Any one here have Chronic Anxiety & UC ?

Hi Kat,well my story is a bit different than most.I've been MR.mom for 12 years to my 3 kids and i am trying to work full time,it has been a struggle trying for the full time.I talked it over with my therapist and she explained that some of her patients have had a tough time going from being home[stress free to some extent] to a working enviroment.I'm 50 y.o and wasn't aware how difficult getting back to full time would be for me,i had a full time job last winter and it only lasted a short time-it was a very tough adjustment for me.I had no clue what was going on with me until my therapist explained it to me.Now i started flaring when i was going thru all this[lucky me].I started on busprone[i got very lightheaded] and just yesterday we changed to celexa.So while trying to get my flare under control  i'm also trying to look for part time work which will lead up to full time work i hope.I'm hopeing that the celexa can help me with the transition from being home[and still flaring] to working part-time for now.Would some anti-anxiety meds work for you?You'll need to talk it over with your doc-GOOD LUCK

I have generalized anxiety disorder and a little bit of OCD. I had a meltdown last fall and realized that my anxieties were preventing me from learning (mainly getting grades that weren't normal for me). I started effexor xr and I feel amazing. Though I don't like the fact that I'm almost 21 and on anxiety meds but I feel like a normal person now. It also helps my IBS since I'm not excessively worrying about things.

5 years of severe anxiety here. I had the panic attacks where i thought i would pass out, sweating and constant nagging fear. I finally overcame it through scripture and prayer and just deciding I was gonna trust God with my life. I can only say it was a miraculous healing for me as I am on no meds for it, but the fear is just gone. I thought I would never live life without anxiety and depression, but Thank God, it is gone. Part of it for me is just when i feel a nagging feeling starting to come, I just quickly cast that thought aside and pray or turn on some worship music and I don't let it take root. It is getting easier and easier to just cast those thoughts aside.

Thank You all it is good to know i am not alone on having these 2 problems in a combo. CrazyC I have been on Xanax since i was about 16 i am 43 they won't give me anything else I have also heard Atavan (Spelling) is good but you can't mix to many or be a zombie. I already take very very high dose of Xanax because after you take it for as long as i have it stops working you get used to it i take 2 mg 5 times a day my doc says i take more than any other person she knows LOL. Like i said you build up to a large amount like that. I have tried exercise and Yoga but that was a no go i have trouble concertrating so it makes Yoga hard to relax. Lucas J. I am glad you found that worship helps you I think that is wonderful. Callalilly22 I am just like you were the panic about panic that keeps me in alot i overthink somthing and Bam don't do it. I am glad you found the drug that helps you. Tazbum your Mom sounds great helping you deal with it with PMA. I like that. I have the same problem i get panic and have to go more and more and not sure if it is the UC. or my mental thoughts??? I am trying to figure out a way to get the 2 different to tell. In the meantime i still have not gone out and am afraid of the panic about panic i also have the OCD That is horrible but it usually goes along with the rest. I might call my shrink see what she says but i am sure they will not up my meds anymore. I am sorry others have this problem also but makes one feel better to know you are not alone too. Do any of you just like become a hermit because you get so down having the both problems?
P.S. CrazyC I would love a taco but a taco is not a taco without HOTSAUCE !!!!! LOL I love the stuff i could try without it but Dam i wanna get better so i can have it LOL. I hope we both get to the point we can have them the way we want the HaHa :)
Thanks, (Hugs all) YankeeKat.

CrazyColitis who are you responding to? If me i will be the first to say i have problems but am not a mess??? My xanax has gone up and down for years and i know many others that take it on a regular basis. I did build up to a large amount because of getting used to it but it worked for me and has gotten me out of the house and holding down a job for 20 years. I did not step backwards untill this UC. flare now i have the 2 to worry about I am confused as to your response? I am doing as my 2 doctors told me to do not as i please i wish i could do as i please sorry just confused here?
YankeeKat.

Anxiety sufferer here; take Xanax XR as well as Topamax. Tried SSRIs in the past, but they made me gain lots of weight and "dulled me." If I have trouble sleeping or am having a particularly rough day, I was given Xanax (fast acting), but I don't take that very often. If I do, I split the pill in half.

Xanax, Valium, Klonopin and Ativan are all benzodiazepines. You will become increasingly tolerant and dependent on all these if taken continuously. They are nice in that you can self medicate and just take them when needed as I do. I try to clear them out of my system as much a possible and only use them infrequently. If you have anxiety everyday you should take an antidepressant like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). The SSRIs include drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa. They take several weeks to start working and you take them continuously. I don’t what to always be on something but these work well for a lot of my friends.

I have anxiety issues too. I take Lexapro and valium as needed. You are not alone.

I have a friend that self medicates with alcohol. It smooths everything out for him and takes the fear away from doing things where he knows there's no chance for an emergency bathroom visit. If he has to do something and has very limited responsibiliy then he gets a slight buzz on. The doctor said he couldn't have him self medicating himself with vodka so he was precribed Xanax.

My friend is okay. I've experimented with alcohol and UC flares and found no correlation between how I feel after drinking versus not; so long as I keep myself hydrated. During a flare I used to cut out all alcohol and go on some of the diets folks talked about in here as being really good for UC. I quit worrying about alcohol and food so much after realizing it wasn't having an impact for me. I do avoid raw fruits and raw vegetables plus things that produce gas. I also find that sugar substitutes make me go to the bathroom.

I have anxiety issues also. I've had them for years, but never realized what it was until I started going on Klonopin and Lexapro. The doctors have told me that UC and anxiety go hand in hand. Maybe you need to be on a different medication? I don't intend to be on Lexapro or Klonopin for long periods of time since I hope to have children one day as well. See what your doctor recommends. I've been seeing a therapist also. It has definitely helps.

 

Oh, I am so glad you people are out there! I have GAD too together with the UC and I hate that more than the UC itself. Constant worries etc. I was on Prozac and that helped and then was tired of taking meds. When I thought I was a lot better I stopped taking it. Now, a few years later I am willing to get back on it because slight depression and anxiety seem to creep back into my life. I get UC attacks about every 4 years. The first one was in 1993 when I was 9 months pregnant (after a very stressful situation) and the last one was 2 1/2 years ago...those were the 2 worst EVER. I am in sort of remission. Most of the time I feel just fine and gained weight back. But I still have anxiety and sometimes slight C symptoms (which, according to the phsyician may also just be from anxiety). HEart palps....worries....stupid thinking. You are not alone.