Can the Mind, Stress/Anxiety Cause Pain?

[feanorius]

I am worried that I caught hepatitis C from deep kissing and having protected sex w/an escort about 6 weeks ago. The STD doctor on Medhelp and numerous people in the hepatitis C forums say i have very low to virtually zero risk of catching hepatitis C with the exposure I described, but I have this upper, right abdominal pain, sort of like a knot, heart-burn feeling right below and underneath the right chest rib cage that isn't constant but which is exactly where the liver is and which other hep C positive patients have reported experiencing pain and discomfort. I want to believe what everyone is saying but I can't ignore the symptom that I've having. So I'm asking you all can my mind/stress actually create that pain if I knew that some hepatitis C patients were experiencing this kind of pain? I don't remember if this pain started occurring after I read that some hep C patients experienced pain on the upper right abdominal area.
      Also, I'm not having anxiety attacks but I'm thinking about this a lot and it's hard to shake. If my mind can do that what can I do so that I won't have that mind-induced pain?

[cj29]

Yes...and more symptoms.  I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that it causes a downward spiral.  That is what makes this cycle so hard to get out of in my opinion.  I was on an SSRI called Zoloft.  I took it about a year (Most doctors will suggest about a year or so because most studies show that combined with talk therapy this is the best way for long term relief), however if you choose not to use any meds that is great too.  I only say this because plenty of people choose not to use them; it is a personal choice.  In my expereience, I have more side effects from taking a Claritan.  

But, as I said, you are doing what is the most important thing you can do...talking about it and confronting it with a therapist.  You will break free from this cycle.  It just takes time and effort, both of which it looks like you are willing to do!  Keep us posted!

[feanorius]

My antibody test is negative but I'm not in the clear yet since it's too early to be conclusive although if I were to look at it logically where I am extremely low risk, my AST/ALT levels were normal and the girl i was with probably doesn't even have it I would probably just move on. However, I can't ignore the physical symptoms I've been happening which is fueling my health anxiety which in turn is probably exacerbating any physical symptoms I'm having, so it's like a downward spiral. So how long have you been on medication and are you still on it and do you plan on getting off of them?

Also, can you have a choking sensation, foggier vision, brain fog and ear pressure/stuffiness from health anxiety? If people had similar experiences as me that would help me deal with this a lot easier.

[cj29]

Going to see a therapist is the BEST thing you can do in my opinion.  By learning about it, you will be able to confront your anxiety.  I was initially STRONGLY against medications of any sort but I changed my tune when I actually tried it with consultation from the doc...I find them a useful tool as long as it is combined with talk therapy.  Many people just want to take some sort of magic pill to get over this, which will not provide long term relief in my opinion.  I am glad that your results are negative, but you seem to have a 'positive' result for health anxiety and you are going to go seek the cure....good for you!  Keep us posted!

[feanorius]

How does your health anxiety manifest itself? Does your mind create symptoms and make yourself sick or is it something else? And I don't know what to think about hep c and when symptoms are supposed to show since a lot of times symptoms don't even show up for most people. I actually went to the doctor today and he said it's probably some acid reflux caused by my stress which makes sense to me. He prescribed me some medication that's like a stronger pepsid ac. Oh and my hep c antibody test was negative which obviously is a great sign. He doesn't think I need to test in 2 or 3 months but he sent a lab request anyways just so I can be assured that I am truly negative. Still have some cramping and bloating at times, but seem to be getting better.

And I am going to see a psychiatrist in 3 weeks for my health-related obsession. Have you had counseling? How much does it help? I don't want to go on medication.

[mungies77]

I too suffer from health anxiety... I've been concerned about everything from HIV to brain tumors and back again... It's a good thing that you got tested, hopefully that will relieve your anxiety a bit. I would suggest seeing a psychiatrist who can work through your anxiety issues with you.
Just a sidenote... If you did have Hep C, I don't think that you would be showing symptoms so early :)

[feanorius]

Yes, I did get tested for Hep C I'm just waiting for the results but it's only been 6 weeks since possible infection date. And people say that it could take 3 months and sometimes even 6 months for antibodies to show up if one was infected so I'm just trying to figure out how to get through that waiting time. However, like I said, Dr. Hook on this forum said that my risk was virtually zero after reading my story. I just wonder about the "what if" possibilities though and since hepatitis C isn't as well researched as say HIV there seems to be debate on transmission and such. It's just hard to believe that my mind could cause all these stomach pains which I have never experienced before. Although I totally acknowledge the possibility that it is my mind, but my problem is if it is my mind how do I deal with that? How did you get over your anxiety?

[cj29]

Health anxiety can cause all sorts of pains.  That is by definition, what it does in my opinion.  For example, my anxiety had originally started over heart health and as I continued to worry about it, I felt every little twitch, pain, palpatation, etc.  We tend to focus our minds on what is bothering us.  Furthermore, our interpretation is often wrong on the cause and the severity of the symptoms in my opinion.  I bet you had all sorts of little 'pains' throughout your body before you started worrying about it but just really didn't pay attention to them, because it was of no importance in your mind.

Take comfort in the fact that the doctor here on MedHelp has said you were at low risk for infection.  Can you go get tested for Hep C?  It could clear your mind, BUT so many people with anxiety refuse to believe the validity of the tests...in my opinion, believe them and the advice from your doctors...keep us posted!