OpenHealth Q&A

Sudden Health Woes: Seeking Insights

I should start by mentioning that I'm not very familiar with Reddit—this was posted on r/medical previously, but I didn’t receive the engagement I was hoping for. I’m sharing this out of desperation since my online research hasn’t led to any useful information, and I can’t afford a visit to the doctor unless absolutely necessary. To give some background, I’m quite petite, standing at 5'3" and typically weighing under 100 lbs at 18 years old. My highest weight has been around 107 lbs, but that was years ago. I’ve struggled to gain weight despite trying, and just to clarify, I am definitely not pregnant and there’s no chance of that happening. Throughout my life, I've encountered a myriad of health issues. I’ve had instances of fainting (often linked to heat or skipping meals, though I’ve improved at managing these), high anxiety levels, and a wonky digestive system that rarely functions normally for more than three days at a stretch. From around 14 to 16 years old, particularly in my freshman year (2020), I started experiencing uncontrollable shivering and mild nausea upon waking. It would take about half an hour for the shaking to subside, regardless of whether I got up or moved around, and I would feel fine for the rest of the day. Initially, I attributed these episodes to stress from schooling or unrest at home, although they have continued sporadically, often correlating with my gut health issues. Now to the present situation—over the past three days, my digestive health has sharply declined. I’ve been getting up exceptionally early and battling nausea to the point of almost vomiting; it has progressively worsened each day. I’ve been through enough discomfort in the past, but this particular episode has raised my concern. I can’t pinpoint anything specific I’ve consumed that could have caused this, and no one else in my household is experiencing similar symptoms. Last night, I attempted to fall asleep hoping the uneasy feeling in my stomach would subside, but I woke abruptly around 6 am (normally, I wake around 7 or 8) and had to keep a bucket nearby due to persistent nausea that was neither escalating to vomiting nor diminishing. I found myself spending a significant part of the morning in the bathroom until the discomfort finally eased. I felt drained afterward but still managed to eat something. During dinner, I noticed I became full exceptionally quickly. I prepared a small portion but barely managed to eat half. Once again, I sought sleep in hopes of alleviating my discomfort. However, less than forty minutes later, I jolted awake in a panic, as my body seemed to be on autopilot. I was intensely nauseous, fearful that any movement might trigger vomiting, and I battled dizziness that felt peculiar—almost as if my brain was out of sync. It was intense yet lasted less than a minute, although it felt much longer at the time. Checking my phone, I discerned that I had only been asleep for about an hour, which is unusual for me; I’m accustomed to waking up a bit early in the mornings, not shortly after dozing off. I retrieved my bucket, visited the restroom (my urine was normal, indicating I’m likely not dehydrated), and managed to lie back down. Soon after, I began trembling again and felt the need for constant yawning. My body is warm, though I’m unsure if I have a fever since I feel quite alert. As of now, I’m feeling more stable. Online resources typically suggest checking for issues like blood pressure, dehydration, or ear infections. I suspect it could be connected to blood pressure, especially since we have suspected diabetes within my family. I did get blood work done a few weeks ago and await the results. (I’m also considering the possibility of IBS-D.) Often, I come across advice to modify one’s diet or limit caffeine intake, but this is difficult for me financially. I have reduced my caffeine consumption and have done without my usual coffee for several days to see if it makes a difference, but the situation seems to be worsening rather than improving. Does anyone have insights or suggestions on what might be going on? (Updates will come in the following days if my condition changes or if I find myself feeling better about what might turn out to be a minor issue.) **Edit #1**: I managed to fall back asleep and woke up at five again, trembling uncontrollably with slight nausea. My neck felt unusually warm, but everything else seemed okay. **Edit #2**: I've noticed that larger meals tend to provoke nausea too; I'm now eating smaller portions more frequently. **Edit #3**: It's been about a day since the last update, and I’m still unable to eat full meals. I’ve been keeping hydrated since we spent the day outdoors in the sun. After returning home, I managed to eat a few fries and a chicken tender before experiencing gut pain again. My body cleared itself out over the course of about forty minutes. (Note: Although this post is presently written, the events described occurred three or four days ago. I haven’t experienced severe nausea since, but am still contending with digestive issues and eating difficulties.)

Answers (1)

7/26/2025, 2:02:10 AM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you're going through a difficult time with your health, and I'm here to help. What you're experiencing—persistent nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, and challenges with eating—can be quite distressing. Let's break down your situation and identify some next steps.

Main Points

1. Ongoing digestive issues: Your symptoms could relate to a range of digestive conditions, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or food intolerances.

2. Possible anxiety link: There seems to be a connection between your anxiety levels and physical symptoms, which can complicate your digestive health.

3. Need for monitoring: It's essential to keep track of your symptoms to identify patterns or triggers.

Explanation

Your history of digestive problems, along with symptoms like nausea and loss of appetite, suggests that your body might be reacting to certain foods, stressors, or even fluctuations in your digestive health overall. Given your petite frame and concerns about weight, it's important to ensure you maintain adequate nutrition, even if it's challenging right now.

Your mention of feeling faint, trembling, and experiencing dizziness could also be linked to your ongoing anxiety or fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Stress can exacerbate digestive issues and may also lead to more pronounced physical symptoms.

Next Steps

1. Keep a symptom diary: Track what you eat, when symptoms occur, and any emotional stressors. This can help you identify patterns or foods that may be triggering your nausea and pain.

2. Try small, frequent meals: Since you noted that larger meals worsen your symptoms, aim for smaller portions of easy-to-digest foods. Foods such as bananas, rice, toast, and plain chicken can be gentle on your stomach.

3. Stay hydrated: Continue to drink fluids, especially water. If plain water is unappealing, consider herbal teas or clear broths.

4. Identify triggers: If specific foods or drinks (including caffeine) seem to worsen your symptoms, try to avoid them for a period and see if there’s an improvement.

5. Practice relaxation techniques: Since anxiety might impact your physical health, try mindfulness, breathing exercises, or gentle yoga to help reduce stress.

6. Monitor your overall health: Watch for any new worrisome symptoms like severe pain, high temperatures, or signs of dehydration. If symptoms worsen or don't improve, consider reaching out for medical advice when you can.

7. Follow up on blood work: When you receive the results, review them closely to understand any potential underlying issues, especially regarding blood sugar levels or signs of inflammation.

Taking these steps may provide some relief and greater clarity on your symptoms. Please keep me posted on your progress, and if your condition continues to be concerning or worsens, do seek guidance from a healthcare professional as soon as you are able. You're doing your best in a tough situation, and it’s important to be kind to yourself through this process.