Dealing with depression with crohn's disease

[Jason]

LeeAnn wrote:

...How do you all deal with the Crohn's, the depression, and having to work?(not to mention having to deal with Crohn's while AT work).

Well first off I got treatment for the depression. My treatment included meeting with a CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapist)

As for the specifics with work: 1) I have always worked for employers who are subject to FMLA laws. So if yours is, and you haven't already politely talked with your employer about your need for intermittent leave, do so! Start with your HR department and ask specific questions such as "If I'm sick due to Crohn's, out of sick time, and I've got vacation time left, am I required to use it concurrent with my FMLA time off, or am I given the choice to take it as unpaid?" (I'm assuming you're salaried, otherwise it's likely unpaid time off regardless if sick or vacation time) 2) While on the job, if you need special accomodations, the ADA protects you there. Don't be afraid to politely, but directly, remind your employer of what your needs are.(Leave meetings at seemingly random moments; Be stationed physically near a restroom...etc) 3) For handling those inevitable set-backs in doing what I do for a living, when interrupted by several day absences or multiple restroom breaks in the middle of work; if I have the energy to, I put in extra time in the day to accomplish what i intended to for the day. If I can't and there's a schedule impact due to Crohn's issues, I notify my supervisors as soon as I know there's a schedule impact. If you don't do multi-month project office work this may be trickier for you, so the best thing to do there is talk openly and honestly with your employer about it.

If your employer is unreasonable about things seek employment elsewhere and talk to your states DAs office if you believe they're in violation of the federal FMLA laws. See if the DAs office has an opinion. Or optionally talk to a disability specialist lawyer... however unless they're doing it probono, you could have to pay for anything beyond the initial consultation.

best of luck to you.

[england uk]

Mandy wrote:

I also wnted to say...Anxiety and deppression go with this disease. I get panic attacks. don't like to drive at night, or go aywhere alone, long driving trips are not an option. I have recently stopped drinking for 3 months, only drink wine now. trying to quit smoking ciggs, but its the hardest thing I ever tried to do! If you know, or think theres something wrong with you, or have been sick all your life,It's so much harder. I had open heart surgery when I was 17. I'd rather do it all over again, than deal with my Crohn's. This disease is horrible. My Fiancee' understands, and loves me... but does anyone else have no sexual drive, whatsoever? I am not on any meds, I dont understand why I have no sexual urge? at all. even when I'm feeling ok. Anyone else deal with this problem? I love my man and want to please him. he does everything for me. He pleases me in every way possible. Is sexual dissfunction part of this disease? hope I atleast helped one person. Is not wanting to do anything or go anywhere, also?

Hi Mandy, I can identify totally with your post i totally have no urge for sexual activity even in periods whereby the disease is inactive. I am from england and in information packs i have it does say that it is something associated with the disease although im unsure why! I know its very fustrating and hopefully you have a partner that understands I do luckily but it still gets me down occasionally. Also with not wanting to go out I feel that too its scary too the thought of long trips or being out on my own as I experience such sharp pains in flare up even going ton work sometimes feels like a huge thing as I find it hard to get through the day. Your not alone it feels so hard sometimes to be positive.

[england uk]

Jenn wrote:

I got diagnosed with Crohn's today. I am a little mad because I have been struggling with bipolar and borderline personality disorder since I was 14. Now I have this too to deal with. Well, I have learned to manage and advocate for people with my mental illness, so i guess I feel like maybe the reason I ended up with this is because I am suppose to advocate for this disease. I am a firm believer in positivity, and frankly I am going to manage it with diet, sleep, exercise, limiting my stress and positivity!!! I feel very sad for those of you that are depressed. I know what depression is like...I have bipolar right. The best thing I can tell you is to remind yourself that "this too shall pass". Based on the research that I have done today, it appears to me that this is a chronic condition but it has breaks. Well, use the same moto for your crohn's as well. If there is any information that anyone can suggest for me, or tricks of the trade please let me know I am very open to learning. Keep your head up, and remember that there is always a reason for things, find out what yours is.

Hi Jenn, can i just say thanks for putting your post up on here, Im experiencing a bad flare up at the moment and are feeling really down and reading your post has really inspired me. Personally I think you are one amazing person to deal with bipolar is one thing (I work with those with bipolar/depression) and ive seen how that affects a person but to deal with crohns too and to be so positive makes me think twice I am lucky I dont know how you cope as it must be so difficult but I feel if you can do it so can I so thankyou for posting on here.

[kim]

Angela Holme wrote:

I'm have a hard time dealing with my crohn's. I'm 41 years old and I want to do things that people my age do. I can't because I'm scared I might have a flare up and ruan everyones day. Thats why I just saty at hom all the time and because of that I'm having very bad depression to the point I don't want to live anymore. Any advise will really help me right know.

