posted 8/20/2008 4:48 PM (GMT 0)

karendee said...
I have had anxiety issues since I was a kid. My Mom called me a worrier.

However as an adult it is much worse. you can see the meds I am on in my Signature for anxiety. Mine was so bad I could not sleep because thoughts ran trough my head. I also would keep worrying about something that happened in the past over and over. I may have a touch of depression and the effexor was not enough for my anxiety so that is why I am on the other anxiety med. it turned off the anxiety for me.

I wanted you to know Crohn's and live events can cause excess anxiety.

I am not sure what kind of Dr you are seeing but I finally went to a psychiatrist and I am finally getting what I need some therapy and some meds...

good luck, you are not alone!

You sound just like me, with the excessive worry. I actually just bought a book about it, hoping it gives me some tips to help better control it. I was a big worrier as a kid even, have no idea why. Just seems like something I was born with! I've thought about seeing someone about it. It's hard to not have anxiety when your health stinks so bad. Gives you something to excessively worry about, you know?
Posted 8/20/2008 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have what is called General Anxiety Disorder.  Always had such trouble falling to sleep, staying asleep and going back to sleep.  My doctor first put me on effexor but all it did was make me yawn.  She then tried cymbalta, not only for GAD but for my joint pain.  That has been a god-send.  I ran out one day last week and my whole body ached when I woke up.  Knees, ankles and back.  It took me awhile to realize it was probably because I hadn't taken it the night before. 
Posted 8/20/2008 6:09 PM (GMT 0)

karendee said...
I have had anxiety issues since I was a kid. My Mom called me a worrier.

However as an adult it is much worse. you can see the meds I am on in my Signature for anxiety. Mine was so bad I could not sleep because thoughts ran trough my head. I also would keep worrying about something that happened in the past over and over. I may have a touch of depression and the effexor was not enough for my anxiety so that is why I am on the other anxiety med. it turned off the anxiety for me.

I wanted you to know Crohn's and live events can cause excess anxiety.

I am not sure what kind of Dr you are seeing but I finally went to a psychiatrist and I am finally getting what I need some therapy and some meds...

good luck, you are not alone!

 

Wow sounds just like me also!!! All my life before the Crohn's my mom called me a worrier too! I re-think about conversations and things I say to people. I also worry about silly things. And many times if something doesnt go right, I think over and over about how I wish I could go back in time. Its awesome to find someone else who knows what im going trough!!!

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