How much does stress effect your colitis?

Stress affects my IBS but never my UC. For example...I'm in a stressful situation...I immediately run to the bathroom w/ D. No other symptoms and after that event it is usually over.

hmmmm, that's interesting and makes sense. I don't have the D. The stools are firm. Makes me think I need to call GI nurse tomorrow and let them know. I had some cramps tonight, too.

added:  Honestly, I agree that if stress caused UC, everyone would have it. 
However, for those of us who do have it, I tend to believe our immune system doesn't function properly whereas others have properly functioning immune systems. 

I want to find a reason for the bleeding and not have to hear I'm not getting better. Guess I always go through this reasoning before calling the GI nurse to "report" that there is more bleeding, etc.  Uuuggghhh! 

I would say you're in a perpetual flare and because you sporatically treat with canasa supps, it's just barely keeping some of the symptoms at bay. Remember, bleeding doesn't only mean flaring. Your symptoms, if low in the rectum, will give you less obvious symptoms than if higher in the rectum and above.

You really would be better off to stay on the Canasa for at least a few weeks...maybe even twice a day and then start to taper.

Regarding stress and flares....I do find that when on maintenance meds...if my stress/anxiety levels are of a deep disturbing and helpless nature...I might start to experience some symptoms (but I do also have IBS...). But, it wouldn't mean I wouldn't see them without the stressful situation....I just might ignore it more when distressed than when I'm not. Sometimes the adrenaline bursts will mask symptoms or keep them at bay somewhat....I tend to have the symptoms in the calm after the storm rather than during.

I would suggest you find more consistency in treating your symptoms and taper to actual maintenance rather than sporatic use of the Canasa.

quincy

For me, when I am really stressed out about a week later I get stabbing stomach cramps, no fail. does not affect my uc but I get really bad stomach cramps and I wonder why am I getting them and then I remember oooh about a week ago I was really stressed out. I have no clue why is a week later.

My UC does afffect my stress level.

I've thought the same as Quincy and Red 34 - I had a very stressful 14 yr. marriage, got divorced and after meeting a wonderful man developed UC while we were on our honeymoon in Bermuda. Go figure. I had no idea what was going on till I got home and was diagnosed. Now stress seems to aggreviate things and it's like a vicious cycle - for instance, I finally got my doc to agree to give me a script for Cortifoam today and now I can't find a pharmacy that has it in stock!!!! Guess I'll be able to start it tomorrow night but it's always something. That's where my breathing exercises and meditation come in - lots of prayers too. That all calms me down and then I add an occasional Xantax.

I'm a believer in extended bad stressful situations can bring a flare on because heck, stress can play a number on anyone's body even a healthy person. But I'm not so sure about the good kind of stress or anticipation "stress". I know that when I'm excited, I do go to the bathroom more but then I'm fine once I'm in a fun situation. It's the anticipation that stirs things up.

As for the Canasa - the proper treatment time and dosing (this can vary depending on flare severity) is to use one canasa at night for 6-8 weeks and taper. This is not to be used as an on the spot treatment but more of long term treatment to help control the symptoms. Once the symptoms are under control, then it can be tapered or stopped. However, my GI has told me once that he has some patients that have to use them every night and have been on them for years because they need the rectal med to control their symptoms. I am assuming that he is talking about his patients that have UP though.

Don't worry though, I've had this DD for 16 years now and there are times that I felt I knew my body only for it to turn around and surprise me!

Hi Mellie,

No I have not heard of pyoderma gangrenum from IBD, is that a symptom of another disease or a disease in itself? The reason I ask is because I developed a kidney disease called Minimal Change Disease from taking 5ASA drugs such as sulfasalazine and a side effect of the kidney disease is edema. I would have the proteins in your urine checked just to make sure.

My UC may not have caused my UC, but it's definetely a trigger. I keep a diary and sure enough, when I flare (or have flare like symptoms), it's very soon after something stressful. I keep track of foods I eat, times and volumes when I go, etc.

I think chronic stress and anxiety has an impact on the emergence of UC. This is my opinion. Stress over time wreaks havoc on the body and manifests in different ways. Since I have been dx with UC over 10 years ago I have spent a lot of time root causing my behavior in regards to stress etc. It has helped a lot. Investing time and mental energy with a good mental health professional is very beneficial.

Stress has definitely been a factor in n=my husband's flares. Looking back over his disease, there is a pattern of stressful times followed by bad flares. Over the years they (the flares) got worse, with a humdinger of a stressful situation putting him into a bad flare about a year ago, eventually leading to his surgery last month. Thankfully, workers comp actually accepted the claim of it being work-related, and have so far covered all medical costs related to it.

Stress affects my IBS for sure - I feel every fear or shock from having to hurry or being in a conflict, right in my bowel, a physical cramp immediately. This condition has made me a conflict avoider for sure.

I do not know what canasa is. What is it?

I am not expert and am bewildered by my uc upsets. I read somewhere long ago (an herbal book I think) that uc is caused more by distress than stress. I always believed in that (but am open), as I have a super stressful life for many years...but it seems when I feel overrun...or screwed, or displaced...for example recently I and daughters school made a report to CPS regarding her father. Now, I have a almost 9 year old with this man, saw him for 3 years before birth, for better or for worse, its a sad story but has been nothing but traumatic and stressful from day one. The early part of daughters life I had several flareups. I love parenting, but was getting taken to court on a regular basis until around 2 years ago. Relationship is not good with father, and daughters relationship has been tenuous with him...but I live with it because I have too...major stress...no flareups for 5 years. After the call to CPS, and my just deep seated fears around whats in the future, knowing CPS prob wouldn't do much....I flared...it was - as I considered it - below the belt stress...across the board....too much for me to handle...alas, I bled.

So far I have not been diagnosed with IBS...so I wonder if strictly with uc, if its distress, I would love to hear others feelings/experiences around this idea.

Insofar as accupuncture, I would love to hear more about this...did you have specific points or diagrahms you showed to the accupuncturist? I agree they need to know what they are doing, but I would like to consider that and hear more about your story...I realize I may be totally hijacking a thread and hope I am not...just trying to help and learn, but sorry if I am.