Help

[dont]

I started have sever panic attacks in January. I have finally found medication to help the attacks and am in therapy. I am on 3 .05 long acting xanax a day and 100 mg of Wellbutrin. I have become not really constipated but my BM never look the same. I had two episodes where I had blood on the toilet tissue. I went to my GP and she found a fissure. She advised me to drink Mettamucil and eat more fiber. When I do that my BM's look normal and have no problems with blood. I have had extreme anxiety from day one thinking that I had a neurological condition. Everything from ALS to MS. I have had the following normal tests: MRI of brain and C-spine, 2 CT scans of the brain, 2 complete sets of blood work, 2 chest x-rays, sedimentation rate, thyroid. My doc blames my problems with constipation on what I have been thru mentally. I do not have any major cramping in my stomach, no diarhea (diarrhea). I do however gag every morning several times to where I feel I am going to throw up. I have very mild nausea but it passes within an hour or two. My stool has ranged from light colered to hard round kind of dark colored to what looks like it has cob webs on it to multi coloered pieces that are round and kind of hard. I had a mucous come out once. I have a very mild ache sometimes under my right rib cage and someone I work with said that could be Gall bladder. Could that be related to constipation and gagging? The back of my legs ache a lot but when I force myself to relax and do relaxation tapes that goes away but as soon as I tense up it comes back. Before my attacks I NEVER had abnormal bowel movements or problems at all. My doc thinks all of this will resolve when the panic attacks go away but I am worried I have something undetected b/c my grandma died of colon cancer. My mom and her bros and sises are fine to this day. I have been thru so much being convinced I had ALS, MS, cancer, you name it. Along with my neuro test that I had my exam was perfect but I have the sensory sensations that go along with panic attacks, like pins and needles etc... all agravated by anxiety. I still have plenty of anticipatory anxiety. My doc says I don't need a gastro referral right now b/c my risk is a first degree relative only and she said the mental state I have been in can explain my constipation, etc...Like I said I only have mild pains once in a while on my right side under rib cage and occasional right mid to lower back pain but I have contributed that to picking up my 27 pound daughter. These concerns have taken over my life to where I don't want to go anywhere or do anything. What do you think could anxiety be causing all of this. It just seems to extreme to just be anxiety. I am a 36 year female. I also had panic attacks 12 years ago but recovered from them much faster tthan this time so I never had the constipation issues. Thanks for your response.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Any change in bowel habits warrants further evaluation.  Causes can include irritable bowel syndrome, but also can be caused by things like cancer or polyps.  I would suggest a lower endoscopy - either a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy for further evaluation.  These are pretty comprehensive tests to ensure there are no anatomical abnormalities causing the symptoms.

Regarding the pain under rib cage, gallbladder is certainly a possibility.  An ultrasound would be a reasonable first test to evaluate the liver and gallbladder.  Other causes would be GERD, an ulcer or inflammation of the upper digestive tract.  An upper endoscopy or upper GI series can be considered for further evaluation.  I would also consider an H Pylori test - this is a bacteria that is associated with inflammation or ulcers.  A GI consult can be considered to discuss these options.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[dont]

forgot to mention that she did a blood fecal test in the office and it was normal. No blood found in stool.

[subpar]

Hello dont,
I am a 47 year old white male and since 1987 I have been "diagnosed" with some form of anxiety or panic attacks. However I have also had atrial fibrillation (had to be shocked back into rythhymn in the ER), I have been told I did not have GERD after some tests, then that I did after some tests, that I had mono (twice--blood tests showed elevated monocytes--similar to epstein barre) that I have PVCs but told they are nothing, told I have a Schatzky's ring (when my throat and neck stayed tight for a year-currently going on).........anyway what I am trying to say it don't let the MDs just tell you it is all anxiety!! Maybe there is a component of that involved but chances are you do indeed have some underlying physical cause whther it is gall bladder or who knows? But anyway you just may be more sensitive to physical symptoms which cause you to get anxious sooner than  maybe the average Joe or Jane out there. Anyway keep asking questions,playing attention to your symptoms and I hope you figure it out. You are not crazy!!
subpar

[PAJ]

Try this
What are the symptoms, side effects of Candida overgrowth?
· allergies which develop plus new allergies as you grow older
· tired all the time, constant fatigue, inability to sleep, sleep OK but don't feel refreshed on waking
· infertility, PMT, menstrual, post menopausal problems, mood swings, irritability
· constipation, diarrhoea, variety of tummy problems including IBS, Diverticulitis, Colitis, bloating, wind/gas, constipation, diarrhoea, poor digestion, acid reflux
· vaginal/prostate infections, thrush, recurring cystitis,
· respiratory conditions including asthma, hay fever, long term sinusitis, catarrh, habitual coughing, postnasal drip, sort throat, ear infections
· Chronic Fatigue/M.E
· kidney/bladder problems
· frequent headaches, migraines, dizziness, "foggy" brain, poor memory, Alzheimer's
· arthritis like symptoms, general aches and pains
· sugar/chocolate/alcohol cravings
· heartburn, gall bladder problems
· skin conditions, rashes, psoriasis, athlete's foot, acne, fungal infections
· generally feeling miserable, recurring depression, anxiety, panic attacks
· circulatory conditions, cold extremities
· low immune system, going from one virus/bug to another, catch cold easily
· hyperactivity, behaviour problems, ADD/ADHD and autism in children
· muscular, skeletal problems, recurring neck, shoulder and back pain
Anyone who has one or a combination of these symptoms, long term, whilst having disease ruled out by orthodox medical tests - MAY have Candidiasis.
Point scoring Candida checklist
http://cassia.org/candida.htm

