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Posted 11/14/2010 1:40 AM (GMT 0)

Hi All,

 

I am grateful to have found this wonderful site.  I have been diagnosed with Crohn’s for 3 years now.  I was on Remicade for about 2 years and my Crohn’s was well under control.  However, I then started having a variety of issues and switched to Cimzia at the beginning of the year.  According to the blood work I just had done the Cimzia is controlling the inflammation, but I am still having tons of issues with acid reflux, constipation, cramping, etc. 

 

I am working on switching my diet and trying different supplements, but it is frustrating and stressful, I am sure you all understand, trying to figure out what solution will help me feel better.  It is stressful to live a “normal” life when I don’t know how I am going to feel everyday.  Does anyone have any suggestions on things have found helpful in managing stress?

 

Thanks!

Posted 11/14/2010 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Stress is harmful to everyone, but when you have crohn's, it can definitely make your symptoms worse. I know it does to me.

Exercise can really help with stress, even if it's a walk around the block. I know that's not always possible depending on your day to day symptoms, but it can help. I personally have to have alone time, whether it's going for a drive by myself, or just going into the bedroom and shutting the door on the world for an hour or so. The most important thing you can do for yourself is to make sure you have some 'me' time. Warm baths, soft music, yoga, whatever makes you feel relaxed.

I also find it helps just to come here and read thru these posts. When I'm stressing about life or new symptoms or am just tired of dealing with the day to day of dealing with a chronic disease, feeling that you can talk to people who really understand where you are coming from helps tremendously. Welcome! I hope you stick around!

I also have a script for some anti-anxiety meds for when things are really bad. I don't take them every day, but they can help on those days when life is out of control.

Good luck!
Posted 11/14/2010 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
One word: Ativan
Posted 11/14/2010 11:51 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome x
Posted 11/14/2010 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Brie812 and welcome to the site. It's really difficult to give advice on how to handle stress as we are all different, however, an hour or 2 spent walking somewhere unspoiled by pollution does the trick for me. :-)
Posted 11/14/2010 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to Healingwell.  about 5 years ago after living with CD for over 30 years I developed anxiety related to my Crohns.  Doc prescribed .25 mg of Xanax for me (lowest dose).  It really helps on those days when I am feeling anxious about how I am feeling that day.  You might want to talk to your doc about some as needed med like that.

You should try keeping a food diary to keep track of which foods bother you and which agree.  I personally follow a low residue diet all the time and that works well for me.  You can google the diet and get some ideas.  Others follow the SCD diet, but with this diet, for it to work right, must be followed to the letter. 

As for the constipation, I too suffer with it.  I use stool softners daily in order to keep my stools softer and easier to pass.  Have you seen either your GI or family doc about the acid reflux?  I take Protonix for mine, and it helps alot.  Hope to hear more from you soon, and that you get feeling better soon too.  Hugs!

Posted 11/14/2010 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome! One member on here (Ivy) does a daily TLC thread to help her plan out her day.  I know I personally work better with a "plan" in mind, bearing in mind that it is subject to change.  But I know that kind of thing helps me.
Posted 11/14/2010 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Brie812,  Welcome to this wonderful supportive site.  I can truly say it is a blessing in my daily life be apart of this HealingWell forum.  I have taken advice and suggestions from this forum on taking short walks, doing some slow stretches even while having pain and nausea, and taking long slow deep breath in and out.  I to keep a daily log of what I eat and description of every toilet visit to help me find out what could tirger nausea and pain. I have read a posting on HealingWell that has given me a bit of relief on  bad days of pain and nausea and stress, to visualize the area that is annoying me that it is not apart of my body - so I can concentrate on breathing and relaxation.  May not work for everyone, but I will try anything to try and get some relief.  I hope some of these ideas can help you.  Hope you feel better soon.
Posted 11/14/2010 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome!!

B
Posted 11/15/2010 8:04 PM (GMT 0)

Welcome!  I used to use exercise to help me reduce stress, in addition to anti-anxiety meds, but I haven't been able to work out lately due to arthritis, so it has been frustrating and stressful.  As others have mentioned, many of us take stuff for anxiety and it can not only help with the anxiety but also reduce stomach pain...at least it has for me.  I also take Protonix for acid reflux and have always battled with constipation. 

