Dealing with Chronic Stomach Issues and Panic Attacks
Content Warning: Discussion of self-harm Greetings, I'm a 27-year-old male, and I’m reaching out in hopes of finding some understanding or guidance. I’ll share quite a bit about my situation, as it’s complex and has left me feeling quite desperate. For the past decade, I have been struggling with persistent discomfort in my abdomen. The sensation isn’t exactly pain, but it manifests as cramps, tingling, and bloating. It primarily occurs below my ribcage on the right and middle areas of my stomach. This feeling intensifies significantly when pressure is applied, becoming more pronounced at times, and often triggers panic attacks. Historically, doctors have dismissed my symptoms as psychogenic, attributing them to anxiety. However, I’ve recently begun to wonder if there might actually be a physical condition at play since I can distinctly pinpoint the area of discomfort and it reacts to pressure. These symptoms seem to correlate with my diet and my stress levels but can also occur unexpectedly. Unfortunately, medications for stomach issues and diazepam have had no effect. Initially, I feel gassy, which transitions into bloating, and eventually culminates in cramps along with a combination of these sensations. This also leads to episodes of vomiting and frequent bowel movements, where the expelled matter resembles a foamy substance—quite unpleasant, to say the least. The intensity of these feelings is so overwhelming that it often results in anxiety attacks. In my attempts to cope, I’ve developed a worrying habit of self-harm, finding that physical pain offers me a temporary distraction from the relentless abdominal discomfort. I’ve harmed my hands, breaking knuckles and fingers from punching walls. This ongoing battle impacts many aspects of my life, both personally and professionally. I’ve become unable to eat outside my own home due to the fear of triggering a panic attack. This has led to instability in my job, as I frequently miss work when the cramps and anxiety strike. Just thinking about food can set it off, leading me to avoid eating or drinking during the day altogether. Although this results in dehydration and fatigue, it spares me from the panic attacks. I recognize that this is a significant amount to share, but I’ve kept this to myself for far too long without finding a constructive way to address it. I welcome any advice or thoughts you may have, and I appreciate you taking the time to read my post. Thank you.
Answers (1)
8/14/2025, 10:02:17 AM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your experience; it sounds truly challenging and distressing. Your symptoms, including the abdominal discomfort and panic attacks, seem to be deeply interconnected. It's commendable that you're seeking support and understanding in addressing these issues.
Main Points:
- Persistent abdominal discomfort and panic attacks may have both physical and psychological components.
- It's crucial to explore dietary and stress-related triggers while implementing immediate self-care strategies.
- Consider alternative coping mechanisms to self-harm for managing anxiety and discomfort.
Explanation
Your symptoms suggest a complex interplay between physical sensations and anxiety. It's possible that conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), food intolerances, or even stress-related gastrointestinal issues could be contributing. Given that medical interventions so far have been ineffective, further exploration of your symptoms might be necessary.
Your mention of self-harm raises significant concern. While it may provide temporary relief, it's important to recognize that this isn't a healthy coping mechanism. Finding replacement strategies is essential as you navigate this distress.
Next Steps
-
Keep a Symptom Diary: Track your symptoms alongside your food intake, stress levels, and any emotional triggers. This can help identify patterns and potential dietary triggers.
-
Dietary Considerations: Pay attention to foods that exacerbate your symptoms, such as high-fat, spicy, or sugary foods. Consider a gradual elimination diet to find what works best for you. Fiber-rich foods, small meals, and avoiding carbonated drinks may help reduce bloating.
-
Self-Care Techniques: Incorporate stress-reduction practices like deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or gentle yoga. These can help manage anxiety and potentially ease your physical symptoms.
-
Professional Support: While self-help strategies are critical, I encourage you to connect with a mental health professional who can provide strategies for coping with anxiety and explore healthier ways to manage distress. Therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be particularly effective.
-
Hydration: As you're avoiding eating and drinking, make sure to prioritize hydration. Sipping water throughout the day can help alleviate dehydration while avoiding large meals that may trigger discomfort.
-
Explore Alternative Treatments: Consider discussing other treatment options with a healthcare provider, such as a nutritionist or gastroenterologist, who may offer alternative remedies or therapies tailored to your experiences.
Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Seeking support from professionals can significantly improve your quality of life and help you find effective ways to manage both your physical and emotional health. If you need further guidance, please feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.
Seeking Insights: My Journey with Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms
Hello everyone, I'm a 34-year-old female grappling with neurological symptoms that first appeared in October, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have faced similar challenges. My journey began with unexpected migraines, blurred vision, and an ongoing sensation of being off-balance or intoxicated. Gradually, I began experiencing mainly sensory-related symptoms, such as tingling and burning sensations, feelings of extreme heat and cold, sharp pains radiating in my arms and back, as well as discomfort in my hands and toes, alongside intermittent numbness. I also endure varying degrees of weakness and heaviness in my right side, specifically my arm and leg, although I haven’t suffered complete functional loss. The nature of my symptoms is erratic; they fluctuate rather than consistently deteriorate. An MRI revealed mild, scattered lesions in the white matter, which were deemed nonspecific. Further tests from a lumbar puncture returned normal results, showing no markers of inflammation, and the oligoclonal bands were not present. A thorough range of lab tests yielded no significant findings. After evaluating my case, the neurology team suggested a possible diagnosis of MS and administered a three-day course of intravenous steroids. While I noticed a slight improvement in some sensory pain, my symptoms persist and continue to vary day by day. I still experience headaches and pressure in my head along with episodes of blurred vision, but there have been no new deficits since treatment. I am reaching out to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I would like to learn about the insights or diagnoses you encountered and what treatments proved beneficial (such as those related to migraine disorders, dysautonomia, or sensory neuropathy, for example). If you have navigated a similar path, I would greatly appreciate your sharing your story. Thank you!
Unusual Heart Sensation
I’m an 18-year-old, weighing 50 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters (and yes, I’m aware that I’m quite slender). For the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit of smoking about half a pack of cigarettes each day. So, the other day I was lying on my left side, relaxing, when I stumbled upon an unusual sensation. It felt as though my heart was pulsating so intensely that it was almost outside my body. Out of curiosity, I pressed a bit on the area and was instantly hit with a rush; my head started to tingle, my vision momentarily blurred, and it felt as though my heart dropped. It was as if my entire system had malfunctioned. Just for context, I’ve experienced something similar before after a ketamine overdose, and it persisted for about a month afterward, occurring occasionally while trying to sleep or during random moments in bed. This current episode has me quite anxious, especially since it hasn’t happened in a while, but this time felt particularly alarming.
Experiencing Heart Palpitations Following Chest Impact
I'm a 17-year-old female who has struggled with tachycardia for several years, having been diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) about five years ago, although I haven't pursued further testing because I haven't completely lost consciousness. Recently, over the past month or two, I've started to experience sensations of my heart skipping beats, accompanied by difficulty in breathing during these episodes. These occurrences have become significantly more frequent, even when I'm at rest. Five years ago, I underwent a Holter monitor test, which indicated primarily tachycardia with occasional premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), but nothing alarming was found. In early December, I was struck hard in the chest by an elbow while in a mosh pit, which resulted in some pain when taking deep breaths for a few days. My sternum became bruised and slightly swollen, and it remained tender to touch for about two weeks, but this discomfort was manageable. I still feel some soreness when stretching, although it’s not severe. Additionally, I have diagnoses of Crohn’s disease and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HEDS), and I am currently on immunosuppressants. Given these circumstances, would it be advisable for me to seek medical evaluation, or could these symptoms be considered typical?