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Posted 3/23/2008 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
My uncle in law thinks I ought to go on some valium derived med (sorry- I forgot the name) for anxiety. I know alot of my flares are caused by anxiety and I tend to hold my anxiety in my gut, as I'm sure many of us do. As I get older and my life more complex (two kids, not a lot of money, a morgage, etc) I get more flare ups.
In some ways it comes down to the question of what causes the Colitis. But I just don't know if I want to medicate my brain quite yet.
Have any of you had any results- positive or negative, with going on something like this?
thanks
Posted 3/23/2008 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...I've taken ativan and have recently taken clonazepam... .25mg. I also take Effexor XR..75mg for depression. Neither are for my UC, however.

If you're flaring..what meds are you on at this time?

You should start using the rectal meds...Rowasa enemas once at nighttime...to get your flare under control and then to taper to find a maintenance dosage.

Stress doesn't cause UC...but being is a distressed state can cause us to not think of using our medications during those times.

Here's the biggie....do you have enough help at home?  Do you do everything or are you able to delegate some responsibility to your husband..family..friends..etc?

quincy

Posted 3/23/2008 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Is your uncle-in-law a doctor? Whatever-- it's rather typical of males to think that women who are stressed (have anxiety) can immediately solve every problem by swallowing Valium. No matter that they can eventually become dependent on it. I say: "Baloney!" The better way is to think about & identify sources of stress in your life, then consider what you can do to reduce or eliminate them. Can you do something restful or pleasant that doesn't cost much at least for an hour or two every week? (With or w/o kids in tow.) This is a classic problem even for totally healthy mothers of young children-- so you are not alone, though it may seem that way as you deal with daily chores. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily for maintenance of remission)
Posted 3/24/2008 1:44 AM (GMT 0)

I am a 33 year old guy...have had UC for almost 14 years.  I feel that the disease causes a social anxiety that worsens with time.  I have taken them all - xanax, lorazepam (ativan), and anti depressants - paxil, effexor, effexor xr, and zoloft...  For some time my wife and I were trying to get pregnant so I got off all of them...well, our attempts were successful, so I am getting back on things.  I am taking ativan for anxiety, and am going to get back on an anti-depressant for a more long-term solution.

Honestly I feel these things help part of the puzzle...they help put a break in the cycle in some people and the disease is less likely to cause its own anxiety.  Paxil, effexor, and ativan have all helped me.  Paxil was a bit harsh - i.e. I lost all urgencies to accomplish things - like paying the bills...didnt work out so well but it did help me feel more calm.  Effexor was effective (no pun intended) as well, and didnt make me into a zombie as much.  Ativan is a great quick fix, helps me sleep, but can be addictive....

I am also probably going to now head down the road of Remicade.  Ever since my brain surgery (looong story), and my dog dieing (saaad story), I have had a wicked flare that will not stop even with pred....

Posted 3/24/2008 1:55 AM (GMT 0)

I have been on Zoloft for 12 years.  I also take Xanax as needed to help calm my gut when I go into uncomfortable social situations.  My gut and my brain are in cahoots together to make me suffer.

BumTum

Posted 3/24/2008 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
For chronic anxiety the standard of care is antidepressants in combination with individual therapy (also in our managed care society most, if any, health insurance co. do not pay for on-going therapy). Be cautious of anti-anxiety medications: Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, etc. they work in the short term, but dosage needs to be increased to reach the same effect and addiction is very common. Withdrawl is brutal and potentially life threatening, needing medical supervision. I also recommend consulting with a psychiatrist before going on any psychiatric medications--I know general practioners can and do fill psych meds (but there is a reason we go to a GI MD to treat UC and not a pediatrist).
Posted 3/24/2008 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Agreed...anti depressant withdrawal is very harsh!
Posted 3/24/2008 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
no- my Uncle in-law is not a doctor. He's on it himself-but in a self dosed kinda way. Thanks for the comments- sounds like it wouldn't be worth going down this path unless I really have to. My husbands a great helper but starting a financial buisness so busy busy. Just gotta get to the point when my boys arn't so young-in school-then maybe I can try Yoga or something instead!
Thanks
Posted 3/24/2008 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on a very low dose of Zoloft for about three years. It made a world of difference for me. My issue was not anxiety but depression, however for many the two go hand in hand.
Posted 3/25/2008 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I have Xanax for times when I am feeling anxious. I think it's the Prednisone that makes me feel that way. I don't take it often, but when I do find myself getting very anxious for no reason they really do help quickly. They also help when I cannot sleep. If you have a good doctor he or she will monitor your use and be careful about giving you excessive refills so you don't get addicted.
Posted 3/25/2008 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
I have trouble sleeping from the prednisone (and the flare in general) and I take 1/2 a 0.25 mg Xanax at night to sleep. I also have recently been put on Lexapro 10mg per day for anxiety. I used to think I didn't have an issue with anxiety and now I believe I do. I get all worked up about the UC and take the pred and then don't sleep and get all depleted and then that rolls into anxiety. Go figure. I do think that these things have helped me to not feel so emotional and so up and down as you feel on the pred.

Becky
Posted 3/25/2008 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

  Just wanted to share my story.. I have been taking Effexor 37.5 for anxiety for 3 years now. I gained about 30 lbs the first 6 months after going on it and now that I want to get off of it, the withdrawl side effects are so bad that I had to go back on it since I couldn't handle them.. . I tried tapering and it was too hard for me, so now I'm forced to take a pill every day that I don't want to take just so I can get by until I figure out a better way to get off this med....  If you are truly having anxiety and need to take something, try and do it for as short a time as you can and at the lowest dose you can... Getting off antidepressants is verrrrrrrrrrrrrry difficult.  Good luck!

Posted 3/25/2008 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
susiebuddy, Is your Dr. helping you to get off this drug? If not contact him/her. I was on Paxil for years and tried 3 times to get off it on my own by tapering, got down to like 5mg...could NOT do it and had to go back up to 20mg...with a 10lb weight gain EVERY time I went back up. Saw my dr. and told him I HAD to get off it. he put me on Welbutrin low dose and started tapering the paxil. Within two months I was off Paxil...but on welbutrin...At least Welbutrin helps you lose weight!! Lost 25lbs within the first 6 months!! Was not hungry and craving like I was on Paxil. Could not figure out why I could workout 1 hour 45 minutes 6 days a week and not lose. Also eating healthy...well as much as can with cravings. :-)
Now I am down 35 lbs. But gaining a little with the pred.
my advice is see your dr.
jan
Posted 3/25/2008 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
They put me on anti-anxiety meds back when I had an IBS diagnosis. Never helped the gut problems and made me a walking zombie in combination with anti-spasmodics. I even fell down the stairs at my house. No thanks. Meditation and yoga were more helpful to me in managing stress - and taking a hard look at things you need to change in your life as Old Hat mentioned.
Posted 3/25/2008 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
I take ativan as needed for anxiety. I don't get them thru the GI; I get them thru my gp. I get 12 pills per year and never go thru all of them. It just helps knowing they are there if I need them.

Lots of people with UC have symptoms that get worse with stress. For me, exercising, holding my breath, chanting, whatever...didn't help. In fact pushing my body harder made my symptoms worse. So some of us do need that med crutch. I guess that's just one more issue where all us UC'ers are so different. Talk to your real doctor about all your questions and concerns and see if this is a good alternative for you or if it isn't. I think you will feel more comfortable about this whole thing after you have that discussion.
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