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Are Constipation, High Heart Rate And Shivering Hands Symptoms Of Anxiety?
Question: The last four months I have struggled with what I believe is anxiety. I moved to a new country to study. I started having stomach troubles, mostly constipation as well as an inflammation sensation in my abdomen. My doctor would keep telling me that I was fine and that it was all stress. I didn't feel stressed at all (or so I thought), and started getting more symptoms that worried me, like a higher heart rate and trembling hands. I was at the ER when I believe I had a panic attack, but my heart was fine. The doctor at the ER told me I had anxiety and prescribed me some sort of valium medication.
Long story short I ended up moving back home, because I was so afraid something was seriously wrong with me. I'm doing several tests now, and they all show normal results. I'm going to get a gastroscopy and endoscopy now, since a stool test shows that my stomach is a little bit abnormal, but most likely not anything serious.
I am getting more used to the thought of having anxiety, but I am constantly worrying that I have something more serious that is being ignored. I can't stop worrying and it is driving me crazy. I have never been the worrying type, but now these thoughts keep finding their way into my head.
The last month I have gotten a new symptom, constant pressure on the back and sides of my head, and sometimes temples. It doesn't hurt usually, it is just very uncomfortable, and almost always there. Getting a massage will often relieve the pressure some. I am getting anxious about it and afraid I have a tumor of some sort. Just recently my head felt really heavy for a few seconds and I felt like I was going to faint, but I was fine right after. -And I had an episode where my right side of body and face felt numb, almost a month ago. My doctor checked basic motor abilities and pupils and she said that everything seems fine. I don't feel dizzy, but depersonalized and a little lightheaded. I do normal things like exercise and work and drive, but I get tired quickly.
So my question is:
-Can anxiety cause this constant head pressure? Or could it be anything serious? Should I get my head scanned?
-Can physical symptoms come before I actually feel anxious (As I didn't realize how stressed I was until I moved home)
-How can I get rid of these anxious thoughts?
-Can anxiety cause numbness on one side of body?
-Can anxiety cause a constant higher heart rate?
-Why has this anxiety just appeared now all of a sudden?
Thanks.
Long story short I ended up moving back home, because I was so afraid something was seriously wrong with me. I'm doing several tests now, and they all show normal results. I'm going to get a gastroscopy and endoscopy now, since a stool test shows that my stomach is a little bit abnormal, but most likely not anything serious.
I am getting more used to the thought of having anxiety, but I am constantly worrying that I have something more serious that is being ignored. I can't stop worrying and it is driving me crazy. I have never been the worrying type, but now these thoughts keep finding their way into my head.
The last month I have gotten a new symptom, constant pressure on the back and sides of my head, and sometimes temples. It doesn't hurt usually, it is just very uncomfortable, and almost always there. Getting a massage will often relieve the pressure some. I am getting anxious about it and afraid I have a tumor of some sort. Just recently my head felt really heavy for a few seconds and I felt like I was going to faint, but I was fine right after. -And I had an episode where my right side of body and face felt numb, almost a month ago. My doctor checked basic motor abilities and pupils and she said that everything seems fine. I don't feel dizzy, but depersonalized and a little lightheaded. I do normal things like exercise and work and drive, but I get tired quickly.
So my question is:
-Can anxiety cause this constant head pressure? Or could it be anything serious? Should I get my head scanned?
-Can physical symptoms come before I actually feel anxious (As I didn't realize how stressed I was until I moved home)
-How can I get rid of these anxious thoughts?
-Can anxiety cause numbness on one side of body?
-Can anxiety cause a constant higher heart rate?
-Why has this anxiety just appeared now all of a sudden?
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
It's Anxiety only.
Detailed Answer:
HI
Greetings from Dr.Divakara.P
Thanks for posting your query.
I went through your query and I can understand your concern.
Even I am of the opinion that your problems are due to Anxiety but I still recommend getting few tests done before attributing all of your problems to anxiety.
