False symptoms: Hi, this is my first time... - Anxiety Support

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False symptoms

Bee_cake76 profile image
23 Replies

Hi, this is my first time posting, I'm so pleased to have found this forum.

Is there any way that my anxiety can cause my body to mimic symptoms after I've gotten anxious about them? I ask because I started having some stomach pain last week, then pain under my left ribs. I haven't eaten much since for fear of making it worse. I stupidly googled it and have convinced myself I've got pancreatic cancer. Thing is, sometimes I feel okay, but if I start thinking about it all again, I feel the pain.

Also, does anyone kno if omeprezole causes yellow/green diarrhea? Because I just started taking it last week, but one of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer is yellow diarrhea......I've tried to convince myself it's the omeprezole, but id love to kno if anyone here takes it and has experienced this side effect.

I'm beside myself with worry, I am a single mum to 3 young children, I can't bear the thought of leaving them alone in this world, and I've pretty much convinced myself I'm going to be dead by Christmas. I'm crying all the time. Will go to the docs on Monday, but have to wait the weekend out. I really am struggling to cope.

Thankyou for reading xx

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Bee_cake76
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23 Replies

Hello & Welcome :-)

Anxiety can mimic physical symptoms it can also make our digestive systems a mess and often does

I cannot say though that even with the medication you are on it would change the colour of your stools , it could give you diarrhea but yellow/green colour I really don't think it can do that but as we are not Doctors I also could be wrong

I know because you are worried believe me I have had some health issues lately and they have been real and not my health anxiety and it can stop us wanting to eat but that is the worse thing we can do , we need to eat , that could be a reason why your stools have changed colour ?

Google is really not our best friend but our enemy , and I am guilty of going on and asking what is wrong and it will always tell you the worse scenario that petrifies us even more and we of course will start to believe it and yet this will no doubt be something really simple

I will assure you that there is no way you are going to die before Christmas and many more to come you will enjoy with your Children but your anxiety will tell you that you will as it can keep control that way

I am so pleased you have your Doctors appointment on Monday as this will give you the reassurance you need

You have got through today , tell yourself one more day that is all I have to get through and then they will sort me out :-)

Tell them about how your anxiety is also getting to you as they may be able to support you with that to :-)

Let us know how you get on :-)

Take Care x

Bee_cake76 profile image
Bee_cake76 in reply to

Thankyou so much for replying. I know googling is the worst thing I can do, I don't know why I do it, it's like I can't help myself.I'm scared to tell the doc about my anxiety in case they think my symptoms are all in my head and don't take me seriously enough to investigate the problem xxx

in reply to Bee_cake76

Hello :-)

I am the same , 8 weeks ago I had a heart attack which has left me in a dreadful state and then this week I had a water infection so as if I was not in enough of a state of anxiety I googled water infection and yes it can be cancer according to Google and then I sit and think why did I do that ! especially after my Doctor has told me it is a water infection !!!

I understand your fear the Doctor might think it is in your head , had that fear to but you cannot dream up the colour of your stools !

How about telling them about your stomach issues first , let them reply to that and what it is and then tell them about your anxiety that way they will have already taken you seriously about your stomach issues before they know how bad you are also suffering with anxiety

I would even tell them you was afraid to mention your anxiety first as you were afraid they would not take you seriously

That could be a way to approach the situation , get your answer to your stomach issues first and what they think it is and then anxiety issues once you have :-) x

Bee_cake76 profile image
Bee_cake76 in reply to

Im so sorry to hear you have been so poorly. I hope your road to recovery goes smoothly xx Yes that I true I could do that, let them know about my stomach first. I've been lying in bed and my pain has gotten worse, now I'm in a full blown panic attack, shivering and shaking, I can't stop it. I'm going to die,i just know I am.

in reply to Bee_cake76

Hello :-)

The more you focus on your symptoms the more you feel them , your mind is on high alert because it is such a fear for you at the moment , also if you are not eating well you will get stomach pains

I don't think you have cancer but someone that does and had only just got it would not die over night so no way are you going any where you will still be here tomorrow :-)

It is great to chat on here with others that understand but have you ever talked to the Samaritans ?

