Anxiety or stomach problems...which comes first?

Patrick2112 · Post by **Patrick2112** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:51 am

I was diagnosed with Gilbert's Syndrome two years ago ( high bilirubin in blood) and have suffered from IBS attacks since 19 years old. Of course I have anxiety too so it is hard to tell which causes which. On the subject of Gilbert's one of the symptoms of it is IBS,G.E.R.D.,anxiety attacks,nausea,shortness of breath and low energy.Luckily I don't have the jaundiced look in my eyes or severe symptoms but non the less I have it enough to disrupt my life. I always have to know where a bathroom is.traffic,flying,working,large crowds ect ect I know I won't ever feel affected in these situations.I have learned to manage it by stopping drinking-smoking and eating right but it still a problem sometimes.

problemattic · Post by **problemattic** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:55 pm

Ugh! I've been having all sorts of stomach problems - icky. Now I'm having cramping around my lower abdomen, below the waist. I wonder if I have a UTI, or kidney infection, but I hate going to a GP because, a.)What if it's just another symptom of my anxiety? b.)He may ask what my other issues are...and no one has that kind of time!

Sandina · Post by **Sandina** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 3:49 am

I have had the stabbing pains in my left side right under my ribcage, too. Mine started with my anxiety, and now it's like my "anxiety-o-meter" and it goes off when I do! When I got it I thought it was my heart. I talked to many docs about it and none of them seemed concerned. Now when I get it I just accept that it's a symptom of my anxiety and it goes away faster than when I worried about it.

Originally posted by Deb 45:
I have the stabbing pains in my left side, right under my ribcage. Sometimes it hurts to take a deep breath. Started taking carafate and prilosec and a lot of tums. I guess I'm more afraid that it will migrate to tightness in my chest, which it started out as. I was told I have GERD and chest tightness goes along with that.

Now I'm analyzing my body symptoms to the hilt. My poo has now turned a chalky almost white color, which I am attributing to the meds. But still a rather alarming development. Now I've become a poop analyzer.

Once again, the problem issss...that no one has convinced me once and for all that there is not a medical condition here. No one looked.

But I don't want to get endoscopy. I could go for an xray or an ultrasound sounds good. It might be reassuring, but boy am I tired of doctors.

I just ate, and no symptoms. There have been a lot of stressful events in my life, and everytime one comes up, these symptoms come back...like if I'm worried about going to work, or I get a medical bill. Tonight got turned down for disability insurance, and have an annual physical tomorrow which I don't want to go to. Got a flat tire today, and haggled over new tires. Have to pee in a cup to get a better medical insurance plan...blah blah. Someday it will all be a distant memory. Thank God.

Nick4G63 · Post by **Nick4G63** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:17 am

I started having severe GERD symptoms almost overnight, it started around the time the semester was ending and the holiday shopping season was in full swing, as stressful time for anyone. Funny thing is, I just today realized thats when it started, and I feel this might all be anxiety related considering I have had an upper endoscopy with biopsies, stool test, blood tests, that came back "normal". Ive been to 2 different gastro docs and niether one has a good answer for me, all they did was order yet more tests and throw PPI's at me. I tried all different OTC antacids plus 2 different prescriptions, Protonix which made me feel alot worse then before I took it, and now Im on Nexium for 4 days now and its helping, but only slightly. I cant eat anything but plain boring foods and even those cause discomfort. Everytime i get a gerd attack I get a panic attack along with it, which Im sure doesnt help at all. I had stomach issues in the past, not like this, but similair more mild heartburn, and alot of IBS symptoms, alternating C and D, pain, gas, etc. Thing about it is I was on paxil for nearly 5 years and my stomach felt fine almost all the time. I stopped the Paxil nearly a year ago because it made me put on ALOT of weight, and over that time the anxiety and IBS crept back in, but with the program I thought I could handle it. Until this GERD started, now my life is literally HELL. Im at the point alot lately of thinking whats the point? But now Im starting to think I should try to go back on some type of anxiety meds to see if the stomach problems go away, if they do then I'll know at least whats causing it, cause over the last 2 months Ive diagnosed myself with everything in the book thinking the doctors must all be wrong saying they cant find anything. Just trying to decide if i should go back to an SSRI which is familiar to me or get a prescription for xanax or something, which ive never taken before.

