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Original poster

Is this really just anxiety? Bowel issues

17 replies

Mummyto2123 · 09/12/2022 15:11

I need help before I lose my mind. I've been having some issues with my bowels Incomplete evacuation etc so I attended my gp who thought it was ibs from anxiety. Last week I was doing great and couldn't believe I had a complete breakdown over this the week before (It was awful) thinking I'm so glad I'm over it. Well this week it started again Cramps and the feeling of needing to go but not actually having anything there. I went to the gp again yesterday for a review and she asked me to do a bowel sample and done bloods. Now I'm really terrified that something is going to show up in these. I've had health anxiety for what feels like forever and this time its focused on my bowels. Has anyone else had this and been ok?

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 09/12/2022 16:05

How would you feel if all the tests came back negative and your doctor's opinion was that it is anxiety? (There is no medical test for anxiety).

lljkk · 09/12/2022 16:10

Anxiety can cause every other symptom that exists, OP (no, I'm not exaggerating).

What have you tried for your anxiety & has any of it helped you?

Original poster
Mummyto2123 · 09/12/2022 16:34

I'm on a low dose of sertraline and have just had it put up so hoping that will help with the anxiety and of course if that results come back good then I'll trust that

OP posts:
TreesAtSea · 09/12/2022 16:40

OP, I know it's easy to say this, but please try not to worry. I suffer from often severe anxiety, though mine isn't usually focussed on health issues. Some years ago I had recurrent abdominal cramps, often very painful, related to what turned out to be a diet-related bowel issue.
Remember, health screening for bowel issues is very sophisticated these days, so if there is a problem that needs further treatment, you're already on the way to getting it properly looked into and resolved, rather than having the feeling of being fobbed off.
Wishing you well.

Notanotherwindow · 09/12/2022 16:45

My bowels are the first to go, under stress. Anxiety can really fuck you up, the human body is not designed to be in a sustained state of fear for long periods of time.

Tiredofthisshite · 09/12/2022 16:52

Sertraline made me really constipated and I had to up my fibre and liquid intake a lot

Original poster
Mummyto2123 · 12/12/2022 17:21

I'm having a really bad day today. So scared about getting bad results! My gp said she would contact me if anything was to come up in the tests but when would be a time not to panic? How long does it take for results to come back? Do I phone this week or wait and hope that I don't get a phone call?

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 12/12/2022 18:56

Best to phone and ask for a timeline for the results. At the moment you're in an anxiety loop; worried about something being wrong which sends your body into a flight or fight response which affects your digestive system...which makes you worry more and so on.

This video is a fast and furious guide to what goes on in your body when it's stressed;

anxietythrewtheroof · 13/12/2022 06:59

@Mummyto2123 have you had your results yet?

Original poster
Mummyto2123 · 13/12/2022 08:53

No I've been told I'll get a phone call if anything shows so I'm praying I don't get one and hopefully by the end of the week I can relax a bit

OP posts:
Original poster
Mummyto2123 · 16/12/2022 16:49

So the blood test and stool sample are normal. But this anxiety has still got me worried

OP posts:
TreesAtSea · 16/12/2022 17:33

That's good news, OP! The trouble with anxiety, which I'm sure you already know, is that it can latch on to anything in your life and become an obsession. I don't have much advice to offer, but wanted to respond to you. If there was a serious bowel problem to worry about, those tests would have shown it. Our whole digestive systems can be quite closely linked to our emotions and any stress we're experiencing. Think of all the sayings there are such as, "I had a gut reaction", "I got butterflies in my stomach", as well as the often desperate urge to go to the toilet when nervous.
I hope you're able to try to put this worry out of your mind at least a little over the weekend. It's good you didn't have to wait until next week for your results.
Look after yourself.

piglet2211 · 16/12/2022 17:39

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

Eyesopenwideawake · 16/12/2022 17:44

Mummyto2123 · 13/12/2022 08:53

No I've been told I'll get a phone call if anything shows so I'm praying I don't get one and hopefully by the end of the week I can relax a bit

Have a look at this video, it will help you understand your health anxiety;

treadcarefully · 17/12/2022 00:35

For me anxiety and my gut go hand in hand. Any worries or stresses result in trips to the loo, stomach churning, stomach pain.
Your results were clear. Once you've absorbed this I think you'll find this particular worry/anxiety will fade. Unfortunately in my case they're simply replaced by another fear. That's anxiety and the gut reactions kick in.

anx12345 · 21/12/2022 09:39

@Mummyto2123 how are you doing?

Original poster
Mummyto2123 · 14/01/2023 21:49

I'm doing a lot better thank you. Sometime have bad days but I am doing better

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