Know one thing Anxiety can present in any way. Head ache , dizziness , chest pain , stomach pain , loss of speech , loss of vision etc. So yes it is possible for the anxiety to present with physical symptoms first even before the patient realizes that he has anxiety.
But only thing I am bit concerned is your symptoms of Numbness of half side of body. Though I have said that Anxiety can cause anything this symptom is quite unlikely in Anxiety. I would recommend you to get a MRI scan of your brain to check if at all there is any abnormality in your brain. If that comes clean then its Anxiety related.
Anxiety can definitely cause high heart rate , it’s very typical of Anxiety.
To prevent or treat anxiety you need to focus on other aspects of life and not on your body. It will be difficult initially but definitely its possible. Take a paper and pen and list some important goals in your life and start thinking of how to attain these goal. You will be getting certain physical symptoms or thought regarding your body or diseases but just ignore them and refocus on your goals.
You will also require proper medications for anxiety ( Valium is not sufficient ). So kindly take a consultation with Psychiatrist and get proper medications from him and also he will do counselling regarding management of Anxiety.
Hope this information is useful to you.
Any clarification feel free to ask.
It's Anxiety only.
Detailed Answer:
HI
Greetings from Dr.Divakara.P
Thanks for posting your query.
I went through your query and I can understand your concern.
Even I am of the opinion that your problems are due to Anxiety but I still recommend getting few tests done before attributing all of your problems to anxiety.
Know one thing Anxiety can present in any way. Head ache , dizziness , chest pain , stomach pain , loss of speech , loss of vision etc. So yes it is possible for the anxiety to present with physical symptoms first even before the patient realizes that he has anxiety.
But only thing I am bit concerned is your symptoms of Numbness of half side of body. Though I have said that Anxiety can cause anything this symptom is quite unlikely in Anxiety. I would recommend you to get a MRI scan of your brain to check if at all there is any abnormality in your brain. If that comes clean then its Anxiety related.
Anxiety can definitely cause high heart rate , it’s very typical of Anxiety.
To prevent or treat anxiety you need to focus on other aspects of life and not on your body. It will be difficult initially but definitely its possible. Take a paper and pen and list some important goals in your life and start thinking of how to attain these goal. You will be getting certain physical symptoms or thought regarding your body or diseases but just ignore them and refocus on your goals.
You will also require proper medications for anxiety ( Valium is not sufficient ). So kindly take a consultation with Psychiatrist and get proper medications from him and also he will do counselling regarding management of Anxiety.
Hope this information is useful to you.
Any clarification feel free to ask.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your reply!
How likely is it that my symptoms are caused by a tumor?
I only had the numbness sensation for a few days when I was very stressed because I was traveling and it didn't prevent me from doing anything, it was just a very worrying sensation. Could anxiety cause numbness on just one side of body? And if it was a tumor, wouldn't the numbness come back?
It will probably take a long time before I can get a scan, should I pay extra to get one as soon as possible?
How likely is it that my symptoms are caused by a tumor?
I only had the numbness sensation for a few days when I was very stressed because I was traveling and it didn't prevent me from doing anything, it was just a very worrying sensation. Could anxiety cause numbness on just one side of body? And if it was a tumor, wouldn't the numbness come back?
It will probably take a long time before I can get a scan, should I pay extra to get one as soon as possible?
Brief Answer:
Don't think it's tumour.
Detailed Answer:
HI
See you are an young female . The chances of tumor is less at your age .
Is there any family history of tumour ?
More than tumour I suspect abnormal circulation to brain , this can cause numbness on one side for a while .
I still feel its anxiety related but better to get a scan first.
Hope this information is useful to you.
Any clarification feel free to ask.
Don't think it's tumour.
Detailed Answer:
HI
See you are an young female . The chances of tumor is less at your age .
Is there any family history of tumour ?
More than tumour I suspect abnormal circulation to brain , this can cause numbness on one side for a while .
I still feel its anxiety related but better to get a scan first.
Hope this information is useful to you.
Any clarification feel free to ask.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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