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Original poster

If you suffer from stress/anxiety, what physical symptoms do you get from it?

46 replies

Twoweekcruise · 15/12/2021 09:44

I have struggled with anxiety for many years but it is the physical symptoms which really incapacitate me and the more I suffer from these then the more anxious/stress I feel.
I have awful, daily digestive issues (gurgling guts, gas up and down, constipation and diarrhoea, acid, bloating etc) I have had endless tests but ‘just’ IBS apparently!, headaches, muscle aches and pains, tight jaw muscles and teeth clenching (have actually buggered up my teeth with this and night time grinding!), weird vision, excessive tiredness, light headed, awful nausea..........
I try lots of things to help like exercise, I listen to hypnotherapy daily, no caffeine, no alcohol, have weekly psychotherapist sessions etc but I still can’t relieve myself from these physical ailments and I am stuck in this cycle of anxiety/stress/physical issues then more stress/anxiety.
I am also almost 49 and very anaemic which I know does not help the issue at all.
How do you cope with the physical symptoms from your anxiety/stress?

OP posts:
Bubblecap · 15/12/2021 11:37

You need to treat the root cause of your anxiety, mine was my DD dying until that I hadn’t and an anxious day in my life.

Mine were terrible including major and long lasting heart palpitations, pain down my left arm and in my chest. Grinding my teeth at night which left me with severe headaches and an inability to eat as my body was so tense I was physically sick often. Pain all over my body, this was caused by extreme tension.

I had therapy to help me deal with her death, I’m still an anxious person and not what I was like before and the physical side is so much better. My best advice is carry on with therapy to treat your anxiety and when you do get physical symptoms not to be scared of them.

Are you actually clicking with the therapist though and have you truly revealed your inner soul.took me years to talk properly. I also cut people out of my life who made my life worse or were a drain.

GoldilocksZone · 15/12/2021 11:51

I'm so sorry @Bubblecap . All of my crushing anxiety is based around losing my children and I am so sorry for the pain you have been through and are going through

Ceebeegee · 15/12/2021 12:18

"If you suffer from stress/anxiety, what physical symptoms do you get from it?"
Toothache / jaw ache (from grinding , gritting teeth), swollen eyes (from rubbing them), sweaty even when I'm not warm, stomach aches, churning guts/bowels, tight chest.

"How do you cope with the physical symptoms from your anxiety/stress?"
I haven't found the answer yet, I think counselling/therapy is the next step.

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General health
CapitanSandy · 15/12/2021 12:56

I found when I was anaemic my anxiety symptoms were a lot worse, felt a lot better once my ferritin and iron levels increased.
My main symptoms chest pain, fast heart rate and uncomfortable stomach.

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 15/12/2021 13:15

Bubblecap I am so sorry for your loss, it is a grief that goes far beyond anything. I have always had anxiety but mine was triggered to the level it is now 10 years ago. We lost our 4 year old niece to a brain tumour. Obviously watching a child pass is horrendous but the nature of her death triggered off this awful health anxiety (in myself and for those around me). I do actually click really well with this therapist more so than others in the past and am hoping she can help. I really hope you continue to find peace Flowers

OP posts:
pastypirate · 15/12/2021 13:34

I get an upset tummy too and fast pulse and panicked feeling in my tummy. Beta blockers have been a miracle drug for me to get rid of the physical symptoms. I'm having cbt but i would be able to engage without the beta blockers.

I've been on them 3 months and now need them less and less it's amazing!

pastypirate · 15/12/2021 13:37

I didn't suffer from anxiety until covid v stressed at with due to lockdown. For context

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 15/12/2021 16:11

pastypirate did the beta blockers upset your tummy at all? I’ve wanted to ask for something like propranolol but worry it’ll give me diarrhoea as that is one of my main fears.

OP posts:
Megan2018 · 15/12/2021 16:14

Betablockers here. Propranolol
I take them for both migraine and anxiety symptoms (which may be linked). I take the migraine dose which is lower than the anxiety dose IYSWIM but it does actually help both.

pastypirate · 15/12/2021 16:29

@Twoweekcruise

pastypirate did the beta blockers upset your tummy at all? I’ve wanted to ask for something like propranolol but worry it’ll give me diarrhoea as that is one of my main fears.
No I don't think so but the mirtazipine does a little.
pastypirate · 15/12/2021 16:30

@Megan2018

Betablockers here. Propranolol I take them for both migraine and anxiety symptoms (which may be linked). I take the migraine dose which is lower than the anxiety dose IYSWIM but it does actually help both.
Same with both for me. BB have bee life changing in terms of migraine eradicating too - a revelation.
belimoo · 15/12/2021 17:20

Are you addressing the anaemia? That can make you feel terrible, both physically and mentally.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/12/2021 17:22

Eczema so bad my skin falls off. Triggered by stress.

