Anxiety or something else?

[Curly03]

For the past year I have been having a lot of stomach problems and have been to see several different doctors. All of the doctors have done several blood tests but everything is always fine. Recently I went and donated Plasma for the second time. I wasn’t feeling right and I felt kind of nervous and my arm kept feeling numb. Then all of a sudden I got this hot flash, started losing my hearing and my eyes started going black. I was trying to black out so I told the nurse, they stopped my machine, fanned me down, and gave me an ice pack. After about 5 to 10 minutes I was fine and they let me leave.Ever since then I have these dizzy spells where I feel like I’m going to black out, my heart starts beating fast and it feels hard for me to breath. Sometimes I feel real weak but that could be due to me not eating properly since my stomach has been giving me a lot of problems. Since these extra symptoms started it’s hard for me to concentrate and I always feel nervous or worried because I don’t know what is causing all of these problems. It got so bad one night I went to the ER. I suddenly got real hot, felt dizzy, my heart started beating real fast and started skipping beats and it was hard for me to breath. The doctor just thought I was having an anxiety attack, but she put me on an EKG to make sure my heart was ok which it was so, they just gave me a shot of Adavan. Nerve problems do run on my father’s side of the family but I was always fine until after the day I nearly blacked out from donating Plasma. I don’t know if there really is something else wrong or if it could just be anxiety. Some doctors think it could be related to my stomach but I think some of it is due to anxiety because I just feel nervous, like I’m going to die or go crazy. Plus, all of my stomach problems. Some nights I will feel out of it and my eyes will feel real heavy like I just took a lot of sleep medicine and I will feel real dizzy so I can’t really sleep because of it and my eyes seem sensitive to light and like I have to strain them to read something online. This only happens sometimes but I have no idea why I’m suddenly having all of these other symptoms. This is really scaring me and I have lost a lot of weight over it because I can’t eat very much or just don’t feel like eating. Does anyone know what could cause the occasional sensitive heavy eyes, hard to concentrate, dizziness, heart racing, shortness of breath, and feeling of fainting could be caused from? How do I know if it’s really just anxiety or if they’re really is something else wrong? I also feel off balance sometimes and my body feels heavy like an inner ear problem. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated as I’m so tired of suffering. I’m too young to be having all of these problems and I hate not being able to take care of my 3 year old son. I just have a huge fear that it’s something serious like stomach cancer but I know I have to stop worrying and let the doctors figure it out. Thanks for taking the time to read all of this. Any advice is apprecated. Feel free to share how the doctors figured out you had anxiety and your symptoms and what helps keep your mind off of it.

[Lewis_78]

Hello there!

I was wondering if you ever got a diagnosis for these particular symptoms. I know you made this post quite a while ago...

I've been having strange health problems lately and the post fits what I experienced from the outset to the bill. I would really appreciate any information you would be willing to share!

[arif311]

i have had experienced intermitent episodes of abdominal discomfort,gas trouble,bubbling in stomach,shortness of breath,dizziness,feelings like having a heart attack,palpitations,feeling that i am about to death,unknown fear,weekness,faintness, previous 7 years and treated him with xanax 0.5.but i think all this is coz of stomach problems,when i get up from sleep then feel all ok ,but after breakfast i feel all problems.doc  diagnose ibs,some doc says anxiety,depression ,ocd .

[sunsitara]

I have anxiety and stomach problems. I suffered Stomach problems when just a litlle girl.They stoped.Came back for a long period in adolescense,stop,and now they are back for more than a year and with a vengeance!I had gallstones but no atack and because i had nausea,gallbladder went out.And i still have nausea! - I always said it was my nerves but every living being  suggest gallbladder.In my case is anxiety.I can see clearly.
I went to DR and recommend something very soft for anxiety and i use only half of the RX.Things are better.Sometimes i don't even need it.I used to have Gerd also.Well,i drink 1/2 to 3/4  cup of young fresh coconut water.at 2:00pm aprox.Empty stomach.Don't drink or eat for at least 1/2 hour.Since , need antacids no more.
Of course ,my diet is mostly green leaves:Kale,Bok Choy,Mustard greens etcVegetables,some fruit.Some protein. No red meat,bacon and that type of food,flour ,junk,sugar ,ice cream,processed food etc.
Feel much better.And i am working on my own to control my anxiety.Don't let it run that free anymore!

[Gustav85]

I would recommend going to a gastro doctor...caffine, coffee, and caffinated tea and fried foods will cause severe acid symptoms and I avoid them at all cost...because of my reflux and yes mild gastritis comes about if you have acid problems...

So I would recommend trimming those things from your diet...high fat stuff...

Also, a proton pump inhibitor can actually get rid a lot of acid reflux...

Sometimes acid reducers hurt your stomach if you use them all the time...

