Is There a Deeper Issue?
I’m a 27-year-old woman, standing at 5 feet 3 inches and weighing 159 pounds. Unfortunately, I struggle with significant health anxiety which makes it difficult for me to visit a doctor. To provide some context, in 2024, I was prescribed Ozempic for about two months, resulting in a weight drop from 177 to 153 between April and January. However, my experience with Ozempic was far from pleasant; during the first three days, I felt as if I were suffering from a hangover, frequently vomiting and unable to keep food down, often bringing up a yellowish-green liquid that I suspect was bile. Once I ceased taking Ozempic, all those symptoms promptly vanished. Additionally, I was discontinuing birth control around June as my partner and I planned to conceive our second child, leaving my hormones in disarray and even leading to periods of depression. By November, I began experiencing some abdominal discomfort, but all lab tests returned normal. Given my profession in radiology, I took the initiative to ask a tech for an ultrasound, which yielded normal results, though a radiologist didn’t interpret it. A few technicians performed additional scans to help ease my anxiety from late 2024 into early 2025. Despite becoming pregnant, the pain lingered intermittently; it seemed to intensify with anxiety or after consuming cold cuts. Throughout my life, I've never had a regular bowel pattern. Since this all began, there have been days when I go twice and others when it's two or more days between visits. My stools don't typically form into bulky shapes; they're neither pencil-thin nor diarrheal. Just yesterday, I started taking psyllium, and today I noticed a more substantial stool. Throughout my pregnancy, I also dealt with persistent middle back pain, which has remained. The abdominal pain tends to be centered on my right side, mirroring my back discomfort. Naturally, my mind races to the worst-case scenarios, and I find myself dreading the thought of requesting a colonoscopy. The thought genuinely terrifies me.
Answers (1)
2/6/2026, 1:40:38 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel overwhelmed given your history of health anxiety and the various symptoms you're experiencing. The abdominal discomfort, irregular bowel patterns, and anxiety can indeed be distressing, especially with your background in radiology, which might lead you to dwell on the worst possibilities. Let's break this down into manageable parts.
Summary of Main Points:
You have a history of health anxiety, weight fluctuations, abdominal discomfort, irregular bowel patterns, and persistent back pain. You are apprehensive about further medical evaluations due to anxiety, especially concerning the possibility of a colonoscopy.
Explanation:
Given your symptoms and history, it’s important to address both the physical and psychological aspects:
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Abdominal Discomfort: Your pain, especially on the right side, could be related to various benign causes such as gastrointestinal issues or stress. It's also worth noting that anxiety can exacerbate physical symptoms.
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Irregular Bowel Patterns: The fact that you're noticing changes in bowel movements and recently started psyllium to help with stool formation is a positive step. Dietary changes and fluid intake can significantly impact bowel health.
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Persistent Back Pain: This could stem from many factors, including muscle tension related to anxiety or physical changes from pregnancy.
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Health Anxiety: It’s completely valid to feel anxious about potential health issues, especially when faced with discomfort and a medical background.
Next Steps:
Here are some tailored, prioritized actions you can take to manage your symptoms and anxiety:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a daily diary of your symptoms, noting what you eat, bowel movements, and any pain intensity. This can help identify patterns and triggers.
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Diet Adjustments: Continue with psyllium and focus on a balanced diet rich in fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and adequate hydration to promote regular bowel movements.
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Stress Management: Incorporate techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle exercises like yoga, which can help alleviate anxiety and physical tension.
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Gradual Medical Engagement: If the thought of a colonoscopy is too distressing, consider discussing your feelings with a supportive healthcare professional. You might start with less invasive options, such as a consultation or a different type of imaging, to ease your mind without jumping directly to a colonoscopy.
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Support Systems: Engaging with a therapist or support group focused on health anxiety can provide tools to cope with your fears and help you communicate your physical symptoms more effectively.
It's perfectly normal to be hesitant about seeking medical help given your anxiety, but taking small, manageable steps can empower you to focus on improving your health. Please remember that you're not alone in feeling this way, and there are ways to address both your physical symptoms and your anxiety. Would you like more specific guidance on any of these steps?
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