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what anxiety does to our bodies

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Posted 5/13/2020 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
I wanted to touch on this subject because I don't see much about it here on the forums. I am probably at my highest anxiety right now. I have to have cancer surgery in a little over a week. My anxiety is though the roof. This is how my anxiety manifests itself in me. I have terrible headaches from worrying. I have pain already from degenerative disc disease. Anxiety just makes the pain worse. Last but most painful for me is my whole digestive track. My stomach hurts from morning to evening. After I eat I have a large lump feeling in my stomach. Then as the food passes into my colon I get cramps. In the past three months I have lost twenty pds. I have no appetite to speak of and only eat because my wife is watching me and is upset over how little I eat each day. I have meds for anxiety but until my surgery is over I will just have to push through it all.

Also Covid19 is just horrible and it bothers me to no end people are suffering and dying. I wish I could do more than make masks to help.

My question is how does anxiety or depression affect your overall health? Is it the same for others as it is for me? I would appreciate any comments.

God bless you all
Posted 5/13/2020 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
My yes OceanFisher,

It caused me diabetes when I was young and I think it contributed to my fibromyalgia. Well, I am not sure if it is anxiety or stress. I think stress causes anxiety. But with the fibromyalgia my shoulders hurt, when I get anxious I get tense and before I know it my shoulders are up by my ears. I carry a lot of anxiety and tension in my shoulders. Relaxing them helps.

I have too had it cause stomach problems for me. And I think it causes slower reactions to me. I could be wrong. But when I am anxious I am not focusing on what I am doing.

I hope your surgery goes well. Keep us posted on how it goes.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 5/13/2020 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Yes Ocean, it effects our bodies in very different ways.

I think over years I've experienced every single anxiety symptom out there in the books. Recently for a couple of days I have been going through tremendous amount of anxiety (or at least I can say it's a prolonged panic attack) which causes all of the muscles in my body to get tense and I feel irritated.
Above all, I feel so blurry in my mind and I think this is what people call foggy brain and also I have rushing thoughts and it feels like I am not able to cope with them and I am going to lose my mind.
I think that this is the worst. Worse than shortness of breath and heart palpitations.

Get well soon
Posted 5/13/2020 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
My issues with anxieties and depression caused me emotional distress back when I was having serious issues with both.

But currently these issues have not caused me physical problems. I don't have diabetes or fibromyalgia or anything like that, fortunately for me.
Posted 5/13/2020 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Karen for your kindness. Thank you all for the comments and pulling back the curtain to reveal how you truly feel. Like all of you I hate to feel such anxiety. Life should be filled with happiness. Things like Covid19 drain the soul. We have such a short time upon this earth. As I age it bothers me in such a tremendous way the suffering of others. The wretchedness of life can be so depressing. At times I feel so useless, unable to affect the lives of others.

That being said the kindness of this small group of people give me hope for a better day.

God bless you all
Posted 5/13/2020 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Severe anxiety and depression has caused me to lose or increase my appetite, experience stomach and chest pain extending to a tingling sensation in the arm.

Recently, I experienced globes sensation, the feeling of having a lump in the throat, and I actually went to the ER because I thought my throat was closing.

I'm sorry you have to experience this. If I'm not mistaken, I gather that you are religious from your previous posts. Maybe speaking with your pastor or other church members will help alleviate your anxiety.

Everything is so uncertain right now. We have so little control over what may or may not happen that it's bound to cause stress and anxiety. The only thing you can do is have faith that things will work out one way or another.
Posted 5/13/2020 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Oceanfisher

First let me say you’ll be in my nightly prayers for peace and for a successful surgery that will make you well

Anxiety always causes havoc on my stomach and intestines as well
Recently I felt like broken glass was trying to pass through them

All my best
Weary
Posted 5/13/2020 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Again thank you all for the comments. I am a Christian and not just in name only. I apply my religion to my daily life. I know I should not worry as my faith makes promises which I believe. That being said I still have to get through my days just like everyone else. My stomach and colon are constantly hurting as it sounds like most here experience. And as was said the uncertainty of our lives know leaves so much to be desired.

I hate this virus and what its doing to the world around us. I am fortunate in that I am retired and don't have to brave the world any longer to make a living. I pray everyday things get better. I worry about every piece of food I put into my mouth!!! Usually I eat dinner which is just a small amount and three hours later comes the cramping pain.

I have totally quite reading or watching the news. It just makes me ill and upset. I just pray for better days.

God bless you all

Post Edited (oceanfisher58) : 5/13/2020 4:23:33 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/15/2020 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with your surgery.
Posted 5/16/2020 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for the hopes of a good surgery. Honestly I am quite anxious about the whole thing. I cant wait for it to be over. I think back on all the years of my life when I took good health for granted. Everyday working and enjoying my weekends. Never gave a thought to my golden years. My how things have changed. This is one of the great regrets of my life. Not realizing and taking advantage of the times in my life when everyday was pain free. I surely wish I had done more fun things when I felt well.

God bless you all
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