Experiencing Intense Physical Anxiety and Gut Discomfort: Which Specialist to Consult?
Hello everyone, I’m currently 23 years old and grappling with some troubling physical sensations that are proving challenging to articulate. Since my teenage years, I’ve battled anxiety; however, in recent months, I’ve encountered severe physical episodes that predominantly affect my stomach and intestinal region. These episodes strike suddenly and are overwhelmingly intense. During these occurrences, I experience: - Significant discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen - An urgent need for a bowel movement - A deep sense of panic or the feeling that something is seriously wrong - Waves of heat, bodily tension, and a sense of losing control The level of distress can be so severe that it leads my thoughts to very dark places—not from a desire for harm, but due to the extreme physical agony I endure. Sometimes, I find some relief post-bowel movement, although it doesn’t always happen right away. I would appreciate any advice on what type of medical professional I should approach for this issue.
Answers (1)
2/4/2026, 2:30:36 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're facing a very challenging combination of physical and emotional distress, which can be quite overwhelming. It’s important to address both the gut discomfort and the anxiety you're experiencing.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms suggest a potential link between gastrointestinal issues and anxiety.
- Consulting a gastroenterologist and a mental health professional would be beneficial.
Explanation: The discomfort you're feeling in your upper abdomen, the urgent need for bowel movements, and your panic symptoms may indicate a condition such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is often related to anxiety and stress. These physical symptoms can certainly contribute to heightened anxiety and fear, creating a distressing cycle. It’s important to address both the physical symptoms and the underlying anxiety.
Next Steps:
-
Gastroenterologist Referral: Start by consulting a gastroenterologist. They can help evaluate your digestive symptoms through tests and possibly recommend dietary changes or medications that can alleviate your gut discomfort.
-
Mental Health Professional: Simultaneously, consider reaching out to a therapist or psychiatrist specializing in anxiety. Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can provide valuable tools for managing anxiety and its physical manifestations.
-
Self-Care Strategies: While you seek professional help, consider some immediate self-care techniques:
- Deep Breathing: Practice deep breathing exercises when you feel panic rising. This can help ground you and soothe your nervous system.
- Mindfulness Techniques: Engage in mindfulness or meditation practices to help reduce anxiety and improve your overall sense of control.
- Dietary Adjustments: Pay attention to your eating habits. Sometimes, certain foods can trigger gastrointestinal distress. Keeping a food diary may help identify any triggers.
-
Support System: Talk to someone you trust about your experiences. Emotional support is vital as you navigate these difficult feelings and sensations.
If at any point you feel overwhelmed or experience significant distress, please seek immediate help. You're not alone in this, and support is available. Let me know if you would like more information on any of these areas.
Related Questions
Experiencing Severe Burning and Redness After Taking Antibiotics
I am a 26-year-old female. After ingesting an antibiotic, I noticed a severe burning sensation on my neck only two hours later. About an hour ago, I took Benadryl, yet my condition seems to worsen as I now have developed hives. I am uncertain about the next steps to take in response to this reaction.
Overcoming Anxiety Linked to Allergic Reactions
I am a 31-year-old woman who has experienced significant anxiety over the past year. This began after I had an unexpected skin rash response to clindamycin, which has since left me fearful of potentially suffering severe allergic reactions to foods or medications, despite never having had such experiences. Now, whenever I eat or take medication, even familiar ones that I’ve consumed multiple times, I face panic attacks that feel akin to allergic reactions. Currently, I am prescribed Zepbound for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and, although I have taken it 13 times without any allergic issues, I still find myself undergoing panic attacks frequently after each injection. For a brief period, I felt a gradual improvement, but I have recently found myself slipping back into anxiety. After injecting, I often experience a sudden wave of dizziness, followed by a racing heartbeat and tingling sensations in my throat and mouth. Thankfully, these symptoms subside after approximately five minutes, allowing me to regain my composure. I have been attending therapy for six months in an effort to manage this anxiety, but I continue to find it difficult to escape this mental loop. Each week, my thoughts trick me into believing that a panic attack was actually an allergic reaction, which causes me to fear that the next episode will be even more severe. I’m reaching out for guidance because I’m unsure of the best steps to take next.
