18 years of age and terrified

[072106]

Good Evening to All.

I shouldn't be having these thoughts. Nope, not at all. But there's just so much going on in my life between college, having no income but have a strenuous job, and family that thinks i'm crazy.

For the past two weeks I've been having trouble with my bowel movements to where I dont even know whats "normal" anymore.
I barely eat, and i feel like i get full after a tiny bit of a meal.
Everything I do eat however gives me gas, and stomach cramps. Sometimes it feels like i'm gonna throw up.
I space out because I'm terrified I have cancer.
I've lost weight. I haven't been able to sleep because I'm just scared.
I feel like I can't breath because, I panic. Pure and Simple.

I don't smoke, do drugs, or drink.
Never touched any of that stuff in my life.
& I'm not pregnet cause I'm still a virgin.

There is no history of any cancer in my family.

Every new little aspect I realize about my body got my mind going all crazy.. I tell my parents but they don't help.

I'm going to a gastro doctor tomorrow, and I started crying at the dinner table. I reconciled to them with the thought of there actually being something really wrong, to where my mom goes.. "So freaking deal with it."

I dont know what to do.

Does anyone have any ways they can help me? I'm so terrified.

[syralia]

Hi,

First off... take a deep breath and try to remain calm.

No one here can diagnose you or has the right to tell you you are faking anything, only you live in your body and know what you are feeling.

You could have something as simple as an ulcer that can be easily treated with anti-biotics, but the Dr will listen and will find what is going on.  The important thing to remember is that if you allow yourself to get too worked up you will only make it seem to get worse, your stomach will produce more gastrin upsetting your stomach and your adrenal glands will secrete more adrenaline making your heart beat faster and give you a jittery anxious feeling.  Try to distract yourself by keeping busy.

I hope that your appointment goes well and you get the answers you need.

[Beau1961]

Listen to Pum. From one who is struggling with Cancer and its after effects, you don't sound like you have it. I'll say a prayer and try to  stay calm, slow your breathing imagine a beautiful place. I to have gone through anxiety/panic attacks. Stay positive
there is an Angel looking after you.

[Pum]

Hi there,

The above comment is a bit harsh so don't take it to heart.

There is nothing you've described in your symptoms that doesn't tie in with the mental stress and anxiety you have been feeling. The brain can do all sorts of weird and wonderful things to your body and you are at the age that life can start to feel pretty major with changes and new responsibilities and breaking free from your parents. All that sort of thing can be very upsetting.

You don't have cancer so stop even thinking about that. You do need to take care of yourself however. First off visit the anxiety forum and you will see many many people experiencing similar things to you ie you are not alone or unique in this, not by a long shot. Next, you need to do some things to get over this. Exercise is critical in my view. 30minutes of intense enough to make you puffed exercise every day or two. Never ever take to your bed in the daytime. Stop researching symptoms on-line. Eat frequently and easy to swallow foods like scrambled eggs, yoghurt, bananas. Nuts, chocolate, high energy things are good too. Then listen to upbeat music, dance, laugh, see your friends, never turn down an invitation (just at the moment, you can be selective later on), don't weigh yourself for another 2 months. Get up in the morning when you first wake, don't go back to sleep even if it's 5am and don't lie in bed. Start doing things for other people, volunteer etc. And if you find your relationships or studies or work are suffering go back to your GP and tell them everything. I think you're a bit young for meds but they may be able to help in other ways.

Take care.