Getting worried, Help!

I haven't slept well at night for over 3 days? Also I have had an upset stomach at night and a hard time breathing, I have also been constipated the last three days for the first time in my life. I am 30 years old. What  should I do?

[nursegirl6572]

Surely sounds like it could be anxiety symptoms, have you had anxiety in the past?  Do you have any known medical problems, take any medication?  The constipation will certainly cause the upset stomach, there are many OTC remedies you could try to help resolve the constipation.  I personally like Colace (Docusate Sodium), you could try 100 mg once daily and see if that helps.  It's a stool softener versus a laxative, so it's gentler on the system with less side effects.  Plus, you could continue taking it daily to prevent further constipaton.  Make sure you're eating a good deal of fiber rich foods as well, that will help!  Exercise is a must also...it will help with all of your symptoms!

IMy advice to you is go see your doc for a thorough work-up, just to rule out something physical/medical.  If you get a clean bill of health, then it's worth looking into anxiety treatment to see if that may be the problem!

Best of luck, let us know how you're doing!

[DSR420]

I have had anxiety in the past really bad actually, I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, ADHD, social anxiety, a personality disorder, and NOS? I don't take any medications right now I have taken adderall (adderrall) in the past, and Celexa, resperdal, and Abilify, I haven' taken any of these medications for over 7 years except the adderall (adderrall)! I have taken adderall (adderrall) within the last year but not regularly. Just has needed for times I need to be completely focused and when I need to sit and pay attention for long periods of time? I don't have insurance but I have an appointment to talk to a doctor about starting a new medication soon! I don't have insurance so I can't afford to go to the doctor in an emergency unless it is severe! I have never been constipated in my life unless I have forgotten. it is scaring me because I have been so healthy for so long and I can't take anymore extra time to focus on things like this, I need to find a job I have been laid off since November 17th of 2010 and my girlfriend is pregnant and due in the middle to end of March! I really need to try to deal with everything going on right now and stay focused but I worry it's getting to late? Any good suggestions or ideas I can try? For now I am trying to stick with natural health until I get into a situation where I can afford to take the time to focus on these issues with medicine! Please, please, please I haven't had a manic episode in very long time! I need to figure out a way to get back on track for now without a lot of side effects! Marijuana has worked wonders in the past where the usual prescribed medicines have failed but I currently live in a State where that is not an option and I can't afford to buy any nor do I want to take the risk in my job search with failing or stressing over a UA, I cannot afford any more bad week days! I have two days to recover! Please I know you are a medical nurse but I know that there is a natural way to deal with these issues for now! It's really odd I have eaten well during the day and before bed the last couple days I have limited my caffeine intake and have been drinking a lot of water and juice, I get an upset stomach at night and have even went to the bathroom here and there it is liquid and mostly clear? What's that mean? PLEASE HELP ME I AM DESPERATE!!!

[kenonurse]

Hi. I think you are obviously stressed out. I think you may be experiencing gastric reflux. This would explain the stomach pain and the breathing problems because gastric reflux can cause you to feel like your having difficulty breathing. Drinking a lot of water is good for softening stools, but if you haven't had a BM in three days I would definitely try some Milk of Magnesia at this point. If you don't get any relief the first time you can try another dose. Then if you find no relief I would contact your dr. I don't understand what you mean when you say you have gone to the bathroom here and there and that it is liquid and mostly clear. Gone to bathroom where? Liquid and clear urine? I would also say that stress can contribute to constipation. What your eating could also be a factor. You say something about eating before bed. I wouldn't do that as that could also cause acid reflux when you lay down. I commend you for being off your meds for bipolar but I would also caution you to begin them again if you start to notice any manic symptoms or depressive symptoms. Don't try to go through it without meds especially since you have to take care of yourself to be able to take care of your baby. So anyway, priority is to get your bowels moving so start with the milk of magnesia first. Then if your stomach is still bothering you after you have a BM, you could try some ginger tea or peppermint tea if you insist on no medications. If your willing you could try some over the counter prevacid at night. Good luck.