stress related illness - Digestive Disorders Message Board

hortibabe · 12-13-2003, 02:22 PM

I did read in one posting that ulcers etc were not caused by stress, does this also apply to all other digestive disorders or could it be a main factor? Last year we had a car crash and then my partner had a heart attack, my first symptoms of stomach and chest problems started when he was in hospital. I had been completely healthy up til then. I had a bad flu type virus over last christmas and then in March this year everything flared up, chest pains and now lots of trouble with stomach acid and chest flutterings. About 3 wks ago just as I felt I was getting better my brother and his girlfriend visited for the weekend, I spent ages cleaning the house and when they were here I was cooking all the time as well as going to work, I felt awful, tightness in my stomach, lump in my throat and terrible burning. A couple of days after they went back I started to feel ok again. Now my partner might lose his job after Christmas and we have been having talks about how we will manage financially and I cant think of anything else now I feel awful again!! This can't be just coincidence surely! On Tuesday I had to drive into the city to an area I don't know and my stomach was doing all sorts of weird things and I was having palpitations! I don't seem to be able to manage any kind of stress or anxiety anymore even if I'm not concsiously aware of it it's still there. Any one have any experiences?

Harry · 12-13-2003, 11:05 PM

Stress can cause many disorders as well as just make you feel bad. I also think you can exhaust your adrenal glands because of excess stress and just not be able to deal with problems the way you use to.

I don't know how you correct the problems you describe??? There are some vitamins like the B vits, calcium, magnesium and vit D that may help??

God Bless---Harry

Momma Berry · 12-14-2003, 10:45 PM

Hi There,
Sorry to read your feeling so stressed.I can relate to the impact stress can have on our digestion.We all have stress of some kind but I think people are affected differently by it.When I'm under more stress than usual my colon spasms as does my esophagus plus I'll have extra stomach acid making reflux worse.Sometimes stress doesn't have as big an impact as other times so my reaction isn't consistant.I have GERD,a hiatal hernia,treated 2x for h-pylori,angina and an anxiety disorder.Sometimes it's hard to know which issue is causing discomfort because they are all felt in the same general area and feel simular.The anxiety seems to be able to trigger many of the symptoms you discribe.I take meds for anxiety as well as a ppi and bp med which helps with angina too.There are times my anxiety meds help my reflux settle down.
My husband too had a heart attack and at that time my symptom worsened.I suggest you speak to your doctor about all you are feeling it could be you need a combination of meds to control your discomfort.Take care and best wishes.

hortibabe · 12-16-2003, 02:19 PM

Thanks for your replies, my doc did say he thought a lot of it was in my head! He didn't offer any other advice though and I've now changed docs but haven't been to see the new one yet, don't know if I can face going through it all again!