Not convinced I have anxiety, need some opinions.

Mental health
1

I'll try and keep this as short as possible but include as much detail as I can.

3 months ago I had a panic attack at home, it was bad and really bad. I was convinced I was dying. I went completely cold, my hands and jaw were shaking(like I was in a freezer or something) and I had trouble breathing. My stomach felt really tight, it was like the pressure on my stomach was making it impossible to breathe. The strange thing about this attack was that it happened when I was going to go to sleep so I was in a pretty calm state. I had a tingling feeling in my left arm randomly and I guess this may have been the trigger. I went to the ER and had an EKG and blood test done, results came back positive. I was relieved. They said it was probably anxiety.

Fast forward a few weeks. I had my first day back at work(work a summer job) which I was really excited for because I really wanted money. I didn't eat that morning, was in a little rush. After about 30 minutes working - I needed to poo real bad. I had the same symptom, my stomach was really really tight. I could barely breathe. It's not a chest tightness or anything, it's just my stomach feeling unbelievably tight that seems to make my breathing difficult. This lead to a panic attack which was even worse than before. My whole body went weak, cold, my hands and jaw locked up(thumb was pressed against my middle finger and I couldn't unlock that position) and I had the feeling of doom. I thought it was all over. I told my boss right there as I was laying on the ground to tell my parents I love them.

The paramedic came and calmed me down, did a blood test and was trying his best to help me control my breathing. I started feeling better after about 15 minutes. He said he suspects it to be anxiety and I should contact my doctor.

I contacted my doctor and told him all my symptoms, he said it's likely anxiety and just gave me a phone number for a therapist... this may be stupid but I guess I'm too proud. I thought to myself "well I guess this really is anxiety. I'll get over this myself" so I started working out, doing all I could to be positive and combat this anxiety. Nothing seemed to help. 

I finally called the doctor and expressed my concerns and said I really don't think that it could be anxiety. I recently lost 5 stone last year. I'm confident, happy with my life and as fit as I've ever been.

He said "anxiety is weird and some people don't even know the reason why it starts" so he prescribed Diazepam to me. This helped a lot, mainly because I just felt high as a kite all the time though. But I still had that weird feeling in my stomach. The tight feeling in my stomach which seems to constrict my breathing.

Anyway... after I contacted the doctor after that, the only reason he actually wanted to see me was because I had blotches on my face. He didn't think much of it though and said again he thinks it's likely all anxiety. He prescribed me Lansoprazole just incase and booked a bloodtest which I'll be having in 12 days.

I've been taking Lansoprazole for about 2 weeks now and nothing has changed and I've even developed more symptoms. I have the weird stomach tightness more often now(which seems to be relieved when I've had a number two strangely), I have also been getting sharp pains in my chest, sometimes like an electric shock that only lasts a few seconds. I constantly feel like I can't concentrate, like my mind just can't focus on anything at all. I've noticed dry skin patches on my hands, mainly between my fingers. I feel worse after meals and really bad before I need to take a poop. 

I don't know what to do anymore. I can't work, enjoy hobbies, be happy with my girlfriend or anything. I feel like a defeated man at this point. 

2

Sounds like panic attack lead to you having anxiety as it zones in and makescyou feel worse when you notice maybe one symptom, everything seems worse . We panic cos we don't know why it's happening and anxiety makes it worse . This then leads to depression ( not wanting to do anything) obviously as we're always worried and miserable. As for diazapam , are you taking a high dose. It shouldn't make you feel dopes or high. My doc is great gives me small ammmounts , only take when really anxious , should feel a little calmer , not high. Speak to doc. Keep talking here. More people out here like you , it's very reasuring❤️

3

Hi Samu

I have bad panic attacks that are exactly as you describe. My hands lock clenched my lower jaw locks I curl up into the foetal position, cant breathe, tight chest etc.

Mine is definately linked to Anxiety.

I have been prescribed Diazepam for about five years on and off but it just relaxes not makes you high.

4

I believe I was on 30mg of diazepam for a week. I felt really weird. I was really really calm and felt like I had no care for anything. The worrying thing is though is that I still had that tight/knotted feeling in my stomach while I was on it... which makes me worry that it isn't anxiety.

I don't really understand why this is happening to me now though. I was the happiest I have ever been in my life. I lost weight, found a girlfriend that cares a lot about me, had a job with good money, started being around friends a lot more and everything seemed positive. I was miserable with myself 2 years ago but not now...

Thanks a lot for your response, it means a lot.

5

Do you get a constant feeling that your stomach is tight/knotted and it constricts your breathing? That's the only thing that's really making me worry. The weird thing about it is that taking a poop seems to make the symptom disappear entirely - and eating seems to bring it on.

Thanks a lot for your response. It's reassuring for sure.

6

30mg a day is a lot. At my worst I e would take 5 mg morning 5 i day if needed5? 5 at night. If you took 30 mg away for a week then stopped ,may make your stomach worse . Does sound like anxiety probably making a stomach problem worse z. There are so many symptoms I would want more tests. You still had stomach prob while on diazapam. I can still have pains but Diaz calms nerves a little . Your overthinking because you can't understand, none of us can. Tell doc again , good your posting and wanting answers❤️

7

You sound as if you have irritable bowel syndrome which is a stress related bowel problem.It is not uncommon for people suffering from anxiety to have this condition.Your breathlessness is most probably down to extreme tension in your chest.Anxiety sadly can come out of the blue for no apparent reason.Try to get some counseling and keep exercising.Also find ways to relax if you can.Deep breathing exercises is probably the best for anxiety and panic.

8

Glad somebody mentioned irritable bowel syndrome( nervous bowel)?. Links withbanxiety , again could mention to doc❤️

9

That sounds liks IBS symptoms aswell as the panic attacks and anxiety Samu

IBS is harmless and does not lead to other illnesses, it's probably flared up with the anxiety.

Read up on IBS that may help re what to avoid eating etc.

Good luck and all the best, you are not alone, I have also had IBS symptoms for years, you'll be fine once you understand it.