weight loss?

[nygrl]

Hi all,
I feel like I am going to die, probably because I'm afraid I'm going to die! I have anxiety and panic disorder, most of the time its under control. Recently I've been having abdominal pains and issues, possibly gall bladder related but it comes and goes. I am due to have an ultrasound for that hopefully today.I've also been running a 99.5 ish fever the last few days but the drs office said that could just be stress. BP was elevated too.  Last night I took a PPI for the first time in a very long time for reflux and felt like the pill was stuck in my throat and all night felt like something was in my throat blocking me from swallowing. I don't know if it was an allergic reaction or the pill actually stuck in my throat but this morning I woke up with what feels like a swollen lymph node on one side of my jaw. the feeling of now being able to swallow is gone. I have been pretty stressed out for over a week, but extremely stressed out for the last few days to the point where i had a mild panic attack last night. I have lost about 4-5 lbs during this period. I feel like I am eating normally but probably not as much. I have cut out most coffee, sodas (although I usually drink diet) and alcohol. I usually have at least one drink per day. The weight loss is what is scaring me so badly. I don't know if it could be the dietary changes with the stress or if I am truly sick with something like cancer. I so desperately am afraid of dying and leaving my kids to grow up without a mom. They are my life. Does anyone have any similar experience? No one is calling me back from my dr and no one is calling me to schedule the ultrasound. I have no one and my husband is out of town. I'm so afraid and all I can do is cry.

[anxiety860]

Take a few deep breaths. You are fixed on "knowing" you have cancer that your mind can't think of the million other things it could be and likely is! Weight loss can be caused by many things and yes anxiety and stress is most certainly one of them. I'm willing to bet that's it too since all the stress you've been under. (4-5 pounds is nothing! weight fluctuates 3-5 all the time). I thought I've had a million swollen lymph nodes in my past and trust me. Only a doctor can tell if its a swollen lymph node. I've been worked up just like you are now in the past and KNEW I had a serious illness I mean I freaking KNEW 100% without a doubt I had it. Well turns out I was 100% wrong. My anxiety caused those irrational thoughts it made me get tunnel vision on those thoughts I couldn't see or imagine anything else. Try to think outside the anxiety box.  You'll be ok.

[nygrl]

I'm relieved to hear that someone else has been where i am. I don't think I've ever been so sure that something was so wrong before. I know weight fluctuates for most people. I weigh myself every few days and mine generally doesn't, more than a lb, and my clothes are getting loose. The only reason I knew i had lost weight was because my husband commented on it. I really hope you're right and its just the stress and diet. I've never lost weight like this before either….even in my worst times. i know that gallbladder isn't usually the culprit so that's part of what is scaring me. Thanks for the reassurance!

[Tocldja]

I have been where you are, sister.... I actually am where you are. I constantly feel like there's something wrong with me. I know is is crazy but I literally convinced myself that I had AAA and cried for 3 hours straight! It's hard to remember that it's just anxiety, believe me I know... Whenever I'm having a panic attack, 100% of me believes that I've got an illness or that I'm just going to die.... It *****. But hey.... We've all got each other to talk to! If you ever need to explain things or just let off steam about this, message me! I'd be more than happy to talk with you...

I experience all different kinds of physical symptoms due to my anxiety.... Upper abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, chest pain, dizziness, and just plain crying....oh, and yes..l weight loss.... Honey, I'm sure you're fine... The fever is probably nothing to worry about because I get them sometimes too... You will live and you'll be there for your kids. DO YOUR BEST AND TRY TO STOP THINKING YOU HAVE CANCER!!! And another tip.... Don't look up your symptoms on line that just leads to chaos... Hope I helped:)

[Blondmojo03]

Try to relax. It could be a stomach bug. I just lost 6 lbs this week after coming off of Prednisone. I too have thought I ma just going to die. Then yesterday I realized I need to STOP thinking all of this. I actually tried to relax and i did. Sometimes I think we cause problems in our bodies by "thinking" too much. Try some Yoga or something to take the edge off. Do you currently take medication? You have to learn to relax.