Anxiety due to health issue? Please respond!

[WorriedOne84]

Hey, everyone. I'm a 26 year old female that had been in good health up until about 8 months ago. Okay, so I've been battling some stomach issues during that time. Actually found out that I had a gallstone in November and had my gallbladder removed in December. Prior to this I'd never had any medical issues except basic stuff (strep throat and ear infection) and hadn't been to a doctor in probably 6 years. In fact, I had made it 25 years and never even had blood drawn, seriously! Never had any broken bones, stitches, never been to the hospital except when I was born.

I've always had a fear of going to doctors. Even over basic stuff I was always afraid they would find something wrong with me and it would be incurable. Crazy and irrational, I know. Well, I had 3 gallbladder attacks in less than a month and I knew I had to do something about it because the pain was so severe I thought I was doing to die.

Now on to my present problems. It's been almost 4 months since my surgery and I'm still having problems. Abdominal tenderness, burping, hiccups are a few symptoms. Plus, I'm getting somewhat severe upper abdomen and back pain after consuming alcohol. I know there is still something going on with my health and I'm very scared and worried. Went back to the surgeon that removed my gallbladder a couple months ago and he said my symptoms sound like acid reflux and a hiatal hernia. Haven't had any tests done to confirm this.

The thing is now my health is ALL I can think about 24/7. I'm having difficulty focusing on my job and much of anything else. When people are talking to me I'm looking at them but not really hearing what they are saying. I've always loved watching sports but I don't even find that enjoyable anymore. Also, I've been online doing research on what all could possibly be wrong with me and that is stressing me out. Now I don't know if the symptoms I have are really real or I'm only feeling it because it's something I read. For the last couple months I'm having a really difficult time sleeping which I've never had before.

I do have an appointment with a gastroenterologist in 2 weeks but I get so nervous I don't feel as though I do a good job adressing my symptoms or asking questions.

Does this sound like anxiety? If so, what should I do to help get it under control. Please, someone respond! I just really need someone to talk to who may have experienced something similar to this before. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[WorriedOne84]

It's so difficult to think of anything but my health issues.  I'm afraid of going to the doctor and them finding something seriously wrong with me but I'm equally afraid they'll find nothing and everyone will think I'm crazy.  With all the reading and research I've done trying to figure out what's wrong with me, I'm now not sure which symptoms are legit or if I'm causing them.  I know I sound completely nuts and I know I need to quit obsessing.  Thank you so much for taking time to respond.  At least I know I'm not alone.

[VickiG1960]

Most definitely anxiety..I have it too over health issues.  Try you hardest to focus on something else..get out of the house, read, or get busy doing something.  Try not to stress as I think it makes our health issues worse.