And carbonated drinks are bad still, even though they don't bother you at that certain time acid is being pushed up and gradually inflammed your eshpogus and possibly your wind pipes

Just my thoughts, trying to help you :o) hope this helps

[Curly03]

Hey, yeah I have similar symptoms to GERD and I take acid reducers to help my stomach acid and gas X. Sometimes it helps sometimes I still feel very sick. It could be a combination of GERD and something else that might be why their having such a hard time figuring out whats causing me so many problems. I have all of the symptoms of Gasteritis but I dont know what could of caused it and it should of went away by now. Im worried im going to be having a panic attack when I have to go in for my EGD but I know I deffinatly need it done so maybe they can figure out whats wrong with my stomach. Im just hopeing this anxiety will go away after they figure out whats wrong. I didnt know that GERD could cause dizzyness but I did know it can make it hard to breath and my heart to beat faster because of the pressure. Everyone else just thinks its nerves or related to my stomach. I did stop drinking coke and I cant really drink milk much because it makes me gassy but somedays I can drink coke and milk with not it bothering me to much and it doesnt seem to matter what I eat. Sometimes I will feel fine others not so much. Thats why I dont think im allergic to gluten or have IBS. Im just ready to fell normal again permantly but then again I know we all do.

[Gustav85]

Acid Reflux Disease can cause airways to become inflammed, closed and cause anxiety...it can cause dizzyness...soda causes bubbles in your stomach and pushes acid up into the windpipes...especially if you lay down after eatting...

It seems like a stomach issue, I take protonix which keeps the acid from going up into my throat...my esphogus was scared and in pain and it caused me severe anxiety at first...and it can cause a bunch of anxiety problems in the mind as well as ear problems and vertigo if its linked to sinus issues as well because GERD can do that believe it or not...

Its my opinion, but I hope it gives you another answer to consider

[forestelf]

I have been having stomach issues and anxiety also for four years. I am also anxious about stomach cancer.  However, when I quit drinking my diet soda my symptoms disappear within a week or two. Is there anything dietary that could be the cause?

[Curly03]

Hey thanks for the reply. I know what causes people to get anxiety and that I have all of the symptoms. Its genetic in my family which really ***** and so is stomach problems but I do know my stomach problems are not related to my anxiety if thats what I have because I have been having problems with my stomach a lot longer then these other symptoms started happening.My stomach symptoms started out with severe pain 4 years ago that would happen all night once every 4 months. Then over a year ago I got other symptoms with my stomach such as acid buildup, a lot of trapped air, constant belching, loss of appitite, sometimes nasea and vomiting. Sometimes the air and acid will get so bad it will make me feel like I cant breath very well because its putting pressure on my chest which causes me to panic because I worry about it. Somedays I have to throw up the acid and air to get some relief but I am seeing a gasterologist now that I have insurance for my stomach problems. Im scheduled for an EGD in a few weeks and if that doesnt show anything then their going to do a gallbladder scan. He didnt seem to think my stomach symptoms were related to my other symptoms which I dont either but the last regular doctor I went to seemed very confused like she didnt know what to tell me and she said that she just wanted to wait and see what the GI doctor figures out and if Im still having these other symptoms then I could come back to her and she could do some testing for it. I do know that your right I have a fear of blacking out, and dieing so I think this is whats causing me to have anxiety. I dont always have panic attacks I just usually feel dizzy, anxious, and my vision will change (usually at night) but Im probably going to go back to the doctor over just these symptoms and see what they think because Im driving myself crazy worrying about what else is wrong with me when its not my job. They have done a lot of blood work, x rays on my stomach, urine test, and an ultrasound on my gallbladder and everything shows up ok so I have been dignosed with IBS, Gateritis, or possibly allergic to gluten but those are all guesses from the doctors since my blood work comes out ok they dont know for sure until my gasterologist does more testing. Thanks for the advice you deffinatly know what a lot about anxiety. I have wrote other articles just regarding my stomach problems if you want to read them your welcome to go to my profile. Thanks again.

[Mootje]

I read your article very carefully, and recognize all my symptoms, the stomach , the breathing problems , Feeling like somebody is sitting on my chest, hart palpetations, constantly scared of people or crowds. feeling like it is your last hour, ...
I heard about the Charles Linden methode. I read about it already but didn't go into it yet, out of fear that it will be a con promise.
Please if  smb  did try it, please let us know because i do understand mammo because i suffer the same symptons.
Hope there is help out there for sufferers like us.
Thanks for listening.

[mammo]

You mention blood work but no other tests to determine what is causing your stomach issues.  I would see a Gastroenterologist for this. Although you do have symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks, all other causes need to be ruled out first.  I think you have developed anxiety over your stomach issues, and a fear of passing out again.  Panic attacks are just like you describe, and although very scary, they are harmless.  Anxiety and panic attacks will hit right out of the blue with no warning.  What happens is our brain senses the "fight or flight" mode which we need if in a bad situation, but it is coming at the wrong time.  It floods our body with adrenaline to enable us to protect ourselves, and since it isn't needed the adrenaline has nothing to work on and results in a panic attack.  Then we start to worry about what happened and fear it happening again, and it does, and we just create a vicious cycle.  It's best to see a psychiatrist for an evaluation and to determine if this is anxiety what course of treatment is best for you. Often anxiety has an underlying cause, a traumatic event from our past that we never truly dealt with, and it comes back to haunt us in the form of anxiety. This is where therapy can be helpful.  Anxiety may well be causing your stomach problems, it does impact our digestive tract.  Know you're not alone, we understand and do care. I hope this helps.  I wish you all the best and take care.