I've tried doing the meditation stuff, but I'm too impatient for that, but I know it helps many people.  Yoga, pilates, etc. can help with the anxiety.  I've been to programs that train you on how to change your thoughts in order to reduce stress and negative thinking and they did work, they were just expensive and time consuming so I stopped doing them.  But, there are tons of things out there if you are interested: cognitive behavior therapy, HeartMath, etc.  And talking to people on here can help as well.        

Posted 11/15/2010 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
I was upset with my wife and then the same day had such a bad flare that I thought Iwas going to the hospital. Since then I decided I need to do my best to chill out. So I really try to just go with the flow instead of always trying to make my point. I try to keep very aware that upset = upset gut. So when I am feeling frustrated I say Is this worth it?. This is new for me and I am making some progress with lots more progress to make.

I for sure understand how frustrating it is to figure out how to make your gut behave. At this time I am doing fanatical complaince with SCD and also low carb. It seems to be working for me (only felt good for the last two weeks but they have been a very welcome relief).

Dave

Posted 11/15/2010 10:26 PM (GMT 0)

Welcome to the site!

Stress is a hard one to deal with....I find exercise and "me" time help a lot.  I also see a cognitive-behavioral therapist once a week and find that very helpful in questioning my thought patterns and the reasons why I do or think certain things, which then makes me less stressed about pretty much everything. 

I also love acupuncture - and any massages I can get!! :) 

Posted 11/15/2010 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

my personal experience is exercise is the only thing that helps truly, because it helps the over all health of your body.  If aching joints are a problem then I recomend water exercise.  I have had chron's for more than 10 years and my 12 year old was diagnosed with JRA(juvenile rhuematiod arthritis).  All of my research has said keep the body moving even with arthritis.  Obiviously, with arthritis on might have to modify the exercises but the body heals better when we exercise and the endorphins released when we exercise help reduce stress.   Oh and one other coping method for me is if everything is piling up, and I start feeling emotional, I rent a good movie that will make me cry.  Don't ask me why but sometimes a good cry lets me pick up the pieces and move on again.  I will probably never be disease free and my kiddo will never be 100% pain free due to the joint damage from arthritis but we can still live life and cut loose.  I read an article that had a healthy outlook.  Hope you find a way that works for you to cut down on your stress:)

 10 Challenges for Parents With Chronic Illness

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/09/27/10-challenges-for-parents-with-chronic-illness/
Posted 11/16/2010 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't read all the responses so forgive me if I repeat. I think part of your answer is right in your post. You are on a very good potent medication and you are trying to adjust your diet and supplements to give you the maximum "comfort" in your daily life. Very good for you; in my case it took me decades to begin to do these things.

I would like to agree with the spirit above who says exercise. I believe that moderate exercise like brisk walking is really important in a MULTIPLE of ways. Be careful not to push yourself to exhaustion though. I have found, and others agree, that either mental stress or PHYSICAL stress can give you a flare.
I think you will find that there are certain foods that are very bad for almost all of us. The one comes to mind is popcorn.
Meditation for the stress or something fun I say. What do you like to do? Helps???
Posted 11/18/2010 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you to everyone for the great advice.  I have been feeling a little bit better this week so hopefully things will just continue to improve.
Posted 11/18/2010 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with crohns March 23 2009 and its been hard I've had to take out dairy and popcorn and anything with hulls its been hard, but you eventually get to a point were you find things to substitute those cravings, I get puffed corn to replace popcorn, find many of tasty lactose free things and as for corn... It's still hard sometimes, I had to quit school and get my GED so for awhile I found myself wallowing in the disease and all it had done to change my life, then I found if I do things for others it takes away the thoughts of my illness, I volunteer at my church school and tutor many other kids. THere are days were I have to stay home and sleep alot (but I have a large absess so that may just be me) but the point is it doesn't have to run your life it only has as much control as you give it, and my advise is to live life to the fullest do everything that your body allows you and that will help you feel "normal". Good luck and remember keep your chin up!
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