Just over 4 weeks ago I had an emergency operation. I was told it could go either way, I made it through the operation, I had a perforated bowel, an abcess the size of a rugby ball so my surgeon told me, he told me I was stoic ! I didn't know what that meant!! I had to look it up!! I have a colostomy bag now and I'm told I have Chrohons disease, there is apparently some left in my bowel so I have to have further tests, it's not curable but can be put in remission. I also had a pleural effusion, my left lung filled with fluid and it was difficult to breath!! I had a litre and a half of fluid drawn off, but my breathing is still not as it should be, however it is slowly dissipating . I feel frightened sometimes, very anxious about everything!! I have a wonderful partner who does everything he can to support me but I can see sometimes he dosnt no what to do with me. I've always been very strong and independent. I feel broken sometimes!! I hate that I can't shake these fears off, worrying won't help me recover but I can't stop it sometimes!! I try distracting myself which helps but other times it dosnt. Now everything I do or think has the potential to go wrong!! That's how my mind thinks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
How can I find me again!!: Just over 4 weeks... - Couch to Buddha
How can I find me again!!
Have you looked at the other posts on here - this one might be of help/give you some ideas on dealing with the thoughts
healthunlocked.com/couchtob...
On a medical note - do you know what your B12 and folate levels are like. Being deficient in either of this can affect your ability to cope with anxiety - it certainly affected mine - though GPs generally aren't aware of the neuro-psychiatric effects of B12 deficiency and tend to regard it as a blood problem. If you have Chrons then that puts you at particular risk as a deficiency tends to start with an absorption problem in the gut.
A fuller list of symptoms of B12 deficiency can be found here
pernicious-anaemia-society....
and it is quite possible to be highly symptomatic with blood results in normal range if looking at serum B12 test - if you had nitrous oxide as an anaesthetic for your recent operation then you are even more at risk as this oxides B12 making it unusable at the cell level ... and it is what is happening at the cell level that is really important.
If you think it could be a factor then please join the PAS forum on Health Unlocked
healthunlocked.com/pasoc/posts
Hi, yes my iron levels are just under what is acceptable apparently. I was unable to take ferrous sulphate as it made me sick. I bought some ferogloblin which is a mild supplement which I can tolerate. I had my bloods checked last Friday as I was very breathless and I wasn't sure if it was because the fluid on my lung was building up or my iron levels were low. I have suffered with low iron levels on and off for years so I know it makes me breathless. Thankyou for taking the time to reply, I will check the link. 👍
B12 deficiency can cause anaemia but it isn't actually an anaemia itself. If it hasn't been included in earlier blood tests you may need to specifically ask for B12 and folate to be tested.
You are only 4 weeks into the new you. A very short time. Observe the effects and do not fight them. It is part of life's rich tapestry of experience. As things come so will they go in their own time.
Hope this helps.
