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21, depression, ulcerative colitis

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Posted 12/29/2013 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
Does anyone have an help with dealing with depression with ulcerative colitis.
The last 6months i've had headpressure and a disconnected feeling (hard to explain), and also got bad pressure headaches like my head was on a vice, but now its starting to ease off, went docs, did all sorts of tests
and i was fine, they even checked sinuses....
i believe its a combination of meds, stress and uc, but then again i'm only 21 :/

I know I have to change my perception towards my disease and start think more positive but i guess only having this disease for a 2 years has got to me, and it might take abit longer to accept.

When ever i see the toilet bright red full of blood it just brings me down, and i feel so depressed, its been an ongoing cycle for the last 2 years of having UC....

hope you guys can help

Thanks :)

Info:
Male 21 y/o - Diagnosed (March 2012) - Indeterminate Colitis then lead to > Ulcerative Colitis

Meds:
- Mezavant (Mesalamine) 4.8G Daily
- Imuran 150MG Daily
- Predsol enemas when needed
Posted 12/29/2013 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
Oh no! No fun!

Have you ever been in remission? Do you have a good GI?

I was diagnosed with depression about a year before my UC started. I was doing really good with my depression up until a couple months ago, despite not achieving remission yet.

In November I had a Depression Intervention and invited some friends over to talk about my UC and Depression and come up with a plan for trying to make sure when Im laying in bed for 2 days straight that its the UC and not my depression.
It actually wasnt a very productive gathering, but it turned into an afternoon of card games and talking. Such a FUN afternoon. I hadn't laughed so much in ages.
That laughter alone really helped.

And so did this website. Coming on to healingwell.com forums has helped me feel connected to others who know how I feel. And despite only having this disease for 6 months... it feels nice to be able to contribute my experiences to those facing hardships too.

Accepting that I have this disease was easy enough for me... the bloody diarrhea nonstop for 5 months made me do that... anemia, pain... I can see that my life is different, and I'm okay with it. I am ready to face this battle. But this has been a very slow start. And that's what gets me down.

I can't imagine a 2 year slow start! I know some have it worse than me and you... but still... for US ... it just stinks!!

Honestly, I have no family in my support group, I rely on my husband, a couple close friends who are understanding when I bail on plans, and this website.

Talking about it, laughing, joking... that's what gets me through :)
Posted 12/29/2013 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
Mmmm.. dark chocolate I forgot about some nice 70% or more dark chocolate.... that is def a good idea to keep in the arsenal of depression defense! :D
And I agree with the comedy/laughing all the way! Watch a funny movie you love... or hang out with your silliest friend. :D
Posted 12/29/2013 6:56 AM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to add that I agree the depression and the UC seem to b related for me too.

I get that disconnected from people feeling and lowwwww energy, can't get off the couch. When I took prozac everything seemed brighter and more clear. It's like it went from grey to color.

Zoloft didn't work for me. I know exercise helps tremendously, but anti-depressants worked for me as well.
Posted 12/29/2013 8:46 AM (GMT 0)
Sami, I've totally experienced the disconnected feeling (you may want to read about depersonalization). I just want you to know that you are not crazy! I know it feels so weird and like you are going insane when you don't feel connected to your own self. Whenever I feel this way I try to get someone to talk to me, whether it be on the phone or in person. This seems to help bring me back into myself.

Since I have been diagnosed (8 years in October) my depression and anxiety have worsened. I've always been anxious but this disease has added onto my list of stuff to worry about. I've tried several antidepressants and am currently on Lexapro. Honestly, it's been a miracle. I know it seems annoying to take another kind of medication, but the difference is just amazing.
Posted 12/29/2013 10:58 AM (GMT 0)
Depression is definitely a bad thing and will make your symptoms worse, I can definitely relate to you Sami, I am also 21 years old and just have felt overwhelmed with everything going on. After being dx'd with UC about a month ago after losing 30lbs and spending 4 days in the hospital and all kinds of bills pilling up and THEN finding out that my girlfriend will be having my baby (she is now 9 weeks into her pregnancy) it has been a little much all in a 2 month period!! Will be getting married in January to this woman in Jan since she will be having my kid so now I have to plan for a wedding while battling this UC and trying to sort out about $7000 in medical bills... oh and I was also laid off at my job due to lack of work! =)

But I am not worried about it buddy! You just have to keep a positive attitude and know that everything is gonna be okay! Proverbs 17:22 says "A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones" Also Phil 4:8 says "Finally brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are noble, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue or if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things" Its really good to think of 10 things that you are thankful for everyday and thank God for them (ex. food, life, family, friends etc...)

Our mindset plays a huge role in our physical health, even with all this going on I just keep a firm confidence that God will help me thru this. Draw close to him and he will heal you! I am making progress everyday with this UC and I can see his hand helping me get everything sorted out with the bills and wedding it is absolutely mind blowing bro!!

He promises that he will never throw too much on us to the point we can't handle it "1 Corinthians 10:13" So I just want to encourage you buddy #1 Draw close to God, pray to him, read his Word, and ask for his help and #2 Educate yourself on natural/herbal remedies while taking your medicine, you will be amazed at the results and if you have any questions about how I am doing it please feel free to ask!! God Bless!!!
Posted 12/29/2013 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Ctech, while I appreciate your dedication to your religion, can you please refrain from using scripture in your posts.

From the Forum rules:

6. No posts of copyrighted material, lengthy articles, or posts of an overtly political or religious nature (ie. proselyting).

If you have any questions regarding this rule, please contact the administrator at: [email protected]
Posted 12/30/2013 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Yes red 34 sorry about that. Is it okay to keep my signature or does that need to come off also?
Posted 12/30/2013 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
I actually went to a special Psychologist for dealing with chronic conditions and depression, because I live with multiple chronic illnesses.

What I took away from it, and the biggest thing I always want to share with people struggling with the same thing (because I still struggle with it every day) is that accepting your limitations and knowing what your body can and can't do is not the same thing as defeat. Even though it can feel like it, it is much more liberating to live well and at a higher capacity (meaning being able to do more) within your new means than to try and hold yourself to your old standards and having more bad flare days, etc.

Other things we worked on were being mindful and present, being aware of what my body is trying to tell me, knowing what limits are being set by me and which are being set by fear (i.e. I have some kinesiophobia due to pain).

I hope that helps, and it might be worth looking into local programs for dealing with chronic conditions and depression, because it really does open up a whole new can of worms.
Posted 12/30/2013 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Your signature is fine Ctech.
Posted 1/1/2014 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
I would recommend you concentrate on your diet. I used to get chronic headaches, but after being on the SCD diet (and finding the foods that worked for me), I'm feeling amazing. Couldn't tell you the last time I had a headache. I never understood how much diet affects my mind until I found SCD. I hope you've still got the patients and will power to stick this out.
Posted 1/1/2014 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Let's see...just be positive. LOL. an impossibility, so try not to beat yourself up with the concept that you HAVE TO. Because, if you don't think positive (which is sometimes a form of denial), you're just going to beat yourself up again because you're not thinking positive....the cycle continues.

What type of family/friend support do you have?

Do you have access to counselling, therapy, etc?

Have you been tested for allergies? Are you on any meds for your sinuses?

I'll stop there for now.
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