IBS+Anxiety, or Appendicitis?

Hello! New member here.

So, as a quick preface, I suffer from an anxiety disorder - generalized anxiety and panic attacks, particularly - that has become worse and worse in recent months as I go through my first semester of stressful graduate school in a town away from family and friends. One of my particular fears is either something severe happening to me and me being unable to get help (I live with two other roommates in my apartment, but they are almost never around and so we do not know each other very well. Additionally, I do not have a car to drive myself for help), or something severe happening to me that I do not get help for, since I have a high pain tolerance and tend to rationalize all of my symptoms.

I also have been diagnosed with acute IBS and GERD. I have had the IBS diagnosis for about 3 years now, but the GERD diagnosis is very new. I just started taking omeprazole, which hasn't exactly helped in any way that I've noticed. I noticed increased gas pain and intestinal discomfort, in fact, though this could admittedly just be due to my current flare-up.

I've been having a lot of odd symptoms lately, and am currently trying to calm myself down and make sense out of all of them. A friend directed me to this forum, since I don't know any other people in my life who suffer from this issue as severely and could use some more specific advice than just "go to the doctor" or "go to the emergency room if you're really worried." Well, I don't know if I should be worried - That's the thing!

Here's a list:

-Intermittent mild ranging to moderate-severe pain in my entire abdomen - upper and lower both - alternating between small sharp stabs and long dull aches. I'm assuming it to be gas, since it is often relieved by burping or moving around. However, even though it goes away enough that I can mostly ignore it, I also feel rather bloated. The pain tends to settle and linger in and around my lower right quadrant including above my hip, though I'm wondering if I'm just noticing that area more since I'm thinking about it. It does hurt a bit when I palpate the area hard. Only a bit, though.
-Intestinal pain. I have been pooping regularly, though I've noticed today that my poop is a bit harder and more intermittent than normal. Perhaps a side effect of the new medication?
-Nausea, though I never actually vomit. It usually only comes with the abdominal or intestinal pain.
-Occasional hot flashes or chills, where the chills will usually be accompanied by shakes afterwards.
-Mild lower back pain.
-General anxiety symptoms, such as rapid heart rate and breathing.
*I do not have a fever.

With all this said, does anyone think that appendicitis should be on my list of concerns? Or am I just psyching myself out with my anxiety, and experiencing what you think to be standard IBS symptoms?

Thank you in advance for your replies. I could really use some good advice right now.

Post Edited (hopingforhealth) : 11/19/2013 7:48:20 PM (GMT-7)

Thank you for the reply, kazbern - I hope you're right! The logical part of me is saying that it's just my anxiety exacerbating existing symptoms, but of course, it's hard to listen to logic when you're feeling unwell.

I am on birth control for dysmenorrhea currently, so I doubt that it is ovulation. However, constipation would make a lot of sense.

Thank you for the reply, moder! Yes, I have been slightly dehydrated lately.

I actually ended up going to the ER today after the pain got severe. They thought it might be a paralyzed part of the intestine or a small bowel obstruction, but after several tests, it turned out to just be severe constipation due to an IBS flare-up.

Looks like I'll be miserable for the next few days, but at least I won't be having a medical emergency!

Great advice, Katmom - Thank you!

I will be the first to admit that my eating and sleep schedules are rather terrible. I live in an area with poor public transportation and am currently unable to afford a car, so I end up catching rides to the grocery with friends about once every two or three weeks. I generally have to survive off of boxed or frozen goods because of this since my produce goes bad very quickly. As far as sleep goes, I am often kept up late with paperwork and studying, despite my best attempts to budget my time. I've been told by lots of other people that that's pretty unavoidable for my particular graduate school program. All in all, there's a lot to fix, and I've been trying to find out exercises to do and foods to eat that will help get me on track.

I hope to get to a GI over my winter break. I think that bringing a food diary will help for sure.

Just as a general question, does anyone have suggestions on eating habits or specific foods that will help keep constipation at bay but also not cause gas? I ended up being mostly relieved of my constipation today, but I've had crippling abdominal gas with nausea for hours straight that only got worse after eating.

Unfortunately, the closest market is about three or so miles away. I wouldn't mind terribly having to walk or bike that distance since I'm generally pretty active, but the area I would have to go through to get there is notoriously unsafe (I live right on the edge of a rather run-down inner city). I haven't considered having groceries delivered, though! That's certainly an idea. I'll look up services for that and check their prices.

Thank you again for the suggestions! I've been trying to take everything to heart.

I went to the ER several times with your symptoms. They did X-rays, cat scan and lab work. They diagnosed me with constipation (even though I had gone to the bathroom earlier that day) and ibs. They recommended not only a stool softener but an apple a day. The doctor even out it on my discharged papers. Seriously? An apple. But it can work and is worth a try!

I know.  When I think about what that trip to the ER cost for the doctor to tell me I was constipated and needed an apple a day, I'm still in shock.  Sadly, I went back a couple of more times with the same thing!!  It's going to take a little time for your body to get back to normal.  Just give it time and eat as well as possible.  You'll be ok. 

I too have been diagnosed with IBS & GAD (Anxiety) also have ovarian cysts, endometriosis (recently had surgery for It), vertigo and high cholesterol. The past 4 years have been horrible for me.
My symptoms consist of :Abdominal pain & sharp pains by lower left hip/pelvic area, Hip pain in left hip, Constipation for a few days then I get explosive/acidic/yellow/foamy diarrhea (mostly in the morning), small bowels loops & stomach mass, constantly in the bathroom! I get extremely nauseous and dry heave, back, nerve & muscle pains, pins & needles sensation, numbness in extremities & areas in my back.
I currently take :a probiotic, multi-vitamin, fiber , fioricet w/o codine, Prilosec, Zofran & very rarely promethazine (makes me too sleepy) and once in awhile vicodin for pain.

They did find a mass in my stomach in 2011 but due too no $ and insurance issues I am unable to go back & get the biopsy. I am very worried and feel like a hypochondriac sometimes. It seems like the doctors are taking it very lightly but the way I've felt these past few years has to mean something! I am against taking anxiety meds; I've seen too many negative effects to people close to me. It is soooo... hard dealing with Doctors & constant testing!!! I've been through the ringer and honestly think this is where most of my anxiety stems from. I am considering "talking" to quack while am getting treatment but just trust your body; you know it best!

If anyone has any insight as to what could be causing this thing in my stomach that would be great cause they still D/K what it is?! It does say possible GIST on the report. I am constantly worried about my health I always feel so crappy & fatigued as well.

First time posting hope all you guys are feeling some relief.Ive been sick with IBS flare up due to stress and anxiety for the last two months.I seen my G.I doctor last month have to go back today for a check-up last time i had a flare up it was around four years ago.My family doctor last monday put me on 5mg of escitalopram I'm on day 8 and I've been waking up in the middle of night having to use bathroom and waking up with axniety I'm guessing these are side effects of med. I was wondering if anybody else has taken these meds and side effects?