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Chrohns and Anxiety

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/16/2008 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hey All,

I've noticed that when my Chrohns acts up, like when I get major spasms in my stomach area, sometimes it makes me very tense and then I start to get what feels like a panic attack. Does that happen to any of you? Like, I can hardly think, and I have to do something kind of mindless in order to relax my stomach enough to let the spasms happen without freaking me out and I feel it everywhere in my body. Usually at the same time of relief from my cloudy head ect, I have to urgently go to the bathroom. Have you ever had this? What do you do about it?
Posted 9/16/2008 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
It may sound silly, but I have a "mental exercise" I try to do anytime I'm freaking out like that. If I'm having a cold-sweat/can't think straight kind of moment, I mentally inventory my surroundings. For example, if I start feeling that way in the car, I just look around me and inventory things until it passes or until I get to a bathroom - I'll just look around me and start rattling off one word descriptors like -window, -door handle, gas station, stoplight, sidewalk, grass, etc. and I'll keep going until I come out the other side. Naming objects and smells gives me something to concentrate on instead of freaking out about the fact that my BODY is freaking out.

I don't know if that will help you, but it might be worth a try.
Posted 9/16/2008 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
YES most definetly anxiety plays a big part with Crohns. Since I have finally recognized my anxiety I am now able to stop it in its tracks and avoid the bad 3-4 days I use to have. As soon as I feel it ramping up I will take my Xanax (lowest dose available) and within about 45 minutes I start feeling better. I find that when I am worried or stressed this will happen. Right away I become nauseous and the D starts. But like I said, I am now able to recognize it and stop it right quick. Hope that helps.

P.S. I only have this happen maybe once or twice a month.
Posted 9/16/2008 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Yes! Panic attacks are extreme when nausea turns into vomiting and pain gets severe. I start having panic attacks so bad my blood pressure goes from upper 90s to 160 (top number). My head and hands start shaking and my mind starts racing. I keep my anti-panic pills (Xanax) for these occasions. Don't use them unless I must... that way I have them when needed.

I start a new job tomorrow and have been in mild flare with nausea/vomiting and pain ranging from 7 - 9 off an on for a few weeks. I am so nervous!! Not sleeping... that's another side affect of panic for me. I seem unable to step out of my head and sleep. Hoping to be able to put a smile on and show new employer that I am a work horse before telling her I have crohn's.

Hang in there. You are not alone. :)
Posted 9/16/2008 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Anxiety is my middle name. I am in a constant state of worry about something. I KNOW this affects my crohn's disease, but I just can't help it. Of course, these days it is not nearly as bad thanks to modern medicine and a 12 step program :-)
Posted 9/16/2008 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, thanks for all the great response guys! I do something similar to the mental exercise one of you guys mentioned above. Do you guys ever get constipated as a result of the anxiety or does anyone take a anti-depressant/anti-anxiety drug that helps besides xanax or klonopin? I have tried a couple but they all have made me either feel very tired or very empty inside so I stopped taking them.
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