Confused and a little scared

[Barrel]

Hi, my name is Carl. I was diagnosed with crohns disease when I was 10 years old. And i've had this disease for 10 years now and never really had any problems up until late. My problem now is that I haven't really felt like myself in months. I take no joy in anything I do, whether i'm hanging out with my friends playing a video game, or whether I am just sitting around doing nothing I can't seem to be happy. I've been sorta feeling crappy since mid 2012, at first I thought I was just out of it. Like it was just an off day. But as time went on I started having anxiety attacks, I was put on a generic version of Zoloft but I stopped taking it before it really could do anything. I didn't like the way it made me feel. The attacks went away a little while after. Though I feel as though i've been robbed of myself. The changes that I feel have been noticed by the person that I hold dearest, i've been called apathetic, and I can see it. I haven't really felt the the range of emotions I once did. And I never seem happy around anyone who I used to be elated to see. I can't keep living like this. I've been deficient in vitamin d and calcium for some time, and I fear there might be more. I would have gone to a doctor and gotten blood work done to check on this but my health insurance makes me pay through the nose just to see my specialist. I'm not sure if this is mental, physical and causing mental stress, or if I am just going insane. if someone has felt he same I would love to hear your story. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I'm sorry you are struggling and it sounds like you need comprehensive care from a psych and gastroenterologist.

Here is a list of free and sliding scale in your area
http://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=low-cost-healthcare-services

Here is a list of free and sliding scale health resources in nyc if you ever get down here http://nycfreeclinic.med.nyu.edu/information-for-patients/health-resources/list-by-service

 

[DJW]

Hi barrel. Welcome to the forum. It's important to rule out physical issues and treat the psychological as well.

I have been diagnosed with major depression and anxiety; very common among people with chronic illness. Are you able to see your GP? Sending you my support and best wishes.

 

[SN8888]

Try B-12. I've heard that the early signs of B12 deficiency can be psychological. I had terrible anxiety, racing heartbeat, fatigue and other symptoms...I started taking a few mg a day and it went away. You could ask your Dr about how much to take or the possibility of getting shots (if you're deficient).

 

[Barrel]

Thanks for all the replies, really appreciate the links to the inurance, need to apply for medicaid and see if that will help my insurance situation. I've been to my general practitioner before, I scored high on a depression test so they had me go back in, I seemed for the most part fine so they didn't want to put me on medication, though nothing for my crohns was mentioned. I didn't even think of that when I went in, but in could barely afford the visit let alone he blood work. I'll look into vitamin b-12, hopefully it will help. I also should start eating better, I have a crohns cook book but I haven't been able to sit down and read it due to lack of focus

 

[Daisy123]

Hi Carl, I think many of us with Crohn's have suffered with depression at one stage or another. I have been on antidepressants a number of times and the side effects fade out with time, the last time I was on them I felt flat for about two weeks before they kicked in. I do think you should either see a counsellor and/or take antidepressants. Blood tests are important I find that leading up to my b12 I feel awful, very tired and lethargic. I am also on folic acid.

 

[Barrel]

thank you daisy and sn8888 for the b-12 suggestion, i feel a lot more like myself again after starting a daily supplement of that, still need to work on getting insurance so that i can get the blood work done that i really need to as well as the counseling that will certainly help the problems that have arisen from these deficiencies. folic acid, is that something you can get in stores? i looked at a few different vitamin isles and couldn't find any. Somewhere along the lines i forgot about the autoimmune part of it and how the vitamin deficiencies are a very serious matter

 

[Daisy123]

I get folic acid on prescription, it is stronger than the over counter stuff. Any deficiencies should show up on blood and urine tests.