Newcomer and my symptoms

[Dave_Cupra]

Hi,

Stumbled upon this site while searching for some general advice and thought I'd give it a bash.

No idea if I have health anxiety, but I certainly have a few symptoms and things I've being going to the docs about for close to 2 years now.

I've mainly had issues with my stomach and eating in general, but a full list of symptoms is below:

Burning sensation in stomach that starts low and seems to rise to my throat- feels like acid reflux
Something twitching to bottom-left of belly
General bloated feeling and stomach gurgling
Nausea
Difficulty swallowing
Sudden rush of nausea and light-headedness brought on while eating
Tingling in hands when experiencing the above
General weakness coupled with the above two
Fatigue
Headaches
Tightness in neck
Tightness in face and scalp
Had shortness of breath, but not for some time now

This has been going on for over 2 years and I've had every blood test the docs can think of, as well as an endoscopy, which just showed a bit of bile in my esophagus, for which I was prescribed domperidone.

My weight hasn't changed too much, but I did have a period when I first went to the doctors where I weighed only 9 1/2 stone (I'm 25 and 5"10), however, now I'm 10 1/2 stone and have been for some time (I've always been pretty slim, regardless of how much I eat).

There doesn't seem to be any real pattern to the main issues of stomach burning and sudden rush of nausea etc while eating. Sometimes I get it, sometimes I don't. The headaches and fatigue are pretty constant, as is the tightness in my face and scalp.

The question I have, as I'm sure most people do, is, does anyone have an inkling into what might be causing this? I know my symptoms are broad, and there are many possible underlying issues, but anything would be appreciated.

As I said, doctors have tried multiple tests, all of which have come back negative. I've been prescribed various anti-acid tablets, none of which have worked, as well as amitriptyline by a so-called 'specialist' who thought I may have depression.

I have another appointment at my local hospital in June, but I started going to the doctors about this in June 2011, so don't hold much hope - hooray for the NHS...(before any non-UK members reply, I know we're lucky to have a health service, it's just frustrating when you continually come up against their 'fast-food' mentality service - in, out, didn't really listen, next customer please).

Thanks in advance.

Dave.

[flori]

If you have tests done and they have come back clear then maybe some symtoms are anxiety related. I get the tightness in scalp, face, neck, chest etc. I put that down to tension and not able to relax properly.

[SeroxVet]

Hi Dave. I presume you've had tests done to check you're not intolerant of something eg wheat, gluten, lactose etc?? It could be anxiety-related. Did anything significant/upsetting happen in your life two years ago?

[Dave_Cupra]

No, for some reason they've still not tested for intolerance of anything. Was going to ask about that during my next appointment.

Can't think of anything that's happened really, nothing life-changing anyway. There was a death in the family, but I wouldn't say that I took it particularly badly. Obviously I was upset, but not to the extent it would cause ongoing issues I wouldn't have thought.

[Pipkin]

Dave,

I could quite literally have written that post myself a few years ago. All the symptoms are identical and I was also 9 1/2 stone at one point (I'm 6' 2") but I'm now 10 1/2 stone.

I also had every test there is with nothing untoward found. Eventually, I came to the realisation that it was anxiety causing the symptoms not the symptoms causing anxiety. I couldn't understand it as I had nothing to be anxious about but that didn't stop me worrying about every little thing. Accepting the anxiety eased the symptoms and now I can let waves of panic pass over me and get on with my life. I can't say they've gone completely but I'm much better than I was.

I'm not sure I can give you an answer but coming on here and having the opportunity to be open with people who understand really helps. You're in the right place!

Take care

Pip