I remember when that was suggested to me I thought O I don't want to do that and yet they are there 24/7 and I have often phoned and just hearing that human voice , knowing someone is listening , they do not judge just listen it can make such a difference :-)

Do the plan on Monday , sort the stomach and finish of with the anxiety , sometimes I have written down what I want to say as when we are there in front of the Doctor we can get so anxious we forget everything we want to say so maybe write down the main things you want to remember to say and then you can refer to it if you start to get overwhelmed

You will be ok :-) x

Bee_cake76 profile image
Bee_cake76 in reply to

Thankyou, I might try them , I really appreciate the suggestion. I could do with actually talking to someone right now 🙏

in reply to Bee_cake76

Hello :-)

There number is 116123 give them a ring and let us know how you get on when you have been to the Doctors :-)

Everything will be fine :-) x

Agora1 profile image
Agora1

Bee cake76, as you have seen, Dr Google is never to be trusted. It is too generalized a statement without knowing one's health history. So delete that thought from your mind.

Monday's doctor appointment will be here before you know it and you will get your issue addressed properly.

I can tell you that Pancreatic Cancer does not present symptoms in early stages. What you may be experiencing could be caused by the medication you are taking as well as not eating.

I may not be a doctor but I don't believe you are going to leave your children anytime soon.

This thought is coming from Anxiety. Anxiety is tied into the Gut which can cause pain and

discomfort. The medication you are taken can cause change in color of stool. Put into place what Dr. Google said and you have just created a circle of fear for yourself.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, try doing some productive things to get your focus off

your symptoms. After you see your doctor on Monday, please let us know what he said.

Wishing you my best and know that we are here to help you thru this journey :) xx

Bee_cake76 profile image
Bee_cake76 in reply to Agora1

Thankyou so much for your reply. I know it doesn't, that's what's scaring me, that if I have symptoms then I haven't got long left 😢 My partners late wife died of it, and after diagnosis she was gone within weeks.

Can it? That's what I was trying to reassure myself. I've had omeprezole before and I remember it caused diarrhea, but couldn't remember if it changes colour. I was hoping there may be someone on here that took it that could reassure me they'd experienced the same. So thankyou so much. That helps loads. If it was just the pain, I could tell myself it's any number of things.....but with the yellow stools too it just seemed to put a nail in the coffin for me xx

Thankyou, I will try xx

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to Bee_cake76

One more positive note Bee..before you go off the deep end.

Omeprezole stops the acidity in the stomach which can make

any food by pass the bile duct and go straight into the intestines.

It has been known to cause discolor in stools when this happens.

I also have known people diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer but we

can't always jump to a Catastrophic conclusion w/o a doctor addressing

this first. I hope you get to talk with someone professional before your

appointment on Monday. I can see that you are allowing your fears to

take over and making yourself sick. Good Luck with your appointment.

I Do Care :) xx

Bee_cake76 profile image
Bee_cake76 in reply to Agora1

Thankyou xxx

FearIsALiar profile image
FearIsALiar

Welcome to the group!! To answer your question. YES!! I actually kept getting shortness of breath non stop and I thought I had something wrong with me..I went to the doctor and he said it was just my anxiety and I even got a chest X-ray and everything was normal! The more I thought about having shortness of breath the more I kept having it.

YOU WILL BE OKAY 💕

Bee_cake76 profile image
Bee_cake76 in reply to FearIsALiar

Thankyou so much xxx

FearIsALiar profile image
FearIsALiar in reply to Bee_cake76

Of course! Keep reaching out. I know how scary anxiety can be.