I am 37 today and have had crohns disease since the age of 9. It is a very horrible disease that effects every aspect of your life at this point I am really sick of it. It has effected all of my relationships especially intimately. I always feel like I smell from going to the bathroom all the time even though I am clean you can;t help but to think about it. My husband wants to do some sexual things and I am afraid what if I leak. I have had tons of surgeries for fistulas it is so sad I could really go on for ever about things in my life that have been efffected terribly by my crohns

[quinroxanne]

I'm sorry to hear your stories, it is so inspiring for the readers worldwide.

[Mark in Detroit]

Hi there. 36 here, and Crohn's has essentially defined my life. It's nice to read through others stories. I've had the disease since I was 15, but am becoming more depressed with the disease. It interferes with my job, my family, my sex life. It has effected just about every big decision in my life. Most recently I've had a hard time with Kidney Stones, getting about one a month. I have an appointment right now with new GI doc to look at a possible fistula. Does anyone out there take pain meds like Vicodin for their Crohns. I have 8 bowel movements a day, and fewer with the pain meds.

[Lucy uk]

Hi. My names Lucy and i have had chron's since i was 20. Its nice to read all your storys cause i feel like im not alone. I have been suffering from depression for several months and even took an overdose. this makes my stomach so much worse. I have come off my miricle tablet amitryptlin as it doesnt react well with my anti-d's(i feel like im spaced out on drugs lol) is there any other tablets anyone could recommend as at current i am opening my bowels 30 times a day :(

[Sandra]

Mandy wrote:

I also wnted to say...Anxiety and deppression go with this disease. I get panic attacks. don't like to drive at night, or go aywhere alone, long driving trips are not an option. I have recently stopped drinking for 3 months, only drink wine now. trying to quit smoking ciggs, but its the hardest thing I ever tried to do! If you know, or think theres something wrong with you, or have been sick all your life,It's so much harder. I had open heart surgery when I was 17. I'd rather do it all over again, than deal with my Crohn's. This disease is horrible. My Fiancee' understands, and loves me... but does anyone else have no sexual drive, whatsoever? I am not on any meds, I dont understand why I have no sexual urge? at all. even when I'm feeling ok. Anyone else deal with this problem? I love my man and want to please him. he does everything for me. He pleases me in every way possible. Is sexual dissfunction part of this disease? hope I atleast helped one person. Is not wanting to do anything or go anywhere, also?

You just answered my Question I was diagnosed with Crohn's when I was 14 I am almost 19 now an I have No sex drive I think to myself aint I to young to fill that way But maybe my Crohns dissease does have something to do with it..

[lesley]

I was diagnosed with Chrone's finally July 23, 09. I had been ill for several years prior and the doctord would not or could not diagnose me. Meanwhile, I was getting sicker. The depression and anxiety has what has taken over my life. The ileostomy has not been too big of an issue as far as it works. I don't know where to start. If any one could help me it would be grately appreciated. Thank and look forward to any words of advise you have to offer. Am am 39 years old and it was in the later stages of the disease.

[Rose]

I am on my lunch break and am dealing with the extreme low energy, depression (there I said it) and joint aches along with everything else. I am tired of being tired and I do realize things could be a lot worse. I don't want to have anything to do with my co workers because I am just so fed up with getting up every morning because it takes all of my energy to get going.

I made an appointment with a new Doctor. People have suggested him to me. My current gastro doc is nice but he attributes my aches to fibromyalgia. I went to my primary and she suggested I wasn't getting enough sleep (10 -12 hours a night). and gave me sleeping pills. I asked her about ferritin lvels and she said it shouldn't matter but my ferritin was below normal.

Excuse my whiny post I just needing to get this off my chest before I burst

[John]

Mark in Detroit wrote:

Hi there. 36 here, and Crohn's has essentially defined my life. It's nice to read through others stories. I've had the disease since I was 15, but am becoming more depressed with the disease. It interferes with my job, my family, my sex life. It has effected just about every big decision in my life. Most recently I've had a hard time with Kidney Stones, getting about one a month. I have an appointment right now with new GI doc to look at a possible fistula. Does anyone out there take pain meds like Vicodin for their Crohns. I have 8 bowel movements a day, and fewer with the pain meds.

