feeling real down and sick bc of my anxiety

[erin626]

My anxiety has been giving me horrible stomach problems. It got to the point that I convinced myself that I had a gallbladder issue and went to the er last night. All my tests came back normal and healthy. No matter how hard I try I can't stop focusing on my stomach and it just hurts constantly. I'm either nauseous or having stabbing pains above my bellybutton. Its gotten so bad that I don't want to leave the house or be alone. Its really starting to affect my life and my boyfriend is past fed up with me. Everything makes me anxious..I can be sitting on the couch watching tv and start panicking. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm at my wits end. The xanax didn't help and I'm not sure of my other oiptions. Does anyone else ever feel like this? I'm so sad all the time now..nothing makes me laugh..I'm just always worries about my health and worried that there's something really wrong with my stomach. I can't take this much longer.

[erin626]

My bf doesn't want me going to the dr anymore. I've been to the er 3 times and urgent care and they couldn't find anything wrong. He's getting sick of it. He wants me to just stay with my therapist and get everything figured out on that end.

[mammo]

Anxiety does this to us, it causes us to become fixated on something being seriously wrong, even when all tests reveal we're fine.  So learning to accept this is key to you getting better. You need to stop looking up symptoms because this is driving your anxiety sky high.  Symptoms can be so broad that so many things can fit us, and this is why doctors go to school for so long to learn how to sort thru it all and give us a proper diagnosis.  Instead of looking up symptoms, find a good book to read, or do something you're passionate about, have fun.  If you don't stop this excessive worrying you will wake up an old person one day and wonder where the years went........you will have worried them away instead of living your life.  Make an appt. with a Gastroenterologist to get an evaluation on your stomach and go from there.  I do think it warrants being checked out.  Then if everything is fine, you need to address this anxiety.

[erin626]

I went to the er friday night and they ran bloodwork to see if it was my gallbladder and all my results came back fine. But I keep looking up the symptoms and keep convincing myself I have a problem with my gallbladder. I didn't notice the stabbing pains until I got so upset about my gallbladder which..I'm only 25, no family history of gallbladder issues, and not overweight. So they checked for it and nothing came up...but I'm still convinced I have problems with it.

[mammo]

Because of the tension we build up in our bodies due to anxiety, I'm sure it could.  But I'm a firm believer that any new symptom, any symptom that has worsened or changed should be evaluated by your doctor before assuming it's anxiety. You mention stabbing pains in your original post and this is of concern.  Better to have it checked out, if just for your peace of mind, and if it is anxiety, they can give you medication to ease your anxiety which should in turn stop your stomach problem.

[erin626]

Out of curiosity...my stomach pains almost feel like strained muscles..can being incredibly anxious all the time? Can that put a strain on my muscles and make them hurt?

[mammo]

Sounds like you know what's going on and are on the right track.  Grief is very difficult to deal with, especially when it's a loved one.  I understand, I lost my son and grandson and it's been very difficult for me.  You will do just fine, take care of you for now.

[erin626]

I'm seeing my therapist on monday and then seeing a psychiatrist on wednesday to discuss meds other than xanax. I didn't start having stomach problems until my best friend and gramma died last year. My best friend who was also my high school sweetheart died in june of 09 and my grandma died in january this year. I noticed some anxiety after the death of my friend but it just went out of control after my gramma who was like a mother to me. She was my support. I noticed all my stomach troubles start early in march. The docs can't really find a cause for my anxiety. I have a dr appt monday before I see my therapist but my stomach has always been sensitive to stress and anxiety ever since I was a kid. Just the way my stomach problems started after the deaths and with the reemergence of my anxiety leads me to believe that its all emotional. I've never been an emotional eater..I'm always an emotional noneater lol. Anytime I'd go through a hard breakup or something I just could barely eat for weeks. But the pains of the break ups always passed. The sadness and anxiety I feel from the death of people I really loved hasn't passed and I guess I'm not good at dealing with grief.

[mammo]

Anxiety does wreak havoc on our stomachs, but have you seen a Gastroenterologist for this?  I truly think you should and not assume it's anxiety, this is their specialty and they can get to the root of the problem, quickly.  It may be your anxiety but you need to find out for sure, and at your age I doubt it would be anything serious. It sounds as if you have developed some depression along with your anxiety which is common.  Xanax doesn't stay in your system long and you need one that does. You need something that can control this 24/7 which usually is an antidepressant taken along with a longer acting anxiety medication. See a psychiatrist to discuss this as they are most knowledgable when it comes to these types of medications.  There are many options for you, and the two of you can decide what is best for your particular needs.  You can't help how you feel and this is the frustrating part for us and those close to us. Anxiety often has a root cause and with therapy you can find out what this is, work thru it and ease your anxiety.  Go speak to a psychiatrist to learn what your options are so you can start feeling better and have the happy life you want and deserve.  I wish you all the best and take care.