Crohn's and anxiety symptoms

[GoJohnnyGo]

Just kind of wondering if some folks here have both, if the constant urge to defecate gives rise to panic attacks.

I've never been diagnosed with this. I consider myself a pretty laid-back person most of the time, but when I get stressed, I don't always handle it well.

Also, I often get these "body zap" sensations when I'm falling asleep. Like a mild electric jolt through my body. Not sure if this is a result of anxiety, or this is a symptom of a medical problem.

 

[AgB621]

What medications are you on? That "body zap" is a very classic side effect of Paxil, and maybe some others. I was on Paxil for several years (HORRIBLE drug!) and I remember my mother telling me about a lawsuit against it in which people complained of the side effects, including those "jolts" and I was shocked to hear this really odd symptom being described in a way that made sense. I'd had it for years and tried unsuccessfully to think of a way of explaining it.

You say you're laid back, so my guess is you are not on Paxil, but I would definitely check with your doctor about it being a side effect of one of your meds. Such a peculiar sensation! It's possible it's the result of anxiety, I've never heard of it as a symptom of any other sort of medical problem. It is interesting that it happens only when you're falling asleep, like there's some misfires in your brain in the process of slowing down. I don't believe these are symptoms of a problem requiring urgent medical care, but if they're uncomfortable or making it hard for you to sleep, calling your doctor is not a bad idea.

As for anxiety, I have that in spades. It's gotten much worse as my GI symptoms have progressed, but for me I think that feeling sick has a lot to do with it...feeling sick makes me really anxious, which just makes me feel sicker. My diagnosis of anxiety and panic attacks long preceded the advent of my severer stomach issues. I can definitely understand the constant need to defecate causing panic attacks. Panic attacks are often the result of feeling a loss of control of your body. For me, that fear of a loss of control is manifested in a fear of vomiting. Panic attacks are really awful and uncomfortable, and if they're interfering with your life, ask your doctor if he can recommend a good psychiatrist who can assess whether medication or relaxation techniques might be helpful in easing your symptoms. I'd be careful of the meds personally, they can be pretty habit-forming. I'm an advocate of talk therapy and other techniques (visualization, meditation) as a means of dealing with anxiety. Even just positive self-talk has been shown to be very effective.

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

I've had the sensation for a long time, so it's not recent or related to medications. I had thought it was related to anemia perhaps, but those other symptoms have largely cleared up.

Just trying to put two-and-two together, and at the risk of self-diagnosing myself (which I do know can be dangerous), I did read something about the sensation being related to panic disorder.

Maybe I'm reading too much, LOL.

 

[Matt645]

I had terrible unexplained anxiaty symtoms, at the same time my doc said I was a little low on vitamin D so I started taking super size cod liver oil capsuals and the the anxiaty just disapeared within a few days.

Strange but it worked for me.

 

[AIjen]

I was told by my rheumatologist that I may have "periodic limb movement" at night and he recommended a sleep study. I want to say that it's a form of restless legs syndrome, but since it makes your whole body jerk, it's called something else. Apparently, things like this are common in people with autoimmune diseases.

 

[teeny5]

I had developed anxiety and mild depression with the onset of the disease. I haven't had a panic attack though. At night I often have what I would call restless leg syndrome. It just began not too long ago. I was reading that it could be related to iron or folate deficiencies. My doctor had just recently put me on supplements of both. Hopefully that will make it stop. My husband says my legs move all through the night!

 

[D Bergy]

Magnesium deficiency can result in RLS.

Anxiety and depression is sometimes the result of chronic inflammation. It was in my case. Until I started treating my Crohn's with anti inflammatorys I always had bouts of depression and to a lesser extent, anxiety.

The first thing I cured was my depression, which was a huge and welcome surprise.

There is likely other causes as well, but given our medical histories, a strong suspect is the inflammation.

Dan

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

Thank you, this information is helpful.

I should be getting enough magnesium and fish oil in my diet. Malabsorption, though, it probably another issue.

Just one of those weird things happening that I thought I'd throw out here for discussion. It was kind of hard to describe, so I almost didn't bring it up.

Kinda was dreading it might be neurological or something.

 

[pb4]

About 13 yrs into my CD I developed severe depression and anxiety, what helped me was regular exercise.

Good luck

 

[Jax]

Hey Johnny,
i don't know if I have the same thing you describe but I feel like I may be suffering from slight anxiety wondering when this b%$*&(@ is going to rear its ugly head again. Mine isn't due to D tho as I don't get that, just feel like I'm in labour...ahh fun times. While internet dignosis isn't right per say...it certainly kills the time! Anyways I think about this stupid disease everyday and analyse every gurgle ( and there are alot of them) pretty sure this is some kind of anxiety but I just try not to think about it. Take care
regards,
Dr internet

 

[DustinK]

Yeah I've experienced a LOT of anxiety issues since I got this colostomy. Its just something that's always in the back of your mind when you go out because you can't control when things come out :ymad:

I know its illegal and stuff but I buy xanax from a friend of mine and they help me a TON. I only take small dosages of it but it not only helps with my anxiety but I've found it also seems to calm my guts down too. I don't have as much gas, don't have the bubble guts, ect since I've started taking them. Next time I see my GI I'm going to talk to him about it and see if he will prescribe them to me. I've been seeing him for so long that I'm fairly sure he knows me well enough to know that I'm not a druggie and not taking them for the narcotic effects so I think he will write me a script.

 

[MINI Cooper]

i would think anxiety goes hand in hand with Crohn's.
I mean, who doesn't worry about having accidents??? I know I do.
I stress about where I should or shouldn't go, what I should or
shouldn't do on a day to day basis right now. Will I make it to the
grocery store without needing a potty or feeling like I am going to pass out?
::sigh:: Crohn's sucks.

 

[Sparky]

I don't get panic attacks, definitely get the 'body zap' thing though! Most nights just as I'm dropping off I feel like I've had a jolt of something. It wears off pretty fast, and then I can go to sleep but it's a horrible feeling. Happens if I try and sleep during the day too - usually a bigger 'zap' then, thinking about it.

 

[catfud]

I get bad anxiety attacks where I just can't face or cope with anything and just want to hide in a black hole away from everyone and everything. Usually I can kinda tell myself that its just because my crohn's is flaring and try to think past it and ride it out but its not always so easy. I find that regular exercise really helps with stopping depression but on the down side I don't always have the energy to exercise especialy at the moment.

 

[Babe123]

since being taken into hospital and being ill since ive had alot of anxeity issues, mostly with going to college or going to resutarants or places i will be surrounded by people and food.

i suffered with depression before this.. but has become worse since. when i have the energy i make my self go out for a walk .. i findit helps alot but its not always easy to get the energy
x