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How do you keep a level head?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/6/2018 12:26 PM (GMT -5)
Hi there everyone,

So I’ve recently had my baby, all went well with the birth after much speculation from myself.. especially as i only received my diagnoses during this pregnancy.

My little lovely girl came at 37 weeks, very quick labour without too much damage shall we say.
She is lovely and healthy and a great weight.
I’ve also been pretty well even though i didn’t use my suppositories (Asacol 1 nightly) for a week due to just feeling to swollen after birth.
I have had a few looser stools, and a little mucus, but no blood and i’m back taking them as normal now.
I would say my stomach feels a little more sensitive than normal, but still only having 1 bm per day, so i’m just keeping a watchful eye. I’ll hopefully have an appointment with my GI in a few weeks anyway.

What i’m hugely struggling with is how do stop thinking about this bloody disease…. i have 2 beautiful children, and a lot to be thankful for, and in the grand scheme of things i’m very well.
I can’t work out whether its anxiety making my stomach feel off.. or UC.. or a bit of both… all mushed together with some post natal hormones. Will the feeling of dread ever really go?

I really feel like i’m starting to obsess about this disease, and i don’t want to waste away my good days worrying about the what ifs .. i know theres no magic wand, or a button to turn my thoughts off. But any advice for a crazy mum would be greatly accepted.

Kate

Ulcerative Proctitis ( first 5cm) Only suppositories for now until my follow up appointment. Asacol 1 nightly… feeling a little demented cry
Posted 4/6/2018 12:35 PM (GMT -5)
Without a doubt, anxiety about suddenly feeling sick, will make me sick. I'll usually be okay but if I'm at an airport or if I need to leave for work at a very specific time, thoughts start running through my head like "omg what if I get stuck on the toilet what if I miss my flight what if I can't leave the house on time" I work myself up into an anxious frenzy and begin cramping...

I try to plan for these feelings and pre-medicate. I have CBD tinctures and Bentyl. Usually double dosing up on those right when I wake up for work helps me or right before I need to be at a big event.

It's all about the anticipation.
Posted 4/6/2018 12:38 PM (GMT -5)
I have no idea about the level headed part, but I can say I believe you're undertreated. As well your experience is new and that's going to be the teacher for you. It's not going to go away, so best make sure you're treated appropriately. At the very least get on low dosage mesalamine oral and use the supps nightly for at least a month. Enemas would be better and the supps for adjunct if needed.

Thanks for the update....please hang out here for a bit tho.
Congratulations on the safe and healthy arrival of you daughter.
q
Posted 4/6/2018 12:47 PM (GMT -5)

quincy said...
I have no idea about the level headed part, but I can say I believe you're undertreated. As well your experience is new and that's going to be the teacher for you. It's not going to go away, so best make sure you're treated appropriately. At the very least get on low dosage mesalamine oral and use the supps nightly for at least a month. Enemas would be better and the supps for adjunct if needed.

Thanks for the update....please hang out here for a bit tho.
Congratulations on the safe and healthy arrival of you daughter.
q


I think that might be one of the reasons i’m feeling anxious… i don’t feel under treated but from what i’ve read it is far better to have treatment for the top and tail.
It is all very new and i’ve been trying to do as much research as possible, and saving posts regarding medication, plus symptoms etc. I understand it’s different for everyone, but am i going to be thinking about this every dam day even when i’m well? shakehead
Posted 4/6/2018 1:08 PM (GMT -5)
You're new at this, initially we all fear the worst, that every new thing is a sign of impending doom just around the corner. I can assure you that the majority of those worries are unfounded. Trust me that the longer you've had UC the easier it gets. Once you get to know UC, the warning signs, what sets it off for you, and how to respond quickly and appropriately then it is a lot less worry and anxiety. It's kind of like growing up with an annoying sibling, there's certain things that set him/her off, you know what those are, try to avoid or mitigate those things. UC is no different, and much like the sibling, you're both in this together smile

A sense of humor helps me cope. As does finding distractions when your UC gets to you. Dive back into hobbies (reading, music, or anything you enjoy). Consider yoga, mindfulness, meditation, or anything that relaxes you. Nobody can worry about his/her health 24/7 and expect to remain sane, so you need other things to think about, and a healthy outlet to de-stress.

Some links:

Tips for coping with stress and anxieties:
www.stress-relief-exercises.com
www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/73076/34334/breathing-lessons
www.healthyplace.com

Three Minute Mindfulness Meditation Video
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDflnqo0TQs
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2_UfFIszkY
Posted 4/6/2018 1:22 PM (GMT -5)

iPoop said...
You're new at this, initially we all fear the worst, that every new thing is a sign of impending doom just around the corner. I can assure you that the majority of those worries are unfounded. Trust me that the longer you've had UC the easier it gets. Once you get to know UC, the warning signs, what sets it off for you, and how to respond quickly and appropriately then it is a lot less worry and anxiety. It's kind of like growing up with an annoying sibling, there's certain things that set him/her off, you know what those are, try to avoid or mitigate those things. UC is no different, and much like the sibling, you're both in this together smile

A sense of humor helps me cope. As does finding distractions when your UC gets to you. Dive back into hobbies (reading, music, or anything you enjoy). Consider yoga, mindfulness, meditation, or anything that relaxes you. Nobody can worry about his/her health 24/7 and expect to remain sane, so you need other things to think about, and a healthy outlet to de-stress.

Some links:

Tips for coping with stress and anxieties:
www.stress-relief-exercises.com
www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/73076/34334/breathing-lessons
www.healthyplace.com

Three Minute Mindfulness Meditation Video
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDflnqo0TQs
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2_UfFIszkY



Ah thank you… i do have an annoying younger sibling hah, so that reference i can familiarise with… although i couldn’t live with out him… I guess that is true, i’m in the “honeymoon” period, and i need to get to know a few things.
I guess i’m just feeling a bit angry at myself for worrying about something that isn’t yet here, i have a lot of lovely things happening around me.
I feel a bit ungrateful and almost like i’m peering through a window of happiness, but won’t allow myself to be inside and let my guard down.

Thank you for the links, i’ll most definitely take a look
Posted 4/6/2018 2:00 PM (GMT -5)
Once we achieve a remission (meaning a total absence of UC symptoms), we are essentially normal and don't fret over bathrooms or worry. There's a bit of trial-and-error in finding your correct UC treatment with the right medication(s) and dose(s) as everyone responds very differently to treatments. So be patient, and speak up if you're not in a sustained remission without symptoms.

It's easy to say, "well, 5-bms a day is a lot better than 12, so maybe that's as good as it gets for me" and you're selling yourself short if you're still struggling and limping by each day with excuses why you cannot do things you want/need to do. (Plus being in a simmering-inflammation state makes you a lot more likely to fall back into a flare again, whereas a stable remission can last years.)

Try and keep positive, but stay vigilant if your UC starts becoming a problem and butting in.
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