Anxiety
Tue, November 03, 2009 6:32 PM
I was diagnosed with Chron's a couple years ago. The thing that actually drove me to the doctor at that time was severe anxiety. It was so bad that I didnt eat anything I lost all sorts of weight and felt no relief. After being diagnosed and having a name for what was wrong with me a lot of that anxiety went away and having Chron's Disease really hasnt seemed like such a big deal.
Recently however, I can tell that anxiety is sneaking its way back in and Im not sure how to deal with it. Im finding myself not wanting to go out, not wanting to do anything really. I pay a lot of attention to how my stomach feels, possibly too much, and the possibility of a flare up ruins my night because I spend the entire time worrying that its going to ruin my night. Its vicious! Like Im about to go out to eat right now for a co-workers birthday and Im scared outta my mind that Im going to have a panic attack at the table or look odd because Im going to sit there and pick at my food. Its so upsetting. By nature Im a social person and I saw Chron's get in the way of that before but I didnt think it was really going to be a problem again.
Basically I just wanna know how other Chron's sufferers deal with anxiety caused by Chron's. Im in college so Im obviously going to spend a good amount of time stressing so how do I manage that and stress about this too? I would really appreciate some advice! I dont want to go through this again. bleh.
Joined Nov 3, 2009
Sun, November 08, 2009 10:45 PM
Reply posted for Burntdownmushel.
Sorry to double post but I just reread my first one and found a mistake. I was diagnosed at 40, not 43. Not that the age makes any difference, just wanted to be honest.
Joined Apr 25, 2008
Sun, November 08, 2009 10:39 PM
Reply posted for Burntdownmushel.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2007 at the age of 43. I had started to feel bad and went through a lot of awful tests. After three months of not knowing what was wrong with me, it felt good to be able to put a name to the pain. I think anxiety can aggravate Crohn's and cause flareups. I am a calm and relaxed person by nature, so I don't have that much anxiety about Crohn's. I read the facts, assessed my situation, and decided that I wasn't going to let it run my life. If I have a bad day, I just put everything else on hold and take care of myself. My family has been very understanding. My husband asks me everyday how I'm feeling. It makes me feel like he values me and my limitations.
I used to ask myself why I had this disease, but the more I think about my family and their lives, I realize that, of my family, I am probably the best one to have it. I wouldn't wish it on any of them. They all have to work to support their own families, whereas I can get away with not working. I realize you may not be able to have that luxury, and I wish you all the best in managing school and a future career with this issue. It helps sometimes just to take one day at a time. A positive attitude has definitely helped me deal with my disease, regardless of how I feel physically at any given moment.
Best of luck
Joined Apr 25, 2008
Thu, November 05, 2009 1:00 AM
Reply posted for Burntdownmushel.
i have had crohns for 40years so i know the feeling.take my number4193515668 so if you feel that feeling call.now this my help .go out and have fun and you have a number just in case,my name is jim,good luck
paverJoined Jun 18, 2009
Wed, November 04, 2009 7:32 PM
Reply posted for Burntdownmushel.
Try to figure out a way to make your life as stress free as possible.Not a simple thing,i'm married with three kids and work has been a tough go.I have colitis that has flared pretty bad.I stopped working[i'm lucky my wife has a good job] and i'm just trying to get well.My boss is great,he had diverticulitis that almost killed him,so he understands what i'm going thru.Get educated,go to support groups,when you feel o.k take a long or short walk.Don't isolate,get out as much as possible[not easy].I'll pray for you-GOOD LUCK
stephen sweeneyJoined Nov 4, 2009