Stress Center Peer Support

Hi,
I'm 27 year old female and have been suffering from anxiety for many years. I take zoloft. But the last month has been crazy and I feel like I am loosing it. I have been having health issues with my bladder for the past 3 and a half weeks. Have seen my regular physician and he sent me to urologist. Have seen the urologist twice. Had urine work, bloodwork, and ultrsound. All fine. However my problem is I cannot stop thinking about what is wrong with me. It is really starting to affect my work and life. Urologist thinks I either have inflammed bladder or the start of interstitial cystiis with is an incurable long term disease. I am petrified because I dont know what I have. I have constant bladder pressure which is so uncomfortable I feel like i am never going to be comfortable again. Now i have severe nausea and severe indegestion. I already see a doc for years and am on acid reflux pills for this but the nausea has goteen so much worse the last month and I dont know if it is from the anxiety, my bladder issue, and cant stop thinking maybe i have a tumor somewhere or perhaps adrenal problems thryoid problems. how do i know for sure it is the bladder. i am sick with worry on top of having a real medical bladder issue. anyone else been like this before??

Sounds like your swirling around! I'm so sorry you're so uncomfortable. That swirling/confusion you're experiencing is a combo platter of actual logical fear and pain and then a dash of anxiety on top, just like you described. I hope to encourage you by telling you just what it looks like from the outside and maybe you can remind yourself of that, too.
You have a perfectly good reason to be concerned, upset and flustered. Because you're so sensitive (which is a good thing), your anxiety has kicked into full gear and is making a mess of all of that and intensifying it big time. It can't hurt you. You won't lose your mind or go crazy. This will pass.

Try to gently remind yourself that it's JUST anxiety making matters tougher. Take SLOW breaths, even when and ESPECIALLY when you think it's stupid or a waste of time. Make yourself do them at least 10 times or so. Focus on the breath. Do this as often as you need to. It may feel like all you're doing is "focusing on your stupid breathing" (which is what I've said a time or two), but it will slow down things.
I know that's annoying advice; just breathe, but it's a start and one you need to take when it gets so confusing and tense like this.
It always passes.
If you have faith in Christ, then most important is knowing and reminding yourself that this season, uncomfortable feelings and all, is part of His plan for your life and there's good to come.

Hi Irish123,

I've felt like that before. Ok, first of all...I'm not a doctor, but I've experienced the same symptoms you are having and nothing was wrong with me either, except anxiety.
I was very overwhelmed and I had extreme nausea and I also had and still suffer with occasionally is irritable bowel syndrome. I also have to urinate frequently when I'm anxious... a lot of people on here have also said that..we have no idea why, but it happens. When I get nervous now I have a constant pressue on my bladder and I have to urinate very frequently. What I'm saying is that maybe your bladder is a result of your anxiety... if you can try to calm down maybe things will improve. Try your relaxation cd if you have it, or go out and buy some soothing music and take a nice bath, do things that will relax you and try to take your mind off of your health...because maybe once your anxiety level goes down then maybe your bodies bad physical symptoms will dissappear. LIke I said though, I"m not doctor and only you know yourself..but from what I've found I realized it was my anxiety creating all my bladder and stomach issues. I still struggle with it, but it isnt as bad as it was before. I hope this helped out a little. I'm sorry you feel this way.

Thank you both so much. Your words are comforting. I hate this frightened feeling and sick feeling like something is wrong with me. The symptoms feel so real. I have the program and need to start working on it.

Great advice from Carla!
I'd like to also add that you can try to expect that those worrisome thoughts WILL come and bombard you at times. Let them come. It's only habit now. Don't pressure yourself into not thinking about your health; that actually only adds more pressure. Let come what may and gently remind yourself what it is and it's just anxiety.
This WILL pass.
God bless you!