Depression and Ulcerative Colitis

[Cgymnast19]

Hi, I’m a 17 year old girl and I just joined this so I don’t really know how it works but here’s what’s going on: I have struggled with depression for the last 14 months and have been talking to a therapist regularly and I was put on fluoxetine in November. My friends and family say they have seen a difference in me since the medications, yet I still feel severely depressed and suicidal. My dosage of fluoxetine was doubled two weeks ago, and I now feel increasingly dizzy every time I stand up or try to exercise, which I am pretty sure is due to the medicine.

I have also had severe stomach pains and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis several weeks ago. I feel nauseous and this disease is making me feel down, making my depression symptoms worsen. I am on medications for my ulcerative colitis, but they have yet to kick in. If anyone has any suggestions for coping with either of these, I would love to hear them! Thank you for reading!

[En1234]

Hi there. So sorry you are feeling such anxiety and at such a young age. Thats a shame. Have you discussed your meds with you doctor just to make sure your Colitis medication is going to be compatible with your anti-depressant?

My son was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease last year and he has gone from taking 16 tablets every day to just 3 every day. He also has to inject himself with meds every 2 weeks. It is a pain but he knows he has to do it in order to keep himself well. He also has to eat certain foods and has had to cut out a lot of his foods. I think Colitis and Crohn's falls under the same umbrella as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

At least if you are going to see a Counsellor then that is good. There are a lot of online forums for young people with conditions like yours (I tell people my son has a "condition" as opposed to an "illness". He will always have it, it will not get better or go away but at least he will be able to manage it and still have a good life). Young folk can get together and share stories etc. This may be something you could do. At least if you find others who have something in common with you, it may make you feel as though you are not on your own. Please take care!!

Sending you a big hug!!

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[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Cgymnast19 and welcome to this caring forum. I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing these health issues, but you are not alone and help and support is available. It is good that you are seeing a counsellor and receiving treatment for your depression. It would be a good idea for you to see your GP regarding your medication as he/she will be able to advise you. If you are in the UK, Crohn's and Colitis UK [crohnsandcollitis.org.uk] can provide help and support. How are you feeling now? We care about you on this community and our members will try and support you as much as we can. In the meantime, if you are feeling distressed, please call--

The Samaritans

Freephone 116 123

24 hour helpline 7 days a week.

If you are outside of the UK, please have a look at the pinned post section on the website where you will find crisis support helpline contact details. When the medication for ulcerative collitis begins to take effect you will start to feel better. With advances in treatment and health care it is perfectly possible to live a full and successful life with ulcerative collitis. More information is available on this website. Please stay on the forum for support. Thank you and best wishes.

[James1978]

Hey!! I'm sorry that you feel a little down etc. For me fluoxetine never caused many problems with physical things. My advice is stick with it another while and see if things become calmer. If not you can change the meds etc.

Another piece of advice ask yourself what is causing you to be down? Is it your stomach illness causing you to feel bad....?

Pills don't always answer or help addressing what is making u feel down does. Sometimes we can get in a negative cycle due to a situation. Its about self love self care and realising you are special in this world, many people love you...but more importantly self love is vital I went the opposite over a break up for two years and I drank too much but only the last few months its been better because I changed how I felt about myself.

You are young and have your whole life ahead of you. Be calm.

I really like coach corey wayne on youtube. Try check him out he makes a lot of sense.

youtube.com/user/coachcorey...

[James1978]

btw I was born in Greenock!!

[En1234 in reply to James1978]

Hi James!! I actually live in Port Glasgow!! I'm probably just 2 mins up the road from you!! Talk about a small world!!

[En1234 in reply to En1234]

Just realised you said you were "born" in Greenock. Does not necessarily mean you still live there!! Doh!! X

[Hidden]

Hi. I have crohns disease & depression & Schizophrenia. I take several tablets a day. I found no difficulty with them. Why not contact your doctor & tell them your problem maybe a change in your tablets will help you.

[En1234 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sammy,

My son is 18 and last year he was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. He has gone from taking 16 tablets a day to just 2. He has a Vitimin D pill every day along with one Azathioprine pill plus he has to have 1 Humira injection every two weeks.

He is quite down at the minute because he has just joined a gym with his friends and they were all taking a Protein Drink (but he confided in me 2 nights ago that it was not just a protein drink he was taking, he was also taking a Pre-Workout drink, which is packed full of caffeine and this is really not good for someone with this disease and this has given him some very unpleasant side effects). He has stopped taking this now but has gotten very down as he forgets he is not like his friends. He has this condition and they dont. He just wants to be like his mates. Its just been over a year now and he is still coming to terms with it but watching my big lad being miserable just cuts me up.

Hopefully he will still attend the gym without having to take the crap that a lot of them are taking...

I hope you too are OK Sammy. It must be hard for you having more than just Crohn's to contend with so I really feel for you.

I hope you are good today!!

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