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Posted 7/21/2019 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Guys,

I am currently recovering from a nasty flare that started in the beginning of June. I am currently tapering off of prednisone. Currently on 20mg, started taking it at the beginning of July. I feel much better and I am currently only going to the bathroom once a day. However my anxiety/stress are through the roof. I’ve never been this anxious in my life. I have panic attacks every other day. I find myself unable to breathe at times and super sick to my stomach. I’ve always had mild anxiety that usually intensifies when I flare up. This past week has been hell. I guess I’m anxious about not knowing if I’ll ever reach remission again. I am stressed about being stressed, if that makes any sense. I know stress is super harmful to the body and I guess I feel like as long as I am stressed or anxious I won’t be able to recover. I feel stressed basically the entire day. I feel pressure in my temples. It’s literally preventing me from functioning. I don’t know if anyone has some advice about how I can deal with my anxiety. I am trying to get control of my life again. Physically and mentally.
Posted 7/21/2019 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
Talk to your doctor who prescribed your prednisone. Pred. can cause anxiety and if you previously had anxiety the steroid could be making it worse.

Internet says:
"Anxiety can be triggered by alcohol or some drugs. Medical conditions can also cause anxiety. ... Some medicines can cause anxiety or make it worse. These include asthma medicines, caffeine and stimulant medicines, and steroids such as prednisone."

Good luck.
Posted 7/21/2019 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Is medicinal cannabis legal in your state? I’m finding it helpful for relaxing when I’m having a bad state of medical anxiety. Meditation, long walks, and nature are all helpful too. I suffer from anxiety and these things help me as well.
Posted 7/21/2019 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Jocelyn,

Looks like we are going through something similar. I'm on 15mg of Prednisone and have been a long-time anxiety sufferer and fear the Predn may be making it worse. I'm also experiencing panic attacks daily. It sucks, big time. Good news is, there are SO many things you can do to help with the anxiety. It's even a whole different community on this website! smile

For one, just recognizing panic attacks and generally, the anxiety, when they are happening, is helpful. Sometimes the unknown is the scary part (e.g. am I dying, why is my heart racing? etc.). I've found that sitting and though it may sound weird, talking out loud to the anxiety is helpful. Accept that uneasy feeling and tell yourself it will pass. Try typing out every single thing you are worried about. Seriously. Every little and big thing. Create your huge list and then examine it. Generally speaking: meditating every morning, skipping all caffeine, exercising and keeping hydrated all help with anxiety and perhaps something to work towards. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to handling anxiety. It's a tricky thing, and worse, it's frightening and can really throw you into a cycle. You are definitely not alone and you will definitely get through it smile

D
Posted 7/21/2019 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,

Thank you for the replies!

David,
Thank you for taking the time to write some helpful tips. I am currently keeping a journal and writing down all my feelings especially when I find the anxiety kicking in. I find myself having panic attacks in really random places like on the train on my way to work. I know it’s unhealthy and part of me hopes that it’s just the prednisone intensifying these feelings and as soon as I finish the taper it won’t be as bad. I’m kind of worried that it won’t stop. I find myself being stress free for the first 5 minutes I open my eyes in the morning and then the toxic cycle starts up again. My doctor suggested seeing a psychologist and don’t know how much this will really help. I already had anxiety issues before even starting the prednisone this is when he suggested that he thinks it’s best if I start speaking to someone about my feelings.
I live in New York City and I’ve thought about smoking weed but don’t really want to.
Posted 7/21/2019 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Just my opinion but I would approach weed cautiously while you are feeling anxious. Some people have paranoia from weed. It affects me this way, other people I know have no problem with it (and I am pro-legalization). I had this reaction 45 years ago and still get it today so I know it's chemical with me, bummer. Wish I could drink but my gut only allows a little wine and not often.

I know someone dealing with anxiety (non-UC) and RX meds didn't help him but talk therapy and listening to meditation tapes has helped.
Posted 7/21/2019 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I was same as you about cannabis. I used to smoke when I was younger but it had been many many years as I’m a mom and not really keen on being “stoned”. Ultimately, I know my anxiety has become an issue, particularly with my health issues, so I’ve slowly started microdosing and experimenting and I will say it is a good option for when I’m really getting myself worked up. I was definitely worried in the beginning that it would make my anxiety worse but I haven’t found that to be the case, especially if you take it slow and easy. It’s sort of like popping a weak Valium. I think it’s an option worth considering if you are thinking of going on medication. Best of luck to you, I understand how tough the fight against anxiety can be.
Posted 7/21/2019 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Consider low dose (10mg) chlordiazepoxide + 20mg propranolol (when heartbeat rate goes up) for a short run and take it from there.
Posted 7/22/2019 8:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi JocelynL6,

I can relate to it. I was there. I would suggest trying antidepressant.
I have good experience with Mirthazapine. I have been taking it for more than 15 years.
After taking antidepressant for more than 2-3 months you can try some form of psychotherapy. (meditation, prayer and so on). Personally I would not smoke weed. It can trigger psychosis. Psychosis is much bigger problem than "just" being stressed. Regarding to your vicious cycle - being stressed of being stressed. I believe there is no causal link between UC and stress. Stress does not cause UC and UC can not be cured by any form of psychotherapy. There is only coincidental link.


