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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 11/4/2007 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi ya'll....

I just have to ask....I was diagnosed in January officially with Crohn's disease. I was pretty much in a constant flare from January until early May. In May I started taking Remicade....and in early July I started feeling like I remembered 2 years ago.....I thank god for this drug almost daily....as it has done a great job for me...and I am hoping it will close up my fistula that I have. I should be soo happy right now...I feel great...I am living a somewhat normal life....I have had some lifestyle changes ....like diet, not being able to excercise really because of my fistula....etc... But why am I soo emotional?

i have noticed recently that I am very moody....I get sad quickly....people that bug me with their meaningless problems (like which knob should I put on my door) bothers me a great deal.....about every 6-8 weeks I am having breakdowns....(crying pretty bad, etc)....and flat out just depressed sometimes!

My mother tells me I need to see a counselor as I have gone through alot this last year being diagnosed with Crohns and learning how to live with it....she states that since I was not able to really think about my situation, etc until July....that it is coming out...and it might be helpful to go and talk with someone,..

Lord knows I was never a moody person that would cry at the drop of a hat...get mad at friends about what knob they want to pick out......

Does anyone have any suggestions?? I just really feel that no one really understands what I have been through or what I am going through....Ya know what I mean..! I mean you guys doo...you have Crohns...
Posted 11/4/2007 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
I was glad to see the back of October, we have had constant gale force winds, there has been a huge rock crushing machine working in the riverbed for 4 weeks solid and we are down wind of the noise, not to mention some of the dust, I've been stressed, trying to cope with all the Spring chores and this annoying weather, I've been hold up in the kitchen doing some art work, I'm annoyed I rushed so much I didn't notice my Brocolli had bolted, I had plans for some nice soup with that.
I never feel on top of things now, always playing catch up, or going round in ever decfreasing circles, I have to pace myself much more now, I got some herbal tablets from the health shop called nerve aid from Blackmores, it seems to take the edge of, I don't want to do any heavy duty meds, and a Valerian is good too for times I can't sleep.
Tess.
Posted 11/4/2007 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Oh boy does that feeling sound familiar! I think it's just frustration....Tired of being in pain, tired of being sick, tired of being tired! It might help to speak with someone. God only knows what I would do without this forum! You guys are my only sanity sometimes. I think we all have the right to be moody every once in a while, especially with the cards we have been dealt!
Posted 11/4/2007 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Husker- I think your moms idea is great. I saw a counselor b/c I was crying too and having anxiety around this disease. My counselor taught me its ok to say this sucks and grieve some of this instead of always trying to cope and putting on the happy face. Otherwise it just builds up until you break down like you are doing and I did :)
Posted 11/4/2007 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! I think seeing a counselor is a great idea. There are counselors out there that specialize in helping people with chronic medical conditions cope with the emotional and mental aspects of having a disease. After all, you can't just treat the body, the mind and spirit need attention too! Maybe you could call your GI office, and see if they recommend anyone in particular. I see a counselor, and I find it extremely helpful. It is a place where you can go and say whatever is on your mind, and not have to worry about being judged or anything like that. Take care!
Posted 11/4/2007 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Husker,

I think that a counselor is a good idea. When I first was diagnosed, it was a hard pill to swallow. I think because it's for the rest of our lives. I didn't want to go to church because I was angry, so I talked to my son's psychologist. He helped. I have a lot of anxiety so I was prescribed Ativan, and also take a small dose of Prozac. I'm still moody, but not as bad. With all that we deal with, and the medications that we take to control this disease, I think it's somewhat normal to feel the way we do.

When I was 16, my father was diagnosed with stomach and esophagus cancer. I remember him saying once that no one knew what he was going through. My dad took a positive approach, he became somewhat of a "counselor" talking to others that had cancer and what to expect from their treatments and surgeries. I'm glad I have that memory and glad that I had a positive person in my life.

Good luck to you!
Posted 11/4/2007 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Husker, are you taking any other meds with the Remicade? I ask only because I know that Entocort caused me to sometimes have bad mood swings?
Posted 11/4/2007 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that many with this Crohns and other Chronic illnesses DO get anxiety / stress and sometimes severe depression...........because of being always so " sick n tired of being sick n tired" and not being able to plan days ahead in most instances or all ..........

I am on Ativan for the Pyoderma sores I get to slow blood down from basically " boiling" and diazapam for the depression and a/p

I use to take up to 3 10 mg valium a day BUT with " self help techniques" like deep breathing,cognitve behaviour therapy ( free online one).........and relaxation techniques ..........I now only take a Valium when absoulutely needed........I dont do any SSRI's .....SRNI"s........... like Effexor or Paxil ......Zoloft ect .......For personal reasons .........

