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[rebel2]

Those of you who have read my posts before will know I have struggled with anxiety for years, but the last two months have been pretty unbearable.  I am/have been a health anxiety sufferer for around 3 years ['had' every serious condition possible at some point]but it got significantly worse in the middle of this year after a serious financial setback caused us stress.  I was completely stressed out for a month or so and then got a trapped wind feeling under my left rib that moved to my back during the day, then it started to develop into being followed by a gurgling stomach, then early morning waking with adrenaline surges. 

I tried sertraline in desperation last week [tried citalopram three years ago but hated it] but gave up on day 3 with terrible stomach ache and panic symptoms.  Then I felt better!! Had five days feeling absolutely great [I was busy so perhaps it was the distraction?}.  Then bam, back a bit on Wednesday but serious by last night when I flew off the handle about nothing and woke this morning at 4am.

Am in despair!   Have been on progynova oestrogen only on and off for three years as had hysterectomy years ago but kept ovaries. 

Any thoughts??   I really feel the past three years have been the worst of my life and can't remember the last time I actually felt really, truly happy.    I run regularly, don't drink/smoke/drink caffeine, eat very well and am not overweight.  The financial issue is not really a problem now and I have everything else going for me -but am just wasting it!!!

[Dancinggirl]

rebel2 - I know exactly what you mean.  I have had a very challenging time at work this year - it all kicked off in early summer and I have felt angry, frustrated and, more importantly, helpless to improve things.  In the end I have taken a month off work to give myself time out and review things.  I see all the low mood I am feeling now as a type of ‘post traumatic depression'. The feeling of helplessness - I have tried and failed to get the management to address the problems (it's not just me having these issues) but keep getting stonewalled.  I am mourning the loss of a job I once enjoyed and ultimately if things don't improve I will have to walk away. I am so, so sad.
I think once meno hits, we are simply not as resilient as we once were and this is something we have to accept.
HRT is not going to improve this - making positive life changes will.  Lots of relaxation and doing positive things that YOU enjoy is the best way forward. BE a bit more selfish.  DG x

[Kathleen]

Hello rebel2.

So sorry to read that you are suffering and I sympathise with your frustration and despair. It's annoying when we try everything possible, including following all the healthy living advice and we still feel crap! It happens to me too unfortunately.

I think I can offer you one crumb of comfort. I am now 61, post meno and taking Tibolone  but the surges I have now are nothing like as ferocious as they once were and I had them both on and off HRT. I assume even these horrible things burn themselves out eventually. My daily headaches left the building after six months so hopefully the surges will go the same way!

I wish I could offer you more but I wanted to say I feel your pain and I know for a fact that at least some things do get better.

Take care.

K.

[Yammy1]

Oh Rebel2, so sorry to hear yo are struggling again. I was thinking strongly of going down the ad route but am scared I will end up feeling fine for a day or two like you and then back to square one again. My health anxiety is sky high at the moment, obsessing about my heart again. Chest pain bad but been on dr Google again and I think the iron I'm taking is upsetting my stomach and causing acid and wind, which in turn is causing chest pain so I am going to give iron a miss for a few days and see how  I get on. I really hope u feel better soon, and the only consolation I can offer you is 'you are not alone'. 

[rebel2]

Thanks everybody.  Have been out and about and managed to forget my ills.  But my stomach has blown up like a balloon!   I never used to have any stomach issues and now I'm a slave to them!

[dangermouse]

There is definitely a connection with trapped wind and anxiety.

As I’m on a Keto diet I was triallying some of the sugar free chocolate that contains polyols (sugar alcohols) and they cause trapped wind.

I ate too much of the chocolate on Thursday night (it was morish so won’t be buying again!) and I woke Friday with the palpitations and felt like I do mid cycle but it was Day 3. The gas gradually passed through and today I’m back to normal. I also now remember trying them many years ago and feeling strange.

It may be pressure on the vagus nerve but do check what’s in your food if you can avoid any gas causing foods or supplements too.

[rebel2]

Yes, I am going to take it easy tonight and just have an egg instead of the yummy curry dish planned.   

Trying hard not to catastrophize, but it's difficult.  Just keep thinking that I was so much better last weekend.

I had spring onions twice this week which I think we're not a good idea!

[rebel2]

I am so absolutely miserable.   Just five days feeling good in 3 months is crap and I'm honestly not sure how much more I can take.  My poor husband bears the brunt of it with great forbearance but must be heartily sick of me. 

I can handle the anxiety but at the moment it's real physical discomfort that's the issue, which is harder to ignore.  Plus I'm completely shattered due to waking early.   

This is total s*** isn't it.

[Yammy1]

It sure is total s..t Rebel2. One thing after another, I'm sitting here and I look six months pregnant, my tummy is so swollen and sore. I didn't take iron tablet today and chest pain has eased a little, fingers crossed it will continue to ease , hopefully it was the iron casing all the upset. I'm contemplating having a drink and trying to relax,

[Bea66]

Hi rebel2, I get what you're describing too!  I know it's stomach related, in my case, but it causes me so much anxiety and stress, which in turn exasperated my stomach, and so it goes, round in circles.  You could try some gaviscon to see if it helps your tummy.  I find it eases the pain under my ribs, which relieves the pressure physically and mentally.  I think it is something to do with the vagus nerve, as it feels like a physical rather than mental anxiety if that makes sense?  It's absolutely horrible isn't it 😥

[Yammy1]

Hi sparkle I have type two diabetes so I omit my cabs and sugar, it's just weird sometimes tummy is fine and then it just flares up. I have bowel problems too so this doesn't help, oh the joys of it, I'm definitely coming back as a man in my next life 

[rebel2]

I eat very little sugar, although yesterday I did have chips followed by a bread pudding and cream for lunch, then toast for tea...

Totally unusual, I normally eat really well.   But worth tracking I think.

[CLKD]

Have you tried eating eery 3 hours, even in the night?  It worked for me by stopping the awful anxiety surges caused by a sudden drop in sugar levels [thanks NAPS!]

[rebel2]

Thanks everybody.   Am now having full on panic attacks and feel really nauseous.   Stomach still huge and bloated.  Tired.   Backache.  Tearful.

Have to get up very early tomorrow for business meeting and then have long day Tuesday. 

This is awful. 

[Yammy1]

Rebel2 it's the pits isn't it, I'm sitting with a pain n my cheat and arm and full blown panic, defineatly going to doc in the morning , sending big hugs