Good luck.
Posted 7/22/2019 8:39 AM (GMT 0)
After you are "stabilized" (2 months on antidepressant) you can use this special technique:

VIEW IMAGE

This kind of psychotherapy technique is suitable for "stressed of being stressed" problem.

Good luck
Posted 7/22/2019 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Guys,

Once again thank you for all your replies.

I have decided to set up an appointment with the psychologist my GI recommended. I am no fan of medication & cant really find myself taking meds for my anxiety. At least for now. I’ll try other options before I have to resort to that. I’m hoping that the prednisone is just amplifying my emotions because I’ve never felt this anxious before. Yes, I do have mild anxiety but it’s always been manageable and it’s never really affected the quality of my life. This entire flare up and being on a drug like this has taken a toll on me. I can only hope that as my body heals and I come off the drug my mind will chill out. Staying positive because that’s all I really got.
Posted 7/22/2019 2:32 PM (GMT 0)

chikinnooodle said...
Is medicinal cannabis legal in your state? I’m finding it helpful for relaxing when I’m having a bad state of medical anxiety. Meditation, long walks, and nature are all helpful too. I suffer from anxiety and these things help me as well.

How do you go about finding the right strain? I live in a medical state and tried it once and only once (I was a pot smoker as a young adult many years ago.). I think I picked one that was way too strong. One puff and I was super paranoid and eventually vomited. Awful feeling. Not enjoyable like when I was younger getting it off the street.
Posted 7/22/2019 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
The pred is probably making it worse. Once you're down to 10 mg and off of it, you should go back to "normal." I agree with some of the above advice -- meditation and exercise help me the most. Journaling helps a lot too. Try to avoid going the medication route is my advice based off personal experience. How is your sleep?
Posted 7/22/2019 5:08 PM (GMT 0)

Uniform Charlie said...

chikinnooodle said...
Is medicinal cannabis legal in your state? I’m finding it helpful for relaxing when I’m having a bad state of medical anxiety. Meditation, long walks, and nature are all helpful too. I suffer from anxiety and these things help me as well.

How do you go about finding the right strain? I live in a medical state and tried it once and only once (I was a pot smoker as a young adult many years ago.). I think I picked one that was way too strong. One puff and I was super paranoid and eventually vomited. Awful feeling. Not enjoyable like when I was younger getting it off the street.

So far I have only tried a handful of strains and I haven’t really had a bad experience yet, which I was very afraid of. I microdose, meaning I take 1 puff and wait 10-20 minutes, and MAYBE take one more puff if I feel it necessary. I spoke with a doctor who said cannabis can be very helpful for UC or Crohn’s, but using it to treat anxiety can be a process of sampling strains. I’ve also been advised not to use it when drinking much alcohol as it can cause dizziness/vomiting. The first strain I tried and seem to be okay with is do-si-dos, an indica. I also have to tell myself that anything I feel is an effect of the cannabis and not to let my mind run wild with it and I’m proud of myself for managing it. And I do think that maybe using it while in the midst of a current anxiety attack might be a bad idea. Having a drink is probably better for that. Ha

Also, there is an app called Leafly that will describe each strain in 3 categories: “positives, medical, and negatives”. I pay attention to the negatives and which strains cause lowest amounts of anxiety or paranoia.

Post Edited (chikinnooodle) : 7/22/2019 12:43:02 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/22/2019 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
J, I developed horrible anxiety dealing with crohns. I did get put on an antidepressant & had to agree to getting in with a psychologist. That was the best thing that could have happened to me. I went with a lady my pcp recommended. It took me a couple of visits to really be able to say much. It was my first time seeing one & I will be honest, I was skeptical, lol. She had seen this in probably every patient before me.

If you don't click with the one you are going to see about some visits, don't hesitate trying a different one. I could not have communicated with a male about my health issues. I tried finding her recently & was disappointed to learn she moved away some time ago.

I hope you have success & good luck.
Posted 7/22/2019 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Sara,

My sleep is getting better. When I was on 40 & 30mg I was only getting about 4hrs asleep each night. One night I rolled in bed for 6-7 hrs and only ended up getting maybe 1-2hrs of sleep. It was pretty horrible but I read insomnia is a common side effect of prednisone. Now that I am at 20mg, I’ve been sleeping around 6hrs. I still wake up in the middle night but I manage to fall back asleep easier.

I am also going on vacation this Friday for two weeks to visit my sister. I am hoping that I can manage to find some sense of peace and relaxation while I’m away. I find myself getting super stressed at work for no reason. My job can be somewhat stressful at times but I find myself getting worked up over the smallest things that normally would not bother me.

Post Edited (JocelynL6) : 7/22/2019 6:45:27 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/22/2019 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have insomnia issues when on high doses of prednisone, too. And lack of sleep makes my anxiety worse. I'm glad your sleep is improving. I hope your vacation is enjoyable and helps you to relax! I'm sure it will.
Posted 7/25/2019 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
maybe LDN would help you
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