Breathing Distress and Stomach Bloating

[NelsonAAA]

I am a 42 YO male with ANXIETY related physical problems.

For the past few years I have suffered from stomach bloating and muscle tension in my throat, back and chest.

Recently I had a significant episode of emotional ANXIETY and mild depression, with somewhat disabling physiological symptoms.
After researching my condition and seeing my GP, I realised that my previous physical symptoms of stomach bloating and muscle tension had probably all been stress/ANXIETY related, albeit in an ambient state over a long period of time.

Two years ago, during the summertime I developed daily asthma-like breathing attacks...sudden lung 'seizures', which lasted for a few minutes. I had never been asthmatic and have a good peak flow. The prescribed ventolin was little or no use and the effects of the Becotide difficult to judge. However, the 'attacks' died out after a few months and I was left with a lung condition.

I do not get the 'attacks' anymore but my lungs feel hyper-sensitive/'tickly', I get colourless mucus forming and at times a cough. I feel as though my lungs are sensitive to the slightest occurence - like clearing the mucus on  my lungs puts me in a mild irrational panic. And when my Upper gastric IBS (stomach bloating) kicks-in it exacerbates the breathing problem.

I have started taking Buspar for the ANXIETY, Omeprazole to control stomach acid/ bloating and becotide for the mucus.

I seem to have a low ANXIETY threshold and overreact to stress.
I am quite fit and the problem seems not to interfere with aerobic exercise.

QUESTIONS

Q1 Do you think it is entirely plausible that the sensitive lung problem and the previous 'attacks' be ANXIETY related ?

Q2 If so, is this ASTHMA senso stricto, or something similar?

Q3 I know I get muscle tension in my back and around my diaphragm. Is the breathing problem caused by just an extension of the same tension, but in my lungs?

Q4 Where does the mucus originate and why?

Q5 What other medications could i try to reduce:

A) the upper gastric IBS/ stomach bloating ?
B) the lung problem ?

Q6 Any other suggestions/ ideas to relieve the two problems.

Q7 I'm worried about coping with coughs/ colds...any thoughts here?

LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ANSWER...THANKS !

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

MOst, but not all, of what you describe is probably anxiety related or caused,so the best remedy is still to deal directly with the source of the anxiety, which has something to do with adapting to your life transition. For that, therapy is better than medication, or therapy and medication is best of all.

Your lung symptoms are the exception. The physical sensations and wheezing can definetly be anxiety, but the mucus is not usually part of that.  For an answer to the right medications for that, you are better off asking a pulmonary specialist or an internist.

[Razzle]

After 35 years working in the anxiety field I can tell you that BuSpar is still a medication searching for some use - it is not however in reducing anxiety in 99% of my clients. I have seen it cause anxiety and other diverse symptoms in far greater numbers than any who report positive effects.

Raz

[NelsonAAA]

Well, then I must be one of the lucky 1%, because it appears to be having noticeable positive effects upon myself...albeit subtle, slow and gradual...And I would imagine that having faith in a medication and a feeling of controlling ones condition is a major psychological plus point...

Guess slating medications and destroying hope is what you learn after 35 years in mental health ?

[Razzle]

One thing you learn is not to allow patients to pursue treatment protocols that end in disappointment and potential side effects without a proven record of benefit.

BuSpar does not require a blood level build up to be therapeutic as the SSRI and Tricyclics do. If it has positive pharmacological benefits the patient should see them in just a few days.

Raz

[joyce45]

I am not a medical professional, but I definitely agree with Raz.  Most people are not helped by Buspar.  I also know of several people who tried it and the med was very negative for them, causing more anxiety, and they went slowly. Many psychiatrists claim Buspar to be the world's most expensive placebo. Hope this doesn't offend anyone.