Bee_cake76 profile image
Bee_cake76 in reply to FearIsALiar

It is so scary. I didn't really sleep last night. Spent the night working out how to get my affairs in order, who will look after my children etc. I've pretty much accepted it now. I'm trying not to focus on the having cancer, but what I need to do to get stuff sorted quickly so my children are cared for and I get to say goodbye to everyone I love properly xxxx

FearIsALiar profile image
FearIsALiar in reply to Bee_cake76

I’m sorry you’re having to go through the stress of that. It must be so difficult. I haven’t been able to sleep lately either. But make sure you get your rest! It’s crucial for anxiety. Lack of sleep can make it worse

moggie8 profile image
moggie8

Yes what U fear you will get example I don't fear heart attack so never get palpertations or anything but I fear a stroke so I get head pressure and dizzy in the head anxiety plays on your fears

Bee_cake76 profile image
Bee_cake76 in reply to moggie8

Thankyou for replying, it really helps to know others have actual physical pains and things that is caused by anxiety...altho obviously I'm sorry you are having to go thro it xx Its crazy how powerful our mind is that it can produce physical symptoms isn't it? Xxx

moggie8 profile image
moggie8

Yes I also fear shortness of breath and get it slot with pain

Jstbcuz profile image
Jstbcuz

Be your own strong advocate when it comes to your Dr appt. Tell them what you have told us. Get the proof you need so that your anxiety settles down. Have you had your gall bladder removed, this can cause stool color to change. I think Google is our worst enemy and can exacerbate our anxiety. We get so wrapped up in it we read all the bad stuff. Web MD is better. I think you are going to be fine. Please take time to relax, easier said than done I know. The best advice I can give is to tell your Dr what your thinking, followed with your truly scared aka anxiety. You need reassurance and once you have that your going to feel so much better. Is there something that's going on in your life that is creating stress for you and in turn your thinking about your health? Keep us informed sweetie, this is a great place to connect with others that share the same boat.

Bee_cake76 profile image
Bee_cake76 in reply to Jstbcuz

Hi, thankyou for replying. Yes I had my gallbladder removed 15 years ago. I kno my body struggles to process fats. I've got to be honest, this episode has all been triggered off by me eating an Indian meal 10 days ago. But I think perhaps the genuine symptoms aren't so scary, but my anxiety has made it worse xx I'm waiting on a callback from the doc now, hoping he'll have me come in cos I really feel I need the reassurance of having my tummy examined at least.

Yes, I think I do have a few things in my life that are triggering this off. I had a long phone conversation with my sister last night, she's a therapist. She talked me down loads. She seems to think this is connected with my relationships. My friends died of pancreatic cancer on Christmas day 3 years ago, it would've been around this time of year that she was diagnosed. Since then I have began dating her husband(well obviously he's not her husband now). My sis thinks there's some connection with that, maybe I subconsciously feel guilt that I am here and she is not. I do feel things deeply, I miss her and feel so devastated for her that she had to leave her husband and daughter, she adored them. Goodness, sorry to go on......think I may need to go get therapy lol

Jstbcuz profile image
Jstbcuz in reply to Bee_cake76

Awww Sweetie, I think you just answered your own question. Of course you are going to collaborate the two. Please find a good psychologist to talk to. They can help you decipher all of your feelings. Anniversary dates are hard to deal with, with your friend passing this time of year. I'm so sorry you lost your friend. But remember this, only 5% of what you worry about is ok, the other 95% is nothing. You sound like a very strong woman!! Do something for yourself. Honor your friends death somehow. Write her a letter telling her how you feel (journaling) put it away for a few weeks and then reread it. You will get through this, it makes sense the way you are feeling. Get yourself checked out for peace of mind. Once that is done you are going to feel fantastic!!! Your going to be just fine. Try to keep track of what your saying to yourself and change those thoughts into positive messages. Count l the things you are blessed with. Much love to you my dear. 🧡

Hallyhooyou profile image
Hallyhooyou

I have been suffering yellow diarrhea for over a year. It’s stress related, and typically caused by food moving too quickly through your digestive system. A very common symptom of anxiety. You asked the question about whether or not anxiety can make you have symptoms? The answer to that question is a big fat yes! I have had health anxiety for years, and I’m very well aware of this somatic response. But just today I read a story about someone that had leukemia, And they were itching all over their body. Surprise surprise, I’ve been itching all over my body all day. Even though I know it’s health anxiety related, that doesn’t mean that my anxiety doesn’t still play tricks on my body.

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