Wow, this really takes a toll on mental state, too!

Sue777 · Post by **Sue777** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 2:36 pm

So after having collagenous colitis for 11 years I've learned to accept it, deal with it, and be thankful that it's, for the most part, kept under control. Once in a while I feel sorry for myself but I quickly remember how many millions of people suffer with worse things and I become grateful for my life.

However, I'm amazed at how quickly and how severely this can take down my mood, mental attitude, and motivation when I'm having a flare. I've been dealing with my intestines being somewhat "off" for the past three weeks and yes, it has upset and depressed me, but during the hours that I am feeling fine I am back to my happy, productive, cheerful self. But wow..... after an episode of frequent, urgent trips to the bathroom or after even just one, very PAINFUL episode, I am wiped out. Physically and mentally. I was a whirlwind at the office today and enjoying the business and the challenges, then ran home for lunch and got much accomplished there, and on the way back to the office the stomach pain hit. And got worse. And wouldn't let up. A trip to the bathroom relieved some of it but not completely, and now I'm left just wanting to go home to curl up in a ball.

Chanting to myself "this too shall pass" but boy it can really take the wind out of your sails. I feel like a manic-depressive with these mood and attitude swings!

Sorry, just venting. I'm sure some or most of you can relate to this.
Sue

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 3:05 pm

Yes I have felt what you are feeling. Most of our serotonin is made in the gut and when you are quickly depleted of nutrients and water, well it is a tough situation. I get very fearful and tend to play out all of the worst case scenarios. This sounds odd but I practice this breathing technique morning and night everyday.....then I will do it on the pot if I'm particularly nervous about it. I learned the breathing technique from dr. Andrew Weil. The 4-7-8 technique. He gives instructions on how to do it on youtube. It works great for relaxation. Not everyone wants to deep breathe on the pot but guess what.....I'm way passed that

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 4:25 pm

Hi Sue - Sorry to hear you're in a flare now. I agree it does make us feel wiped out. Hopefully you'll soon find what has triggered your flare, and quickly be back on track again.

Vanessa - I do the 4-7-8 breathing technique also. It is very relaxing. I just heard about it 2 or 3 weeks ago.

Paula

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 5:49 pm

Hi Sue,

Flares are the pits! And they SUCK! Anyway, something that has worked for me during a flare - taking 75 mg. of Zantac every 12 hours. It is safe to take for weeks, so no worry there. Have you tried that (an H2 blocker)?

Polly

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 4:43 am

Vanessa wrote:Yes I have felt what you are feeling. Most of our serotonin is made in the gut and when you are quickly depleted of nutrients and water, well it is a tough situation. I get very fearful and tend to play out all of the worst case scenarios. This sounds odd but I practice this breathing technique morning and night everyday.....then I will do it on the pot if I'm particularly nervous about it. I learned the breathing technique from dr. Andrew Weil. The 4-7-8 technique. He gives instructions on how to do it on youtube. It works great for relaxation. Not everyone wants to deep breathe on the pot but guess what.....I'm way passed that

Hi Vanessa,
I saw the video by Dr Andrew Weil on Youtube. At the beginning he is emphasizing to hold your tongue in a special position. But further on, while demonstrating the breath technique, he doesn't mention it any more.

So, do you put the tongue in position behind your front teeth the whole time during the exercise, both the ihaling and the exhaling?

Lilia

Blueberry · Post by **Blueberry** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 7:14 am

The disease really can take toll on me mentally too, with mood swings and personality. I figure it must be confusing for others that know me. I've been doing really well for the last couple of weeks, with the gut doing great and energy levels high. Then this week the gut got into a fuss and energy levels dropped. Don't know why. The same foods have been eaten. I have a few ideas on what could be happening. Kind of strangely though when I have a period of doing well with the gut I suddenly become quite chatty. It's as if I'm turing into grandma, one of the most talkative people I knew. For better or worse, despite the poor gut this week I'm still talking away to anyone within ear shot. Hoping the gut will get back onto track soon. Hope the same for you.

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:27 am

Hey Lilia,
You do indeed keep the tongue in that position the entire time through inhalation and exhalation. Thats how the yogis do it so thats how its done...not sure of the science behind it. It feels odd at first but you will get used to it with practice. I've been doing it for 6 months now and can barely get through the 4 cycles without yawning!(Not when I'm super nervous of course). On exhalation keep your tongue at the special spot and kind of purse your lips. You'll make a whooshing sound. I do it in my car all of the time.....I'm sure it looks funny. But I can always tell them "I'm calmer than you are dude!"

Sue777 · Post by **Sue777** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:52 am

Yes, Blueberry, I am the same way. When I'm not feeling well I try to send the message and body language that I do NOT feel like chatting and you all need to get away from me. But boy when I DO feel good and my energy is high, I welcome chatters and fall into the small talk that I usually have no patience for. It's hard to be pleasant and friendly when you're suffering, and I think people are starting to be able to gauge how I feel by the way I act. I thought I was a better actress than that.
Sue

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:32 pm

Sue

I have found books about change, transition, acceptance very very helpful in my journey.
Audio books by Pema Chodron are fantastic! her tone of voice and peaceful humour is very supportive...

The emotional and mental side of things take just as much work as the strict diet!

Sue777 · Post by **Sue777** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:00 pm

Thanks, Gabe. Sometimes just chanting the Serenity Prayer does wonders for me..... I need to remember to do that more often. Change the things I can, accept the things I can't . . . . .
Sue

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:12 pm

Pema has really helped me to be 'at peace with what is'

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 2:37 am

Vanessa wrote:Hey Lilia,
You do indeed keep the tongue in that position the entire time through inhalation and exhalation. Thats how the yogis do it so thats how its done...not sure of the science behind it. It feels odd at first but you will get used to it with practice. I've been doing it for 6 months now and can barely get through the 4 cycles without yawning!(Not when I'm super nervous of course). On exhalation keep your tongue at the special spot and kind of purse your lips. You'll make a whooshing sound. I do it in my car all of the time.....I'm sure it looks funny. But I can always tell them "I'm calmer than you are dude!"

Vanessa (a beautiful name by the way),
I have been doing the same exercise for a long time, but didn't keep the tongue behind my front teeth. Just exhaled slowly through my "under teeth" (don't know the exact English word for it...). Inhaling counting to 8, holding my breath to 4, then exhaling counting to 8.

I found that I coudn't do it while driving, I got so sleepy :-)
Lilia

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:13 am

Lilia,

Thank you for the wonderful compliment...I believe that any breath work is extremely important for most humans. Plus its free. We live in such a fast paced world that we forget to deep breathe! What you have been doing already has definitely benefited you. I realize throughout the day at work that I am holding my breath and take many deep deep breaths in and out through my nose. On a side note I have been trying to get my profile picture up. I have a picture in my email I want to use but am so computer illiterate, that even though I read the troubleshooting info on how to do it...I have still failed. I couldn't get my friend to figure it out either. I am propably the only one on here who isn't on facebook either

Post by **tex** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:03 am

Hi Vanessa,

No, you're not the only one not on Facebook. You can count me among those select few.

I'll be happy to convert an image file to an avatar for you if you will just attach it to an email and send it to me. Larger files convert much better than small files, because I can make the conversion and downsize it in a way that will minimize loss of quality, but I should be able to make anything work. You can send me an email by clicking on the "email" button at the bottom of this post to open an email-composing window.

Tex

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 12:07 pm

Thanks Tex! I'll work on sending you an email.