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THE STRESS/ANXIETY FACTOR

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/14/2009 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
I am sure this has been discussed here, or at least I would think maybe...anyway. I am heading to my NEW GI this coming Monday. It has been a few years, or at least a couple as i was without insurance for awhile. I plan on talking about a few items and planning a colonoscopy...one area that I want to address is stress. I tend to get very anxious and uptight sometimes. This morning, after a rough night at work last night ( I work the graveyard shift, which doesn't help with ANY health issue) I was stressed about some domestic things. I get really crazy and things can really bother me, SO, I just had to "lecture" my spouse again and went on and on and on...no I'm not happy about this, I even get depressed about it afterward, and KNOW that I'm going to be regretful, but I cannot calm myself AT ALL. My issues are not big by comparison if I look at others, But my issues/stressors are as REAL as anybody else's. After this I headed off to work with a colon that has been misfiring and flaring for a little while, and passed the local rest area thinking I would be fine...2 miles later I crap my pants!! 10 second warning and BAMM!!! MY POINT: anyone here have anxiety issues that you feel are linked directly to your UC? Not causal perhaps but at least attributable in making things worse? I believe that in my experience foods and stress are BIG factors in UC...I am considering looking for a MED that will help me with the anxiety BS!! Will my GI prescribe an antianxiety med ? or will I have to see a pysch doc? Which antianxiety meds have "we" had success with? I HATE IT! IT IS PATHETIC HOW WRONG I AM WHEN I ACT THIS WAY!!! My wife is the best and she doesn't need my BS any more, nor do my kids, although my points of concern are valid-they do need to be addressed but it doesn't require a raging bull. I need to pray for one thing, though all of this gets so discouraging sometimes that I just feel alone and need to tough it out...Long story short HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Deacon Blues
Posted 4/14/2009 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
It can never hurt to talk to your dr about anything. If anything, with your situation, maybe he'l refer you to a therapist to work on controling the axiety. As for me, yes, stress/anxiety are HUGE triggers. Even when I am almost at remission, just one argument with my boyfriend will have me running to the bathroom. It's crazy.
Posted 4/14/2009 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know that this will make you feel better but I think anxiety is something a lot of people probably have with Colitis. It is something I feel I have to fight myself. This darn disease you can't seem to get rid of completely it interferes with every aspect of a persons life because you always have to worry about crapping yourself. I don't think people who don't have Colitis can't really understand how much it sucks. Having to watch what you eat, or worry about being able to make a long trip anywhere, or getting a tiny little stress sets it off, it drives a person crazy.
Posted 4/14/2009 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
I kow where you're coming from. First I'd suggest you give yourself a break. You're trying to belittle your problems, maybe because you feel you're not getting the support from others you feel you need, yet hate yourself for being "needy". Life is crap when you're not in control!
When I feel myself getting uptight like that, I say to myself "stop!", give myself a couple of minutes to acknowledge what's wrong, work out if there's anything I can do about it. If the answer's nothing, I get on with doing something I can succeed in (clean the sink, cooker, do a bit of filing, set up a spreadsheet, update my task lisk in Outlook - anything that will distract me, but achieve a positive outcome). Talking to someone can work, too, but they might not be on the same wavelength, and a negative response can just make me feel even worse!
Well, enough of the amateur psychology - you're well on your way to taking responsibility for the way you're reacting to stress. I thing going to see a counsellor for some useful techniques on helping to manage some of the "negative" thoughts, and re-directing them with a positive outcome would be great. Let me know if you find any good "tricks" or techniques - would help me out, too, I'm sure.
Posted 4/14/2009 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Since your anxiety is causing problems in your daily life, it might not hurt to seek counseling to help you deal with it. Also, a counselor may recommend you be placed on a mild anti-anxiety medication. It could end up helping both your colon and your marriage.
Posted 4/14/2009 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
The anxiety/depression was just as bad as having to deal with the IBD itself...been there and it sucked rocks, but I found the omegas 3-6-9 (and have recently read, as I posted about, that probiotics have been also found to aid with anxiety, which I also take) as well as exercising regularly have all aided with my anxiety and depression that I battled with thanks to horrid IBD. I no longer feel like I want to just curl up and die...I hope you feel better soon, try the omegas and probiotics (if you're not already) and even just 30 minutes of cardio/exercise 3 days a week and hopefully it will help you as well, it's better than taking another pill if you don't have to.

:)
Posted 4/15/2009 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
pb4 --

Can you say a little more about the omegas 3-6-9 and what you do to make sure you get the proper balance? Thank you!


