Anxiety and stomach/bowel issues

[Roxy2012]

Hey guys! I’m wondering if anyone else is affected by this. I’m having on going lymph node issues which I’m seeing an ENT for. My worries started in late sept of last year and it has been the worse HA episode I’ve ever endured. About 2-3 weeks into the fear my bowel movements went nuts (tmi) and they haven’t really been normal since.

The issues
Light brown yellowish in color 95% of the time
Softer than normal but not loose?
Feeling like there is still some left after
Going more than usual
Stomach pain here and there
Upper left rib pain here and there

My diet has also been awful since the episode
Started, mainly eating out and lots of sugary coffee.

Before I get worried I have PC or some sort of cancer, I’m trying to change the diet issues.

I haven’t been to a doctor for these issues bc I’m so in debt with bills from my on going lymph issues. I also know anxiety could be cause of these problems. Btw I’m 27.

Thanks in advance!

 

[FinneousRex]

If you have seen me active in any other posts, I have talked about all of my upper and lower digestive issues I’ve had forever. I feel sick every day because of it. It doesn’t really frighten me anymore because if it were a serious cancer, I’d be very dead by now. Literally. In the cold, cold ground.

If you want to chat more about it, feel free to message me directly!

 

[Trikay12113]

IBS can cause a lot of stomach and digestive issues like you mentioned. Most of the time the color of your stool is because of something you ate or eat a lot of and less likely to actually be caused by something serious. I have a lot of your symptoms as well and I have been told it’s IBS caused by the anxiety. It sucks, I totally understand. I don’t have a good diet either, I attend to eat junk and stuff that isn’t good for you and drink pop, slurpees, coffee a lot which doesn’t help.

 

[FinneousRex]

IBS can cause a lot of stomach and digestive issues like you mentioned. Most of the time the color of your stool is because of something you ate or eat a lot of and less likely to actually be caused by something serious. I have a lot of your symptoms as well and I have been told it’s IBS caused by the anxiety. It sucks, I totally understand. I don’t have a good diet either, I attend to eat junk and stuff that isn’t good for you and drink pop, slurpees, coffee a lot which doesn’t help.

I agree with this. I have IBS as well as stomach ulcers, so I have the upper and lower pains. With IBS, I can have the tiniest jolt of anxiety and IMMEDIATELY like within seconds I feel my lower digestive system starting to cramp and hurt. It’s such a horrible way to live. I want to move out in the woods where no one in the world can make me anxious anymore so I can stop dealing with this stuff lol

 

[TruthHurts]

My diet has also been awful since the episode
Started, mainly eating out and lots of sugary coffee.

Before I get worried I have PC or some sort of cancer, I’m trying to change the diet issues.



Thanks in advance!

The body is like a machine in a lot of ways. If you want it to keep running right and get the most out of it, you have to keep up the maintenance on it. You put junk into the body you'll get junk out of the body. I believe when you do change your diet you'll see a difference and notice a difference in the way that you feel as well. Eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, oatmeal, nuts, legumes, low fat/ low sugar yogurt and that'll be a huge jump start to living your best life

 

[Souris]

Our digestive system is sometimes called the second brain, because it's so tied to our emotional state and our nerves. Anxiety can have a huge effect on our digestion. HUGE. Add in a not-great diet, and that makes it even worse.

 

[Roxy2012]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am going to try to eat better, drink more water and calm my anxious mind hopefully I will see a improvement in my stomach/bowel issues. Otherwise I guess off to the doctor i'll go.

 

[TruthHurts]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am going to try to eat better, drink more water and calm my anxious mind hopefully I will see a improvement in my stomach/bowel issues. Otherwise I guess off to the doctor i'll go.

You can try supplements as well I think the ginger supplement is great and it's pretty inexpensive I get Spring Valley Ginger Root capsules 550 mg at Walmart. Ginger benefits digestive health. Ginger Can Treat Many Forms of Nausea, Especially Morning Sickness. Ginger May Reduce Muscle Pain and Soreness. The Anti-Inflammatory Effects Can Help With Osteoarthritis.

 

[michaeld]

I have been experiencing more or less the same issues as you.

I have two swollen lymph nodes in my neck. I’ve seen a doctor about it and she’s not worried about them at all and says to just leave them alone. If you do a quick search on this forum, you’ll find that a lot of people have them semi permanent so it’s probably nothing

I have also had the loose, yellowish stools. These are a TYPICAL anxiety issue and really nothing to worry about.

The key here is to treat your anxiety and you’ll see your symptoms disappear in no time.

 

[gadamsgrega2]

Yea I too get these "pencil thin"stools when I have an episode... What comes along with it usually is gas, constant need to urinate, nausea... So many things can set it off. BUT... I will say... when I eat a proper diet it's usually much more calm... and when I say proper I mean foods such as -
skinless chicken
unsalted almonds
fingerling potatoes
sushi (no soy sauce)
ground turkey meat
greek yogurt
provolone cheese
eggs
and many others on the list...

Foods I avoid now unless I want the issues you bring up are-
-bacon
-high sugary foods
- cereals
- deep fried foods
- fast food chains
- french fries
-pizzas
- garlicy foods
- heavy cream pasta
- ice creams
- candy
- cakes/mud pies

Hope that helps a bit... I can feel your pain though and know EXACTLY what you are talking about with the IBS, stomach issues... you aren't alone!

 

[Izthewiz]

I think a lot this has to do with anxiety.
As I've read when we are having high anxiety it causes our breathing to go into overdrive and more blood flow is going to the lungs and heart and pulling away from other organs.
Also I've experienced this first hand and gas would follow.

 

[Roxy2012]

Thank you everyone for the replies! I’m working on my diet so far no changes besides when I took some Imodium and the stool turned more brown, idk if it was coincidence. I am so fed up with my health worries.