Evilpixie41 · 15/12/2021 19:46

I have panic disorder which has reared its very ugly head three times. (I suffered approx 18 months with each relapse). The second time led to a nervous breakdown. I'm on medication now that works but have been left a very over anxious person in general which I never used to be, although only in regards to health and illness as my physical symptoms relating to anxiety were terrifying.

Like you OP it's the physical symptoms which scare me which just fuels the anxiety more. If I get worried now, I get pain and I think my body has trained itself to respond that way! The chest pain is the worse, but I also get digestive issues and tummy aches, trouble sleeping, and teeth clenching. I get irritable and snappy, cry a lot and cat eat. Ive been in therapy twice (counselling and then CBT the latter was rubbish), and tried mindfulness (did nt work).

I sympathize. Anxiety and panic attacks are truly dreadful.

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 15/12/2021 20:07

@Megan2018

Betablockers here. Propranolol I take them for both migraine and anxiety symptoms (which may be linked). I take the migraine dose which is lower than the anxiety dose IYSWIM but it does actually help both.
I get migraine too, I didn’t know beta blockers help with those. I’ll ask my GP.
OP posts:
SoapyWit · 15/12/2021 20:14

IBS, panic attacks, agoraphobia, chest pain, headaches muscle twitching.

I am in no way over this or cured etc but what did help relieve about 15% of symptoms was walking (and possibly the consequential weight loss). I started walking because I found myself involuntarily pacing one day whilst on the phone to my Doctor begging for an ECG as I thought I was having a heart attack. Cool air and pacing helped that day so I tried it the next and the next.

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 15/12/2021 20:15

belimoo I am waiting for infusions but I don’t know if it’ll be on hold due to Covid?
Eviloixie41 I feel your pain, it’s truly awful isn’t it? I too have had cbt. I have tried it 5 times but it has very little impact on the overwhelming panic, it’s a force of its own at time. Mindfulness doesn’t work for me either.

OP posts:
whatsnext2 · 15/12/2021 20:19

Mine was triggered by menopause and getting right hrt has helped tremendously, especially progesterone for the poor sleep and ibs.

Roystonv · 15/12/2021 20:25

I feel sick/retch and sort of 'grunt'. On antidepressants but still every day is difficult and not much sets it off.

OhLookMoreShit · 15/12/2021 20:35

I have had terrible gut issues for months now, gurgling and "belly farting" etc. It's really bad and I'm unable to digest almost anything without issues. On the loo a good few times a day. Headaches, eye strain. I often "twitch" when I'm about to fall asleep and I always wake up every couple of hours. Sometimes for 10 minutes sometimes for 2 hours. I also sometimes feel like I'm not really there, as if there's a wire not connected or something, it's hard to explain really but almost like there's a thin film / screen in front of me that stops me communicating with people 100% clearly. This is all down to a good few years of personal sadness / stress / things going wrong. Hence the username!! I feel a terrible guilt on my amazing Mum and Dad because it breaks their heart to see me so unhappy. I hope you feel better soon OP x

Hen2018 · 15/12/2021 20:36

Teeth grinding, headaches, sinus pain.
Stiff neck and shoulders.
Reflux.
Gurgly tummy and the runs.
Palpitations.

Thelnebriati · 15/12/2021 20:59

@Twoweekcruise I had PTSD and a panic disorder. Until recently I also had a list of symptoms very similar to yours; I had a blood test for helicobacter which was positive, then had treatment for a gastric ulcer. All of the 'IBS' gastic symptoms are gone.

DietCokeChipsAndMayo · 15/12/2021 21:06

Huge panic attacks that come on when I’m at my most relaxed, sometimes when I’m asleep
Jaw clenching, my jaw actually locks itself now, I’m on the waiting list to get a splint or something to wear at night, 3 year list 🙄
Migraines
Thrush

Interesting you all talk of anaemia aswell, I’ve recently been diagnosed as being very anaemic but stopped taking the prescribed iron as it gave me horrendous stomach pains

TurquoiseDragon · 15/12/2021 21:12

If I get too stressed, I get headaches and stomach aches. Sometimes loss of appetite.

MrsPworkingmummy · 15/12/2021 21:13

My symptoms are: racing heart; feeling like I'm going to pass out; my face flushes and I start feeling hot; inability to cope with daily situations; irritable ; cry a lot.