Sick or anxious?

[Lizard123]

Hi,

First time posting.

About a month and a half ago and began feeling a bit unwell for a couple of weeks. Random sore throats, body aches, lots of fatigue. I saw my GP who sent me for a blood test. Thyroid and most other thing were fine. My blood count was a little up and my liver enzymes were a little bit out of whack. GP said this was normal of a virus and that I needed to rest. This was right before christmas I had the whole school holidays to recover. These symptoms persisted a little bit until a particularly bad night where my levels of fatigue prompted some palpitations and as a result what I realise now was a night full of rolling panic attacks. I ended up at a random weekend doctor who gave me an ecg and talked me down and gave me reassurance that I was ok. I actually ended up trying some anxiety medication from my GP but was taken of them after 3 days due to some nasty side effects. After that was out of my system I felt better and didn't see the need to try another medication.

It has been 6 weeks now and I have been back to the gp several times as symptoms have progressed. I am constantly bloated, going to the bathroom frequently or having bouts of diarrohea. I tried cutting out foods and taking probiotics etc to no avail. I would have random days of complete normality and I would feel like myself again and think it was over only for it to begin again that night or the next day. Recently I have experienced lots of reflux and indigestion/stomach pain (i already take prescription antacids).I still have physical fatigue including muscle cramps etc as well as occasionally brain fog. I have had and abdominal ultrasound which only showed that my liver has become a bit more fatty (family history of NASH). I am waiting on one more blood test result as my GP wants to test sugar, hepatitis, glandular fever etc

I thought seeing my GP and getting some results that told me I was ok would help my mental state but it's jut becoming frustrating. I have all these symptoms of feeling unwell with no answers and it seems the longer that I have no reason for how I'm feeling the more I become convinced something is seriously wrong with me. I wonder if this just started as a virus and snowballed into anxiety/IBS which is making be feel stressed and anxious which is manifesting more physical symptoms.

Is it possible that I am just in a vicious cycle of anxiety that is responsible for my illness? I would love to know if anyone has had a similar experience.

[Saroseme]

Hi!

I read through and I can relate to a lot of things in here, I get viruses pretty easily, and sometimes they last for months, most of the time I just wait it out, because my parents seem to think I’m fine, even though I take half the school term off (which I guess is something they should’ve take more consideration into), anxiety could be a slight problem in things, as I used to think my symptoms were getting worse and worse, when most of the times, they weren’t really (or were, but not to that degree), I’m no medical professional, so when it comes to technical stuff, I wouldn’t be sure, I would try to keep positive about everything (not fake positive, just try to take your mind of it, through hobbies or family/friends), while it won’t help the whole situation, it’s always a good idea too, I would hope that your gp would know what they’re talking about, and for now maybe it’s best to take their word, but if you are concerned, it really depends on your symptoms.

I wish you the best and you’re not alone on that one,

Sam

[Lizard123]

Thanks for the reply Sam. I'm lucky in the fact that even though I only started seeing this GP a year or so ago I really trust her and shes never once dismissed my feelings or tried to just fob it off because of my history with anxiety like other specialists etc have. I think part of it may also be the fact that being off work this last few weeks if just been able to chill out when I feel sick or anxious but now I have to go back to work this week. Thinking about managing my anxious moments at work is always daunting. Hopefully these last test results will either give me an answer or help me to move past this.

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one.

[Saroseme]

I’m glad to hear you have a nice gp, that’s always a good thing! She sounds really great, I’m glad.

Yeah, I agree, it’s never great to start feeling anxious during work, with school, I don’t really have much time to think about things, so it’s mostly better when I’m there, but as work is different from school in aspects, can you let anyone there know? It might be a help if you are overwhelmed with things. I hope the test come out well, or just give some results in things and I hope you’re feeling better soon, it really sucks to feel like that.

Best wishes,

Sam

[Guest_2496]

Hi Lizard

I almost could have written your post. Have been having heaps of physical symptoms lately and nothing found by dr of concern. I did end up having a colonoscopy/gastroscopy and (I'm also on prescribed antacids) increased some meds there for a short period. Overall diagnosis was stress induced IBS and lots of tight muscles, headaches etc...all anxiety. That's great, but also not great cos how do we get rid of it?!

I did have a period of increased stress just before it all started - did you? And I'm not seeing a psychologist which is starting to help...she also mentioned yoga. I'm using the online one she suggested and so far just concentrating on neck stretches and while it took a little while I do notice a help in my shoulder/neck muscles. Not constantly tight anymore...

(Not to say that either of us couldn't have a 'real' physical problem but at some point we have to trust the dr when they aren't finding anything 😉 )

I agree with Saroseme - are you able to mention it to someone at work? Looking back (I left work two years ago) I wish I had. Given how common mental health issues are you may find someone else there totally gets it and is a great support and vice versa! I guess it depends on what type of work you do and your work environment as to whether this is a useful suggestion.

best wishes back to work - hopefully you'll be busy enough that you have that to focus on