Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Health Anxiety - Bowel Problems, please help, worried

3 replies

citygirl1961 · 27/01/2023 22:37

I suffer with health anxiety, its been worse this past year as I've had one thing after another. First cystitis that kept recurring for a while, then mouth infections and now bowel problems which is the most worrying.

It all started when I changed my antidepressants last year. I had been on Prozac for years but I felt they weren't working anymore as I was feeling more anxious and depressed. My GP changed my meds gradually to Sertraline. I had the most awful diarrhea which lasted for about two weeks. I also lost some weight. My GP did a stool sample for infection but that came back clear, the diarrhea continued so she then did a stool sample for bleeding and that came back OK, just a tad over the norm but she was wasn't worried and said that was the diarrhea that had upset my system and it would all go back to normal. My weight had stablised too.

So she said it was the Sertraline causing the diarrhea and changed my meds to Citralopram. Now my bowels have gone back to normal, or what anyone else would call normal but for me it's not how it was as it still comes out a bit softer than it used to do, though not at all runny. I've told my GP and she's not concerned about that at all. I also get bloating in my stomach first thing in the morning. My GP said it can be stress and also my diet which isn't the best I have to be honest.

My GP is good and very thorough but somehow I can't be convinced. Every morning I feel bloated but it goes off as the day goes on. I get a lot of wind and gas and I'm worried I've got something awful. I'm trying to just put it all down to stress and the medication.

Has anyone else had anything like this. Please put my mind at rest. Thank you.

OP posts:
Bepis · 27/01/2023 22:42

I just wanted to say that I'm right there with you with the health anxiety. It's crippling. Mine is more around issues to do with my heart. I don't have heart problems but any weird feeling or sensation, I'm convinced something is wrong with my heart.

Sorry I couldn't give advice but just wanted you to know you aren't alone.

citygirl1961 · 27/01/2023 23:16

Bepis · 27/01/2023 22:42

I just wanted to say that I'm right there with you with the health anxiety. It's crippling. Mine is more around issues to do with my heart. I don't have heart problems but any weird feeling or sensation, I'm convinced something is wrong with my heart.

Sorry I couldn't give advice but just wanted you to know you aren't alone.

Thank you for your reply. Its a nightmare isn'it? It is crippling. Some days I feel I can't function the same because of the worry.

OP posts:
Dogsarebetterthanhumans · 29/01/2023 20:29

Changing antidepressants takes more time and patience than you would think; it’s certainly not the 2-3 weeks that you read about on the internet. Sounds like your body is just adjusting and going back to normal; you have had the requisite tests; all good! Xx

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread