HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Hello and Low Mood

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/16/2018 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hello All,
just signed up and wanted to introduce myself and ask for a piece of advice.

I have been diagnosed when I was 19 (38 now) and today (incidentally) is my 19 years second birthday smile
As some other people I have had very long remission periods and some pretty sh@tty ones.
What has helped me out, I think, it has been dieting (no processed food, no gluten, no sugar and no alcohol), exercising 4/5 days a week and, probably, some luck.

A few weeks ago another flare started and I am doing the usual with Asacol and enemas to keep it under control.
There is something however that this time is really annoying me and that is my mood: I am experiencing this constant low mood/anxiety and I don't know what to do about it.
Tomorrow I have an appointment with my GI and I would like to talk to her about it.
Does anybody experience the same? Have you ever talked about it to your GI? what would you say it is the best way to approach it?
Thanks a lot.

Post Edited (paduk) : 10/16/2018 10:24:58 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/16/2018 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...welcome, and Happy Birthday!

Have your blood tested for low readings...b12, D, iron etc.

I have depression, so low mood is a norm for me.....especially during the long cloudy periods this fall.
If this is out of the norm for you.....if you're female, it could be hormonal changes.
You could try a diary of writing down your daily events to see if there could be something related. A counsellor may help.

Lastly....are you on probiotics? And with the amount of exercise you do, it's possible that you arent getting in enough carbs.

q
Posted 10/16/2018 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Quincy,
thanks for replying and for the suggestions, much appreciated ;)

I have had in the past low vitamin D levels and I was prescribed with a monthly boost, probably it would be worth having another blood test and see. Now that I think about it the hospital where I go to did an extensive study a few years ago about vitamin D deficiency/ IBD flare up/microbiota so I ll definitely check it, thanks for reminding ;).
Iron and B12: I did them a few weeks ago and all was in the normal ranges.
I am a male so hormonal changes are probably out of the equation...but who knows?
As far as probiotics I am taking 3 sachets per day of VSL3 plus homemade yogurt.
I have been off the gym for nearly 10 weeks now as I still feel a bit unwell plus slightly depressed so cannot bring myself to go back; maybe mood will improve once I start again?
Getting some psychological help is really needed, I think, it has been far too long since this low mood started. I was just researching IBD related mental support and apparently my hospital offers it so I am going to inquire about it tomorrow; let's hope they still have some availability.
Thanks again for taking the time to reply, it is good to chat with somebody in the same situation.
P.
Posted 10/16/2018 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
My mood is directly affected whether I am in a remission or within a flare. In a remission, I'm my usual happy-go-luck, optimistic self. In a flare, I am a pessimistic, negative ball of energy, and probably not all that fun to be around. When my health is good I feel good, when my health is bad then I cannot help but feel bad.

Certainly do not be afraid to ask for help if you're struggling ask for anti-anxiety medications if coping right now is too much to bear. Consider mindfulness, yoga, medication, and investing in hobbies to distract yourself from your flare. As nobody can worry about his/her health 24/7/365 and expect to remain sane.

To some end there is a brain-to-gut connection, which might have some impact as well. Goes back to my feeling good or bad analogy from above. Get your UC flare controlled and I bet your mood will return to it's normal.
Posted 10/16/2018 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with getting your blood levels of vitamin D checked, deficiency has been associated with low mood and depression. Same with fish oil, it helps some of us with UC and deficiency is associated with depression.
Posted 10/16/2018 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
IPoop, I know what you mean, this is generally true for me too only this time this low mood/anxiety seems to be a lot more pervasive taking up most of my day. All of a sudden I have anxiety bursts for the silliest things and I keep being anxious about the future. In the past I have managed to keep this under control, this time I am struggling.

IamCurious, I am revising my supplement protocol and fish oil has just been ordered along with tumeric, butyrate, ginger, rutin and NAC.

I think this flare has been caused by a perfect storm of 2 antibiotics cycles (20 days), 7 days of NSAIDs and me pigging out far too often. darn!!!
Posted 10/17/2018 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi paduk.
I am in the same boat as you (and it seems many others). I haven't had panic attacks since I was in college (I'm 36 now) and I was only diagnosed with mild proctitis last December. I suspect that things may be getting worse, and I'm currently flaring and trying everything to get it under control. Since I've been diagnosed, my anxiety has skyrocketed. I get panic attacks often, my sleep is very poor, and I feel in a bad mood all the time. I have constant joint pain, and I get tired of living with this disease and pain (and it's only been less than a year for me! I have serious respect and awe for those that have been dealing with this for years or decades).

Anyway, I've been on anti-anxiety meds (xanax, ativan, clonazapam) and an anti-depressant Lexapro, but every medicine I take ends up making me so anxious even at small doses, I feel like I am being electrocuted. I couldn't stick out Lexapro because of this.

I'm telling you all this because you're not alone. Don't be scared to try medicine. Have a talk with your GI. My GI didn't help me, but my primary care doctor was amazing and listened and was willing to try many things. I'm currently on no anxiety or depression meds, but considering trying again. Get a therapist. That was super helpful for me. I also subscribed to the App "Calm" which is really great to take some time out and breathe and relax.

There doesn't appear to be any way to message you, but if you'd like to talk one on one, I would love a support buddy smile

Good luck!
Posted 10/18/2018 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hello SadColon,
thanks so much for the sympathy smile
I understand what you mean: in terms of mood/depression my worst period was when I was just diagnosed. I guess it is something new you have to adjust to and learn to live with and it is natural to feel anxious/panicky. It takes time and I think you are on the right track with having some therapy; that helped me too in my early days...that and amisulpride in very low doses but I think if you live in the US that is not an option.
Yeah I cannot find a way to PV you either, maybe it is not a function available on here?
Posted 10/19/2018 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Paduk,
Would you like to try email?
Posted 10/19/2018 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately, there's no Private-Messaging feature on this forum. However, one of you can choose to share his/her email address under your profile: click My Profile link at the top of the page, then Edit Profile, then Select Show My E-Mail Address, and then click Submit). Afterwards, the other clicks on that user's name and the email address is shown. Use that to email each other.

I always encourage posting on the open forum, as well. Advantages of that are others might benefit of reading your experiences and might contribute thoughts of there own as well!

Cheers!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply