So, going through a stressful period with exams. Weather is too hot where I live. Been recently diagnosed with asthma and going on ups and downs with anxiety and health anxiety these days. Today, I had to study a lot so I figured I should drink coffee (after ages, I don't really drink coffee cause I know it's bad for anxiety). It was a light coffee, and it was iced too so I wasn't freaking out. Anyway I already had stomach issues today too, like a gnawing/hollowing feeling even after I eat (kinda used to it when I'm stressed). After the coffee, this became pain and I felt bloated and like I needed to pass gas but I wasn't able to.
I had to go meet a friend at some point so after a couple of hours my stomach was hurting more and as we were walking I started sweating LOADS which is unusual for me as I rarely sweat a lot. It was as if someone has poured water on me. My legs became heavy, I had no energy whatsoever and I felt a tight feeling plus pain in my heart/ arm. I was so convinced I was having a panic attack. Also breathless too and I didn't know if it was asthma acting up or not. Kept thinking about whole different scenarios of beeing carried to the hospital. Even thought that I might be diabetic or something. I bought a bag of some choco sweets and I ate almost all of it until I felt a little better so that's why I'm saying hypoglycemia. Maybe combined with a panic attack? Idk what to think, health anxiety acting up.
Well one point I'd like to make is that caffeine is generally viewed something that should be avoided by people who struggle with anxiety. It definitely has the potential to exacerbate anxiety, and I'd experienced caffeine-induced anxiety attacks myself. I also find myself envisioning scenarios like having to go to the hospital, etc. when I'm on the verge of, or having a panic attack, and find those kinds of visualizations are really detrimental to my mindset.
I'd say that if you are concerned about diabetes, you should talk to your doctor and get some bloodwork done, but what you're describing definitely very similar to my experiences with health anxiety.
And I should add, I recently was in the ER because my heartbeat was so high (I thought maybe I was diabetic as well, even though I'm in shape), but I was thinking I was hyperglycemic. They did extensive bloodwork and it came back completely normal.
I have had bloodwork 2 months ago and also went to an endocrinologist cause I thought I had other hormonal issues, he took my blood and my sugar levels were normal. I'm in shape too and I exercise too. However, my grandpa is diabetic so it freaks me out that they miss it sometimes or that I might get it soon enough.
What I meant by hypoglycemia wasn't neessarily meant to mean I am diabetic, just that my sugar levels suddenly dropped for some reason. I'm more concerned that I might have something bad in my stomach due to the pain yesterday and that it might have caused me to sweat so much? I really don't know what to think but it makes me wanna lock myself in the house. Ugh.
I know about caffeine, huge mistake that I gave in. Felt drained after a few hours too. Thanks for replying! Best of luck to you, health anxiety is a big struggle.