Anxiety/Nausea/Dyspesia

I have a real problem.  My body doesn't always interpret hunger signals as hunger, and I get nauseated instead.  Of course I will not eat under those conditions and I get worse.   Sometimes I get sick and it has nothing to do with being hungry.  Eating only makes it worse.  So I find myself confused a LOT.  Do I eat or not?  Most of the time I'll feel better if I do (at least temporarily) but other times, like last night and this morning, it makes me sick.

I'm so tired I don't know what to do anymore.  I've been to doctors and they've diagnosed my stomach problems as "atypical panic attacks".

There's no question that anxiety plays a role in it.  When I get sick I get very anxious and relaxing is extremely difficult.  When I am able to relax it does seem to help my stomach feel quite a bit better.  But, usually, the horrible nausea feeling comes first.  The panic symptoms FOLLOW.  

It has happened the other way around, but it's rare.  And I should mention that I have panic symptoms without nausea sometimes, although they're not nearly as bad.  The stomach is the only thing I can't live with.

The question: Has any of you experienced problems like I have?  Typically nausea first, then panic.  If so, have you treated it like panic and had any success?  

I'm in really bad shape here.  It's pretty much making my life as I know it unlivable.

[Jessl]

I had this. I am an emetophobic (fear of being sick) so I generally feel sick alot anyway. But I had the problem with nausea and not being able to tell if it was real, or hunger or what. Eating made me feel better for a little while, but not long. It turned out for me that it was a stomach ulcer. They can make you feel this way and if its bad, make you throw up. I got tablets for it and now its gone away.

I still feel sick and panic but I can tell its different from before, A LOT different. Maybe ask your doctor about this possibility?

I always feel nauseaus before I panic but so far haven't found anything that really helps as im in a bit of a rut now, tapering of valium. I'll let you know if I find anything that helps.

[sick stomach]

Hi, I too get the nausea and then the anxiety.  I had all the stomach tests and parasite tests and they say it is anxiety.  It does feel better when I feel relaxed.
If I get a headache or something I start to worry and then comes the nausea, sometimes I do get the nausea first even though I don't feel anxious.
I was not sleeping at night and made several trips to ER.  I have been on serequel 50mg to help sleep at night and am on 1245mg of zoloft.  This last week pysh was on vacation so she told me to take a zanax everyday.  Woke up Tuesday feeling most normal in months.  The nausea has been gone this week (knock on wood) and I think the zoloft has kicked in. Am finally sleeping at night.  You are not alone it is probably anxiety.  I found a great website called anxietycentre.com you should check it out.  There is a list of all the symptoms that can come with anxiety and it's a program to help you overcome.  I am using one of their anxiety coaches and it does help talk to someone who has been through it, check it out.

[Lee3]

My symptoms started out with daily nausea.  I didn't even know it was due to anxiety.  I had all the tests done also.  I still get nausea occasionally but it's not always as bad.  I am on lexapro which seems to helping.  I still have panic attacks but not as severe.  Good luck.

[debaser23]

Thanks for the responses.

I was prescribed Klonopin a few weeks ago and finally got up the nerve to take it.   Took my first full dose early this afternoon and it seems to be helping quite a lot.  I suppose it could be coincidence, but I'm thinking it really is the med.

I felt hungry while ago and ate a very modest amount.  No ill effects.  My stomach sure made a lot of noise but it was probably just surprised to see substantive food, haha.  

My theory?  If the Klonopin works, it was definitely anxiety and I finally have a real diagnosis.  That would be a Godsend.

[LeesieMiller]

Hi!  I'm new to this site...so, I  hope I'm in the right place!  Anyway, ok here's my deal...I started out on Lexapro for anxiety...not strong enough...then went to Cymbalta...allergic reation (BAD)...now, I'm on Wellbutrin...it seems to be working ok with my anxiety because worrying and being anxios about anything makes me feel nauseated...BUT, everyday I am nauseated!!  I'm definitely what they call a "worry wort"...but not too bad...I always get car sick, motion sickness, anything you name it!  I know I have a weak stomach, but I was wondering if maybe taking the wellbutrin was making me sick or just made my weak stomach worse...I know I'm not pregnant...It's so bad that I would rather have "flaming" diarrhea everyday!  Sorry, but I HATE being nauseated!  It brings me to tears just about everyday.  Everytime I talk to my husband, his first question is "How's your stomach today?"  Maybe it could be a stomach ulcer...or maybe I should go off Wellbutrin???.  I've just got to know if there's someone else out there like me????????  Or does anyone know what this could be??  thanks!!

~L

[nicole921]

I've been getting anxiety/panic attacks for years.  Recently I have been feeling extremely nauseous.  I was shocked when I saw other people writing about feeling the same way.  I've completely lost my appetite and no longer crave things I use to.  All I know is that there's nothing worse than anxiety/panic attacks.  It took me a while to separate the two and realize which was what.  I always feel i like am sick and can't understand how anxiety can make a person feel this way.  The nausea symptom is new though.  Makes me feel better to know I am not the only one.  It's scary what the mind can do to you.  Hope someday there is something better than all medication.  I heard yoga works great?  Good Luck everyone!

[feel bad]

i feel very worried every day on 300 mg wellbutrin klonipin (klonopin).twice a day why do i feel sick every day some with the same tell me what to do i hate it so much please help me

[lemonavocado]

It's great to read everyone's experiences on this. I will post mine in a new topic because this one's getting old.