Hi i am currently 24 years and have been diagnosed with crohns for about a year now. I havent had any real relief until recently when they put me on Remicade. In terms of the pain i occasionally use painkillers. I have had about 20 pills for the past 4 month and haven't used them all up. what i found to help a lot is Marijuana. fortunately i live in a compassionate state that allows medical marijuana. i have found that it not only helps me with the pain and aches but it helps relieve my bowl movement usually reducing my number my half. When i decided to use marijuana i did research online and read articles and blogs on the positive and negative effects. I also met another crohny that has been suffering since the age of 3 for the past 20 years and has sever complications. She is always in pain but like all of us doesn't want to get addicted to the pain meds, which she has been in some points of her life. I found that i don't feel addicted to marijuana but now dependent. I don't perceive being dependent as a bad since the dependency is do to the crohns and the drug its self. I would recommend marijuana to anybody that is suffering but you need to remember that every person is effected differently by it and need to experiment with it. It has also seemed to help me with my depression and has made it much easier for me to attend classes. But i'm trying not to rely on drugs to treat my depression because of all my other medications. Epically those on steroids, i have found that they make me more emotional and mess around with my mental state.

Thank You everybody your post have been very helpful for me i hope that everybody will have a healthy and easy life. and remember that your not the only one out there suffering there are many like us.

once again thank you!

[Suzanne]

Matt wrote:

I have had chrons for about 18 years now...misdiagnosed for half that time. I too have had a surgery and been hopitallized a few times...A few things that work for me..Remicade every 4 weeks sometimes i can last up to 10 weeks. i think you can tell when you need it. I am fortunate to have a Dr. that sees it this way. Along with that I have found I need antibiotics about every 6 months now> I know my body well enough to tell whats changed. I also need Iron which is tough on our systems. I take a pill that is basically broken down and easy to absorb...cant remember the name right off hand but it costs $12 for 60 tablets at the pharm. Cleated or something..nothing else worked, but this gives me the energy I need...I can qlso tell when I need more due to energy loss. I have been thru the ringer, divorce and am a single parent with full custody..its not easy, but after feeling dead for so many years, I have had the last three be great, yeas I still have to worry, I never touch fast foods, I was a chef so I cook everything my self or try to...Find something a hobby or so that you can be happy with...you need it and deserve it....I have been slowly moving further south, started in Alaska and am in the midwest now...I have taken trips to Cali, Floridi and Texass...I dont now what it is but the sun helps soooo much> my next move will curtainly be to a sunny place year round...
I have been on so many different meds that are just poison....and really did nothing but give me a false sense of energy..ie prednisone...and some of the othe chemos they give us in pill form..It takes trial and error on foods...find out if you have ciliac spruce disease too and if you are lactose intolerant....these are common with chrons patience but not all of us suffer from them.
Good luck, and keep smiling. change doctors if the ones you have dont listen or dont seem they know enough about your suffering...there is a world of a difference between a great doctor that listens and a D+ doctor who thinks they know it all and wont listen to you....yer life is worth it.
Peace, MK

Matt - I was just at a CCFC seminar where they were discussing the lack of calcium and vitamin D in the diets of Crohnies. Vitamin D is what you get in large doses from the sun - so your plan to move south is sound.

[Suzanne]

Like I mentioned in the post to Matt, I just attended a ccfc seminar on the link between depression and crohn's, colitis and IBD. There is a bizarre connection between cytokines (found in the gut) and the vagus nerve. Apparently, when there is inflammation it sends a message to the brain. Even when you are not in a flare, the inflammed cells remain present, thereby causing a continued effect in the brain. You can have your cytokines tested when in a flare or not, so you at least have a baseline. Then when you clear up or flare you can have it tested again to see if that is your problem. The cytokine have an effect on sleep patterns, anxiety and depression. They also cause an increase in nerves that can transmit pain - lightbulb!!! May be why I experience muscle pain when touched and aching bone pain. There was some mention that the depression may have come before the inflammation thereby triggering the disease, which I found interesting in my case. But essentially its the chicken and egg question all over. There is a research study commencing at McMaster Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario run by Dr. Premysl Bercik that may be of interest to you.
They are looking at probiotics as a method of treatment. Currently the ones they are finding that work are not yet on the market but they are repairing the bacteria imbalance, thereby reducing your need to be on anti-depressants because it makes you feel better. I'm particularly following this study.
There is also a study entitled GEM which is actively recruiting participants. They need crohnies with unaffected siblings (between the ages of 6 and 35). They will interview each of you for an hour then follow up with you every 6 months for 5 years to see how you are both doing. The study came too late for me as I turned 40 this year and my youngest sister has had some intestinal trouble (nyd).
On a personal note, I'm not sure which came first the depression or the disease - I just know I have both to deal with. I also find that I cannot express myself sufficiently to my spouse which causes me to internalize rage. I suffer from insomnia, racing thoughts, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts (beware hubby!), absolutely no sexual desire (poor hubby)- actually didn't think it was related to the crohns but more to the depression. You have given me more to think about. I often think I am the only morbidly obese crohn's person out there, but my GI says that isn't the case.
Thanks for letting me share!