Knee Injury Update from MMA Training
**I sustained an injury to my right knee during my MMA training, specifically while grappling. My leg ended up in an extended position, and as I turned awkwardly, I heard several pops, akin to stretching, felt in the front left side and directly behind my knee on the right.** **The pain shocked me, yet I managed to flex my leg fully, albeit cautiously, allowing me to sit back onto my heels.** **For about a week, I experienced a limp, but soon after, I regained normal walking and noticed a swift improvement. There was only slight swelling around the kneecap, and thankfully, I did not observe any bruising.** **Now, I'm able to walk at a good pace and have resumed hitting pads, focusing only on punches for now. I can execute full twists and knee rotations with power, though I've noticed only mild discomfort in certain positions. While I can still bounce around in my stance, my movements aren’t as vigorous as they were before the injury.** **Involuntary twists or locking my leg straight while tensing my muscles seem to aggravate the situation. Despite this, I sometimes feel almost completely normal, to the point where I forget about the injury. I attempted to kick with my left leg while anchoring with that same leg, but I’ve found that this method often leads to my knee buckling. During those moments, I experience a brief shooting pain, which feels more unsettling than anything else, almost as if my knee bulges momentarily. In one instance, while light sparring, I took a deep step and received a soft punch to the face that caused my weight to shift, resulting in sharp pain radiating from behind my right knee down to my calf.** **Besides the occasional buckling and sudden pain, I can navigate stairs quickly, walk without issues, and even tackle a stair stepper at full resistance. As previously mentioned, I can strike on the pads with maximum strength and speed, but I’m currently avoiding any kicking or grappling. I haven’t tested running because I’m apprehensive about what could happen at that pace.** **I apologize for the lengthy account! I'm seeking advice since this injury occurred on New Year’s Day. Currently, I cannot afford health insurance after losing my ACA tax credits this year, limiting my options for a professional assessment. Any insights would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!**
Experiencing Unpredictable Migraine and Flu-like Symptoms?
I apologize if this is not the correct forum for my query, but I’m feeling uncertain about where else to turn. I've reached out to my physician already, but I can't proceed until I can visit the office. Let me do my best to explain my situation: I awoke on Sunday morning feeling extremely dizzy and had a mild headache. The dizziness diminished fairly quickly, although it returned if I made sudden movements while standing or sitting. By Monday, my condition showed improvement until I began my workday, at which point I was hit with a severe headache accompanied by some lightheadedness. Although this feeling lessened a bit after I got home and eventually became almost unnoticeable, it resurfaced today. Although today’s headache is not as severe, the lightheadedness has intensified; I’ve even experienced moments of fear that I might faint. This feeling is intermittent, mainly occurring during strenuous activities or if I make quick bending motions. Additionally, I feel quite fatigued, almost reminiscent of a nasty flu. I want to mention that I’m on a different shift today, which is not only later than my usual hours but also more physically demanding, so it could be contributing to these symptoms. Apart from this, I haven’t faced any other notable issues; there have been no seizures or cognitive disturbances. I do have a slight sore throat, but I don’t think it’s connected to the other symptoms. My appetite and hydration levels remain stable, and I didn't have a fever as of last night. In the past three days, I've vomited twice, but I've induced it myself after feeling nauseous post-meal, following a friend's suggestion to try purging for relief. I'm undergoing male-to-female hormone therapy for about three years, and I’ve been on anti-epileptic medications, specifically Keppra and Lamictal, for the past ten years. I’m not looking for a definitive diagnosis, but I would appreciate some insight into whether my situation is serious or not. My online searches yield everything from "bad migraine" to "potential brain cancer," leaving me confused about what could be the issue. I would greatly value any general perspective on this.
Seeking Insight on Numb Toes and Hormonal Concerns
**Summary**: After consulting numerous specialists, I remain uncertain about the cause of my various unrelated health issues. Recently, I’ve experienced persistent numbness in my toes, a condition that came to light during a dental visit where a doctor suggested possible hormonal problems, a concern I’ve harbored for years. I am a 26-year-old Caucasian female, a non-smoker who rarely consumes alcohol. My medical history includes diagnoses of pelvic floor dysfunction, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (type associated with hypermobility, not vascular, confirmed via genetic tests), a TIRADS 4 thyroid nodule, and a BIRADS 3 benign breast mass. I've also been assessed for potential Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and diagnosed with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction through an echocardiogram. Additionally, I have had a history of skin precancer under observation for potential melanoma and previous cervical precancer. I’ve struggled with fluctuating blood sugar levels and previously had low TSH readings. Weighing in at 155 lbs and standing 5'10", I'm quite active in my job. Recently, Florida has experienced a cold spell, and for the past week, I’ve noticed numbness in all of my toes, excluding my big toe. While I have faced similar issues in the past, they were never as severe or