Is there a connection between poor mental health and UC?

Yes, there is definitely a connection. Many of us have talked in the past about anxiety being on of the first symptoms we feel at the onset of a flare. I also deal with intermitent bouts of anxiety and mild depression. I've heard that many of your mood regulating hormones are produced in your gut, so it makes sense that if your gut is out of whack your moods may be too.

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Diagnosed Ulcerative Pancolitis
25mg Imuran

Probiotics
Fish Oil
Vitamin C

Slippery Elm
TURMERIC!!!

Depression or anxiety wouldn't/doesn't cause UC.

Many can become depressed or have anxiety attacks brought forth from being sick or from having chronic illness. Hormone fluctuations (and actually prednisone) can exacerbate symptoms or even trigger bipolar disorder.

I've inherited the tendency of depression/anxiety quite honestly from my mother's side and somewhat my dad's. Therapy helped me deal with them as well as Effexor for depression.

I think our coping mechanisms are both nature and nurture.

quincy

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*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 3rd night)

~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)

~5ASA: Asacol + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)

~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed

~vitamins/minerals 

~Probiotic 2 (Natural Factors Protec) + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) at bedtime

~Natural Factors Multi Digestive Enzymes with supper

~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg;  Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)

~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)

My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS"  worth it !!!

I agree it seems people with UC have a good reason to be anxious or depressed at times.  It would take more fortitude than I have not to be affected mentally or emotionally after a long period of a chronic illness.  If these feelings persist into weeks or months, I would certainly have a CBC to check for iron deficiency anemia.  The world was a much better place after I finally was diagnosed and treated with iron supplements. 

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Left-sided UC Diagnosed 2004

Iron Deficiency Anemia Diagnosed 2007

Indeterminate Dysplasia Biopsy Result 2006   

Colazal  -  3X3 daily 

Entocort - 3 daily

Nexium

Folic Acid 

Ferrous Sulfate - 325 mg X3 daily

Vitamin C - 500 mg 

Canasa - As Needed

 

 

 

Post Edited (Wiped Out) : 9/6/2007 8:43:18 PM (GMT-6)