Community Forum

Hello friends,

I have been leaving with CD since the age of 12. Its been very hard as a lot of you know... Well lately I been going through a lot of stress in my personal life. I guess now I have anxiety, but I can remember that I have been dealing with this since I was little, but nobody notice. I didn't think it was anxiety!! When I was on open fields I felt like I was going to pass out :( or in planes or sometimes just walking around the stores. I didn't have a normal teenager life because of it. Well now I have been to the neurologist, picked up in an ambulance like 3 times in a week, lost my job because of it etc... I am going to start going to counseling for that the only thing is that I know that they are going to prescribe me some antidepressant's, and I get very scared of any med that will make me sleepy. I get really anxious with that kind of meds its really bad that I think all the meds will make me sleepy and for an example my iron pills I take them before I go to bed. Its hard leaving like this specially when I have 2 kids and a single mother.. I cant go out a lot or drive a lot.. and It happens when I am by myself or at night!! :(

Ps. Ok I need recommendations from you guys to see what can I do to make my life better with this anxiety.. Is there a med that wont make me that sleepy or sleepy at! I need a lot of advise!!! Please Help me ASAP

 Reply posted for CDsince12.

Anxiety... meds.. panic attacks.meds..depression... disease...meds & side affects... dr's and employers...  These all seem to be the things we don't talk about or deal with well enough.  they affect every one of us with IBD or chronic illness.  Definitely ask any provider prescribing ANY medication; what are the side affects, will it positively or negatively affect my other symptoms? You might be surprised that some anti-anxiety or anti-depressants can counterbalance symptoms that you have.  each time I get prescribed prednisone <about once a year> I get panic attacks and a host of other issues.  I have found that Giving Myself Permission, meditation, reflexology, massage, chiropractic, and counseling IN THAT ORDER OF PRIORITY AND FREQUENCY are a huge part of keeping myself balanced and feeling as normal as I can.  Hang in there!

 Reply posted for CDsince12.

Hi.  I have crohn's, uc and ibs.  It took a long time for me to take an anti-depressant but i do now.  I am really taking it for high anxiety.  I take nortriptyline.  I guess it is easier on the stomach.  It has helped tremendously.  I have two small children and I teach Kindergarten in an inner city school-stressful!  Good luck!  I hope you find something that works for you.

ngc

 Reply posted for CDsince12.

I am sorry to hear your story.   Being a single mom with two children must be very difficult, couple that with CD and it is even more challenging.   Challenging, yes, impossible, no way.  

Seeking counseling is a step in the right direction.   Many times an unbiased ear could really shed more light on a situation than you know.  Maybe even check with your GI's office or local CCFA office to see if they have a support group.   If not, they may see there is a need and start one.

I hear you loud and clear when you would rather not add another med to the day-to-day.    I have always explored alternatives.    Have you tried some relaxation therapy.  I know, you are probably saying, yeah right.....I have two kids.   But really, yoga has been a wonderful outlet for me.    I used to actually set my alarm an hour before my kids just so I could incorporate it into my day.  I can tell you it truly made a tremendous difference.  Another thing you may want to try is various aroma therapy oil, bath salts, etc.  My father had been ill many years ago and I swear just adding a lavender sache in his pillow case made a little difference.  After you kids go to bed at night, maybe draw yourself a bath with lavender or some other naturally relaxing herb and see what happens.   You won't be a new woman after one quiet bath, but once your body/mind/spirit gets into the routine, you may feel soothed.

I hope you find some calm soon.  Best of luck to you and your family.  

Lizzies Mom

 Reply posted for CDsince12.

anxiety can be debilitating.  I don't have Chron's or Collitis - I am on here as a concerned friend.  However, I do suffer from anxiety and I take clonazapam.  It may be something you want to ask your doc about.  Make sure they check for drug interactions!  I would steer clear of valium.  It's very addictive and acts very quickly so you can feel when you come off of it which tends to lead to wanting more.  Something like Clonapin/Clonazapam has a longer half-life so it doesn't jolt you as much.  

 Reply posted for CDsince12.

The scary part is that something else could be wrong with you that causes the anxiety. The medical establishment does not always get it right. The human body is very complex. Medications might only complicate matters. Anti depressants come with their own baggage. The medical establishment loves to assign the word stress to whatever they cannot figure out, a catch all diagnosis. Have you ever had any blood sugar problems? Are you a sugar junky? Do you eat like you should? Have you ever had a glucose tolerance test? I used to pass out and after years of going to doctors I finally figured out on my own that I hypoglycemic. You might want to go to your primary care physician and discuss this anxiety and passing out.  

                              Joe