[sundog]

I feel physically ill quite a lot of the time. My main symptoms are nausea/queasiness, headaches, chronic backache, tightness in my chest, feeling agitated. That kind of thing.

I also suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. But the thing is, it's often the way I'm feeling physically that triggers my anxiety/panic attacks. For example, I may suddenly start to feel nauseated, and that will immediately cause me to become very anxious (and to feel more nauseated).

In other words, it doesn't usually work the other way round. I don't start having anxious thoughts and then start feeling sick. I start feeling sick and then I start having anxious thoughts.

Sorry if that is confusing to follow.

What I'm wondering is whether other people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks also have physical symptoms, even when they aren't having an actual panic attack.

Can anxiety really make you feel physically ill a lot of the time?

I have had several tests at the doctor and we can't seem to find anything. My doctor does think these symptoms are anxiety-related. I guess I think they are too, but there's a part of me that still worries that there is something physically wrong.

Thanks for listening.

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Hello sundog,

Yes I feel that way at times and I take stemezine for it. With the epilepsy I have menieres and so I am nauseous a lot more than I should be. I get bad at nights, during the middle of the day and if I stay in bed to long in the morning after I've woken up. I have to get out immediately or the anxiety hits me hard and the panic isn't far behind it.

I have pain in the back neck shoulders and arms and chest too. I take a panadol osteo with my regular pain meds it seems to make the pain relief last a little longer and it's easy on the stomach.

I hope you feel better soon sundog, theres no telling with anxiety because the body tenses up so much and it's hard to get it to relax

[sundog]

Thank you for your understanding (((((Rhiannonsmoon))))))) I'm sorry you're dealing with all these issues. I also find that my anxiety is terrible when I wake up and I have to get up quickly to try and stave off a full-blown panic attack. The thing is, I just don't know if I have anything physically wrong with me. My doctor is sick of me asking for tests and keeps telling me it's all "just" anxiety. But it's so bad and it's hard for me to accept that it's "just" anxiety. Then again, I know that our minds and bodies really can play cruel tricks on us. And it seems that the more I obsess about it all, the worse it gets.

Thanks for listening! All the best to you!!

[shykoala]

I usually find that when I feel anxious, I have a stomach ache, which is actually fairly often, but medication helps alleviate it unless a particular situation arises

[QUEEN OF WANDS]

when i get anxious it usually begins in my gut..its like i am being warned before i can even think about it..once i view the situation then the panic and anxiety either subside or come out full blown...maybe your body is reacting to unseen danger subconciously? real or imagined

[heefman]

Queen of Wands - you are correct, panic attacks are nothing more than a reaction to some sort of danger..although it is a nonexistent danger. They always come from irrational thoughts, and sometimes they become so frequent that you may not even be conciously aware of them.

sundog - I am going through the same thing you are. Whenever I get the slightest discomfort in my head, shoulders, chest, or stomach, I can feel panic symptoms coming on and I have to continually reimind myself that it is perfectly normal to feel some discomfort once in a while and that I am not on the verge of death or insanity. So I guess you can say that sometimes stomach aches, headaches, etc can trigger the fear cycle.

Brian

[LostSavant]

Yes...I believe so...for me anxiety led to major stress...then 5 nervouse breakdowns...which in turn caused a chemical imbalance in my brain...opening up dormant genetic ill health issues.

I actually had a job one time, that every morning before I left for work i would throw up.

I went from a Type A personaltiy - a real go getter - in the professional world, to being a disabled middle-aged person.

Each one of us reacts differently to different situations. Anything is possible.

[sundog]

Thanks so much for your input and feedback ((((((shykoala))))) ((((((Queen of Wands)))))) ((((((heefman))))) and (((((((LostSavant)))))))) I really appreciate it and it makes me feel less alone. Sorry for everything that everyone is going through

[sunsetsunrise]

yes I too feel direct physical reactions to anxiety. And also anxiety from physical. for one thing, my body hyper produces acid because of the extreme anxiety. This has caused nausia by the way. I also find that it becomes hard to breathe when I am very anxious. this is not due to any pulminary problem. Also I have a lot of hair loss over decades due to anxiety which has taken its toll on my digestive system. All tests have been run to rule out thyroid or anything else. Different alternative treatments from naturopathic to homeopathic have been tried over the years. The symptoms will possibly subside if the anxiety ever does so. I am saddened that so many people suffer with anxiety ((((( Calming hugs for Sundog, Rhiannonsmoon, shykoala, Queen of wands, heffman and LostSavant )))))))) May we, and all others who live with this, someday be free from anxiety

[sundog]

Thank you so much for this post (((((((((SunsetSunrise))))))))) It makes total sense that the excessive acid production would cause nausea. I also have trouble breathing when I'm anxious. Thank you so much for responding. I'm really sorry you are so familiar with the effects of anxiety. Wishing you many anxiety-free times!

[AngelAsmodeus]

That sounds normal enough to me When my anxiety acts up, I tend to have a lot of GI problems. The worst that I've gotten has been not being able to eat for an entire day with other icky symptoms. Sometimes my acid reflux acts up and sometimes I get horrible migraines (but migraines are normal for me anyway...) I usually only hyperventilate when it's really bad.

[nickycdv]

Hi Sundog
wish I could give you some advice other than to say yes it does. You've been so helpful with your posts so thankyou. I often feel overwhemed by my aches and pains. I've had some tests so there is nothing seriously wrong although I did have a vit D deficiency which if I have read up correctly can be linked to depression and anxiety. Needed more sunshine - not easy for a redhead!!!- and take cod liver oil capsules now. Again going back to an old fave kept a pain journal once which helped me manage the pain. Hope your day has been a little les anxious.
Nx

[Gabu]

Oddly, I very rarely feel ill when I get anxious. I simply feel too uncomfortable mentally and simply want to escape whatever situation I'm in that's causing me anxiety. I only start getting sick when I have no way out of whatever I'm facing, and even then it's uncommon.

[sundog]

Thanks so much for responding (((((AngelAsmodeus)))) (((((Nicky)))) and (((((Gabu))))). I really appreciate it. And thanks especially for what you said about it being helpful to keep a journal of symptoms. That is a really good idea and I'm going to do that!

[unico]

I am phobic of vomiting, so I panic if I feel nauseated. Usually, though, the anxiety comes first, then the sick feelings.

[sundog]

The exact same thing happens to me too, unico. I have the same phobia. Thanks for sharing! Wishing you all the best!

[Rhiannonsmoon]

I'm feeling it today very badly. My stomach is aching and grinding and I feel so nauseous and in pain. Anxiety today has been chronically high and uncomfortable. Don't really feel in my own head at the moment and I hope I don't go down for the count. Very tired and have a headache that could stop a train

[sundog]

I am so sorry (((((((((((((((Rhiannon)))))))))))))))))))) Really hope you feel better soon

[sunsetsunrise]

(((((( Rhiannon )))))) I am sorry to hear that you are in so much pain today. You are a wonderful person !! Sending healing thoughts your way.