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Posted 10/29/2007 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys, I've been reading about seasonal affective disorder and depression (a.k.a. winter blues) and wondered if anyone had insight on this related to UC flares. I've shown symptoms of my third flare and all 3 have started within a two week period. Every year in the first 2 weeks of October. I'm in Michigan. My wife had me order a light therapy lamp. Whatever works. I also came ready for battle this time - restricted diet prep., supplements galore, Ultra InflamX, cort enemas, Asacol. I'm winning this one.

Oh, and anyone with a GI telling them diet and stress don't really factor in, get a new doc.

Jeff
Posted 10/29/2007 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
My gastro, who subspecializes in IBD treatment, thinks that vitamin D is especially important for us. Maybe you should look into the Forvia vitamins. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])

Posted 10/29/2007 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
I had a similar experience. I was diagnosed late winter/early spring, hospitalized for a week and house-bound for a month. Almost a year to the day later, I was back in the ER (Valentine's day, as a matter of fact). I've heard theories about a connection to SAD, seasonal allergies and holiday indulgences.

For what it's worth, I did feel very susceptible to SAD, even though I live in the South. I've always hated the short daylight hours of late fall, winter and early spring. about the time we go off daylight saving time, I pull out my full-spectrum lightbox and set it up on the dining table. I eat breakfast and dinner (about 30 min. each) in front of it and it does improve my spirits. I haven't had any major flares since using it, but I do alot of other supportive things, too, like dietary changes, taking probiotics and taking natural supplements.

Posted 10/29/2007 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...actually I like winter/fall where I live...definitely more sunshine. I'm more stressed during the Spring....but I do make sure I take Vitamin D year round...my doc says we should make sure it's around 800 IU daily.

Lots of things can affect one's moods...including foods...I'm an emotional eater, either when happy or sad. But food doesn't affect my UC at all.

I've never tried a light box...but I've heard that they work well. I was thinking of getting one for the cloudy days...they are what bring me down when they're dark requiring lights to be on during the day. Feels like my eyes just don't want to open.

I love the long dark evenings....and being a night owl...that doesn't affect me. It's the darkeness during the daylight hours that do.
Weird.

Jeff..do whatever works for you to maintain good spirits, mood and health.

quincy
Posted 10/29/2007 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have SAD (pretty bad some days in the winter) and I got a lamp too. It really does help with that. But I find that in the fall I tend to have an increase of symptoms. I live in Michigan too - don't you LOVE the gray days of winter??? Not! But my SAD doesn't always correspond to my UC flares. In fact, they seem out of sync with each other. But many have seasonal flares which I believe has to do with allergies. Allergies is basically your immune system working in overdrive to eradicate the foreign invaders (mold, mildew etc) which can also make it attack your colon as well. I find that if I control my allergy symptoms then my flares aren't as often or as severe.
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