Stress Center Peer Support

I have been struggling with severe emotional stress over the past few years due to family situations. This has led to anxiety issues for me. When at my worst, I got really sick and had to drop school and was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. I have since been getting the proper help in all accpects of my life. I have changed my diet completely, started seeing a Phsycologist, started this program, and continue to see my GI specialist and taking proper medications. The Ulcerative Colitis seems to be under control now, but when I get nervous I can feel it. I got to say that this disease has been a blessing in discuise (sp). I have been forced to see the world in a different way and make healthy changes. I am truly excited and more hopeful than ever.

Hi Heather,

This is Coach Chris from the coaching team here at Stress. Your attitude is amazing and I know you will do really well going through the program. I too had GI problems due to stress and it was a blessing to be able to get new coping skills and move toward growth and healing. Be sure to use your relaxation cd and do lots of 2-4 belly breathing.

How far are you in the program? What has been most helpful to far?

Keep us posted. We are here to help.
Coach Chris StressCenter.com

I am just beginning session 3. I missed a few days and got behind due to the holidays, but now back on track. Journaling, positive self talk and Yoga have helped me greatly.

As far as I know ( but I am not an expert ) :

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is not the same as Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

IBS is treated quite differently than is IBD.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms can be made worse by stress, anxiety, etc.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is actually an inflammation of the colon

and it is a Chronic Disease. I have been suffering with Ulcerative Colitis

since 1997, although I was not properly diagnosed until 2006.

I have had two colonoscopies and I also take a daily medication

for the Ulcerative Colitis. When a person has Ulcerative Colitis

they are afraid to leave their home due to the fact that they

may have a diarrhea accident in public. This chronic disease

causes much depression. My colon will never be cured.

I am doing the best I can with medication, regular doctors

visits, tests and constantly monitoring what I eat.

I am only 53 years old and the IBD is a terrible thing to have.

Who wants to have diarrhea in public ? Nobody.

This chronic disease almost rules my life. It is a difficult thing

to manage. I know that there is actually a colitis support

group in my city, I may consider attending soon.

I would like to hear what others have to say about this disease.

IBD is not caused by stress, and it only gets worse and it

actually damages your colon.


Lynda Lu

I have just started participating in a website

for Crohn's and Colitis and each time I log on

I find out some more information about the disease

that I never knew about.

www.crohnsforum.com

Check it out. I hope I got the website address right.

Lynda