long-lasting, and they typically subsided with warmth. This time, however, applying heat hasn’t yielded results; I even struggled to feel the warmth from a hair dryer, which prompted me to stop using it to prevent burns. I’m increasingly anxious about this numbness due to a family history of diabetes. During my dental appointment, it was noted that my gums were unusually inflamed despite maintaining excellent oral hygiene. The dentist suggested that this could be either hereditary or influenced by hormonal fluctuations. The mention of hormonal concerns caught my attention because I’ve suspected for approximately a year that I might have adrenal dysfunction. I’ve inexplicably gained 35 lbs since early 2024 even though my job involves considerable physical activity. Additionally, my thyroid nodule has been growing at an alarming rate, and I have developed a breast mass. Hormonal acne and significant hair loss have necessitated medical treatment as well. I was due for an ultrasound of my left lower and mid back, but due to an administrative error on my doctor’s part and subsequent changes to my insurance, that has yet to occur. Similarly, I was meant to have thyroid function tests re-ordered but could not proceed prior to the year's end. At a brain MRI earlier in 2024, it was noted that I had an enlarged pituitary gland. A test for prolactin showed it was within normal limits, leading my endocrinologist to dismiss my worries. Initially, I thought my symptoms might be linked to Raynaud's phenomenon, a conjecture provided by a rheumatologist years ago. However, during the episodes, my toes appear just as pale as my skin, which complicates that theory. With a multitude of medical appointments ahead, I’m unsure of my priorities. I believe this might connect to issues related to my cardiovascular health, but there's also a potential link to hormonal factors. From 2020 to mid-2021, I underwent drastic weight changes, initially ballooning from 125 lbs to 180 lbs in just six months, which I attributed to inactivity. However, by 2022, I managed to decrease my weight to 130 lbs effortlessly, resulting in a colonoscopy that returned clear results, apart from a small, inconsequential polyp. Now, I am once again experiencing weight gain without any lifestyle modifications. This cascade of health problems raises concerns about cyclical Cushing's syndrome, diabetes, or issues related to my adrenal, pituitary, or thyroid functions. Over the years, I've developed severe cravings for salt, persistent sleep disturbances, TMJ, chronic tonsillitis, and ongoing pain in my neck, back, knees, and hips. I have also faced episodes of trigeminal neuralgia, which I initially attributed to dental issues, but dental examination showed no signs of infection. Amidst all these concerns, it's noteworthy that I suffered recurrent infections from Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus in a post-surgical wound, requiring a near three-day IV antibiotic treatment last year. Despite having Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnosed, no other medical professional has provided substantial answers. My health has spiraled, leading to over 300 medical appointments since early 2024, compared to my previous norm of visiting my primary care doctor once every few years for recurrent strep throat symptoms. In 2024, my A1C levels were deemed normal; however, during a hospital admission, an elevated blood sugar reading was recorded, which puzzled me as I hadn't eaten prior to that visit. A glucose monitor offered by my mother confirmed normal readings subsequently, leading me to set the issue aside. Currently, my to-do list includes: 1. Scheduling a cardiac stress test; 2. Arranging thyroid lab work, ultrasound, and a visit with a new endocrinologist; 3. Preparing for repeat excision surgery for two skin lesions; 4. Undergoing a breast ultrasound, pelvic ultrasound, and an annual Pap smear to ensure no recurrence of cervical precancer; 5. Planning a sleep study to investigate suspected narcolepsy; 6. Attending pelvic floor therapy, along with separate physical therapy sessions for my neck and back; 7. Completing a psychiatric evaluation to determine potential psychological contributors to my symptoms; 8. Consulting a maxillofacial surgeon regarding my jaw issues that cause recurrent dislocations. There might be additional concerns, but these represent my most urgent medical challenges over the last six to eight months. I’m overwhelmed by my deteriorating health and have attempted several solutions, including dietary adjustments, ensuring adequate sleep—often exceeding eight hours (leading to excessive sleepiness)—a rigorous dental care routine, and hormone replacement therapy. Nevertheless, my situation appears to be deteriorating, and my symptoms of numbness in my toes continue to disrupt my daily life, adding to my frequent urination, initially believed to be related to pelvic floor dysfunction, although I’ve managed that to a certain extent. If anyone can offer insight into what could be causing these issues for an otherwise healthy 26-year-old, I would greatly appreciate it. I have consulted various specialties, including rheumatology, cardiology, endocrinology, neurology, psychology, psychiatry, genetics, gastroenterology, urology, gynecology, and dermatology and feel increasingly at my wit's end. Moreover, my gynecologist has suggested that I undergo comprehensive hormone panels after discontinuing contraceptive pills for three months. However, upon trying this, I faced a rapid resurgence of pelvic floor dysfunction and urinary discomfort, indicating that such issues likely stem from hormonal disturbances. To prevent medical leave and additional therapy requirements, I had to return to birth control methods. I often feel like I’m living with a disability. All I desire is the vitality and normal functionality typical of individuals my age, without the perpetual cycle of doctor's appointments. It's quite frustrating!