Stomach issues and social anxiety

[Funkyfaerie]

Hi,

I don't write posts very often as I have been doing good, although I do look on here and help others if I can.

I seem to have an underlying problem. When I first suffered anxiety I suffered all manner of symptoms, one of which was my tummy working over time if I had to be somewhere, stay somewhere, even at either of my two sons, it's ridiculous. Thing is if my tummy is working overtime, I tend to think I might be sick and that really puts fear into me..

This weekend my son and Grandson have come to visit me on holiday in Wales for a weekend and I was really looking forward to it, but as usual my stomach has let me down, and I haven't been able to go out into the mountains with them today. It's all so upsetting, because I'm OK at home, but the slightest thing and my stomach kicks off.

Not expecting anyone to have a miraculous answer, just wondered if anyone suffers the same and how you cope with it?

Thank you for reading

[Roukaya]

Very interesting I seem to have slight nausea but no sickness

It is also tummy problems brought on by stress and anxiety

I think I was able to cope with the first lock down but the second lock down whilst living on my own is much harder and stress can cause an upset tummy

[Funkyfaerie in reply to Roukaya]

Thank you for replying.Yes I think you are right stress, anxiety/tummy problems... Its sorting out that is the more difficult bit!

[Pat9]

Oh love I could have wrote this myself .. exactly the same as me even if it’s my three daughters or my seven grandchildren as they are all young adults now .. I’m the same as you instead of relaxing and enjoying time with them my stomach kicks off and I worry about an IBS attack kicking off and how embarrassing it would be .. completely mad I know but I have no wise words except I use mindfulness and deep breathing and fortunately I’m on Lyrica for pain and rls and after my second dose of the day I’m usually much more relaxed as it does seem to help anxiety so it helps if I can plan things later in the day .. good luck love I just wanted to say I know how you feel it’s awful 😘❤️🌺xxx

[Funkyfaerie in reply to Pat9]

Hi pat,Thank you for replying. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you, but I was in North Wales staying in the mountains and not much Internet!

Yes unfortunately I have gotten into a habit of feeling calm because I am not going to the loo... And then fearing the crescendo when it all happens, and this is generally as we have both said when something good is coming up!

I have emetiphobia too, so if I get loose stools I start to fear I have a bug 🙄 So when I'm not going at all I'm happier for a while until I realise its been too long and start worrying about that.

To be honest it's all on my mind all the time and I know the brain/gut connection, so I think it is anxiety and stress.... How to fix that, who knows?

Anyway Thank you for chatting, sorry for tmi! 😊 Hope you are well? x

[Pat9 in reply to Funkyfaerie]

Hello hun don't worry hope it was a nice break for you, I again could have wrote your post as I have identical and having IBS so just one bumper bundle of fun 😒hope the two of us can learn to live without so much fear, wouldn't it be nice 😀as my old nan used to say it will all come out in the wash 😆take care now xx

[Tara52]

I used to suffer anxiety that I had agoraphobia and it really limited my life! I am free of it now. You must face the fear it has no real power over you). Go out anyway and the symptoms will stop. If you give it an inch it will take a mile and you will lose more and more freedom! Declare I am free from fear and I am going wherever I desire to! Have a blessed day and thank God for His goodness towards you!🙏😁👍

[Funkyfaerie in reply to Tara52]

I'm trying?I do go out despite everything, just stuck on thinking about my stomach everyday, I do distract myself, but it all comes back to that. One day at a time I suppose!?