Effect of stress on IBD

[JamieG]

Hi there. Was just wondering what effect stress has on people's crohns or colitis. I would say I am in a semi- flare at the moment, as medication has had some positive effect but I still feel some way off remission. Some days I will feel fine for long periods in the day, but then out of nowhere I'll have a really bad night where I'm constantly rushing to the loo. I think it may be stress that causes these bad days as it's often worse when I'm worried about work or at weekends when it can get quite crowded in the house (and there's only one toilet).
Has anyone else experienced symptoms getting worse due to stress, or a flare being caused by stress?
I'm quite concerned that this could be a problem even when I've achieved remission, and especially as I'm supposed to be starting uni in September.
And has anyone got any advice on dealing with stress?

Thanks

 

[SarahD]

Hi Jamie,

Stress has always been a big trigger for me, more so than anything else I've noticed. I used to flare every year at uni in the run up to exams, so making an already difficult period of time even harder. At uni, you might find it helps to have en-suite accommodation so that you don't have to share the bathroom with anyone else, and you might also be able to take exams in an alternative room if you might need to take toilet breaks etc. These aren't really ways of dealing with the stress as such, but ways of dealing with the effects of the stress.

If you're the kind of person who gets stressed quite easily it's very difficult to change that. I've learnt to recognise moments when I feel I'm getting worked up over something and take a step back to re-assess the situation. It seems to have helped me to let go of stressful situations to a certain extent. I know some people find meditation helpful too.

Sarah

 

[JamieG]

Hi Jamie,

Stress has always been a big trigger for me, more so than anything else I've noticed. I used to flare every year at uni in the run up to exams, so making an already difficult period of time even harder. At uni, you might find it helps to have en-suite accommodation so that you don't have to share the bathroom with anyone else, and you might also be able to take exams in an alternative room if you might need to take toilet breaks etc. These aren't really ways of dealing with the stress as such, but ways of dealing with the effects of the stress.

If you're the kind of person who gets stressed quite easily it's very difficult to change that. I've learnt to recognise moments when I feel I'm getting worked up over something and take a step back to re-assess the situation. It seems to have helped me to let go of stressful situations to a certain extent. I know some people find meditation helpful too.

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

I have booked en-suite accommodation & have made arrangements including a separate room for exams. :thumright:
Have you ever taken any medication for stress during those times or would that not help? My consultant has said that I may have developed IBS since diagnosis back in February, which might make sense as that can be triggered by stress and also I have had to cut down on things like dairy, alcohol and wheat.
Though I'm hoping that these intolerance's start to become less of a problem as my medication continues to work.

Thanks,

Jamie

 

[SarahD]

Excellent, you sound well organised I've never taken anything for stress, no. Did you discuss this with your consultant? I have no idea what meds are available but I'd be a little bit wary in case they contain any ingredients that could upset your gut.

 

[JamieG]

Thanks I'd like to think I am fairly organised no I haven't discussed what meds are available, but it might be something to look into if it continues. Even my good days at the moment aren't great so I'm hoping it will be better in a few months time when my medication has had its full effect. It is quite worrying though as even the smallest things that stress me out seem to have quite a negative effect on the condition at the moment.

 

[bobisacrohny]

Up to 90% of the doctor visits in the USA may be triggered by a stress -related illness, is what I have read that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Stress is a well known contributor to symptoms of IBD and even relapse of remission

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1774724/

The fact that IBD can itself cause stress in patients doesn't help the situation. It can be a vicious and seemingly never-ending cycle.

I know when I am under a great deal of stress my urges to pay a trip to the loo increase almost instantaneously. I get abdominal cramps and if I am in a flare my symptoms feel 10x worse than they normally would without a stress factor in my life.

I do my best to avoid stressful situations by actively challenging my response to situations that would typically trigger stress within me. I meditate often but especially during times of stress and illness and I find that it helps me tremendously. When I am well enough, I make sure to get even the smallest bit of exercise in even if it is simply in the form of stretching or going for a short walk because I do notice that my mood improves even slightly after such activity.

Other things that can be tried to relieve stress are journaling (which can be great because it serves as an outlet to get things off of your chest and keep them from completely weighing you down in life), sports, or a hobby of sorts such as reading or a craft project or anything else that grabs your attention in a positive and productive way.

 

[AJC - Australia]

HI jamie, good for you for being aware that you dont handle certain stresses well. Being able to look at it and say 'yep I am not good in those situations' is a huge leap in learning to cope. Well done. I always found emotional stress the worst, followed by worry stress worrying about money/work/life career etc. Actualy physical stress not a big deal if i am feeling well.

I look at other people, who cope well in the same situations that stress me out, and I am intrigued.

How to get better at dealing with it. For me i learned to avoid certain situations and conversations and trying to get more conscious about what I am saying and doing. I know that dicussing certain things tends to get me grumpy and upset because i genuinely care or 'give a shit' about it. SO, i naturally avoid those sorts of conversations on topics that upset me.

Just filling myself with gratitude for all the good things and accepting that everything just seems to work out the way it will. There isnt much my worrying and stressing will do, aside from make me feel ill...

I hope that helps mate. from australia...ps go surfing, get out in nature and leave the stresses behind.