So overwhelmed

[Txarmywife]

As many know I'm currently 20 wks pregnant and flaring. Prior to being pregnant I was taking Zoloft and Xanax for anxiety but for the health of my baby stopped cold both cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant. (I wast on a high dose of Xanax as stopping it cold turkey shouldn't be done as it can cause seizures & adverse effects) Anyways, now that I'm flaring and feeling do down right miserable I find myself getting really overwhelmed. Prior to being pregnant messes were a great cause of my anxiety. I would get very upset over the cleanliness of our house which with a toddler, two great Danes, and an Army husband with his dirty boots and army gear all over our house...was at times a lot to keep up. My husband, who is amazing, began helping me more and with the aid of the meds I was able to get a control on my anxiety. Now however I'll have a panic attack and can't just take a Xanax to calm down. I don't have the energy to clean the house like it would need to be and my poor husband has been trying to help but work has been so busy he can't always help to please my anxiety. I guess I partly needed to vent and partly see what others do during a flare.

 

[Trysha]

Hi Tx
It is a difficult spot for you to be in.
I don't know if you listen to classical music but it has been found that music of the great composers and specifically Mozart,s has beneficial effects on the brain. Some studies showed that when played in the operating room patients required less anesthetic.
This effect has also been measured in the brain using MRI scans of the head.
Now I can't speak for how it would fit with your busy and probably noisy house hold.
I feel for you.
I do know it helps me through some painful times, having a degree of renal failure I restrict taking any drugs for pain and rely on heating pads and distraction techniques
ie computer games, music.Sometimes it helps me to go for a short walk, all depends.
I do not have the anxiety though except when its the next GI appointment, or colonoscopy etc. and that is short lived and cannot compare to yours.
Your toddler and great danes would present quite a different solitude to say the least!
Are you able to utilise the little one's nap time for time out yourself. You certainly need a bit of help.You can play music any time though as a quiet background.
Have you thought of seeing a psychologist for some tips on how to cope with the anxiety.
Wish I could be more helpful
Feel better soon
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[Txarmywife]

Thanks for you reply. Unfortunately my 2 yr old doesn't take naps he really never has since a 6 month old baby unless we are in the car...then he will nap while driving. So I rarely get a time out from him. He really is a great kid though but he definitely does make messes. I haven't really considered counseling primarily because I feel like I should be able to handle things. I myself am on school for chemical dependency counseling. Already completed my internship and am LCDC CI Status here in Texas. I know even counselors have problems but I'm being stubborn. At the GI last week I noticed the college I attend has a Crohns and Colitis support group. I might consider that. Maybe consider counseling. Just don't see that happening anytime soon as my husband will be in training over the next few months which means I'll be by myself most of the time and couldn't go for an hour session or group. I think everything is finally snowballing. Prior to this flare i was battling kidney stone issues. I was first diagnosed with them Nov 2010 and in the past year alone I have had 11 surgeries for them...3 of which while I was pregnant. I finally felt better from that, got a stent romoved and boom! 2 days later find myself flaring. Feeling lousy all the time is catching up to me. I feel disconnected from everything and everyone which caused tremendous guilt for me esp in regards to this pregnancy.

 

[Trysha]

Hi Tx
It looks as though it is time for you to accept some help before you run ragged.
It is a difficult decision for you but in the meantime how about joining that crohns and colitis group you mention. You will feel less alone and maybe find someone with similar problems to yourself.
We all get these problems, an unfortunate part of the crohns syndrome.
For every problem there is a solution.
Feel better soon
Hugs
Trysha