Deacon Blues --

Yes, I definitely feel that my anxiety is a factory in my UC. Anti-anxiety medicines have helped, but I suspect they may hurt in some ways as well. For example, when I tried to taper off one medication recently, I started a mini-flare. So I couldn't unequivocally recommend them to anyone as an answer. I think other people's suggestions -- talking with a therapist, vigorous exercise, supplements -- are excellent advice. Be easy on yourself; if you're anything like me, you're your own worst critic!

emory
Posted 4/15/2009 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
I buy my omgea 3-6-9 from purtians pride online...

Recent scientific research highlights the importance of getting Omega fatty acids. Fatty acids - Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 – are the “good” fats important for cellular, heart and metabolic health. Many of these fatty acids are essential - meaning your body needs them but cannot make them. TRIPLE OMEGA 3-6-9 contains essential and non-essential fatty acids from flax, fish and borage oils (1200 mg each) plus 50% of your daily value for Vitamin E. This superb formula is one of the best ways to support cardiovascular health. In addition, there is some evidence that Fatty acids, particularly Omega-3, may help support joint and skin health. This product that I take contains 1260 mg of Omega-3, 804 mg of Omega-6, and 456 mg of Omega-9. Serving size: 3 softgels daily with a meal. You can take one or 2 to start instead of 3, everyone varies so feel free to play around with the dosage.

I take one cap daily of Primadophilus Reuteri made by natures way probiotic it has 5 billion CFU's.

:)
Posted 4/15/2009 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
I tried fish oil some time back...it was some cheap stuff and the aftertaste was wretched!!!! I imagine that better stuff, such as you talk about, is probably not conducive to that aftertaste.?.?
DB
Posted 4/15/2009 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Stress is absolutely a contributing factor –at least for my symptoms. I had a major traumatic event happen in my life few years back - loss of a child, UC went out of control! Prednisone provided very little improvement. Only when I was put on Lexapro by my doc for stress, I was able to control my symptoms. I since then stopped taking Lexapro and trying to manage my stress with exercise and hobbies. I try not to let small things in life bother me anymore - think of a bigger picture - your family, friends, all the beautiful things in our world.
Posted 4/15/2009 5:46 PM (GMT 0)

Deacon Blues said...
I tried fish oil some time back...it was some cheap stuff and the aftertaste was wretched!!!! I imagine that better stuff, such as you talk about, is probably not conducive to that aftertaste.?.?
DB

I've never noticed any horrid aftertaste or gotten fishy burps but I do drink alot of water when taking any of my pills and I think that makes a big difference.

:)

Posted 4/15/2009 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
exit 4 I'm so sorry about the loss of your child. You are correct though, stress can most definitely exacerbate symptoms, when I first became sick I was going through a major stressful time for just over a yr then I got sick. In my situation I should have controlled my emotions better (cuz what I was upset/stressed about wasn't worth risking my health) of course in your situation it's much different and there's no such thing as controlling how you'd deal with something so awful and heart breaking, so sorry.

:)
Posted 4/15/2009 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
exit 4, sorry as well...can't imagine anything more difficult than that! If I could only stay in the mode of "counting my blessings" I would be much better. I am so driven and critical of myself I think I drive myself crazy sometimes...
Working the over night shift for me is VERY tough...my body gets wore out fast. I have just started working at the local hospital as a nurse assistant and am entering the RN program in August. I have never liked night shift, but it is my ticket to benefits for my family and a full time job right now...
Posted 4/15/2009 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Deacon Blues In my opinion - Control is the key here – you can only TRY to control yourself; unfortunately, you have no control over anything else or anyone else in this life… What helps me control my emotions is this saying : God (or any force, believe or ism you believe in) grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Posted 4/15/2009 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Deacon Blues.....therapy or counselling in learning how to deal with our anger can really be a lifesaver.

Dealing with chronic illness can easily encourage us to become the only "issues" in our family...it is not...but it makes it more difficult to see the whole picture and how it affects those we live with. It couldn't be a walk in the park for them either considering their concern and worry for our well-being. Seeing a loved one suffer has its own set of grief and adjustment.

I can relate to giving the lecture....it sucks, and an apology goes a long way. I think we must be aware of what at we say, how we blame and how hurtful we become during the said lecture. If we're encouraging communication....communicating respectfully on a continual basis helps instead of saving it for a disrespectful lecture (my example).

Do definitely discuss it with your doctor, but rather than leaving it up to medications to ease your anxiety, do ask for a referral to learn how to get things in perspective.

quincy
Posted 4/15/2009 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
exit4...my deepest condolences in the death of your child. I can only imagine the agony of it.

quincy
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