Stomach Problems, can this really be anxiety?
Posted , 2 users are following.
For the past 4 weeks i've had really bad nausea, acid reflux, gas, burning in my stomach, and a lump in the throat sensation. I have emetophobia which is a fear of being sick so all these symptoms are driving me insane. I keep getting panic attacks regularly now, and last week i went to A&E because i was unable to breathe and they did an ecg and some blood tests, everything came back clear.
So could anxiety really be causing the problems with my stomach? If it was something serious would it have shown up in my blood test results?
I was diagnosed with health anxiety 7 years ago, but i just struggle to accept that these symptoms are due to anxiety and im so afraid of being sick i just cant stop worrying. Hopefully somebody here will be able to help 
0 likes, 5 replies
sylwia30346 seany26002
Posted
Hi Seany. Yes!!! All those symptoms can be fue to anxiety. I had nausea for about 5 weeks myself. I lost ALL apetite. Lost 7 kg in 3 weeks time. I had a knot in my stomach, it was even hard when I was pressing on it! I had constant diarrohea for 10 days, unreal pain under my rib cage that was there all the time, either left or right side and just feeling sick. It is from anxiety. Also had blood test, chest xray, abdomen scan done, all clear.
No wonder you cannot shake it off if this is your phobia! Why started it? Have you trief any medications or therapy? Have you had endoscopy or colonoscopy done? Maybe you should have this done to reassure you? Guts are like second brain - they react to stress more than anything else other thsn brain of course. Stress sits in them and causes pain in result.
seany26002 sylwia30346
Posted
Thanks for the reply! Sorry to hear you went through all the same things as i currently am, it really is a terrible thing to go through, i just find it so hard to convince myself its due to anxiety.
Im not sure what caused the phobia, it came after my anxiety disorder started because i was never afraid before! As for medication i've been on Propranolol for 6 years, tried CBT twice. Never had an endoscopy done, i dont think i could manage that, it looks terrifying!
I start seeing a psychiatrist next week so hopefully they can help bring my anxiety under control which in turn should hopefully help my stomach relax!
Is there any medication you took to relieve your symptoms or did they just disappear once you started to become less anxious?
sylwia30346 seany26002
Posted
Thank you. It's an awful place to be, isn't it?? I feel so so bad for everyone who suffers from this crap!
How did you find CBT? I completed about 7 sessions and all I found was that it has helped me to deal with my divorce and feeling guilty over leaving my abusive partner... but not much more than that!
I know, it is so hard to tell yourself you are fine when you're in pain
There is a guy called Wonder Bro on you tube, he has loads of videos explsining how anxiety works. I think it's good to watch/listen to those videos to see that other people go through it too! It's just a dose that it lasts for so long for you as it must be hard to change the way you think now... but keep trying!!! It is doable!
My GP prescribed me drug called Spasmonal Forte that I've been taking twice a day for 2 weeks. It's what I call gut relaxer, it has helped me big time to get rid if that pain. From constant pain I went down to occassional pain when anxious sometimes, say once a week. Maybe something like this would help?
seany26002 sylwia30346
Posted
CBT didnt really help at all, like they explain different breathing techniques but when im in a full blown panic attack i find it hard to do what i've been taught.
I will definitely check that guy on Youtube, i usually watch a channel called 'the anxiety guy' hes really good at explaining things!
I went to my doctor today about all these stomach problems and he basically said its from anxiety causing acid and then because i've been afraid to eat the acid is getting worse, just a cycle im trapped in! Now just to try and convince myself its anxiety, thats the hardest part!
sylwia30346 seany26002
Posted
I know what you mean... It is very hard to apply all we know because emotions are just so strong...
Ah it's a madness when it comes to all the symptoms, so hard to keep everything on track when you have all pains and aches! Would you try some med to help relax it?