You's can pop over to a/p or depression forums for some input there .......we do have a few crohnies on the a/p forum already

Take care all and I am so sorry that you's are dealing with this on top of the CD.........LYN
Posted 11/4/2007 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
do not hesitate to ask for anti-depressants. I was put on the after being dx'ed with cancer. Celexa has helped tremendously. I do not feel nearly as sad as I was
Posted 11/4/2007 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
 I just want to reassure you that chronic illness and its effects is a very common reason for seeking therapy (for goodness sakes I am specializing in it, that is how common it is).

yeah  

Posted 11/4/2007 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
It makes me feel better to know that I'm not the only one who has been depressed. I was just diagnosed in September and I've had a pretty hard time dealing with it. I guess for me what was so hard is that this disease is FOREVER. I'm just 20 years old and like a lot of you I'm still looking forward to doing so many things. But being young and in so much pain was really hard. I couldn't go out anymore, I had to drop out of school...it sucked. I just started Remicade and I feel better now so I'm starting to get my life back but I'm still having a hard time emotionally. I'm really worried about the future and I still get upset sometimes that this has happened to me but I'm trying to make the best out of it. Can you take anti depressants with Remicade and everything?
Posted 11/4/2007 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
It is a lot to take and having people to talk to who understand what you are going through can help. The fact that you are on this forum makes me believe you need someone to talk to and this way you don't have your face attached to it. I sought out this website for the very same reason. Do what you need to do to get through it and remember those who love you will understand. I am very lucky and married a man who does his best to understand with out judgement and makes me feel normal when I sure as heck don't. Day by day my friend.
Posted 11/4/2007 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Glad you are feeling better on the Rem. and you still have CD to deal with so yah sure there will be times when your nerves might be stressed but enjoy your Rem. effects .Having someone else to talk to might be the thing that helps you. Come here more often if it helps you, and it has happened to all of us .We are on meds and none of them are easy for us. You will have better days just tell your friend how scarry and hard it has been for you,tell your Mom . .lol gail
Posted 11/5/2007 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
I started therapy seven months after my dx and I highly suggest you go talk to someone. I am also on the remicade and agree, it gives you better quality of life. But accepting a chronic illness is hard!! I go once a week and just talk about everything and get advice as to how I should handle certain situations. I think it helps so much, when I miss a week I am a lot more moody and high and low. They told me I had adjustment disorder from the CD and have really helped me. I am on an anti-depressant and that has helped my moods.
I do not think I would be doing so well without therapy. Healing starts with you! So try it out and see if it helps you! Good Luck!
Posted 11/5/2007 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks all.....i appreciate all the responses. I think you guys are right....I need to at least start somewhat of a healing process....it mind body and spirit ...they need to be realigned again....

It is good to know that I am not the only one feeling this way! Thanks!
Posted 11/5/2007 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm coming in on the tail end "pun intended" of this topic...I never even realized I was depressed when I was first diagnosed. Also, fought the Dr. tooth, hair & nail on the antidepressant. Started Lexapro within about the first 6 months, was doing fine, weaned back off. Let me tell you...after that wean...I hit an all time "NEW" low. Learned my lesson there! I take it every day now at the same time I take the evil prednisone (which also can make you nuts). By taking them both together at the same time they help offset each other in the "mood" department for me anyway. It's OKAY to grieve for yourself. After all, this was NOT how you had planned your life! We all have been there at one time or another! Talking with a counselor would help immensely! They guide "You" to the perspective you need to have on this disease. I have accepted my disease. I allow "time" for it each day and by doing so...I keep at least "some" control of my life.
Posted 11/5/2007 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
HF, you know when you start taking all the meds we take, plus the stress, its bound to mess with our natural body chemistry. Dont forget that your doctor can help you with this. Therapy is an option too, but one pill a day is cheaper. Hope you get some relief soon..
Posted 11/5/2007 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
The free online cognitive behavioural therapy is great and does work for most
It is

http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/
Posted 11/5/2007 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
I cry a lot reading this forum. Kinda catharsis really. To know that I am not alone. To understand that the longing for raw vegetables. To have well meaning friends and family telling you if you'd only eat this, or do this. Yet nothing works. Heck would try cow dung if it was shown just in this slightest to help cure me. Watch stuff on Oprah on how to be healthy, and know I can't do these particular things (okay if I want to live in a hospital I could try just a day full of greens...not sure how healthy that would be...heck even oatmeal is difficult at times). Though it may be depression (who wouldn't be), I am glad to know that I am not alone. I only wish to give you a hug. this site has helped so much. I wish for you nothing but the best...sometmes ya just gotta cry....
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