Pain induced anxiety

[Lcbxo]

Do any of you suffer from health anxiety and/or a fear of vomiting/using the toilet because of the constant pain?

[annatonina]

I've always been scared of vomiting - I think that stems from a really bad stomach bug when I was about 7 and many GPs have suggested that it's health anxiety. I never throw up but nausea is one of my biggest symptoms with the endo, possibly more so than the pain. When I was at university it was so bad I got a bit agoraphobic and it really affected my life - I'd go to lectures but I had to sit in the aisle seat so I could get out if I needed to throw up, even though I knew I almost definitely wouldn't. Eventually my GP helped by telling me to prepare - I carried lots of anti-emetic drugs and sick bags with me everywhere I went for a while so I could go places and if I threw up it wouldnt be the end of the world. Eventually it became less of an issue because I didn't have to think about it all the time, and now I don't even really have to carry the stuff with me anymore.

I have noticed the last few months I've had a lot more physical anxiety symptoms in general around that time of the month, short of breath and dodgy heartbeat and generally panicky for no reason. I'm off to see a new gynaecologist in October who is apparently an endo expert so hopefully she'll have some advice.

[Lcbxo in reply to annatonina]

Thank you for your reply, it makes me not feel so weird. I remember being scared of it since the age of 14 - I also had bad experiences at school but this is the same time I started getting stomach pains. Now it’s not so much being sick that scares me but the horrible symptoms I’m having and how ill they make me feel. I just hope I’ll feel better soon.

[Lcbxo in reply to annatonina]

Also wishing you the best for your appointment and hope you feel better soon x