Digestive Issues caused by anxiety???

[Purple4]

Hello Everyone.

I am having major digestive issues that my GP says are caused by stress and anxiety.

After the birth of my first child over 21 years ago I was diagnosed with IBS. I have spent over 20 years being aware of what I eat and know my triggers. I have always had a 'podgy' lower tummy but have never experienced the bloating and distended tummy I now have. I seriously look pregnant. My tummy distends from my sternum, (right under breasts) and is tight and painful.

Over the last 3 months or so it has become worse so I went back to my GP and was brushed aside by him saying its anxiety related. I expressed my fear of something serious wrong with me so he refered me to a surgeon for a gastroscopy and colonoscopy. Also ultra sound on kidneys and liver as I have pain in my left kidney.

The specialist told me not to be too hopeful for answers which has left me feeling deflated. I'm having the procedures done a week before Xmas.

Does anyone else suffer from this?? When I eat my tummy tightens and becomes painful. I have never been 'regular ' with going to toilet. Part of me feels like there is a blockage in my bowel.

I am fed up with feeling fat and bloated and rarely leave my house.

[Purple4]

Hi Niberg

I found your post on stomach pain and posted my reply there

😀

[Purple4]

Hello Courage

Thankyou for your reply to my post.

I am glad that digestive aid helps you. I'm not sure if I have tried that exact one but have tried many over the years. At the moment I am just taking a probotic daily that doesn't seem to be making any difference. I'm just plaing the waiting game until my procedures in a few weeks

[blondguy]

Hi Purple4

Great to have you on the forums!

The digestive system is the most sympathetic to feelings of anxiety....from bloating to diarrhea. I have had these awful symptoms on and off for 37 years....ugh!

A member called 'Annabay' wrote and excellent thread a few weeks ago asking about the physical symptoms of anxiety. I have provided the copy and paste link for you below 🙂

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

any questions are always welcome Purple4!

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Eirenuu]

Hi Purple4,

What you're going through sounds really stressful. Not knowing what is going on with your body can be really hard to deal with.

I have digestive issues and didn't know why for a long time. My anxious brain of course jumped to the worst possible causes, and it still does sometimes.

Now we've realised it's likely because of a connective tissue disorder. I get all the bloating and irregular bowel movements, and weirdly I can't burp.

I hope that the tests give you some information and know that there are people here thinking of you.

[Purple4]

I am hoping to get some answers tomorrow when I have my surgery, Doing the bowel prep is terrible. Just one more drink at 5am to endure then I'm ready. It's been a long 3 days prep and I am so worried when I wake up the doctor will tell me that every thing was normal. I know that sounds strange, but there has to be a reason for my pain and serious bloating.

I will update when I can

[Dan_1000]

Hi Purple4

Bowel prep is horrible!! I totally know how you feel, fearing waking up and finding there's nothing wrong. You just want to know what the problem is so you can mentally adjust or fix the darned issue!!

I went through a colonoscopy for similar reasons, and it did turn out that there was nothing abnormal. I have ongoing digestive issues and have tried things like the FODMAP diet, but with little success.

Working with my psychologist I have been working through the mental walls i have built up around my gastro issues - fears of not making it to the bathroom, planning routes, worrying people would notice if i went to the bathroom, etc. Slowly but surely I am chipping down these walls. I am trying to learn that my gut hypersensitivity is not going away but to re-interpret the sensations and not go into panic mode. All whilst doing all the usual anxiety stuff - exercise, eating right, limiting coffee, yada yada.

Dan