[dont]

wouldn't an infection of that sort show up in blood work?

[PAJ]

No ,the doctors generally don’t look for it , there are tests but even on a positive test your still up against it read my article for an insight. See my other posts below. If you need more post

Mystery Illness?
This is an illness where 5.000 people in the UK have banded together to share information. Up to 3,000 people a day log onto an Internet forum looking for help. In fact this forum attracts more traffic than any other Internet health forum. This illness is a hot topic. What’s the subject that has the attention of so many people? A very odd one ---intestinal yeast infection. Is it a crucial player in health? Does it really make a person this fatigued and ill? If so, why can’t you just take a medication to kill the yeast and make it all go away?
More and more people are realising intestinal yeast and bacteria can be a major contributor to many illnesses. Over 70% of the immune system is in the intestines. What lives in the intestines interacts with the immune system.  Altered gut flora from what is regarded as normal can cause depression, mental confusion, anxiety and fatigue. The intestinal flora is even a major contributor to autism. Yes, autism isn’t the totally genetic or emotional problem that was once believed. Many of these children are losing their diagnosis of autism as the gut and immune system are healed.
What is it like to suffer an intestinal yeast infection? Well, initially, a person may fear the worst --- cancer or a degenerative disease. The symptoms are both appalling and progressive. Chronic fatigue, cognitive problems and other symptoms develop to the point where the sufferer descends into a Zombie like state that is truly frightening. At a time when the person needs all mental faculties to fight this illness, the intestinal yeast and bacteria take away the person’s ability to even express themselves adequately. Fatigue and brain-fog make the person so very vulnerable.
Most people assume that doctors are right on top of this situation. Yet patients complain that doctors know very little about how to alter the flora of the intestines. Worse yet, patients run into doctors that are unwilling to even acknowledge the fact that intestinal flora can be a problem. With the exception of a small number of specialists and brave general practitioners, the medical profession has turned a blind eye to this condition. It is the patients who recognise the symptoms and who are demanding action.
So what’s to be done? People with intestinal Candida overgrowth may have yeast and fungus throughout their body. They are contagious with yeast, and associated co-infections, bacteria, virus’s etc. Many GP ‘s would consider acknowledging and treating the condition in line with the treatment protocols specialist doctors have successfully used for the last two decades [at least]. Except it is not yet considered standard practice.
We live in a very litigious world where empirical treatment is a thing of the past. First-line doctors want the security of knowing hospitals will pick up the case if things get tricky. Everyone cautiously waits for the formal blessings of experts before proceeding. People are left suffering with chronic and often-unexplained illness, they are commonly labelled as suffering with a syndrome of unknown cause. Band aid anti-inflammatory’s, and pain killers are often prescribed but they only temporary take away the pain, and never address the cause which stems from the Yeast infection with the associated toxic overload. Its clear that until the experts formally recognise this illness, patients are left without effective help from the medical establishment. And as the Candidiasis [term for chronic yeast infection] pipeline is running at full bore many more thousands will suffer as a direct result of senior doctors head in the sand stance with this illness.

Paul Jaep    Jan 04
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[dont]

I will make an appointment with a GI doc but does anyone think any of this can be caused by extreme anxiety and depression?

[tuff case]

First off I am not a dr. But I can tell you from my experience only.  I was diagnosed with diebetes 8 years ago now.  It started with pain in my chest at that time the Dr. told me I was either having anxiety attacks or it was diabetes, well mine was diabetes, but along with that is ithe tingling and numbness I get in my hands and feet that can be or was in my case diabetes related.  Because you have a history of panic/anxiety attacks make sure this is not over looked.  I noticed that you have been through the ringer in regards to having a complete nuerological work up as have I over the last year along with the gastroentrology work-up because of different symptoms. Nausea for over a year created the gastro work-up and dizzy spells the nuero and many more symptoms but these were the major ones.  I have recently been put on an "anti-depressent" paxil to treat for IBS, not deprssion, which has created more gastro/stool problems.  I noticed that you are taking Walbutrin not sure if you were taking this the last time you had attacks, or not but it maybe causing some of you bowel problems.  Also you may want to do some research on autonomic neuropathy.  depending on which nerves are effected will depend on what symptoms you might have.  All is treatable.  Good Luck!