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UC and its connection to stress

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/2/2009 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Many believe that Ulcerative colitis and stress has some sort of connection, even there are possible pathways mentioned but its not proved black and white yet. I wonder how many of you believe that your UC has connection to stress levels in your life?

For example, my mom had a very clear connection. When my parents had family issues, both were under tremendous stress and my mother's condition resulted in UC, worse 4 years of her life as GP could not diagnose her symtoms and kept giving her medication for stomach infections, acidity etc for 3 years before referring to a specialist. My mom took Pred course only once and Salazopyrine (oral) for about a year and then stopped. Her stress level reduced significantly during that period. Now, its more than 10 years, she is off all medication for UC and no UC /GI symptoms yet (except eye getting swollen up since last 3 years)

I am aware of the fact that majority of posters here are on medication but if you look back years when UC was diagnosed or couple of years before that, what was your stress level? Can you make any 'very rough unscientific claim'?
Posted 9/2/2009 3:02 PM (GMT 0)

The summer I got diagnosed was after a couple months where everything went wrong that could.

I had a storm rip a giant tree down in my yard and through my neighbours costing me $3000.

I had my dog drink antifreeze from my neighbours yard mistakenly, costing $400 and a scary weekend.

I had my car of 2 years which I still owed $5000 just die...no explanation, just stopped running and after putting an additional $1500 trying to fix it, had to give up, replace it and keep the cost.

Had dampness and small amounts of water come in both my basement and chimney - almost all fixed up.

Got into a car accident after a girl ran a red light and side swiped me, thankfully just a couple of small cuts and bruises (insurance paid, wasn't at fault).

All of this happened within 6 months - then I went from perfectly healthy to UC - WHAT A YEAR.

Coincidence? dunno..........

Posted 9/2/2009 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
My stress was pretty high in the few weeks before I was diagnosed, as I had a newborn. In the few years before that, though, my stress level was low. I think my UC was triggered by the hormonal craziness that come with pregnancy and childbirth. From what I've read, a whole lot of women who have UC flare after childbirth.
Posted 9/2/2009 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed soon after I got my dream job. During horrible periods of stress I've been very healthy, but I tend to flare like clockwork at the end of summer and in midwinter.

The very healthiest I ever have been was from pregnancy through the breastfeeding stages with my two kids.

OK, I admit it, I'm a weirdo! lol

I am sure that for many stress is a major contributor, but I also think that for others it is not. I don't think stress is a player for the young children who are diagnosed.....
Posted 9/2/2009 3:33 PM (GMT 0)

I do think that stress can trigger UC that has always been dormant to start or trigger a flare in someone who has UC. I think that only happens to those of us who are pre-dispositioned for UC...pregnancy, hormonal changes, illness, and all types of stress seem to be triggers for UC for many people but not for all. I know that when I am really stressed out or working too much I am more likely to have a flare. Like fruitgirl, I was diagnosed a few months after the birth of my daughter. 

 

Posted 9/2/2009 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
I was first diagnosed in 2002 when I was pregnant with my second child. I was also working a very stressful job at the time. After my childs birth I quit that job and worked on getting healthy again. I was in remission for 6 years with a few very minor mild flares( no meds needed). Then this year I have been under alot of stress. The company I was working for was doing cutbacks and my husband's income dropped significantly. I lost my job and lost my house and then a major flare in MAY. Now I have no job and I am renting and medical bills....So yes I think stress does account for some UC issues. Now that I am not working...at least I don't have that stress and I can work on getting healthy again.
Posted 9/2/2009 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
I totally agree that stress is a factor. When I look back, I began having symptoms right after childbirth as well. I was a very nervous first time mother, thinking I was doing everything wrong. about 2 months after my daughter was born, I got the flu and was sick for over 2 weeks. I went on a downward spiral for the next 8 months before I finally went to the doctor and was diagnosed. They put me on a course of pred, and asacol and I went into remission for 15 months.

