General Medical Question - Non Urgent - Telling the difference between physical and psychosomatic symptoms

[Heidi Tiger]

Hi,

Basically I've not been feeling very well lately. It started on monday when I came over all shaky and wobbly and panicky in a lecture. Which is something I would normally just assume was a panic attack, however this one was different in that I felt really nauseous along with the panic and then vomited once I had left the lecture. I had an appointment later in the day and was quite upset about the panic attack so just felt so tired.

I spent most of yesterday just taking it easy, trying to relax and reboot my energy. However last night I had a horrifically upset stomach. This is probably TMI but I felt like I was going to pass out and it physically hurt.

This morning I'm also feeling shaky and nauseous and have a bit of an upset stomach.

I've been trying remedies such as crystallised ginger and peppermint tea. My question is, is it safe to assume this is all psychological, because although I do suffer from anxiety I've never been this physically unwell from it? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to combat the nausea, because I've a lecture later and I really need to go to it and not be ill, partly because I can't affort to miss the info, but also because if this is all in my head it's important to get in there so it doesn't become a bigger deal and harder to do in future.

Any advice much appreciated.

Heidi
xxx

[Bitter_Angel]

hmm that is a dificult one. I dont think there is anyway you can detremine where the symptoms are comming from. Do you have medication for your anxiety? Maybe try using them first an if it dosnt improve in a set amount of time assume its something physical. You can also buy travel sickness tablets from the chemist which have a small amount of anti sickness medication in them whihc you could try. Maybe try eating small meals as well so there not heavy in your stomach.

Physical stomach problems are more often than not also associated with loose stools so maybe this is an area you can also keep an eye on as an indicator of potential problems.

[falling tears]

hey, i dont think it is all 'in your head' and this sounds quite similar to some symptoms I have from anxiety. It also sounds a bit like IBS (irratable bowel syndrom which is a phisical illness brought on alot of the time by emotional stress,i think it may be a good idea to go to your gp as they may be able to guide you on foods which ma/may not trigger symptoms.

i think also when I have an upset tummy eating little and often is your safest bet, and foods like egg, banana's are good to have as they work as a binder, where as caffinated drinks should be avoided as these have the oppersite affect!

Immodium is meant to be good for an upset tummy, and atm i am on cyclizine for sickness and its really good but has to be prescribed!

Anyway, sorry im gabbling, but I think the main thing you need to do is rest! Im thinking you should maybe have a few days just looking after yourself and wind down... your health is the most important whther is your mind or body! xxx

[Animad]

What may have occurred was the first bout of sickness was due to the anxiety and ones following that may be due to your stomach being irritated from you being sick. Eating small meals often/ drinking milk may really help in combination; milk coats the lining of your stomach and also reduces it's pH so that can stop it getting so irritated. Eating small amounts often will also mean your stomach won't be empty as often which can cause problems with acid build-up and that in itself can cause vomiting as well as it being easier on the stomach to eat smaller meals if you are unwell; eating chicken/ rice/ pasta/ eggs would also be better for you than to eat red meat at the moment which would take a lot of digestion and generally will be more likely to cause problems and just see how it goes. And the same as what KimB said, anti-emetics (anti-vomiting) tablets from the pharmacy are likely to help. Also make sure if you are vomiting that you are taking in plenty of fluids so that you don't become dehydrated but do this by taking in small amounts at a time and it may also help if you warm them up until they are lukewarm before you drink them (often drinking something really cold can make you feel nauseas).

If it's continuing to worsen/ you feel you're becoming very dehydrated or unwell/ it hasn't resolved itself within the next couple of days then it's a good idea to see a doctor.

[Stellata]

I get psychosomatic stuff going on a lot. Connected with anxiety too. The way it tends to work is that it touches on an already physical vulnerability e.g. there might be a slight bug going round, and that mixes with the anxiety to make things more intense. That certainly happened for me with a bad stomach in March when something upset me emotionally. If I'd been feeling stronger emotionally I may not have picked up a bug. That may not be how things work for you, though.
Personally, I find depth psychotherapy in combination with homeopathy helps. Although that's not for everyone.
And if in doubt, always contact your GP.

[Heidi Tiger]

Thankyou all for such in depth advice and suggestions, I really appreciate it. I do take Amitriptyline (though primarily for depression) and Quetiapine (though mostly for a phobia/psychosis type thing) and I know both of them are anyxyolitics so they should help. I have had diazepam to take PRN, however obviously I can't start popping them everytime I have a lecture as I'll get addicted. I see my GP tomorrow so I'll try discuss with him, however I'm always wary of medical professionals assuming everything is psychosomatic, which stems from when I had a really severe dystonic reaction from a drug and everyone assumed I was faking it for quite a while. So we shall see, but I'm definately gonna stock up on the travel sickness tablets.