Health anxiety - hormones/gut issues/something serious?!

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I’m late 30’s, two kids, suffer with anxiety. The last 6 months have been pretty stressful.

I have been tracking my periods and ovulation because of on and off symptoms - low mood/nausea/bloating/panic/headaches/ dry eyes/ panic attacks/disassociation/exhaustion/tummy aches/puffy eyes/ low cramps etc…

About two years ago I had an ultrasound, stool sample and blood tests - all clear. Recently I’ve had a clear smear, and just had bloods back and all I’ve been told is I’m a bit low in vitamin d - I have asked for a meeting to discuss.

I would say my digestion over the past 3-6 months has changed - more bloated/gassy/looser stools on and off. No blood, no pain, no continual bloating it’s definitely up and down. It seems worse around ovulation and then the week before and during period… but I feel like there is no let up. I only ‘feel good’ a handful of times a month. I just don’t feel ‘right’. I’ve started panicking this it’s something more serious… and that blood tests don’t show up everything…. I don’t know.

is this peri? Would that show up on tests? Does anyone else feel like this?

It's good they've done blood tests for bloating. I went through all this and I have health anxiety too.

My bloods were clear, tbh that put my mind at ease. My bloating has improved I had it for over a year.

Eating 2 kiwi fruit a day with the skin on actually really helped kickstart my digestion again and I've reduced bread massively.

The Dr explained it as 'maybe this is something your body is doing at the moment'.

It's so difficult with health anxiety, I still have it and get worried about things.

Thank you @Bedheadbeachbumhealth anxiety is the worst isn’t it?! I actually feel the symptoms and as soon as one goes, something else comes up.

I definitely feel since my second child I haven’t been ‘the same’. And it seems to come in waves… I need to exercise more and drink more water, and really good idea on the kiwi I will try that, thank you.

Hi OP,

If you have been checked out and have a clear picture of health from your GP, then it is likely that what is going on is anxiety itself. I suffer with health anxiety and the body absolutely keeps the score. Sometimes I’ll hear about someone having something wrong in passing and the next day I’ve convinced myself I’ve got the same thing.

The gut and brain are closely linked so it could very much be the reasons why your digestion has changed. As we age our body also changes. When I hit 30 I couldn’t drink anymore due to severe reactions (red face, heart palps) and my periods went from 6 days to 3. Ovulation also was pretty awful and came with all wonderful things. I’m now 35. Absolutely make sure you advocate for yourself , health wise but consider what is your baseline normal and go from there. I use the 2 week rule which is helping me. If it’s still there after 2 weeks.

Didn’t finish my post (not even 7am brain) I’ll arrange a Dr appointment.