Can anyone relate to my combo of twitching and weird pains and stomach problems
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hello
,
Disclaimer: May be gross or triggering, as I am mentioning symptoms. I would appreciate help if you have gone through a similar thing.
I have a history of anxiety, including a panic once about having breast cancer (21 male, I had an unexplainable lump on my chest that just went away). I had a variety of symptoms, and eventually I was just fed up and had a "give me all you got mentality" once I had headaches and caught myself thinking I had brain cancer.
Since then, I have had generalized anxiety, but have been working through it. This past September, I was very stressed with school and family issues. One day, I had this shooting pain that was very painful and brief pain up my anus. As a worrier, I was worried about this pain, and I saw over the next few weeks it came up more and more. Eventually it went away. But, what followed was even weirder. I got a lot of twitches in my eyes and arms and back. I know this is a common symptom of anxiety, but I even get it in my upper left abdomen area and the belt area (pelvis?). The twitches here are like a violent shake. Really hard to put into words but very scary because I feel like my organs could be shaking, which has got to be bad.
I have had loose, semi skinny stools for an extended period of time. I have had stools with "healthy" shape but not firm at all. And the past three weeks it has gotten a bit worse, as I have had straight up diarrhea at least 4 times and more loose stools. I also get cramps in the belt area sometimes, especially if I have diarrhea. I am worried I have a problem in my gut or something and have to get a procedure or something is terribly wrong.
Lately I have also felt like either I feel my heartbeat in my stomach and belt/pelvis area, or it is a non-painful throb? I'm not sure.
I have visited a specialist a few time. Within the past 4 months, I have had a normal blood test, a stool test for h. pylori, X-rays for constipation, and I know I had another blood test, but I'm not sure for what. I could go again, but I don't know what else they can do other than a colonoscopy. My doctor really doesn't think I need it, and I don't either. But it really feels like we can do something else to solve what's wring.
I try not to google, but when I have, I couldn't find anyone with a similar situation. I know some of these symptoms are related to anxiety, but some I'm not sure. I don't know what to do to get better, as I have had the power to let these symptoms go for two days at the longest, but once I get to the third day and I feel nothing has improved I fall short again, and that's why I am here. So please if you relate to any of these symptoms, especially the weirder ones, I would appreciate advice or anything.
0 likes, 3 replies
david72166 joe41218
Posted
Joe,
I know it is hard but you really need stop doing more and more tests. I am exactly the same as you. I've been having some discomfort in both my groin and my you know what and I've had a multitude of tests.
My doctor says "no more testing" and I'm trying to agree with him. I try to accept the discomfort and not go to the doctors any more. Try to stop the Googling too.
Maybe you could ask your doctor about some anti-despressants and/or a referral to see a clinical psychologist.
Best wishes
Dave
Richado joe41218
Posted
Hello Joe,
Sorry to hear you are suffering but you will get better. I am in agreement with Dave.
Understandably you have developed an anxiety related to health from the history you describe.
This must have been scary and has left its mark. Its almost a kind of PTSD from when you must have felt life threatening issues.
So may I offer two possible techniques to help you, both of which are from my personal experience. Have now recovered from severe anxiety which was debilitating and focused on my own health issue.
May I start by just explaining whats going on physiologically and sorry if you know this already.
Your mind/brain perceives a threat from what you imagine is a severe health threat. When triggered the brain (amygdala) releases adrenalin ready for a fight or flight. Instead of running or fighting, this adrenalin flows around tour blood stream and has various effects. It restricts blood to the stomach cos you need blood to the muscles for 'survival' So you feel nausea. So muscles can twitch. You get tightening around the head. You can get other symptoms which are usually uncomfortable.
So lets look at stopping these adrenalin releases and reduce the amounts in your system which occur when you get anxious or trigger an episode.
Technique One is a simple deep breathing exercise. Deep breath in for 3 seconds, hold for 4 seconds and then breath out through your mouth for 3. Do this at least three times (somewhere private/quiet). Listen and feel the coolness of your incoming breath through your nose and the warmth of the breath outgoing through your mouth. Holding your breath prevents hyperventilation. This will physically calm your body and centre your mind. This will stop anxious thought and stop any adrenalin being released and help reduce whats already in your blood. You may want to hold your arms out straight to the sides and rotate slowly as you breath. When you are calmer you will see things more rationally and feel more comfortable.
Now I also agree that you don't need any more tests. Your rational mind knows that you are healthy and you have had tests to prove it, so you must work on accepting that so that your anxiety doesn't work on your doubts and make you doubt it.
Technique Two: This should build your self-esteem and restore your more positive thoughts about your health. It involves a mantra. First thing in the morning and last thing at night, find a quiet place with a mirror and spend a few minutes reciting a 'mantra' to yourself. This is something for you to believe in and to kind of program your sub-conscious mind.
I suggest something like: "I am a strong man" "I lead a happy healthy and good life" "I control my life and I make the decisions for my life" "I am healthy and will exercise and eat well to keep well" You might want specific statements which appeal to you. Once you've got a mantra together use it every morning and evening and talk directly to yourself. Bit embarrassing at first but trust me. it really works.
It will start to boost your self esteem and it will prevent thoughts or doubts about your health and replace them with "I am a strong man" I lead a happy, healthy and good life"
Be interested to know how you get on over the next week or two. you WILL get better and these doubts will ease and you can start to feel more comfortable and less troubled.
All the best. R.
iron03502 joe41218
Posted
Had nearly all the same symptoms as you plus few more.Thought had lung cancer but chest x ray was clear then esophageal and stomach cancer but endoscopy was clear now I'm worrying about bowel and pancreatic cancer.Also blood tests which were clear.I really don't know what to do anymore man