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Deacon Blues

Regular Member

Joined : Oct 2006

Posts : 312

Posted 10/30/2007 5:01 PM (GMT -7)

Hello all,
It has been awhile since I have been here...that is good, not that I don't like you but my UC has been very inactive over the past 9 months.
In my research and personal journey over the past 9 months, I am becoming more and more convinced of the cause of my particular UC.
One area that I am wanting to look at closer right now is STRESS/ANXIETY. Do any of you know whether those with UC have other "disorders" such as anxiety, bipolar, etc.
Reason I am looking into this is because I find that, as my nerves stay more calm I think my UC takes a break as well. I am considering asking my Dr. to get me a relaxing medication of some sort, ONLY to the end that it is needed and ligit!
ANYWAY, direct me to a weblink or share your experience and knowledge with me if you would be so kind.
Blessings
D

Diagnosed with UC in 1999
PANCOLITIS-mild to moderate
3-400mg Asacol 3x per day
Primal Defense
42 yrs old

quincy

Elite Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 31250

Posted 10/31/2007 1:23 AM (GMT -7)

Hi...stress/anxiety will always affect an autoimmune disorder/disease. No meds in the world will help you avoid stress altogether...but it can help take the edge off if coping is becoming difficult on a continual basis.

There are methods, exercises, routines, therapy, relaxation..etc that can help with daily stress. The medications can be helpful..depending on what your needs are.

The mind/body connection is very strong. Good stress is how we function in the "zone". Bad stress/distress can sabotage our health.

Finding the balance is good....but difficult and not an overnight process.

It's great you're doing well UC-wise.

Let us know what the doc gives you and suggests.

quincy

*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 4th 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 !!!

Deacon Blues

Regular Member

Joined : Oct 2006

Posts : 312

Posted 10/31/2007 7:07 AM (GMT -7)

Let me expound further where I am coming from. After reading some posts here, and research, I made the decision to try smoking cigs again. I smoked when i was younger, quit at 28 and started running and racing and being very health conscious. Back in February I started to experiment with smoking again. Since then my UC has never been as "dormant" as it is now. I mean NOTHING is going on, No pain, cramping, diarrhia...Right before I started this again I received some RAWASA enemas from my GI as I was not doing that well, and getting tired of dealing with more pain than I 'needed' to. Instead of starting the enemas I went with the smoking decision. ANYWAY, I apologize for saying anything good about smoking at all. I do not recommend it to anyone, it has to be a personal decision. TO SUM UP: I am now trying to determine what exactly the cigs are doing...is it the mucous that is helping in the GI tract? is it actually nerves settling down because of the nicotine? I don't know yet, but if it is a nerve/anxiety/stress type thing, THEN I would gladly lay the cigs down and go with a med that helps calm me down. IF it is the mucous theory, then I don't nkow of a med that will take on that role.
This is kind of a new idea for me, to admit that maybe I need a little help with my uptightness and anxiety. I have arrived at the point where I would gladly take psycho meds rather than deal with active UC.
Trying to make my way through this world, hope your day is blessed,
D

Diagnosed with UC in 1999
PANCOLITIS-mild to moderate
3-400mg Asacol 3x per day
Primal Defense
42 yrs old

julee70

Regular Member

Joined : Oct 2007

Posts : 486

Posted 10/31/2007 8:15 AM (GMT -7)

Hello Deacon Blues,

Did you already know that there have actually been studies proving that nicotine is helpful for UC? I once had a doctor ask me if I smoked and when I said just a couple cigs a week, he said, "Well, it's not enough to have any benefit." Cracked me up.

The deleterious effects of cigarettes make it a rather unlikely course of treatment. I'm sure that the bad outweighs the good here.

Sorry I don't know exactly how the nicotine works for UC and whether it has to do with the mucous or not.

But... let's say that it's NOT the anxiety/stress angle that makes the cigarettes work for you. Would you still consider taking a mild anti-anxiety med? You could go with a very low dose of something (like Paxil? Celexa? I don't know) that might have its own benefits for the UC.

I agree with Quincy too ... there are lots of non-medical ways of combatting stress and anxiety. Her suggestions are right on.

If you do seek your GI's opinion about anti-anxiety meds, I would suggest keeping in mind that it's not your GI's field of expertise. You might want to also consult a psychiatrist or a psychopharmacologist. In my experience, psychiatrists know a lot more about the newest drugs and the best doses than GIs when it comes to these kinds of meds.

Keep us posted. :)

-------
UC for the last ten years
Current Meds: 6MP
Past Meds: You name it; I've tried it.

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