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Sadness and possible Depression - linked to Crohn's or just the blahs?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 4/4/2013 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
I have Crohn's (dx 2006) and haven't had a flare in a few years now (knock on wood). I feel normal in terms of my stomach, BM, no pain, all the "interesting"stuff that goes along with Crohn's so am feeling very lucky about that. I take Humira shots every other week and that has been helping, along with a mostly vegan diet and trying to do as many holistic things to help as well (lemon water, flower essences, tons of dark leafy greens, making sure my body is less acidic and more alkaline, etc) All the other things that I should be doing have fallen off (running, yoga, meditation, additional supplements, etc)
I have been feeling extreme sadness and loss of hope lately - I think a lot of it is due to my job, I have a stressful sales job (although I am sensitive to the fact that everyone's job is stressful in one way or another, this is an environment of Type-A men who micromanage people into exceeding their sales quotas). I have been doing well but its because I have been over working and not taking time for myself - when I am at home on the weekends I have been mainly sleeping most of the time, which I know isn't healthy. I cry a lot, either when I get into my car, or when I walk into the door (maybe places I finally feel safe and alone) and I know this is bad for me.
I can't tell if it's my personality or my job or my overall situation or my Crohn's - I obviously know these are questions for the therapist I should be seeing :) but just wanted to see if there was anyone else who had Crohn's who was in remission but felt like their sadness and occasional despair was linked to this somehow. I just don't have the energy or the motivation to do a lot of the things I used to and am trying to figure out if I should force myself to start running again, re-start my yoga practice, be more active, etc and hope that helps with my energy levels.
I guess I'm just looking to see if anyone has experienced anything similar. Any ideas are appreciated!! :)
Posted 4/4/2013 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes stress and sadness is our body's way of telling us that it is time to make a change. Maybe it is time to look at your career and decide if it is really right for you, or if you should think about a career change to something that is more fulfilling and less stressful. Do you have a history of depression? You may need to consider seeing your primary care doctor and trying antidepressants and therapy. There have been some newer studies out (sorry I don't have the source) that indicate that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily works as well as SSRI's (antidepressant medication) for mild depression. I know when you are feeling down, it is hard to motivate yourself to exercise, but if you can get yourself to get started, you may be glad that you did. I'm glad to hear your Crohn's is in remission....are you finding yourself worrying about getting sick a lot? For me, I had to go through a grief process and let go of the healthy person I used to be, and accept myself with a chronic illness. I still struggle with it, especially when I am in a flare, but I try to make the most out of my healthy times and have learned to give in and slow down when I am really not feeling well. How much Xanax are you taking? I only take it at night if I am in pain or can't sleep, but I have noticed that if I take it too many days in a row it is too sedating and I end out feeling blue, and I only take .25 mg, a small dose. I think yoga would be a great idea for you too! It's good you are talking about it here....that's the first step to acknowledging your feelings and doing something about it!
Posted 4/5/2013 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Here's a link to one of the depression studies: http://today.duke.edu/2000/09/exercise922.html
Posted 4/5/2013 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Have you had your blood levels checked recently? Maybe low vitamin B or D?
Posted 4/5/2013 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your responses! I actually take Klonopin to be exact, I just updated my signature - can that cause the blues feeling? I started taking it when I had my first flare because of a crippling anxiety to go into public and be stuck not near a bathroom - now I take it because of stress, etc and it does seem to help and I am also a naturally very sensitive person but this whole crying at the drop of a hat is not working for me. I know I have a lot going on but still.
Gumby, you are DEFINITELY right about the exercise bit; when i am running I feel better and sleep better (sleep and insomnia these days=whole other thread) and yoga helps center me but I have let me schedule get out of control where work dictates my day and life instead of the other way around. (wow, the things you realize when you write them out loud on the Internet :) )
My Dr joked with me once that being in Sales was so stressful "You're really making that Humira work for you, huh?" It was funny at the time but I'm single and have to support myself so I'd rather have a more stressful job and not have to worry so much about money than have a less stressful lower paying job and worry about money more. I get so nervous that I'll get sick and won't have anyone to take care of me. UGH - definitely finding a therapist this week. :) Thanks everyone :)
Posted 4/5/2013 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
I don't have a chronic illness, my husband does. I think I was way more depressed than he was when he was diagnosed with crohns. I had so much anxiety and was so depressed that at one point, he had to hide all the knives in the house and wouldn't let me drive. My mother came from india to stay with me to help me. I got on some anti depressants and it helped me tremendously to get out of the deep well of despair that I was dwelling in.

Once the anti depressants did their thing, I was able to start exercising and slowly got off the anti depressants. I definitely find myself in a better frame of mind when I exercise. Unfortunately there are times when just exercise doesn't cut it - I have at times had to go back to taking anti depressants to help me climb out of the well again. I now recognize when I am getting down and start taking medicinal help.

Also, sleep is very very important to stay in a healthy frame of mind. I too have a stressful job, and between my worry about life, and my work, I lose a lot of sleep. When this happens, I find myself way more emotional and despairing than when I sleep well. If I find myself anxiety ridden to the point where I can't sleep, I take a small dose of Xanax, and it helps me sleep.

I hope there was something in my ramble that helped you. Don't hesitate to get on an anti depressant to get you back on solid ground again.

Hugs,
PV
Posted 4/5/2013 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wednesday,
Klonipin is a good medication to help with anxiety, but yes, it can also be sedating. A good antidepressant may help with the crying and sleep issues and also help your anxiety, so you can get off the Klonipin. I think it makes good sense for you to go see your primary doc to discuss antidepressants and maybe get into therapy too. I get what you are saying about your job. I feel like my husband is kind of trapped in his job because it has such great health insurance and I need it! I feel guilty about that, but it is our reality right now. Take good care, and let us know how you are doing!
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