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Hello Everyone,
My name is Matt and I was diagnosed with UC in 2004. The first 5 years were terrible and I was on every medication and treatment you can think of. Luckily I hit remission until last year. I am now 29 years old and have a job that demands my presence and attendance (I am a therapist). Since I have been having episodes, my anxiety is very high. I am extremely nervous about eating foods because of the fear I will become sick, not being close enough to a bathroom, and the overall fear of missing too many days of work. I never had to experience this during my career because I was mostly sick in high school/college. 

I am not sure what I am asking but just wanted to share my thoughts and feelings to a group of people who know exactly what I am talking about.

Reply posted for Matt Gumb.

Interestingly, studies on mice and rats show high levels of anxiety in those with crohn's/UC.  I found it fascinating since I also have struggled with various levels of anxiety all my life but absolutely found it worse these past few years before getting diagnosed.

I, too, have tried CBD and found it works OK, but CBD combined with a small amount of THC in places where it's legal works SO WELL.  I have a mother dying of lung cancer currently among many other stresses and the first night I tried the combination, I found the stress just completely lifted, and I felt far more rested waking up than I had in months.  Not enough to have any 'high', just enough to have an effect on the anxiety.  Very interesting!

There's a lot to be said for self-care as well; as mentioned -breathing exercises, meditation for some people (I've never gotten around to trying it, but I imagine it'd be good), enough sleep on a regular schedule, physical exercise and sun during the day, and things that you enjoy, like tea or hot baths.. works wonders.  I find reading before bed, walks in nature, and hot baths help me personally (that, and tending to my fish tank, haha) -- sometimes you just forget to make time to actually do things that relax you when life gets so hectic.

Reply posted for Matt Gumb.

I'm sorry to hear that you're going through this at the moment — it must have been very hard for you. Like you, I had been diagnosed with severe anxiety for the past years. I tried many anxiety products but nothing worked for me. Fortunately, a good friend of mine recommend me to use CBD oil to treat my anxiety. Obviously, I was hesitant to use it as I, myself, know that it has a bad reputation all around the world. But since I really want to get rid of my anxiety, which I've been dealing for several years, I talked to my specialist and ask for a CBD oil recommendation. Thankfully, he did permit me to take it — and I did immediately. After a few weeks of using it, I felt good to the point that I almost forget about my anxiety. I'd suggest you to consider it but remember that it comes with side effects as well. Please do take look here https://ultrazencbd.com/cbd-oil-benefits/ to see how CBD can be very beneficial to our body. 

Reply posted for Matt Gumb.

I know how you feel. Always wondering if the bathrooms emoty, close enough, and available to use when the need arises. I'm also scared to eat as of late myself and it ridiculous we have to go through this. However your not alone.

Reply posted for charbs.

I also wanted to know about anxiety as one of my loved one is suffering form it.

Reply posted for Matt Gumb.

Hi, Matt I understand how you feel because I am a thirty one year old who was diagnosed with UC a few months ago. I had to make a few adjustments to my routine also. I am a full-time college student and I experience anxiety with balancing schedules and managing my symptoms. Any advice?

Reply posted for Matt Gumb.

Hey bud, 
Completely understand,  I had such bad anxiety during my first years of diagnosis that I developed panic disorder and agorophobia.   BUT  I no longer suffer from that, and the anxiety is so under control that it rarely bothers me and when it comes, I am able to get through it.
 
Here's what worked for me: 
-Googled AnxietyBC on the reccomendation of my therapist, and followed what it said.  
-Breathing app on my phone
-Notepad in my pocket with affirmations that I checked often
-Took low dose Ativan as needed while I recovered
-Quit alcohol, coffee, and sugar
-started being outside every morning for half hour walk
-fixed my sleep habits with acupuncture and melatonin

Diet: 
-write down everything you eat and how you feel after.  then you will know what to avoid and what is safe
-find 3-5 safe foods that you can always eat and keep those in your house and with you so that you always have a backup (mine are plain yogurt, applesauce, cooked carrots, bananas, and chicken breast)
-some diets to try out are "the Specific Carbohydrate diet"  "low fodmaps diet" and "the maker's diet".  those have all worked for me in the past.  Im in strong remission right now so I dont have to eat a specific diet at the moment but i go back to one of these any time i start to lean towards trouble.  

Suppliments:
-peppermint tea 
-marshmellow root
-licorice root
-take your vitamins in liquid form for better absorbtion
-digestive bitters before meals
-apple cider vinegar

Try a few things, write down how you feel day to day.  If you dont give up you will find what works for you, and you will have a very strong sense of control, which really goes a long way to improve anxiety

Reply posted for Matt Gumb.

I understand and sympathize for you. I deal with high anxiety for all the same reasons. Crohns disease alone with it's way with your body and how it controls your very next move everyday will make you so anxious its unbelievable. I get so anxious at times I can't even get myself to call in or go to work for that matter. The anxiety will and can get to you mentally and break away at you slowly till you feel their is no winning. I see a therapist for it. I cant handle it on my own. Sadly to say I have been committed to psych ward twice because of the anxiety,stress, sacredness of what may happen next and where. I tell myself every day is a new day now for the past 2 years and it kind of helps. Theirs always someone else out amongst us all quiet and composed but is hurting and praying for it to get better for him or her.

Reply posted for Matt Gumb.

I understand what you're going through. I was diagnosed this year (2019) and at 18. My anxiety grows all the time from while I'm studying for school and trying to focus to being around family and trying to be the best me possible. The anxiety likes to linger there and always reminds me of my uc, even though I shouldn't stress over it. 

My quesiton is how do you guys deal with anxiety? Like specific activities to breathing exercises or anything (not medicine/drug related). 

Reply posted for Matt Gumb.

You were lucky to have such a long remission. Have you tried any of the new biologics? Some people have very good luck with them. I had the surgery. It works but takes about a year to completely heal.