Stress Center Peer Support

I've been sick with the flu since Friday night. It was generally mild and I was able to eat small amounts through the day.

Today I woke up and had stomach upset. It was probably one of the worst stomach aches that I have ever experienced. During the course of the stomach ache I began to feel lightheaded, got ringing in my ears, shortness of breath, etc. I was calling for someone but since I live with my elderly grandmother she could not hear.

I now feel anxious and get panic attacks whenever I think about eating anything. However, I'm also worried that if I don't eat I will stay sicker longer.

Eating has always been my biggest anxiety struggle. I cant eat because i am anxious and i might throw up, but if i dont eat i feel much worse and start losing weight, which causes me to be anxious about that too.

I take meds and need to take them with food in the a.m. Could not be a more difficult scenario for me. I do not like to eat anything in the morning. I tried nutrition drinks for awhile and it gave me calories and something in my stomach to calm it, but yuk! Now i get up and have yogurt. Its not much but it gets my stomach started and i can take my meds.

I suggest you start slow and you will feel better. Eat things you really like even if its not the most nutritious. This is about getting your tummy used to food. Be gentle and eat small amounts several times during the day and drink tea or milk. Warm vanilla milk is pretty tasty and it feels like you are treating yourself to something special.

I hope this helps.
cj

This is very interesting Orion510 as that is how I experienced my first panic attack. I first experienced light headedness which caused me to hyperventilate and worry about passing out, then I went to my husband to call 911 to ask a question. (He wouldn't do it...)
Then as time progressed and my anxiety heightened, I needed to throw up and then after I did I had a bad stomach ache and then spasms. I found myself asleep after grinning and bearing the stomach spasms that were painful. They subsided but I was a scared woman after that! And the rest is history! P.