Hello,
I'm a little lost here and hoping someone can help me out. I am kind of wondering what is going on with me. About 6 months ago, my mom came out of remission from her breast cancer. It was found in her liver, lungs, bones and brain and it was just really shocking because ever when they found it, she was completely healthy. She was just having a routine physical. Anyways, they told her she had 6 months left, but she died in October, 2 months after she was diagnosed, at the age of 47. It was really really horrible and tramautic for my family and I. I guess this point, I should say I'm a very sensitive person, and I am always noticing things that don't feel quite right in my body that other people would probably not even notice. I have had past problems with anxiety/depression the first time my mom got sick and I feel that my problems now are probably somehow related. However, I think I might even be hypochondriac. My dad is also sick with a very serious heart condition that was missed for a long time and this was found in his early 40's. I think because of what has happened with my parents, I have a hard time when I feel not great. I always think that something is seriously wrong and its being missed. I try to find comfort in the doctors, but I still worry....So this leads to my problem: When my mom got sick again, I started having problems sleeping. I didn't sleep more than 3 hours per night for about 3 months. Finally, I started sleeping again about 2 months after she passed away. But, at the end of December, I started noticing bad stomach problems. I just had almost a burning pain in my upper abdomen with really bad gas and bloating pains all over my stomach. I would feel like I had to have a BM but when I tried I would just cramp up and not be able to. I got really constipated and one night I threw up, so the next day I went to the doctor. They sent me for blood work for my pancreas and gallbladder and also did a CBC. Everything came back just fine. Soon after, I started taking Metamucil and things seemed to get back to normal, though I still had bloating and stomach cramps. I seemed to bel relieved when I had a BM. Last week, my stomach started acting up again. I should note that it seemd to start when our family business, that I've been working so hard to keep afloat, is going under. That day, it acted up. I went for dinner and about 3 hours later I came home and had really bad diarrhea! I was surprised because I have always had the opposite problem. I didn't think much of it and was fine the next day (with mild cramps and gas) but then the same time the next night, I had the diarrhea again. I had it twice and then took Immodium and was fine through the night and the next day. The day after that though, same thing- I had diarrhea just at night again, even though I was fine during the day. I had to take Immodium again. Yesterday I was OK, but had mild stomach cramps and gas- again. Of course, now I am starting to get worried. Another thing that kind of worries me is that my period was late and very light this month. I am always on time and very regular that way and it was very different this month. I have taken 4 pregnancy tests and they are all negative, so I'm worrying that something is seriously wrong, like stomach cancer or something! I am 25 and in good health (besides my stress and emotional trouble), not overweight, don't smoke, but I still worry. My sister who is 21 has had stomach problems too and has been told she has IBS but I haven't been to the doctor again about this. I feel embarrassed going, as I seem to be there all the time when I worry about my symptoms.
So, I guess I'm asking, can IBS be linked to stress? Does this sound like IBS to anyone? I don't want to go to the doctor again if I'm just over reacting as usual. I just get worried and the worry consumes me. I am hoping that if my stress level decreases, these stomach problems will go away, but the thought that something is seriously wrong is still in the back of my mind.
Thank you so much for listening. I really appreciate and advice or insight that anyone can give me.
:)