This is my 2nd post of the day. I am 72 with various health problems I also suffer from anxiety. I can't find out if some of my symptoms are caused by anxiety or at least made worse. They are not the sort of thing I would associated with anxiety attack like fast breathing sweating tingling etc. I am waiting for a scan to rule out gallstones possible return of gastritis though and bowel scope which was urgent but had to cancel as just before due to due bowel prep my husband called am ambulance for pain and also panic attack I think. Now gp trying to get a ct scan in stead. So now I am worried as it was urgent but was in no fit state. Am on Buspirone just started 2 days ago. The pain is in stomach like pains and bloating back ache just about everywhere and horrible pain pressure in sternum. I have no threshold for pain and just go to pieces and panic. How do I conquer this. I will be having some counselling probably by phone in a few weeks. I have health anxiety like for ever. I can't concentrate on anything appetite has gone party due to having to follow low fat and well as IBS diet. Housework is being left can't function like I would like. Cooking a meal is really hard for some reason. Anyone have any ideas.
sorry you are going through this. It doesn’t sound like anxiety caused pain however anxiety can intensify the pain. Sounds more like what you said, either gallstones or gastritis. I have had both of those and it sounds very familiar the type of pain you are having. either way, either of those can be helped. Once I had my gallbladder out it was a huge relief! For the gastritis, I did lose a lot of weight because I just couldn’t eat much. But that also can be resolved with the proper medication and diet.
for now, forget the housework. when you feel better you can get to it but right now you need to take care of yourself. When I was going through gastritis, I did not make meals. Instead, I would just eat something very simple that was more alkaline based such as a small salad with avocado, a few raisins, egg whites. If you cannot do that then is there somebody that can get your food somehow? , I would have bananas on hand, and any other alkaline food. You can find these on Google.
for The anxiety and panic, proper breathing is the key! If you’re able to go on YouTube, search for something called stop panic attack now. Then scroll down to one called don’t panic. It’s in black bold letters. She guides you through the panic and it’s very helpful! There are hundreds of other anxiety and breathing meditations on there!
anything you can do to lessen the anxiety would be very helpful! I’ve been through this and I know how it feels. Just take one day at a time. this will get resolved. get the CT scan so they can see what’s going on. And remember the proper breathing technique which will calm you down. I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you jan34534 I keep trying to tell the doctor the paramedics that came out and my family that it is the pain that is causing the anxiety although I understand anxiety can make things worse.The paramedic said he did not think it was gallstones but another paramedic and one of the gps thinks it is. The A and E doctor definitely though gastritis and stress. I thought gastritis because I had it two years ago but the pain was not like this. I feel a lot of this is the degeneration of the spine. No one wants to examine you because of covid. I can’t take strong painkillers because of the stomach the gastritis ibs and diverticular disease. Ranitidine and which is what I was on and other tablets in that group have been withdrawn and I can’t take omeprazole etc. In fact the chemist have just delivered omeprazole.
My own doctor got involved but she knows I can’t take it have to wait until tomorrow.So just gaviscon at the moment and I don’t even know if it is this taking so many tablets don’t know if I am coming or going. What did you take for the gastritis. Unfortunately have to cook for husband he does not cook if he does anything for me it will be sandwich. We are just having salad tonight as it is hot so that is ok.He has just had to go out to the clinic for his hearing aid. I think it is true anxiety is causing bloating and stomach problems but no one seems interested in my back I have arthritis in my knees and in one hand makes chopping veg etc hard would gladly use frozen stewpacks but cannot eat onions and they are in everything. So hard with diet. All my husband and daughters keep saying is you will have to wait for the appointments. I know that but with covid I think it will be weeks. I don’t know what to do.
hello Jan. just an update on my posts of 4 weeks ago gallstones confirmed by scan can’t get appointment with general surgeon as there are no appointments at any of the hospitals in my area having to wait for them to call . I live in Greater Manchester and cases of Covid rising have been told waiting list for surgery is 52 weeks and I cant even get on list. gastritis I have an appointment for lower and upper endoscopy in 3 weeks so should confirm gastritis or not that is if they dont cancel I have a feeling this borough might go on lockdown again. The anxiety is worse than ever still getting same pains apart from burning has gone. back pain from arthritis is bad. wish I knew what was causing what. GO has given me anti anxiety tablets not helping coming off them slowly got tramadol fir pain works but the side effects,are awful. Trying to balance foods I can eat for stones gastritis and ibs eating hardly a anything now. what is ok for one condition is no good for other food is tastless. can’t go on like this hardly go out always on sofa with heating pads or having panic attacks. Everything is on hold due to covid and waiting time for my counselling is 20 plus,weeks.