Why can’t anxiety just go away?

[Bellay]

You know what really ticks me off with this anxiety crap... doctors automatically assuming that my anxiety is causing my abdominal pains. It’s one of the first questions they ask. Sometimes there is a physical issue, sometimes not. This is what causes my anxiety and depression to flare up.
I recently had a trip to hospital feeling extremely unwell with abdominal pains. While they didn’t do ultrasounds all other tests came back clear. Before this trip I had an infection and was treated and have ultrasounds booked for August.
I just cannot stand anxiety and I wish it would just go away.

[Soberlicious96]

Dear Bellay,

I am sorry to hear that you are not feeling your best. I think that whether we are unwell physically or mentally, it is just such an awful thing to cope with.

Have you thought about perhaps trying to advocate a bit more strongly to get/request an ultrasound of your abdomen? I know that sometimes, some doctors don't always think to refer people on for further investigation, unless the patient requests it. I know that in my case, pretty much all my life, up until only about 4 years ago, I was only ever PRESCRIBED stuff for my allergies, but not one doctor ever offered to put me onto a desensitization program to be cured of my allergies. Not one doctor! I had to advocate for myself. I only got told about other allergy treatment programs by other people who had been through treatment programs, with GREAT success too, I might add! And now, I am cured of some of my worst allergies! Such a great relief .... but yeah, had to be persistent with getting the help I needed.

Anxiety is a bugger though, and yeah, can be a rough one to manage. Perhaps if you haven't already, you could look into learning some relaxation and meditation exercises. Do you think that might help? Learn to really focus on your breathing and how to slow down your mind and body a bit, when things start to become overwhelming, yeah?

Anyway, I don't know if that helps or not. I'm certainly no professional. Just a fellow human being (woman) who's had her own issues with anxiety, depression and physical illness.

Feel free to come back to this thread if you want to talk more, and get things off your chest.

Take care. I'll be thinking of you. xo

[Bellay]

Thank you for your reply. It’s comforting to know others also feel similarly.
I’ve since had external and internal ultrasounds with nothing to show.
maybe it is anxiety coming back.
Over it all.

[sisu100]

Hi Bellay,

I'm sorry to hear that you're going through such a difficult time. Anxiety really does suck. It can be so debilitating both mentally and physically, and I totally understand you wanting it to just go away. It must be so frustrating to hear doctors so readily identify anxiety as the culprit behind your abdominal pains. And then to hear that there was nothing to show with the ultrasounds must have made it so much worse. How are you feeling about it all?

Please know that you're not alone here- we're here to give you as much support and conversation as you need. Feel free to check in and let us know how you're going whenever you are up to it.

[InhaleExhale]

Hi Bellay,

That sucks, how frustrating to have those physical symptoms. I’m glad you got the proper medical checks. Are you having other anxiety symptoms? Or is it just these abdominal pains. I know when my anxiety is flaring up I have very specific physical symptoms (nausea etc) which are the same each time making them easy to identify.

InhaleExhale.

[therising]

Hi Bellay

Your frustration is completely understandable. One of the things about modern medicine involves the inability to put 2 and 2 together in certain cases.

You can have anxious thoughts that can recondition the body in significant ways. Thoughts can alter our biology. I know this may sound a little simplistic but bare with me:

• Anxious thoughts that happen on a regular basis, that lead you to feel your stomach churning, can have a biological impact on the stomach
• Anxious thoughts that happen on a regular basis, that lead you to feel your heart race, can have a biological impact on the heart or vascular system
• Anxious thoughts than happen on a regular basis, that lead you to feel constriction in your throat, can have a biological impact on the throat area

I won't go on; you get the gist.

Sometimes the anxious thoughts or 'dis-ease' that impacts our body isn't significant or long term enough for there to be a biological impact (physical disease). In other words, nothing will show up in scans or blood tests. Sometimes there will be an impact, which will show up. Sometimes you have to make a particular call. It's a call that can lead you to ask 'What is the best way to care for myself? Is it through a scan for example?' Sometimes you gotta push it, in order to find the best course of action under the circumstances. Demand tests, especially when something's telling you 'Hey dude, there's something really wrong here!' Instinct is a great caretaker. Personally, I can remember a time where I didn't listen to my body and ended up in emergency scheduled for having my gallbladder removed.

A practitioner who treats the connection between mind and body will consider scans in order to know exactly what they're dealing with, on the path toward greater health. Wondering if you've considered this angle; looking into someone who treats a combo of mental and biological well being.

I truly hope you get some joy when it comes to finding the answers and direction you're looking for.

Take care