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What Causes Severe Tightness In The Abdomen When Diagnosed With Anxiety?

Posted on Fri, 6 Jan 2017

Question: I was diagnosed with anxiety and some depression back in September , had lost 50 lbs in 2 months, weighed 280 back in Late August now down to 226, told that I was no longer a diabetic, no longer on metformin, lisinopril, and XXXXXXX Still takin lorazapam, 1/2 at night and about a quarter during the day. I hate it! I eat 3 times a day but my stomach acts up gets really tight.,maybe due to anxiety. Question :what else could it be, Feel like I have spent a lot of money and still no answers.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

My first suspicions here are anxiety and depression. Anxiety can affect catecholamines, cortisol, and serotonin which affects the gut physically. Treatment for anxiety and depression would be with an SSRI medication such as Lexapro or Zoloft.

You should also get a basic physical exam and blood work including a CBC, CMP, and consider a barium swallow study to evaluate for acid reflux.

Dr Sheppe

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (55 minutes later)

I did forget to mention that I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea also. I'm getting a cpap tritation. this weekend. As far as the Zoloft and Lexapro I understand that these drugs can be addictive. Is there not a better way. I don't like the idea of taking these drugs. I already know that Lorazapam can be addictive and that is what I am taking now and that's why I hate it, but for the time being I got no choice. My feet are always cold and don't know why. Again, I respect your answer but SSRIs' scare me to be honest.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Zoloft and Lexapro are absolutely non-addictive. There is no tolerance to them. Lorazepam can be addictive and I would avoid this.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (14 minutes later)

So DR. Sheppe, Zoloft and Lexapro are not addictive? What about the side effects?
I have never met you but Dr. all I want is to get well again. If I take the Lexapro can I get off the lorazapam. and start the Lexapro immediately. How long would I have to take these two drugs?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
The worst side effect of Lexapro is some nausea for the first few days which then disappears. It is not addictive. You need to take it for at least 6 months. After about 8 weeks you can wear off Ativan.

Dr Sheppe
tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (45 minutes later)

DR. Sheppe, Just to let you know, I was given lorazapam 0.5 mg. back in mid September and have been taking 1/4 during the day and less than half at night. I was thinking that the less of this I take the faster I could get off it. Are you saying it takes 8 weeks to get off the ativan? Could you explain? I will give your advice a lot of thought. Can you take lexapro and Zoloft at the same time? What side effects does Zoloft have and how long would you have to take it?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
This is a very small amount of Ativan and can probably be safely totally stopped at this point.

You only take one of either Zoloft or Lexapro, those are just 2 suggestions. I'd recommend starting with Zoloft. The most common side effect is some nausea when you first start it, but it goes away within a few days. You take it for as long as you want to avoid anxiety. Some people take it for life.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)

Dr. Sheppe, so the Zoloft is the only one to take, that's what you recommend? Now what to me is confusing, People like Dr. XXXXXXX Lermer who's no meds , no therapy just solutions program and the XXXXXXX Linden has his program that says the small gland in the brain that triggers the fight or flight signal is the culprit, the amalgia or something like that, their programs seem to help a lot of people without the drugs. This kind of things is what makes these decisions very hard to make. I have spoken to Dr. Lermer, now he did say that medication maybe necessary in some cases but how is it that some people can do without the drugs or therapy. I have made contact with a young man named XXXXXXX Hoehn who also beat anxiety without the drugs or therapy. This is the way I would rather do it this way because in my opinion the meds just cover the symptoms and not the root causes.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Both medication such as Zoloft and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are proven in large-scale randomized clinical trials to be effective for treatment of anxiety. Either option is adequate, both together is preferred. Both target the amygdala to help relieve symptoms.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (2 hours later)

So how do explain those people who can beat anxiety without drugs? This will be the last question Dr. Sheppe. I just want to know what do you think they do to beat anxiety? I know one person said, if you can control what you hear, see, eat and read that is half of it. Sleep, sleep. Identify your stressors and take action. What do you think Doctor? I am not questioning your answers but would really like your opinion. Thank you Doctor.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (43 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Some people are naturally better equipped to handle it. Some people benefit from psychotherapy instead. If you want to avoid drugs, try psychotherapy.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee