Anxiety, Meds not working, I'm at my wits end!

I have been flaring for 6 months. I've been on Imuran for about a year and a half and it's not doing much. I just got off prednisone and was doing great for a week. I'm not bleeding very much and I go 3-5 times in the morning and then nothing for most the rest of the day (I still feel like I have to go though). I can't go anywhere because once I hop in the car I have huge urgency issues even though I don't really have to go. All I can think about in the car is where the next restroom is and how bad I have to go. Is any one on anxiety meds for UC and does it help? I have an appointment with my GI to talk to him because I need to be able to drive back to school in Jan.

Also, before trying Imuran the only med. I tried was Asacol. We discovered that I was better when I was off it so the GI decided that I couldn't handle any medicines like it. He acts like my only option left is Remicade, but I don't think I'm ready for that. Is it possible that Asacol didn't work for me but some of the meds. like it could? 

Thanks :)

You may want to talk to your PCP about anxiety meds as well. Most GIs won't prescribe them and leave that up to your general/primary doctor. Some people get the added benefit of the anxiety meds slowing down their colons a bit...

Kali - just a note to tell you that anxiety drugs have helped me a lot.  Not sure if they help my colon "behave" better but sure helps me to deal with going out, etc.  Sounds like my situation is about like yours (even though I am old enough to be your grandmother).  I have 2 to 4 BM's mornings only - little blood and cramping which is getting better.  But, I still get very anxious about going out where I may not find a bathroom when I need it. 

Talk to your primary care doc and explain why and what you need help with.

Colazal and Proctofoam seems to be getting  my UC under control and I am very sensitive to medications of any kind.

ElaineNY

I take klopoin for my anxiety and its as needed and it works great for me. Talk to your doc about that and see what he says. I'm they type that take alot of meds. Hope this helps and I hope you get out of your flare soon :)

Kali...tell me again why you're not on any rectal meds? If your doc doesn't think you should do any 5ASA meds, consider predfoam or whatever other rectal foam enemas are available.

q

I use Buspirone ( BuSpar ) is an Antianxiety agent, used primarily for relief of mild to moderate anxiety and nervous tension. This drug is useful in treating the elderly,alcoholics,or people that have a history of addiction.Alcohol does not interact in a dangerous manner with Buspirone( BuSpar ) and Buspirone ( BuSpar ) may be useful in reducing alcohol craving. This drug is also useful in the treatment of aggression in developmentally disabled persons over 18 or self-injurious behaviors.Buspirone( BuSpar ) may also be useful in treating hyperactivity in the autistic and may decrease the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder ( OCD. ) It may also help in people with aches,cramps,fatigue,pains,PMS,or sexual dysfunction do to generalized anxiety disorder.Buspirone( BuSpar ) may help decrease the urge for nicotine.Buspirone ( BuSpar ) is not habit-forming.Buspirone ( BuSpar ) is not a benzodiazepine.Buspirone HCL is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or the short-term relief of anxiety. It is the generic form of BuSpar.
The mechanism of action of BUSPAR is not clearly known. BUSPAR differs from typical benzodiazepines like Vallium or Xanax anti-anxiety medication in that it does not exert anti-seizure or muscle relaxant effects. It also lacks the prominent sedative effect that is associated with benzodiazepines

In vitro studies have shown that BUSPAR has a high affinity for serotonin receptors (receptors in the brain that mediate arousal). BUSPAR has no significant affinity for benzodiazepine receptors in the brain.

Before you start getting crazy with the meds out there, you should address your anxiety issues naturally. I've also noticed that as I get in tight spaces (cars, movie theaters, places w/o public restrooms, etc.) I begin to sweat and my stomach tightens. Its the natural body's response to fight or flight and you are ramping up your nervous system for such an encounter. I've been in your shoes quite often and i've noticed that the mind can play horrible tricks on a person with UC. It's like when your hands are dirty and your nose itches, the body can be quite a trickster. I've noticed a remarkable decrease in stress when I drink chammomile tea in the evening before bed, or in the daytime for that matter. Sometimes I brew a large batch and drink it throughout the day on those particularly sttressful days. Skullcap and valerian root are useful too. There are many teas and mental techniques to lower your anxiety without resorting to medications. Always check with your doc before making any decisive moves with herbs due to drug interactions, etc. A quick search of relaxing herbs should prove useful. A technique I use when I start to freak out with stomach pressure and anxiety of not being around a bathroom is to concentrate on your abdomen. Tell yourself everything is ok and imagine a wave of cold water flushing from the top of your abdomen down and out through your thighs. Accompany this with a long inward breath through your nose (let it expand your abdomen) and expel the air through your mouth. Do this until relief is noticed, trust me it works! I learned this technique in martial arts and have adapted it to cooling down my pangs. Moral of the story: The mind can be very powerful good or bad on a patient with UC.