Possible anxiety?

[Jimboloo]

Hi all,

Quick run down, I've been sick with severe nausea, unexplained weight loss (13kg), burping ( like a man at the pub after a few beers) and the occasional faint feeling for the past 6 months.

I've brought up the possibility of anxiety with my gp, but as we cannot find any stress/anxious around the time it started he has shrugged it off.

I've been seeing a gastro and dietician as well and every test they do has come up fine, or something that wouldn't be causing any of the symptom .

Its mainly the mornings that its at the worst, I can't even drive at the moment to take my children to school and swimming lessons.

Not having any answers and continuous tests has taken its toll on me, and I feel its taking toll on the people close to me as well ( they are 110% supportive and do not complain, but I feel like a burden). My children have missed out on so much because Mum is sick.

I don't have the well known signs of anxiety. I'm just not sure anymore.

Thanks all 😊

[blondguy]

Hello Jimboloo, Welcome to the forums and good on you for having the courage to post too!

Im sorry that you have this nausea and the weight loss as well. Ive used to get chronic anxiety for many years and I can try to help through my experience.

Feeling light headed can be a symptom as well as the nausea because our digestive system is the most sympathetic to a nervous condition..even having the symptoms of IBS can be a sign of a system thats running too fast and hard.

If I may ask you Jimboloo...can I ask how the quality of your sleep is.

Also, when you attempt to drive your kids to school are you dizzy or apprehensive at all?

Please excuse the questions, just trying to help you more effectively 🙂

there are many super kind people on the forums that can be here for you. You are more than welcome to post as many times as you wish

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Jimboloo]

Hi Paul, thanks for reading 😊

I sleep like a log at night, I'm exhausted all day and in bed 7/7.30 with the 2 year old. But up at 5am every morning.

I won't drive whilst feeling nauseas or dizzy, I have a family member do the school runs for me instead, but I still feel like a major burden.

I usually start feeling better around 10am.

My poor partner has to deal with most household chores and activities with the kids after a day of full physical work.

Thanks Paul 😊

[blondguy]

Hi Jimboloo!

You are no burden to anyone, I see an incredibly strong and pro-active mum that has covered all her bases...whether its nervous exhaustion or a broken ankle they are still all the same...People just cant see that we are doing it hard because there isnt a plaster cast

Great that you sleep like a log:-) Your partner is an absolute legend by the way!!

Even physical/mental exhaustion can bring about the nausea and dizzyness you are feeling. Being exhausted all day could also mean that you have too much on your plate Jimboloo......just a thought of course.

How many children do you have if I may ask?

Thanks for posting back too!

Paul

[Just Sara]

Hi and welcome to our caring community Jimbaloo;

After reading your post, I thought pregnancy might be a cause, but 6 months would've shown results. lol

As Paul says, '...because our digestive system is the most sympathetic to a nervous condition' it's natural after all those tests that you'd ask about mental health responses.

Could food or product allergies, diabetes or gluten/dairy intolerance be present? Sorry if you've been tested for these; you didn't mention what tests you had. The symptoms you expressed have been known to come from these conditions.

I do hope it's something simple and not a complexity. If anxiety does affect you, this is surely the place to sort thru your woes and worries. Please keep in touch to let us know how things go.

Kind thoughts..

Sara

[Jimboloo]

Thanks for that Paul, it is hard because they can't physically see it, and I can be fine some days, or even fine then start dry retching mid conversation (and that's also with my partner so no need to feel anxious or anything)

He sure is amazing, so much support from him.

I pretty much laze around all day with the odd load of washing or quickly doing the dishes if I'm feeling not too exhausted. They've done numerous blood tests and everything else is fine, iron and all of my vitamin levels.

I've started ( this will be day 3 today) to walk and pick the eldest up from the bus stop. Its only a 10 minute walk, 15 minute wait then were off again. I had to stop the bus pick up last year as I was too dizzy, crossing main roads whilst pushing a pram and having a young school aged child wasn't a good mix so we asked for help again.

I only have 2 children, they are quiet cruisey now. So just the little one at home during the week days whilst the big one does school.

[Jimboloo]

Hi Sara, thanks for reading and taking the time to reply😊

Hehehe, no not pregnant, I've been tested about a million times, also one of the lucky ones who's only problem minus the growing gut is the smell of meat cooking.

I have previously been on anti depressants, but I don't feel depressed at the moment, well not to the extent of requesting them again, its more frustration of the unknown, but I have been reffered to the phyc at the hospital, have chosen not to take up the referral but I can request a new one whenever I feel that I would like to go.

Out of all of those the only thing we haven't tested was food/ product allergies. Although I went on a very bland diet of steamed veggies and water for quiet some time and it was still around.

I did have about 2 weeks of just slight nausea until the Dr and dietician put me on sustegen, which I've had to cut out again as its made it worse again, and my weight is dropping off again.

I'm on medication three times daily, but I'm not finding relief with it, I've been on it for about 5 months now.

Thanks for your time and well wishe .

[blondguy]

Hey Jimboloo

So..your dizzyness happens without a trigger or is it at its worst when walking (or prior to driving) to the bus stop to pick up your eldest? Does it happen in busy shopping centers? Excuse I for the questions 🙂

I know that you are really tired of all the tests etc. Do you think that a 2nd opinion from another GP maybe an option? Just a thought.

I have put the link in below for the Beyond Blue Anxiety/Depression check list. It doesnt replace professional help but it may help you get a better idea of what you are going through

www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety-and-depression-checklist-k10

Good to have you on the forums Jimboloo 🙂

Paul

[Just Sara]

Hi again J;

I find it interesting that Sustegan made you worse. Could it be a connection to self image? This product causes weight gain as a normal response, this is why it's given to people who suffer with weight loss issues.

I'm just using my intuition here, but it does sound to me like there's a connection. Weight gain/loss has psychological implications for some people, especially with social norms (or experiences) the way they are. What do you think?

The symptoms you tell of would be in line with this theory too. I don't want to put something in your head that doesn't exist either, but going out 'in public' to pick up kids might trigger a response? Please bare with me ok. It's just a thought, so if there's no connection, I apologize.

For me, self image has been an integral part of my anxiety/panic for as long as I remember. It's the only reason I've bought it up in your situation. If I'm projecting my stuff onto you, I'm sorry.

Please give it some thought before responding. Think of anything about your weight or looks for instance that might have occurred 6 months ago. It doesn't have to be traumatic or even something 'noticeable', just a slight emotional response might've been enough.

Inquisitive kindness...

Sara

[Jimboloo]

Sorry Paul I don't think I was too clear with that part. It usually comes after the nausea has started, its not all the time though.

I haven't really ventured out much, but when I have been at the shops I'm usually fine.

I am a nervous driver, my brother actually threw the possibility of it being anxiety because of that, but I still get nauseas with other people driving ( not because of their driving, just it tends to be mostly mornings we do things)

Questions are great Paul, they help a lot and some are questions that I have to think about which is great as I may be able to use them as examples with the Dr.

I am on gp number 2, he is currently away and I am seeing his brother, I'm not that keen on this one but I will bring it up when I go for my weekly weigh in with him.

Thank you so much Paul, you've been so helpful, I think I will have a few things to talk with the gp about