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anxiety and panic attacks with uc

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/25/2011 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have not been on here for a very long time which is good news but once again I need everyones input.  I have been taking Humira for over a year.  My last colonoscopy in February shows my colon is in excellent health!  That being said I have been having severe anxiety and panic attacks and now take klonopin (trying not to take makes me comatose) and Pristiq for 1 1/2 years.  I did stop taking the Humira when I heard @ my colon as I am becoming scared of side affects and it did work.  Anyway sorry for dragging this out last time I had attacks this severe I went into a flare and a big one.  Is this usually a precurser for GI attacks?  Any help would be welcomed.  Thanks  
Posted 5/26/2011 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Anxiety definitely has an affect on my colon.. my flares usually coincide with stressful events in my career or otherwise.
Posted 5/26/2011 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Anxiety and my colon DO NOT get along. I am flaring right now due to some extremely stressful events in my life. I would highly suggest looking into a therapist. That has helped me to better manage the stress which has, in return, helped to reduce the stress that can cause some of my flares.
Posted 5/26/2011 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
I have gone throught the same thing recently with panic attacks and anxiety.  I have had to forgoe finishing college because of my uc and how unpredicatable it was. I was diagnosed when i was 21 going into my 3rd year of college..Now im 26 and moved away from my hometown, living with new people, classes, etc...It wasnt until i moved to a nee environment and had to balance work, school, family friends, money my uc....I sometimes lye awake nights and start to panick, my heart starts racing and i start sweating, almost feel like im having a heart attack which is s tcary.i havent gone on any meds for this but im thinking i might have to..Is anyone else just experience anxiety? Do the meds really help...i just dont want to get addicted to a pill cause i know they are highly addictive

26 female, student

diagnosed with uc in march of 2006

on asacol 400mgs and canasa

currently flaring on and off

Posted 5/26/2011 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much everyone.  I have made a call to make an appointment for a therapist.  A friend of mine also is a psych nurse or gave me so tidbits.  Basically rest your mind.  I am normally a mover and a shaker so that is difficult but walking and breathing exercies might help.  Has anyone had success in any of this? 
Posted 5/26/2011 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
I had a few anxiety attacks, when I felt trapped away from access to restrooms.
I would not have them if I did not put myself in those situations...so I would not, if at all possible!
I never took anything for them, just didn't try to do what I couldn't do.

I do find that talking calmly to myself when I am feeling urgency helps a lot.
If I am in the car, I turn the radio off and open a window, and talk calmly to myself, "you're OK, you'll be OK"
A therapist I saw a long time ago suggested picturing myself in a favorite, calming place (like floating in a pool), but I found my little talks work better.
Posted 6/15/2014 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have ulcer colitis for the last few years, taking humira since January, to be honest im getting worse instead of better, lately Ive began having what i think is a panic attack everytime i get into the car, i could be down the road and i start getting light headed, feeling sick, wanting the bathroom even though i have nothing in my stomach. Its beginning to rule my life, is there anything I can do to help without resorting to meds. Help pls.

2g Pentasa
50mg Puri Nethol
Posted 6/15/2014 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Make sure you take your anxiety meds....they help me so much....therapy is good too, to go along with your meds...how much klonopin are you on? If it makes you sleepy cut the pill in half
Posted 6/15/2014 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried hypnosis or listening to meditation tapes?
I found it very valuable and asked my hypnotist to record my sessions so I could replay them at home before sleep (don't listen while driving etc).

Guided meditation is similar but a good hypnotist can make it more personal for your needs.
I also bought a book with hypno-scripts that I personalized for me and made my own recordings on my iPod. Haven't used them for a while but they were really helpful for anxiety. My hypnotist chose the color red for me to look for and whenever I focus on it (sign, red traffic light, car, etc) to this day I relax when I do that.

Hypnosis did not cure my UC but made me less anxious back when I needed it.
Posted 6/17/2014 10:31 AM (GMT 0)
I've had to deal with some anxiety and panic issues, and their peak was when I was on Humira. Every night between 7-730 it would happen without fail. It has drastically reduced since stopping that med. My doc doesn't think it was the Humira...just strange how I got better after I stopped it.
Posted 6/17/2014 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
I've been getting major anxiety attacks when I don't have immediate access to a bathroom. Stores, Parks & long meetings at work are the worst. Tomorrow, I have 90 minute meeting that has no access to a bathroom. I honestly thinking about buying some depends to give me some peace of mind.
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