Have you been so stressed that you felt physically sick?

[Notcontent]

I have been having a very stressful time, juggling work, a house renovation, supporting a stressed out teenager, etc. I am a lone parent and usually all is ok - a low level of stress is fine - but right now I feel things have reached a bit of a peak (a few things going wrong). I have been sleeping very badly and this morning I felt so anxious I actually felt like I was going to throw up. This will pass but has anyone else felt like this?

A couple of times yes I have, it's awful.

Try to carve out even 10 minute for yourself to breathe deeply and focus on something nice.

This too shall pass x

Yes. During the SEN tribunal process last year I was vomiting pretty often and felt nauseous the rest of the time. I was given beta blockers and anti emetics, and then Valium for the couple of weeks before the hearings.

Yes, I had a work disaster last year (wasn't actually my fault but fell to me to sort) found out late on the Friday and couldn't eat all weekend I felt so sick. I am a bit of a worrier tho so it's not entirely unusual for me!

Yes, a couple of times. It’s really horrible. The day interest rates went up to 15% was one of them.

Yes.
Cleaning teeth appears tobe abad mo.ent for many people when stressed- retching or actually vomiting each morning.

Yes. Various reasons. When I’m really stressed it sits in my stomach and I struggle to eat. It’s absolutely horrible. Sorry you’re having such a shit time

Yes, always have had stress go to my stomach second. It goes to my head first though.

Yes. Quite often, working lone parent too. Probably exacerbated by menopause.

Yes, I find there is a level of stress that is fine, even quite productive, and then there is a tipping point where it turns into a very physical thing.

When I reach that tipping point it is very hard to get back. It’s just the same as being physically ill and not something that just goes away - high heart rate that won’t go down, bad stomachaches for days at a time, feeling physically nauseous and shaking.

I have found that while things like mindfulness and yoga help before the tipping point, after the tipping point needs medical help.

I hope you feel better soon OP

Thank you very much to all of you for posting - it actually helps to know it’s not just me! I am planning to go for a walk as that always makes me feel better. Just had a long call with my parents and they did a good job of trying to calm me down.

Yes - more often than not work related.

It surprises me how I remain so fat because I go off eating frequently.

I take it as a necessary evil though - the adrenaline often carries me through. The downside is the nausea after.

It passes.

I have felt so stressed I AM physically sick. Particularly in acute situations (taking my DDs to A&E)

I have periods where I feel as though I can't breathe properly. Not a panic attack but days where I feel. As though I can't draw enough breath, as though my lungs aren't full. Weird and unpleasant.

Yes, a couple of times and it's awful. It just adds to whatever is causing the stress and makes me feel worse as I feel physically so awful on top of mentally.

A close friend of mine gets this as well and has to go on anti-nausea medication otherwise she loses too much weight.

Yes- lack of sleep, heart palpitations and breathlessness caused by prolonged elevation of stress hormones in my body. I kept going and kept going and ended up in intensive care.

6 months off recovering, daily vitamin D supplement and exercise (running x 3, walking x 4 every week) have all made a big difference.

Yes, really normal. Happened to me at every major point in my marriage breakdown, to the point where I threw up in the shower once. It's your body's way of getting the stress out. Roll with it, it does pass.

Very regularly for as long as I can remember. I don't really know what it's like not to feel overwhelmingly anxious. I have ASD.

I’m sorry you’re going through this 😞

I’m at the beginning of a divorce with a borderline abusive husband who is refusing to move out.

I also have huge physical symptoms of stress. Nausea, breathlessness, stomach cramps, shaking, lack of appetite.... it’s crap.

Have you tried taking anything for it? I’ve taken citalopram on and off but I find it numbs it a little but doesn’t necessarily dissolve the physical symptoms?

It’s horrible, isn’t it... Last time I felt like this was when my ex husband announced he was leaving.

Yes. I usually do one of two things, if I can, I try forget everything for one day, basically eat, sleep and do nothing. Like a step back and reset of the whole situation. If I can’t do that, I make lists and try to gain some control of at least one aspect of whatever is making me feel so stressed. I’ve found that if I can regain a small amount of control, my panic diminishes and I feel better, it has a knock on effect of allowing me to see the overall longterm plan clearer. Puts things in perspective. We are all different and have different coping mechanisms.
Good luck.

Christ, all the time! I really need to learn to deal better with stress.

All stress goes to my stomach. Upset tummy/vomiting etc. My mum is the same. I find lucozade orange fizzy drink can help after. Hope you feel less stressed soon

Yes. Constantly. It's crippling.

Every job interview, appraisal, driving somewhere unfamiliar, difficult conversation, even as a child at school presentations / plays etc etc etc.

I'm sorry you're having a hard time OP, I cope (ish), because if I didn't I'd never leave the house. It must be even harder when it's an unfamiliar feeling and you don't know what's going on.

Yes I have recently had very bad stress / anxiety where I have ended up feeling very sick and funny tummy. I am now totally exhausted

Most of the time. I very rarely don't feel sick. Dr's tell me it's 'just' stress and I need to relax. Gee thanks.