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Posted 10/30/2009 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
i am curious, does anyone believe that stress and anxiety can make your chrohn's flare up. Ive been under alot of stress lately. Trying to remodel my kitchen, and i have a job that i absolutely cant stand. It pays ok though and gives me health insurance. It just seems like on my days off I feel so much better, im hardly in any pain, but as soon as its time to go back, or i even think about work, the pain will return. I need my job though, and the insurance, so im not sure what to do. Does anyone take any type of medication that relieves stress and anxiety??
Posted 10/30/2009 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
yes, yes, and yes I do believe (and have been told by doctors) that stress is a very likely factor in crohn's flares. There are anti-anxiety medications, but the best medication is fixing what is the cause of it instead of just treating it. Find ways to deal with the stress on your own and you may find yourself feeling better quicker! However you go about it, best of luck!
Posted 10/30/2009 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I agree with the whole stress factor. I'm the same way..days off feel better than days I have to work. Seems that I take most of my stress out in my stomach. Even as a kid I remember holding my stomach when something bothered me or was upsetting.
There are times I think to myself....today I'm gonna tell myself my elbow hurts instead of my stomach and see if it makes a difference...hahaha. Doesn't always work:(
Posted 10/30/2009 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
I absolutely agree that stress can affect our guts! I often get sickest around midterms/exams or when I know I have to go in to work... And I feel pretty alright usually when I have nothing on my plate.
Posted 10/30/2009 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
1000% agree about stress making it worse. Anytime things are more stressful at work, the number of bathroom trips increases and the pain worsens. Definitely correlated.
Posted 10/31/2009 9:48 AM (GMT 0)
I couldn't agree more Stress certainly plays a big part in this disease i currently take citalopram for anxiety and just had it uped to 60 mg as im due to go back in hossy and am really stressing right now! Bev x
Posted 10/31/2009 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
In my experience, there seems to be a very high correlation between stress and flare-ups.
Posted 10/31/2009 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
I will tell you I kept thinking that about 3-4 times a year I was having these 4-5 day mini flares. When stressed I would get instant diarrhea, nausea and some vomiting and it would take me 4-5 days to get over it. Finally the correlation kicked in in my mind and I realized that it was stress and anxiety attacks that was causing these mini flares. I saw my family doc and started seeing a therapist and thru therapy and the occasional Xanax (1-3 times a month)I am now able to stop these mini flares in their tracks. I have been feeling so much better the last 2 years or so since I made this discovery. Hope that helps.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*
Posted 10/31/2009 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Yes! Please try to control your stress level. I find that deep breathing exercises a few times a day really helps as does walking outside.

I'm sorry you can't quit your job because you need the health insurance. How IRONIC that the job could be contributing to your sickness - yet you can't leave it because you are sick.

So try your best to do what you CAN control - like your thoughts and such. Sounds corny but with some work it does help.
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