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Digestive Worries with Anxiety

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Posted 3/23/2016 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
I have been having anxiety issues about my health since the end of last year. Everything from moles, to my heart. Usually, I will see doctor about something and when they say it is nothing, or I am fine I go on my merry way and stop worrying. However, as I have crossed 40, that has not been the case. Despite a clean physical, series of blood tests, EKG, and Skin Screen, I have been in a funk still worrying there is something else wrong. It has affected my appetite, and even made me depressed thinking I will never feel the same way again. I have had several panic attacks along the way.

There will be days when I am feeling good, eating OK, and happy, but then I will get a dizzy feeling and think something is wrong and launch into worry. It just seems to come in waves.

Last week I had another few bad days which were followed by a burning feeling in stomach after I ate anything. This lasted for 3 days then gave way to just overall indigestion. I struggled to eat anything worried it would trigger something bad. So naturally I lost more weight, since I had already lost some from not eating as much before.

Got really nervous and went to Gastroentologist Monday. My stools have been good, no blood, and don't have any pain, but they are going to do an Endoscopy in two weeks. Since the appointment my stomach as been OK, with only a little indigestion, and actually feels empty and rumbles a lot. Still have not put on any weight. So now I am worried with 2 weeks to go, how to make it through. I am not feeling worse so that should be a good thing. I know the odds of it being something really bad are probably low given my age, health history, and that I have improved, but I cannot shake the thoughts in my head that this will be something bad. Or that I will continue to lose weight and feel bad in the weeks leading up. It is a vicious cycle.

Any suggestions on how to stop thinking the worst? My therapist is telling me that as of today, I do not have a diagnosis so that I need to tell my mind to stop. But the thoughts keep creeping in despite really not having any real issues other than not having a full appetite, and some minor indigestion, oh and still not weight gain. Ugh...If I could go tomorrow I would. Just want to know one way or the other, however, I feel that this is all my mind making my stomach and digestive system a mess. Just so hard to believe it.
Posted 3/23/2016 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi WinWO and welcome!

I am glad you've joined us, though sorry it is due to anxiety and physical symptoms.

It's great to hear you are working through therapy, as I always recommended this treatment option to our members. Are you working specifically with your therapist for the health anxiety?

We have some great links for health anxiety self help, as well as some book recommendations for the same in our Resources. You'll find it at the top of the main forum page here. In addition, there's also general anxiety management suggestions to be found as well.:)

...and of course, you know have support here! If you find it helpful...keep posting! We understand, care and are here to listen anytime.

Scaredy Cat
Posted 3/23/2016 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome. I suffer from health anxiety as well. Reading your post felt like something I could have written. You're not alone (((hugs)))

It really is a vicious cycle. I wish I knew the answer to stop assuming the worst in every situation. I read something here that really helped me, "Every sensation is not a symptom".

I wish you the best.
Posted 3/24/2016 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Just wanted to tell you that your not alone. When I read your post it was like you were talking about me.. My health anxiety is insane and I'm thankfull that my doctor understands.

Mine started with chest pains, so I had every heart test that can be done except from a heart cath or the doctor opening me up. All test came back good, but I would stress my self out thinking of the bad outcome. I still have shortness of breath and really bad stomach pain up high. My doctors thinks its associated with acids reflux, but he knows they way I am and has order lab work, ultrasound and pulmonary function test( lung test), because he knows I won't be 100% relaxed if its not checked.

I keep telling myself everything is going to be ok and all the test are going to say acid reflux. Now don't get me wrong my little friend health anxiety is trying to butt in, but I just keep telling myself everything is ok. Especially when I have good days, because I tell myself if it was something terrible then something bad would have already happen. Guided meditation helps get my mind to relax, might be something to try.

So I know telling you to be calm and relax isn't much help, but you will be ok. Take a deep breath and tell yourself YOU ARE OK!!

Tammy
Posted 3/24/2016 9:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum you will find good support here.

Health anxiety is a tough one to deal with and if left untreated it can really take over your life.

I have bad health anxiety and I found Cognitive behaviour Therapy was the most effective way of helping me get back on top of things. The most important thing to remember is to not google your symptoms as this will only feed your anxiety.

Keep us posted we are here for you.

Hibee
Posted 3/24/2016 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for the replies and support.

My Therapist and I are working together specifically to address the health worries right now, but ultimately she wants to find out the root cause, since this is something I have had since I can remember, just never this bad.