My second flare started coming on when we moved halfway across the country about a year ago (away from all family and friends), and then it went into full swing after the death of my grandmother this winter (VERY stressful time!). I don't believe that stress is the cause, but it sure doesn't help things at all.

I also find it interesting that a lot of women start having symptoms of UC after childbirth...what is the connection there? Stress, hormones, weakened immune system???
Posted 9/2/2009 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
I agree to, I was diagnosed recently, but when I look back I have had symptoms during my second pregnancy which was unplanned. I had a 4 month old when I found out I was pregnant, we had just moved into our new house which took us 18 months to build and cost us a lot more than we though. Then I found out I was pregnant and we were really worried how we would cope. I got better as the pregnancy progress and I became more relaxed and looked forward to the birth of my second baby. She was born last Sept, and I was fine as I breast fed her and had no UC related problems. I finished feeding her and went back to work in April of this year. There was a lot of stress in work as the order levels were low and there was talk of cut backs. I was also sorting out a Hen Party for my best friend, which should have been fun, but due to many factor cased me a lot of stress too. Then in May I was made redundant and this meant a serious drop in funds in our house. We were struggling to make the repayment on the mortgage. My symptoms got gradually worse until in late July I could ignore them no more. I was diagnosed on the 24th of July. My GI has told me he has found most of his patience with this disease have had serious stress in the lead up to a flare. I am now on Remicade and finding it works good for me. I am back on all food types, and the only thing I haven't tried is Alcohol, so it looks like food is not a problem for me. So YES I do believe Stress is a big factor in setting off Flares in UC suffers.

IM
Posted 9/3/2009 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
     I've been keeping a journal for years and the other day happened to read some of my writings from past years.  I was amazed at finding that I DO have flares at the most stressful times of my life.  The fall of 1995 thru spring of 96 was THE most stressful...lots of events, death of both parents, oldest daughter got married, youngest went away to college, car accident...I didn't get UC till the fall of 98.  However, with subsequent stressful times, I suffered flare ups.
Posted 9/3/2009 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Ya... stress effects my UC bigtime. I'm 24, male. I first started having symptoms as I was graduating high school and trying to figure out what I was doing with my life. Now... I can notice from week to week how stressed I am by my UC symptoms. I stressed myself out for some stupid reasons last week and went from formed stools to loose and bloody. I calmed down and I'm feeling much better.

I was having symptoms about a month ago, and left for a camping trip. On that trip my symptoms improved greatly... as I was calm and didn't have to do anything really. Got back to the "real world" and there the symptoms showed up again.

I aim to have my life as stress free as can be. I work at it often to try to get to a point where I can just be calm most of the time.

Zach
UC since 2003
pentasa 16 pills 250mg a day
50mg 6-mp per day
Posted 9/3/2009 6:53 AM (GMT 0)
A BIG thanks to everyone for contribution. Even though, I am a kind of person who first checks scientific literature before believing anything, all these experiences do point at something.

@Christine, Your journal is a very good idea. Since I am diagnosed with UC, I never bothered to maintain a journal but since last month I have started keeping it, hoping that such journal would be helpful in the long run.
Posted 9/4/2009 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
I believe that stress can trigger flares or make flares worse for many people. For me, my flares are not related to my level of stress. But then I already do many things to keep my level of stress in check. So many that's why.
Posted 9/4/2009 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
Stress plays a role, but don't forget it works both ways.  We have a brain in our gut that talks to the one in our head.  Ulcerative Colitis is not a pred or colazal deficiency.  Depression is not a prozac deficiency.  A revolution in how we think of medicine is on the way, I've seen a few books on it already, Functional Medicine.  Of course, as with any new idea, there is and will be resistance. 
Posted 9/4/2009 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
I believe it. I got UC right at the end of high school, which were the most stressful and anxiety-driven time in my life.
I've found a few studies that stress (pun intended) the connection b/w stress and IBD.
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