Stomach issues. How do you differentiate health concerns with anxiety symptoms

[lofwyr]

Hey folks,

I have been having a horrendous time with my digestive system. It works well enough--my wife might say too well. I am super gassy, but regular enough. I have a pain in my upper left abdominal area, and always feel like I have a noisey gut.

So, a couple of questions. I have been dealing with this for a few months. Maybe longer. It hasn't gotten worse, but hasn't gotten better either. Over the counter stuff doesn't really do anything for the gas or the pain, but the pain is intermittent.

When do you draw the line and actually go to the doctor, knowing almost certainly that the symptom you have is anxiety? I have some real medical issues, (not digestive related) and am so sick and tired of specialists and PCP visits I could weep. I have more to come as well, but I will probably bite the bullet and go soon, if nothing else, maybe he can provide with something to do to stop the discomfort, even acknowledging the anxiety.

As an aside, for those with anxious stomachs, how do you settle yours?

[EKB]

I was told by my gp that if the discomfort is intermittent and not accompanied by red flag symptoms like fever, vomiting, or unrelenting pain then it’s likely not required to see a doctor.

To settle my stomach I do a couple things. Meditation helps me calm myself which helps take care of some of the nausea. Ginger tea I find very soothing. Keeping away from coffee because it’s a stimulant and hard on the gut helps (though I like coffee, so sometimes I’ll switch to decaf). Gas is a bit harder to combat. I know I’m a nervous swallower so being mindful of that helps (again, found meditation helps me).

Doing something you love can also help keep your mind off of things which in turn settles the tummy. But I know when I’m in a bad way sometimes that isn’t even feasible right in the moment, so I try to ride things out with a mind to doing something I like when the feeling passes.

I hope that helps! Anxious stomachs are really no fun, and because your gut is like a
second brain, it really won’t settle down until you address the anxiety. But being kind to your tummy while you are working on the other will go a long way. Good luck!