Laura V · Post by **Laura V** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:35 am

Nick,
Sorry to hear your struggles, I too struggle every day with IBS, anxiety and at times GERD but also depression. I found Paxil to make my stomaches worse but I take Klonopin for anxiety and that seems to help some, as far as SSRI's do research because some will say they are bad for IBS sufferers. I am considering trying Effexor but, want to make sure the side effects like high blood pressure isn't going to be a problem. I eat a lot of boring foods myself; chicken soups, toast, crackers, ramean, water, hot chamomile tea. I heard that people with IBS shouldn't drink anything cold or water with meals so I've switched to hot chamomile tea, I just take it with me if I go out and ask for hot water. Also, they say IBS sufferers shouldn't drink through a straw or chew gum. I used to chew gum all the time for my anxiety but weaned myself off of it and instead carry a small water bottle in my pocket. See if those help. Prevacid helped me a lot too, I used to take it at night before bedtime and made sure I didn't eat too late at night. Good luck and take care of yourself, you're not alone!
Laura

earthangeljenny · Post by **earthangeljenny** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:35 am

I have had irratable bowel for years. been from Doct to Doct. For years I heard "its all in your head".. Now they have a term for it. Irrateble Bowel Now I eat becaue my stomach hurts, then my stomach hurts because I eat, then I get diarreah because I eat.. never ending circle.. anyone have any suggestions? I hurt so much when I go to bed I can't sleep. But I refuse to go to the Dr for it.

Laura V · Post by **Laura V** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:26 am

Jenny,
I hope someone was able to give you some advice, I could see the posts but couldn't reply. See if you have a GNC by you and buy some Papaya Enzymes, they are chewable and taste great plus you can get a pretty good sized bottle for really cheap. Chew about 5-6 of them before or right after a meal, also don't drink anything cold with your meals either nothing or hot chamomile tea. Another thing to try is Pepogest, another cheap item you can get from like GNC or Wal-mart, take that 30mins before a meal, it helps calm the spasms in you intestines. I also swear by the yoplait YO + yogurt. I have one container every morning and it's really helped me a lot. Even though I'm having an "IBS" day; I definitely don't have them every day like I used to now maybe once a week. Once a week of running to the bathroom with a stomach ache is better than my usual routine. I am also taking Klonopin for anxiety and there are some anti-depressants out there that help IBS sufferers just make sure you doctor knows the right ones because some can make your system worse, like for me; Celexa had me in the fetal position after just one dose and Paxil gave me AM stomaches every day. I heard Effexor is supposed to be okay for IBS suffers I just haven't been able to get an appt with my doctor. Now, if you get too dehydrated from running to the bathroom too much you should drink some electrolyte replacer, I found that a powdered drink called "Fulfill" helps and you can buy it at Wal-mart in the powdered drink section.
Good luck and hope you feel better!
Laura

lilchrissy · Post by **lilchrissy** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:59 am

I'd say the anxiety causes the stomach problems and not the other way around although it can become a vicious circle. My stomach problems disappeared once I went through CBT and got a handle on my anxieties. Now I eat even spicy foods with little problem.

Stretch68 · Post by **Stretch68** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:29 am

All people with IBS!!! The first thing you should do is see a Dr. to make sure IBS is what you have. IBS is common in the more developed countries like the USA, England, and Australia, because of the processed foods we eat. To reverse the trend you have to get away from the processed, low fiber diet. GET yourself away from the fast food--junk food. My IBS started when I was sick from something else and was taking antibiotics, after that I started running to the bathroom. That was 22 years ago. Since then I've done a lot af research. IF I can help I will. One thing that should help is to get some of the good bacteria back in your system with probiotics and digestive emzymes that you can but at the drug store or health food store/vitamin store. Go to Mayoclinic.com, and search for high fiber diet, or high fiber foods. Print out the chart and start by picking out some of the things you like and add more of them to your diet. Then try some of the other things you have never eaten, you may find new high fiber foods you really like, I did. Try more raw fruits and veggies, they have digestive emzymes in them naturally, once they are processed the emzymes are not present. Raw fruits and veggies help your digestion. You should read ALL nutrition lables on all food you buy at the grocery store. If it has no fiber don't buy it. At leasst go through the items you want and pick out the highest in dietary fiber, little things make a difference. (Example: cookies- I love them.- chocolate chip=0 fiber, oatmeal, raisan=2 grams) I'm eating oatmeal cookies. If you want to learn more about your intestinal tract, check out digestive diseases on your computer. There is a website that helps explain the sugar issue also it's <A HREF="http://www.howtothinkthin.com/instincts2.htm" TARGET=_blank>www.howtothinkthin.com/instincts2.htm</A> this gives a lot of examples of healthy foods, and explains about refined sugars.

Stretch68 · Post by **Stretch68** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:37 am

You should buy the probiotics nad digestive emzymes, not but them. Sorry about that I didn't proof read before I posted.