CPPS is taking my life from me (Brett's Case)

[Jay]

Call that number and get it done. :)

When I first went chronic up until I entered pain management, I went through much of the same. Grim, circular thoughts. I couldn't help but 'logic' my way into seeing only the worst possible outcome, and it was almost as much of a constant torture as the pain itself. I went on an anti-anxiety drug through my pain management, and it made a big difference. No more constantly panicking, crying, etc. I can still think those things, but when I do, I can also consider them clearly and reasonably.

You also need to stop reading things on the internet. That was the absolute worst thing I ever did, because I learned all sorts of frightening medical terms. They were typically rare, however, and did nothing for me save to support my panicky tendencies. To whatever extent you can, let your doctors figure out your problems. That's what you pay them for.

[BrettP]

Yes I left a message this morning for him. Hope he calls soon.

[BrettP]

Jerk still has not called back, I'll need to call some other psych's. Really can't believe that. Pretty rude.

Just as another bit of proof how anxiety affects this disorder. So I was really anxious about an hour ago, and during that anxiety I had major urinary frequency. Now that the anxiety has passed, its gone away completely. Just a strange strange condition.

Another thing.. I was thinking about this the other day. I was trying to smoke pot with this disease and was having bad outcomes, and the reason was simple. The pot gave me anxiety, and the anxiety magnified the symptoms. The panic it caused reacted negatively, surprise, surprise.

Or another example, last week I had to do a teleconference presentation in front of about 70 people. What happened? Urinary frequency, urgency, why? Because I was anxious and nervous. lol There is just no way around the connection between the two. And once I nailed it? It went away.

I had a really good weekend by trying to keep with my new diet and also relaxing. I was drinking beer too. In fact, on Friday I was having a really bad colon spasm (I think) , and it was affecting the bladder. I said "screw it", and drank a beer. Then I drank another one.

Surprisingly, my urinary frequency went away (although it DID make me have to pee) , and the spasm seemed to have broke. So I think that I can attribute that to the impact of the delicious craft brew I was drinking. And then that's when I realized it is imperative I get to a psychiatrist. As I'm unable to control my anxiety for a few days on end before it goes into panic mode and I get angry and pissed off and then aggravate myself.

I have a question to those here. What can I expect from a psychiatrist? What do they do as far as exercises to help, aside from meds?

[Jay]

Well before I had chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms, I had anxiety problems. Being in certain situations was enough to make me feel physically ill, to the point that I backed out of stuff I really shouldn't have. It's important to get control of that level of anxiousness as soon as you recognize it, lest it cause unnecessary personal or social harm.

What sets a psychiatrist apart from the psychologist is the fact that s/he is a MD. As a result, even though the two fields treat the same problems, their approaches may well be very different. Psychiatrists can and often do prescribe medications. They are also trained to do psychological testing and psychotherapy. Really depends upon the individual practitioner. In my opinion, what's most important is their degree of experience, as well as your comfort level with them (this being something of a more personal dialogue than you'd typically have with a GP).

[CMT23]

Brett, I have the same experience with pot. As soon as I smoke my symptoms become much worse and I can feel all the muscles in my back lock up and I don't feel relaxed at all. Actually I feel extremely anxious and my mind races.

Alcohol has the opposite effect. I know you're not supposed to do it, but 5mg Valium and 2 glasses of wine is often enough to give me very significant temporary relief.

[BrettP]

Lol yep! Two pints of my 8% homebrew and a fiver of Valium put me back into happyland.

It just sucks man. My life could be so amazing right now. I have everything and am so content but for this damn disorder; kills it.

But even though your not supposed to if it helps you... Do it in moderation. Alcohol gives me temporary relief.

It's funny I thought pot would be a fix all for relaxation. Lol boy was I wrong ended up going nuts for about 8 hrs of pure panic. Really threw me for a loop

[chewydog]

Brett: Did you ever try Flexeril and Elavil? I went on them out a few months ago, got almost instant relief. I'm not sure on the spelling but I got the info from this site and decided, what the hell I had nothing to lose!

