Has anyone suffered from upset stomach for over a month after having a stomach virus?

[L1994]

Cant shift my stomach bug. Been over a month now. Had a high temperature altho that has gone down i still feel like my stomach is sensitive all underneigth my ribs. I have had back ache also. Is this me panicking tho? I am left feeling so helpless right now. I am scared of going to the drs so have not been over it all. I had my bloods done due to an operation for CIN3 on cervix. I have been that ill that i have had my operation cancelled twice already. Want to feel normal again. I am scared I have some sort of Cancer to do with my bowels. First with my cervix and now my bowels. I just feel no hope. Mentally worn down feeling fed up.

[EleanorRose]

I totally understand the health anxiety.

I am also currently avoiding doctors over an issue I know I need to be seen for because I am so frightened.

However, I do think this warrants a trip to the drs for you. These aren’t normal stomach bug symptoms BUT that doesn’t mean there is something seriously wrong, just that there is likely something else going on that your dr can investigate.

It’s highly unlikely for someone of your age to have bowel cancer though I understand why you worry about that - I always jump to the worst conclusions too! But IF you did have bowel cancer(and it’s a huge if, I’m not saying I think you do) , avoiding the dr is only stopping you getting the treatment you need, it’s not stopping you from being ill.

It will be scary but if you can find the courage, I’d really recommend a drs visit. Perhaps there’s someone you could take with you?

[L1994 in reply to EleanorRose]

Thanks for your response. I have been told that the intestines that a stomach virus attacks is under your ribs and many of my friends and family have had the same pain. Its just with my anxiety flaring up I am tensing and getting bad back ache and feel so sensitive thats why I am trying to make sence of this. I suffer from acid reflux and have done for years. I am hopefully going to drs about it all next week when my partner is down and we both have a day off work. It's really scary suffering from anxiety and having flare ups. Hoping this is my anxiety as 4 years ago j was at A&E and drs every 2 days for weeks all over a virus going round xx

[Kkimm]

Hi

I really feel for you having been through much the same myself.

I think it is quite possible that your stomach bug is anxiety. My anxiety began in the same way. I had started to find it difficult to swallow following a difficult time in my life, so went to the doctor about this and she immediately put me on an urgent cancer pathway for cancer of the oesophagus. I had what seemed to be a stomach upset starting that night which persisted for several months. I completely lost my appetite and felt nauseous most of the time and had very loose bowels. I was in despair trying to find the cause, thinking of cancer somewhere in the digestive tract and lost loads of weight. I was given an endoscopy and given the all clear but my stomach upset would not go away and more and more severe anxiety symptoms developed. Eventually it was discovered that I had an anxiety disorder.

I went onto Venlafaxine, an antidepressant and although at first I felt much worse, after a few months I felt almost back to normal and after a year better than normal and I have remained very well and positive for over two years now. I still have the chemical imbalance caused by the generalized anxiety disorder so am still on antidepressants and may need to continue them long term which I feel fine about.

I know how tough health anxiety is, antidepressants have helped me alot along with making sure I faced my fears and took a little step forward every day making sure I did more and had a positive attitude to life. Excercise taken daily as well as a healthy diet and not getting over tired has also been very important. All of this is easier said than done ofcourse when you are worried or depressed.

It may be that you started with some kind of infection which raised your temperature and prevented your treatment and worry has made the symptoms persist.

It probably is a good idea to go to the doctor and if they think that there is nothing physical, try to ignore the symptoms and not worry about them so you can get your treatment done. Am I correct in thinking that you have not managed to have it done yet? If your temperature is not raised still, hopefully they will decide to do your treatment and this should relieve your worry greatly and the symptoms will reduce on their own as a consequence of the reduced worry.

If the stomach symptoms continue after the cause of worry has stopped it may be you need to go back to the doctors to get help through therapy and or antidepressants.

I wish you the very best of luck.

