Anxiety - Stomach problems ?

[Niberg]

Hey!

this year has been a year from hell for me. I’ve always had anxiety but it was under control. I feel like perhaps everything I’ve been through this year (surgery, wedding, overseas travel all within 3 months) has sort of triggered my anxiety and I can’t control it.

im suffering stomach problems at the moment where I get nauseous, pain in my stomach, tender to touch my stomach, sometimes I have no appetite and other times I’m very hungry and I’m getting reflux too. Every test I’ve done at the doctors has come back normal. A few have suggested it could just be my anxiety. I started taking anti-depressants 6 days ago roughly and the symptoms have calmed down but my stomach is still tender to touch. I’m waiting for an endoscopy but even the specialist hinted it could just be anxiety related.

has anyone else suffered from stomach pain and problems from anxiety? If so how long did it take for it to calm down?

thank you!

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Niberg,

Thanks for your post. It sounds like you've had anxiety for a long time but it was only lately that it's been really bad? Did you ever used to have stomach problems from anxiety?

To answer your question, yes absolutely. I've also seen a lot of people on these forums who have stomach problems with anxiety too - sometimes it's pain, but it might also be bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion or consistent butterflies.

For me personally, it's pretty consistent - which isn't very optimistic! But it's something that I've learned to manage pretty well and it's not as intense as it used to be. I've found that the bacteria in my gut is a bit out of balance so I've learned a daily probiotic and foods like yoghurt help, but you may just find basic anxiety tools helpful (like breathing techniques, self care or working on thought patterns). Given that you've had a mishmash of anxiety provoking things, my assumption is that it wouldn't take too long to ease off. Hopefully your GP and specialist can help you more.

rt

[Courage2020]

I've atmost every time when i have anxiety.Most of the times it took awhile to calm down but sometimes it at go away as long as your anxiety attack is still active.Lately I've been using this Medicine made by Blackmores
"Digestive Aid".It helped me to manage stomach issue.You can bought it from local chemist.

[Purple4]

Stomach issues are ruling my life at the moment. Thanks for your comment on my 'digestive issues' post. I wont rehash what I wrote in my post but wanted to let you know that my GP told me I had gastritis and gave me a leaflet explaining what it is. I don't suffer from reflux and disagree with my GP.

I worry that there is something sinister happening inside me that is getting worse so I completely understand what you are saying.

I have a few questions but please don't feel you have to answer.

Is your tummy pain lower or upper?

Can you go to the toilet ok?

When you do have a bowel movement does it sometimes not flush?

I take probotics daily but nothing is helping me. Eating causes me more pain. Hopefully we will both get answers after our procedures.

Please keep us updated on how you are 😀

[Jill_G]

Hi Niberg

I had constant physical sympton of dry reaching and nausea for months every morning. I had all the tests as well and just learned it was all anxiety. Once l accepted it was anxiety and tried not to give it to much attention it slowly got better but it was hard almost like re training my brain. I also see a phycologist which helped me alot.

[blondguy]

Hi Niberg

There is excellent support posted from members above for you...

You are proactive with your health by having all the tests done and good on you too!

JillG (above) mentioned "Once l accepted it was anxiety and tried not to give it to much attention it slowly got better but it was hard almost like re training my brain. I also see a psychologist which helped me a lot" This is spot on

Note.....Our digestive system is the most sympathetic to the awful feelings of anxiety Niberg....It is usually the quickest to react to anxiety symptoms.....bloating....diarrhea...nausea..reflux..cramping....Its awful yet reality

Just a helpful thread that you may find of value about physical symptoms of anxiety (copy and paste link)

www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/what-physical-feelings-of-anxiety-do-you-get

The forums are a safe and non judgemental place for you to post or ask any questions you wish too 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Arwen_Evenstar]

Hi Niberg,

I hope you are feeling better now, in 2020.
I also get stomach pain quite frequently (below the ribs, mostly on the left side/centre though sometimes on the right) which my family and also a GP have suggested could be linked to stress or anxiety.

Several years ago, I had an undiagnosed condition for almost a year where I would feel lethargic every day and would frequently get headaches and an unpleasant feeling in my throat. This caused me to skip a lot of school, and since I was always a high performing student, I was anxious every day that tomorrow I would have to miss school again. I also felt scared because I didn’t know what was happening to me. Anyway, at that time, I started getting frequent stomach pain, as well as bloating and sometimes constipation (sorry for the details!).
All my tests came back negative, so I saw a psychologist to learn how I could better manage my thoughts, and I think this may have helped, though the gastritis and IBS-like symptoms continued throughout school.

A few months ago, my stomach pain started coming back every single day, and I am finally going to see a specialist soon. I think family relationship problems have been the trigger this time (a lot of tension/arguing) and I hope to finally learn to lead a more peaceful lifestyle, at least for the sake of my digestive system.
However, while a specialist may prescribe medication that may help with the stomach acid, if the initial trigger of the pain is anxiety, I will have to work to reduce my stress as well.

I wish to anybody experiencing stomach pain to feel better soon; it can truly be upsetting and affect your self esteem, happiness and energy.

I find that distracting your mind to avoid intrusive thoughts, and also doing fun things like hanging out with friends and going for walks or reading sometimes help ‘stop’ the stomach issues, but not always.

All the best,

Arwen