I thought I would try this out

[lunalanding]

I have always been a worrier and a pretty anxious person (I always thought I left my hair straighteners on when leaving the house), but after this past Christmas I was diagnosed with a kidney infection and when that cleared I still had constant nausea and headaches. After trips to A&E and the GP almost daily, we ruled out any possible physical illnesses.

What I was left with was: anxiety.

Once that got into my head I became more anxious. How has this happened? I am a happy person. And I started spiralling into a vicious cycle of worrying and anxiousness.

I read a self help book called At Last A Life by Paul David and for a day that totally clicked with me. I knew my nausea was a response to anxiety. I knew I had to acknowledge the symptom and prove to myself I could have a normal day at work. However, upon getting ready for work I could do nothing but give into the nausea. And i gave into another downward spiral of worry. Will I be able to work? Will I get fired?

Now I have seen the GP and have started 10mg of citoprolam. I have scheduled an appointment with a counsellor. I am hoping to get back on the right track and get back to work next week and get ready to get married in 5 months.

I'm new to the site. Just thought I would share my story and see if I could get any advice or hear some other thoughts from people. Especially about citoprolam or symptoms of anxiety with nausea as I haven't been able to find many people that have that as a main symptom.

Thanks and look forward to meeting you

[deborah27]

hi, do you have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home? with unexplained repetitive nausea, just check out your environment. I learned the hard way.

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

Well first welcome of course!

I’ve had severe anxiety for years. I am always nauseated. It got the the point I was taking anti nausea medicine daily. I get lightheaded, chest pain, dizziness, trouble breathing. I quit taking the nausea medicine because I’ve never actually thrown up, quit breathing, had a heart attack, passed out or anything. It’s about coexisting with your anxiety. Fighting it makes it worse. Now I rarely pay attention to it unless I am in crisis or panic. Anxiety is my normal. Once you learn to live with it and develop coping skills it’s not as bad. Like if you worry you left the straightener on get something to put in your pocket only after you’ve turned it off. Then when you turn it on put the item back. Then take it when you leave etc. Like a penny. Or type in your phone. Send yourself a message. Or take the straightener with you in the car. That’s just a simple coping skill example. I’m always worried about forgetting things so everything I need to do etc goes on a list in my phones notepad. I think you are definitely on the right path. The counselor is an excellent idea. I also find journals helpful. We’re here to help too. Hang in there. It does get easier. It gets worse at times but the general anxiety is manageable. Best of luck.

[lunalanding in reply to Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

Hi! Thank you so much for your reply Those are great ideas about coping skills. Thank you! Do you mind if I ask how you avoid paying attention to the nausea or any other physical symptoms? For me that is the hardest part. I try to get up and go each morning but the nausea is too overpowering.

I have my first session with my counsellor today so I am hoping that helps as well. I know it will take time, I just want to feel like I'm able to get through a whole day again.

Thank you for your kind words and it's nice to meet you

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell in reply to lunalanding]

Years of practice. Every now and then i have to sit and catch my breath from nausea. I’ve never actually thrown up though. I have chest pain. The works. I feel it I just don’t respond to it. Unless I’m super nausea and swallow or sit a second. It’s so normal for me. I say oh I’m anxious and just keep on doing what I’m doing. I do trust that I’ve never actually passed out, thrown up, had a heart attack etc. I guess anxiety is my normal now. I just coexist. Like I said years of practice.

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell in reply to Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

I rarely get through a day without a wave of nausea. Palpitations. Chest Pain is practically constant. Just do your best not to play into it which only feeds it more. It feeds of your anxiety or fear.