I remembered in first grade they sent me to school with Mylanta everyday since I got so nervous and worried about being in school I would have stomach cramps. No doubt my anxiety runs through my digestive track. So my rational mind says that all it is is your worry, and yes, maybe that worry did cause some minor issues, but that is all.

However, the anxious mind continues to paint doomsday scenarios, and focus on all of the negative details.

It did the same thing when I discovered some ugly moles, thought I had Melanoma. Turns out they were normal. Had some tingling in nose. I worked myself up that I was having a stroke. about a few weeks ago, I was ready to have my wife take me to the emergency room because my fingers were tingling and I thought my arm and face were too. I had myself all worked up, and nothing ever came of it.

So my mind seems to always go to the extreme. In this case however, I need to wait another week and a half to get some more information and it is torture. Even reminding myself of the positives....the burning sensation has stopped so far, and indigestion is minor, I actually have had more of an empty stomach over the past 3-4 days than in a while. I feel normal in terms of energy, BM's are normal, but my mind is focused on the weight loss.

I thought of having an MRI done in the meantime just as a preliminary evaluation before the endoscopy. Just to see if anything comes of it, even though I know they are not fully reliable from what I have heard. Any thoughts? (I know that is the anxious mind talking).

The funny thing is, early last week, prior to the first real signs of a stomach issue, my mind was all over the place, trying to see what was wrong with me. Since the stomach issues occurred, my mind has been focused on only that part of my body. The supposed brain tumor and heart issues I guess are not as pressing any more. So my mind has been clear of general, overall anxiety, and has had it pinpointed specifically on my digestive tract. Which I am sure does not help matters any.

Queue the Anxiety tango..
Posted 3/24/2016 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Oh and so yesterday, my stomach seemed like it was constantly hungry. I did have smaller snacks all day like yogurt and granola bars, but then I started to worry if my stomach was too active and too hungry and what that meant....cant' win
Posted 3/24/2016 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
WWO,

I do think it's best to put your time, energy and resources into your health anxiety recovery...rather than more tests that are not recommended by your doctor.

I do really encourage you to check out our self help here to compliment what you are doing in therapy.:)

Going after your recovery with all you've got will bring the results you need!

S.C.
Posted 3/24/2016 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
"The funny thing is, early last week, prior to the first real signs of a stomach issue, my mind was all over the place, trying to see what was wrong with me. Since the stomach issues occurred, my mind has been focused on only that part of my body. The supposed brain tumor and heart issues I guess are not as pressing any more. So my mind has been clear of general, overall anxiety, and has had it pinpointed specifically on my digestive tract. Which I am sure does not help matters any."

Oh this sounds so familiar. I hate that so many of us suffer from this.

I sometimes think, "okay, so the heart worry I had was nothing. Now I am worrying about my stomach, which I'm sure will turn out to be nothing once the next worry shows up.."
Posted 3/25/2016 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning,

Can you point me to where I can find the self help information? I saw a few possible things but want to be sure.

So yesterday, I had what seemed to be another panic attack.

The weight loss, some flare in my indigestion, and not eating as much today, really had me down. No matter what I did to get my mind off of it, I just felt blah, and then started to worry why I felt that way as well. It spiraled to the point I thought of going to ER or Urgent Care. I called my wife, took a walk and breathed to calm down.

Eventually I did and drove home. Blasted music all the way home which did snap me out of it. But once home it started to come back. It remained this way on and off through the night, however, I was able to gather myself later, had some bread and saw my therapist. I felt relatively good the reset of the night and even had a snack.

It was a great session. However, I worry of how to stop these waves of thoughts for the next week and a half. They are almost subconscious. They intrude even when I try to distract myself with work. They just keep pushing worry of what I have has being worst case scenario, and a feeling of just being down, despair and blah. I am starting to not be sure if it is my mind, or something actually to do with my digestive issues. The line is becoming blurred. The fact that I can snap out of it through music and sometimes talking to myself leads me to believe it is more mental.

I am open to trying medicine in the meantime, however, she cannot prescribe, so know I have to see who can, and what they think I can take to try and keep me going until the procedure. This is by far the toughest thing I have ever had to face.
Posted 3/25/2016 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi WWO,

Here is the link to our Resources.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

You may find the therapy worksheets helpful for the intrusive thoughts/worries. ..as well as the Stress Relieving Exercises for general anxiety management.

Sounds like you did a great job of getting through that rough spot yesterday! Eating something and using your coping skills (music/distraction and positive self talk) was an excellent move! :)

Keep up the good work with all that you are doing for your recovery. ..you are making progress!

S.C.
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