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[marge]

Chatting to a friend last Monday, she has just been successfully treated for bowel cancer and told me the whole story.  Not good for a health anxiety sufferer!! Anyway, since then, I've had weird and erratic stomach pains, cramps, low pain, high pain etc.  Please can I have some reassurance from my fellow sufferers that it's all in my mind. I keep telling myself it must be, but you know what we're like 

[Jeepers]

Hi Marge

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend, but glad she has made a good recovery.

I have had digestive issues, and last week I had a Colonoscopy.  I convinced myself I had a tumour, I get all sorts of pains and loose bowel movements.  Anyway, it all came back clear for tumours (I have  internal piles, which need treating).  I still get all of the symptoms like before.  I also get pain on my right side and stomach sometimes.  I think these things are common as we get older, and anxiety definitely exacerbates all of these sensations.

Also, about a year ago, I gave myself gastritis from an acute anxiety attack, so it is more than possible that your anxiety is causing your pains.

I hope this helps you a little bit, and you feel a little less alone
Hugs

Jeepers xx

[marge]

Thanks Jeepers, that is so reassuring and I'm pleased to hear that you're ok.  I'm trying to keep busy and not let my mind wander into dark places.

[Rosie63]

Hi Marge. I've suffered with digestive problems since I was a child and definitely think they are made worse by stress, anxiety and hormone changes.  I was told that there's nothing physically wrong and that  my problems were emotional/mental.   The brain is very powerful and so it would make sense that if you have the things on your mind that your friend told you about, this in itself could cause you to suffer the discomfort you are experiencing.  I know it's easier said than done but try to put it out of your mind.  Not sure if you're into mindfulness, but this might help.

I hope you feel better soon.

Rosie63 x

[CLKD]

However: your friend is in recovery 

Tension can cause all those symptoms you mentioned.  As can lifting a heavy bucket which I did a few days ago then had pains around my back and belly button area for 36 hours  .  Had I not remembered that I had lifted that bucket I might have wondered .........

[marge]

Thanks for your replies, as always they are reassuring.  I've had a very busy weekend, both socially and in the garden (best therapy ever!) and I feel so much better, the weird pains have gone and I've stopped worrying. Hope everyone else is OK too.  Until the next time ................ 

[Sickntired]

I recently casually mentioned(and I say mentioned because I'd decided on "Yeah it's fine") to locum Dr about running to loo, 3-4 times in morning ,  occasional bloating .  I was in Femeston at that time . He suggested could have been a cyst (no pain tho)  . Dunno if the big penned neurotic across my file has made the Drs decided waste of cash but still waiting . Month.  Yet I'd gone to ask if I could have consultation with menopause clinic - was fed up with tiredness , loss of confidence due to cognitive probs and poss slight depression,   I was given that appointment which grateful for , much so.  Conversation there covered everything , including bowels,  she said about the testing kit all 50yr old Scots get, I'm 49 but she said could do sooner.  It's only been a week so maybe still contact etc from one Dr to another- timescale for stuff.  The Tues I get phone call and locum quotes interview with meno consultant and progresses with changing my hrt to patches - Evorel Sequi.   I'd had a 4 day gap between repeat prescriptions of Femeston and crossed my mind side effects which does state bloating , bowel irritation.   Now on the patches a week and the tummy ache part is a little more prominent.  (Yet to try my tried and tested probiotics)  ,  I had the "oh my god, I'm gunna  die" anxiety but strangely just decided " nah, don't think so " but there's a tiny niggle ...... 
Headachy,   tummy as if had wee touch of runs so bit achy, feels like in your bowel...  I always belch air when running but more prominent having eaten now.  Is this all the stuff everyone else has ? No bowel probs in family, no cancer , only heart probs both sides , dad had cancer in kidney when I was little but both parents smoked and drank,  I never smoked, excersize to greater lesser degree over 23 years, good diet , loads veg,  now vegetarian.     

[CLKD]

HORMONES.  The Change does what it says on the tin!  Do you keep a mood/symptom/food diary to chart progress?

Let us know how you get on!

[Sickntired]

I try ... trying to be consistent,  yeah it would help . Will put book beside bed I think .

[CLKD]

Eat.  Little and often.  Keep hydrated. Exercise as much as you feel like 

[jgr]

I can sympathise with you on your anxiety, this to me is the worse symptom of the menopause as you really do believe you have major health issues and the Dr's are failing to find it or won't take you seriously. Thankfully the anxiety does settle but never goes away. I have had all the bloods done and because i am in Scotland i have been getting the bowl screening test since i was 50, ( now 61) and thankfully have always come back clear. Rosie63 is spot on with the brain being powerful, it can convince you that you are ill when you are not. It's hard not to focus on our health at this time of our lives, but when so many things happen during the menopause to our bodies it is easy to feel like this.

[Silver004]

I'm new to this group and anxiety is my worst symptom.  Can cope with the sweats, but the tingling legs and general tension is doing my nut in.  All my bloods are normal, just slightly low vitamin d, so I'm taking supplements.  Turns out that as I've been using sunblock to protect my skin, but this has depleted my vitamin d.  Mindfulness, especially the headspace app helps a lot

[Jillm]

Hi Silver004 and welcome

Just read your post, I also have tingling legs, especially, left calf.
Mine started last November and since then my anxiety has gone through the roof, not all the time but when it strikes I can be left a wreck imagining all shorts of horrible illnesses.
I did have slight health anxiety with other memo symptoms, but the constant buzzing legs tipped me over the edge.
I have had all bloods done and apparently all within normal levels. I have started a new multi vitamin and turmeric supplements in last month & I do feel it has helped. I have also increased exercise hugely in last month, so it could anyone if the three. I do feel a whole lot better.
Have you found anything that helps. Did your GP give you any reason for buzzing/tingling legs, I have seen a few and none if them think it is memo related.
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Hope you are well
Thanks

Jill

[CLKD]

Gentle exercise as often as possible - fresh air, in the countryside, is good.  My garden is my 'space' ;-).  Top of Mam Tor is another  or finding a river or watching the tide.  As long as it's away from people.

For me tingling was adrenaline surges, scared me to 'death' the 1st few times: it's like hot water rushing through my veins !  Make sure that you have plenty of salt in your diet because cramp is due to lack of salt regardless of us being told to cut back on it. 

....... and breath.  I have restless leg syndrome, cured by eating bananas every day - 4 me, lack of potassium.

[marge]

Tingly legs was a horrible symptom and l still get it now sometimes, 5 years post meno. Definitely anxiety related.