Kim

[L1994 in reply to Kkimm]

Hi kkimm. Sorry i haven't responded back to your reply I have been avoiding hearing anything about that virus so not been on here. I have been to the drs they don't feel worried about my belly they are more wanting to concentrate on my anxiety I have been put on sertraline but I feel awfull only took the first one today and thinking of wether to stop them. I M scared and worried I have something wrong with me. That I am going t on die of that virus or that I have another virus that is going tk kill me. Not had my operation but i need to get well enough for my operation. 😭

[Kkimm in reply to L1994]

So sorry to hear this.

If you are able to I think you should try to stick with your meds and you will start to feel better eventually. Keep reminding yourself that they helped before and will help again.

Thinking you have something serious us caused by your health anxiety as is all the symptoms I am sure. The anxiety will reduce once your meds kick in.

Very best wishes

Kim

[Kkimm]

Hi

I really feel for you having been through much the same myself.

I think it is quite possible that your stomach bug is anxiety. My anxiety began in the same way. I had started to find it difficult to swallow following a difficult time in my life, so went to the doctor about this and she immediately put me on an urgent cancer pathway for cancer of the oesophagus. I had what seemed to be a stomach upset starting that night which persisted for several months. I completely lost my appetite and felt nauseous most of the time and had very loose bowels. I was in despair trying to find the cause, thinking of cancer somewhere in the digestive tract and lost loads of weight. I was given an endoscopy and given the all clear but my stomach upset would not go away and more and more severe anxiety symptoms developed. Eventually it was discovered that I had an anxiety disorder.

I went onto Venlafaxine, an antidepressant and although at first I felt much worse, after a few months I felt almost back to normal and after a year better than normal and I have remained very well and positive for over two years now. I still have the chemical imbalance caused by the generalized anxiety disorder so am still on antidepressants and may need to continue them long term which I feel fine about.

I know how tough health anxiety is, antidepressants have helped me alot along with making sure I faced my fears and took a little step forward every day making sure I did more and had a positive attitude to life. Excercise taken daily as well as a healthy diet and not getting over tired has also been very important. All of this is easier said than done ofcourse when you are worried or depressed.

It may be that you started with some kind of infection which raised your temperature and prevented your treatment and worry has made the symptoms persist.

It probably is a good idea to go to the doctor and if they think that there is nothing physical, try to ignore the symptoms and not worry about them so you can get your treatment done. Am I correct in thinking that you have not managed to have it done yet? If your temperature is not raised still, hopefully they will decide to do your treatment and this should relieve your worry greatly and the symptoms will reduce on their own as a consequence of the reduced worry.

If the stomach symptoms continue after the cause of worry has stopped it may be you need to go back to the doctors to get help through therapy and or antidepressants.

I wish you the very best of luck.

Kim

[Funkyfaerie]

Hi,

I pretty much went through the same symptoms as Kim, without the swallowing symptoms. Mine kicked off with a bug, then nearly three months of nausea etc, I lost weight, doctor freaked out and ordered endoscopy, all clear thankfully... Didn't make the symptoms go all together, but got less, and yes me too, anxiety!!

Get checked out at the doctors for peace of mind, but I'm sure you will be OK, it will take time though... Best wishes xx

[Kkimm in reply to Funkyfaerie]

Hi Funkyfaerie.

How are you doing these days?

All the best.

Kim

[Funkyfaerie in reply to Kkimm]

Hi Kim,

Not too bad at all Thank you. I still have my moments, but understand them more, so can control them. Getting out and about a lot more too.

Staying on here as it has helped so much and I can give something back now and again.

How about you, are you well? X

[Kkimm in reply to Funkyfaerie]

I'm so pleased to hear that.

I fine thanks.

Kim

[L1994 in reply to Funkyfaerie]

Thank you funkyfaerie. I have been to drs yesterday been put on sertraline but in feel awful after taking the first one today. They are causing symptoms that are worrying like my head feels numb but j have been on them before and struggled last time. Drs excuse to me was that if I get side effects now they won't be as bad because I have dealt with the anxiety from them before. In my case in think i will feel worse because I know whats coming and panic that it's going tk happen causing me to be worse than last time I was on them