I'm on 10 mg of each morning and evening. I'm still left with a few ongoing issues but I try not to think about them and just go on living my life. I've had days and even weeks with nothing. It's slowly getting better.

[BrettP]

Nope. I got some Lexapro. Haven't taken them yer. Is flexaril soma? I was offered but did not take them. I'll see if I can get some and try.

[chewydog]

Flexeril is a relaxant and Elavil is a anti depressant that helps with nerve pain, when used in low doses. Lots of info on this site to read up on it! I tried it cause I had nothing to lose. My pharmacist said they needed to be used together. Give it time tho, some said up to a month before it started to work, mine was over night I got relief!

[BrettP]

So my attempts at getting mental help have been fails. All told three shrinks never returned my calls.

This sucks. And I still battling with hypochondria as of late this time convinced I have FAP.

Kinda sucks because I have been acceptable past week or so Now thus spiked my anxiety and caused piss frequency.

It's so weird. I don't know why I convince myself I have these crazy illnesses. And all it does is make this condition worse.

Couple of things I have found that are helping me lately. Been eating lots of soluble fiber from fruits without the skins. And it has improved constipation and reduced bladder pain. So if you deal with that try soluble fiber. I basically get canned pears and peaches in juice not syrup. Drain the juice out and then spray the rest if the juice off the fruit and eat them at night.

[Jay]

I wouldn't give up simply because your calls weren't returned. Rather, I'd continue seeking out options or persist in trying to get appointments with the same individuals. I wouldn't be overly verbose in stating what you're going through. Say that you need help, go there, and then elaborate upon your situation.

[BrettP]

One guy said he would see me but someone told me he doesn't even try to help just gives out pills. So I went back to a psychologist. Lot of quacks about.

Diverticulitis has been acting up last two days but just got back from vacation and it was fine. Just going to take it easy for next two days.

[BrettP]

All right finally found a psych and have an appointment for may.

Also today was just diagnosed with diverticulitis with active infection. Doc was telling me since I'm young I should think about removing my colon and getting it resected. I guess that makes sense being all the complications.

Last night I and a horrific flare and at same time very bad inflammation in sigmoid colon. So I think the inflammation helped set it off. This has been a real bear since the diver infection. Hope the antibiotics help. Very tough times.

[frozentundra24]

Flexeril is a relaxant and Elavil is a anti depressant that helps with nerve pain, when used in low doses. Lots of info on this site to read up on it! I tried it cause I had nothing to lose. My pharmacist said they needed to be used together. Give it time tho, some said up to a month before it started to work, mine was over night I got relief!

Chewydog, what were your symptoms, how much flexeril and Elavil are you taking?

[superuse]

All right finally found a psych and have an appointment for may.

Also today was just diagnosed with diverticulitis with active infection. Doc was telling me since I'm young I should think about removing my colon and getting it resected. I guess that makes sense being all the complications.

Last night I and a horrific flare and at same time very bad inflammation in sigmoid colon. So I think the inflammation helped set it off. This has been a real bear since the diver infection. Hope the antibiotics help. Very tough times.

Brett, are you actually swimming 1km 5x /week along with work/family commitments while trying to fight an infection a doctor is recommending to remove your colon? You may be burning the candle on both ends and the middle. Are you actually asking what kind of *physical* exercise a psychiatrist might recommend for your symptoms of hypochondria/ocd? or you mean mental exercises? (ie you may be that obsessed with physical exercise- a common trait of ocd)

have a question to those here. What can I expect from a psychiatrist? What do they do as far as exercises to help, aside from meds

Good luck with your visit. You may want to see if you can talk and narrow things down to Generalized anxiety disorder/Panic disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)/PD and OCD. See what the Dr. thinks. Its seems very unusual the kinds of anxiety disorders that seem to go with Crohn's / other IBD from what I've read over the years.

--jjf