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Posted 7/12/2009 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Is anyone else incredibly stressed out?

I feel like I am always worried about getting worse and worried about the future. The past few days my Colitis has been acting up a bit and i've been feeling unbelievably tired and having some extra cramping and trips to the bathroom, not a flare but something that seemed like the beginning of a flare and it made me feel so depressed and stressed out, I think I made myself worse. I did use my Canasa more often and it seems to have helped but I am not confident I will get better, I could get worse and that makes me literally want to throw up. I was eating terribly unhealthy, all kinds of chips and crackers, sodas, beer, things I don't normally eat and it possibly taxed my system to the point of having loose stool and gas(tmi).

Without insurance I am scared what will happen to me if my Colitis acts up and I need more serious treatment. It's very hard for me to focus on positive things and personal growth when I am worried about my health failing.

Posted 7/13/2009 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I dunno man, try to chill or put a stop to what's stressing you, I guess. Bully yourself into eating right. I'm trying to. I think I'm in sort of the same situation you are. I'm trying to take my own advice XD Sorry I couldn't give a better answer.
Posted 7/13/2009 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
I can completely understand. When things are good and the UC is under control, I feel on top of the world, but all it takes is one bad day, and my mind is spiraling out of control about all of the "what ifs". If I had my old insurance that didn't cover much, I would be even more stressed, so I can only imagine going through this without insurance.

I wish I had answers, but all I can do is commiserate. I am having some problems-nothing major, but a little bit-and it just really gets me stressed. What if I can't get this back under control? What if things get worse again? What if, what if, what if??? I know the stress is bad for me, but I just can't seem to keep my mind from going to the worst places!

I'm right there with you...
Posted 7/13/2009 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
I am right there with you. I have been in a flare for about 6 weeks and cannot seem to get it under control. I do not do well with medication and I am worried when I go back to the doc I will have to go on something else. I am trying a new diet but that does not seem to be helping either. Though I am sure it will take a while. I go to the bathroom and think the bleeding is starting to come under control and bingo......it is bright red again. I have been on vacation and now I have to go back to work tomorrow and wonder how I will manage. My work is very stressful so that does not help either. I feel for you because I think we all know what you are going through. I wish you well.
Posted 7/13/2009 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Supa, I totally agree with you on the one day thing. When I noticed my bleeding in the middle of June, I started to get a bit paranoid. But half the time I get paranoid, half the time I'm just about my business. Having a hard time being conscious about my eating though.
Posted 7/13/2009 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi notsosickly,

I read your posting last night. My immediate response was to tell you not to worry ...but how helpful is that? I've been a worrier too, mostly regarding a long history of cystic acne...but that's something else. Anyhow, when I was walking my child to her program this morning it occurred to me that you may really benefit from some good reading.

I would like to recommend the book "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louis Hay. It's a quick and easy read and it has really helped me with stress and the "what -if's". She talks a lot about disease and the minds ability to heal and stay in the moment. She is well noted in the self-help field and reference to her work is often found in other sources. I've read her a book a few times now and sometimes I'll pick it up and read any page at random. Her writing - the way she speaks, really helps me.

I understand your worry. It can take over your every thought. The good thing tho' is that once you discover a new way of thinking all of that worry will be under control and you will feel lighter and better with less energy tied up in worrying.

Uni-g
Posted 7/13/2009 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, that should be Lousie Hay (not Louis)
Posted 7/13/2009 3:00 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you for the advice and support.

I am in the middle of a move but afterwards I will definitely check out "you can heal your life". might be good for me.

I have cystic acne too. Right now I have a few and I feel down about it. It is also painful.

Posted 7/13/2009 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
moving.....very high on the stress scale. Make sure you take your meds religiously...I would also encourage you to enquire about the retention enemas.

Yes, I'm a broken record on that issue.

q
Posted 7/13/2009 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
I have read conflicting medical opinions about the connection between stress and UC so I am not confident that the medical community knows or agrees upon the relationship between the two.  I do know from my personal experience though that stress (and over worrying) makes my symptoms worse.  It is a very vicious cycle because I too worry and stress out about the very fact that I have UC.  I have been trying to find more ways and outlets to minimize stress and worrying...I think it is important to just live each day at a time and to find stress reducing techniques that work for you.  Otherwise, the very act of worrying might make your flares worse...I know this is all WAY easier said than done...
Posted 7/14/2009 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
"Stress" is the doctors' way of blaming the patient.

I had colitis for twenty years.  I threw away the meds 17 years ago.  I became gradually better through whole, real foods and supplements.  I have been completely cured for 1 1/2 years.

Real food.  Supplements and probiotics.  One cup of water with one pear and one apple, skin on, in the blender every morning.

NO DRUGS.

Age 50.  Colitis caused by doctors in 1988.

Diagnosed 1990.  Lots of drugs for 3 years - of no help and detremental to my general health. 

Cured April 2008.

Posted 7/14/2009 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Back 18 yrs ago when I first got sick with crohn's (crohn's colitis specifically, although at the time it was also affecting other areas as well) I had a very awesome and knowledgable colon and rectom surgeon that told me to keep my life as stress-free as possible (mainly learning to deal with stress better since getting easily upset over things could very well aggrivate my condition) he also told me waaaaay back then that he wouldn't ever suggest that I quit smoking (he already knew then that there was relief for the colon from smoking according to what were early studies back then on the topic) even though it wasn't healthy overall he said if it were him he'd do whatever it took to feel better and try and keep the disease under as much control as possible. Stress certainly does play a role in exacerbating symptoms of IBD. Bottom line, considering they knew a little less about IBD back 18 yrs ago, he was bang on with the info above that he gave me.

:)
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