When is it real or anxiety?

[anom]

I'm not ..belittling anyones anxiety symptoms/concerns (I've got enough)

But seriously when are you suppose to know when something is anxiety or when its actually a medical condition?

I've had this lower left abdominal ache for 3 months now. The last few weeks I've also had upper abdominal bloating which is sometimes in my back (gallbladder/liver?)

I've also had on and off slightly annoying headaches (nothing bad, just persistent and annoying) a bit of a sore throat occasionally, and a weird sight problem which is very much a new thing (if I was to move my head quickly its like my eyes are slow at catching up/focusing) My heart rate is a little faster than normal (60-70 instead of 50) and its really thumping at times (like shaking my whole body - which could also be attributing to my weird sight problem as it seems I lose focus a little bit as my heart beats) I know I've got some heart problems, at least a murmur (I had various tests/recorders years ago) Throw in some weird burning sensations here and there and physically I feel a bit of a mess.

But how much of it is real?

Everything else seems to have developed after I've been stressing about my lower left bowel ache, I don't know if I've just worn my body out with stress/worry. A lot of this could be IBS, a lot could be anxiety..

I went private and saw a GI consultant a couple of days ago, he didnt seem "too fussed" about my bowel ache (and wasn't particularly interested in the rest of it) offered me a colonoscopy via the NHS in 8 weeks or to pay 2 grand and have it done in a week. I've got the weekend to think about it, I'm struggling. I think if it was JUST the ache I'd be more inclined to wait..but now the rest of me is falling apart I'm slightly more concerned - only I may not be falling apart and it may well just all be anxiety!

How the hell are you suppose to know :scared15:

[Mindprison]

Ok, let me be real with you for a second here.

It is impossible for someone who is not medically trained to say whether or not their symptoms are being caused by physical or psychological means. While it's true that serious illness is not something that you can mistake, anxiety blurs the line to the point where you start to believe that everything is wrong with you.

A GI consultant is not concerned, which is basically a clean bill of health. Doctors and especially specialists, don't mess around when it comes to serious illnesses.

I've had all the symptoms you've listed for over a year, they come and go and vary in severity. I have IBS, Chronic Prostatitis, GAD, Varicose veins as well as minor neurological issues that cause migraines and minor astigmatism. I have high blood pressure and a heart that constantly goes over 120bpm for no reason at all.

All of it is being exacerbated by my anxiety disorder. And here's some advice. You might think that getting that test done will be the end of it and you can finally get your life back.

Not true. I recently had to get my heart checked due to my blood pressure. I was wanting an ECG for over a year because I believed that when I got it done, I would be able to control my anxiety.

I got it done, it came back fine. My anxiety moved onto something else.

IBS is common with anxiety. I suffer stomach and bowel problems on a daily basis due to it and there are days where I honestly feel like i'm dying. But if it was anything serious, I wouldn't be here right now.

You'll be fine. If you must get the colonoscopy done then just wait for it on the NHS, don't put yourself in financial jeopardy for short term reassurance. The specialists don't believe there's any need for it, so don't do it. I would recommend you try and deal with the underlying anxiety more than anything. Be it medication or therapy.

Good luck.

[anom]

Thanks

Addressing the anxiety may well be the way forward your right

I've had some vague sort of social anxiety throughout my 20's and during my teenage years I had some similar health anxiety issues to what I'm experiencing now (dodgy heart palps and my kidneys wasn't working properly - was peeing blood) but this is certainly the worst HA I've ever had. Your right with the consultant, they don't seem as ..wishy washy as my GP..its either lets get you in and sorted..or your fine.

It would be nice to have an answer to my bowel problem but yeah I'm fully aware theres a very good chance it will come back with "theres absolutely nothing to see"..which leaves with a lot of questions as to why I'm feeling like I am.