Anxiety and unexplained pain?
December 3, 2009 7:22 PM Subscribe
Seeing my doctor for this (again) on Monday, but in the meantime, YANMD filter: recurring, infrequent abdominal discomfort on the right side, roughly above the pelvic area, that correlates with times of stress in my life. Anyone experience anything like this, and if so, what did you do about it?
Since April, I have experienced an infrequent-but-recurring tightness/pain in my abdomen, right side. The pain itself is rarely more than "mild," and often it only manifests as a feeling of tightness or tension. And this itself is the only symptom. I've had no issues with bowel movements, no fever, no change in appetite (other than that brought on by the concomitant anxiety), no rebound tenderness, no pain when coughing/sneezing, no difficulty walking, etc. A CT scan back in August confirmed that all the internal organs in the scan area, including my appendix, were normal. No evidence of hernia, either. It appears to be at least somewhat muscle-related, because I've triggered it via working out before (specifically while doing machine leg curls), but it flares up sometimes even during periods where I haven't been working out or even doing anything physically strenuous at all. I have had surgery in the area (about ten years ago), so I'm aware of the possibility of scar tissue causing problems, but I don't know why it would take so long to start getting irritated. The "episodes" usually last a few days to a week, and, again, seem to correlate with times in my life where I'm feeling really stressed. (It does not respond to any OTC pain medication; I was given Vicodin for it once when it started, and that took away the pain but the feeling of tension remained.)
Naturally, having any sort of pain in this area causes me a lot of anxiety. I have some meds and relaxation techniques that help with the anxiety, but once it escalates past a certain level, I have a really hard time accepting that I'm probably okay, and that if it were something life-threatening it probably would've shown up on any of the myriad tests that have been run on me since it started, or at the very least it probably would have escalated. The anxiety has a way of intensifying the discomfort, and the cycle takes off from there.
So, I guess what I'm looking for here is not so much medical advice but experiences. I think that the thing that makes this so hard for me is not really knowing what it is, even though I can be reasonably confident as to what it isn't. How common is it to have recurring physical comfort that seems to be tied to stress? What do you do about it? How do you deal with the anxiety you have over it, if any?
For what it's worth, I'm a 28-year-old male, a bit overweight but otherwise no issues.
Since April, I have experienced an infrequent-but-recurring tightness/pain in my abdomen, right side. The pain itself is rarely more than "mild," and often it only manifests as a feeling of tightness or tension. And this itself is the only symptom. I've had no issues with bowel movements, no fever, no change in appetite (other than that brought on by the concomitant anxiety), no rebound tenderness, no pain when coughing/sneezing, no difficulty walking, etc. A CT scan back in August confirmed that all the internal organs in the scan area, including my appendix, were normal. No evidence of hernia, either. It appears to be at least somewhat muscle-related, because I've triggered it via working out before (specifically while doing machine leg curls), but it flares up sometimes even during periods where I haven't been working out or even doing anything physically strenuous at all. I have had surgery in the area (about ten years ago), so I'm aware of the possibility of scar tissue causing problems, but I don't know why it would take so long to start getting irritated. The "episodes" usually last a few days to a week, and, again, seem to correlate with times in my life where I'm feeling really stressed. (It does not respond to any OTC pain medication; I was given Vicodin for it once when it started, and that took away the pain but the feeling of tension remained.)
Naturally, having any sort of pain in this area causes me a lot of anxiety. I have some meds and relaxation techniques that help with the anxiety, but once it escalates past a certain level, I have a really hard time accepting that I'm probably okay, and that if it were something life-threatening it probably would've shown up on any of the myriad tests that have been run on me since it started, or at the very least it probably would have escalated. The anxiety has a way of intensifying the discomfort, and the cycle takes off from there.
So, I guess what I'm looking for here is not so much medical advice but experiences. I think that the thing that makes this so hard for me is not really knowing what it is, even though I can be reasonably confident as to what it isn't. How common is it to have recurring physical comfort that seems to be tied to stress? What do you do about it? How do you deal with the anxiety you have over it, if any?
For what it's worth, I'm a 28-year-old male, a bit overweight but otherwise no issues.
One side effect of stress or depression that often gets over looked is pain. You could try some CBT to help you deal with stress. Or a medication if you are so inclined.
posted by JackarypQQ at 7:53 PM on December 3, 2009
posted by JackarypQQ at 7:53 PM on December 3, 2009
Massage. It sounds like stress is aggravating the issue, so massage should help to reduce general anxiety level as well as addressing the soft tissue dysfunction. What you're describing sounds very much to me like fascial adhesions, so yeah, scar tissue. It's not unusual to have pain from injuries/scars that are years or even dacades old. Be sure to find a therapist who is trained in Myofascial Release (MFR) and/or visceral manipulation, as many massage therapists don't have these specialised skills.
Yoga or Pilates could be very helpful, also.
posted by goshling at 8:46 PM on December 3, 2009
Yoga or Pilates could be very helpful, also.
posted by goshling at 8:46 PM on December 3, 2009
I had the same thing, except it was actually pain, enough that I lived on percocet for six weeks. I went to my GP, a urologist and my gyno (obviously I am a woman). I had pelvic exams, ultrasounds, and an IVP, among other tests. The gyno thought it was a bladder infection, the urologist guessed it was kidney stones, and my GP told me that "some women just have bladder pain."
Fed up, I eventually went to a chiropractor/applied kinesiologist, and he said in my case it could have been that the inflamed nerves that run from the lower back to the area of pain were acting up. As I was rolling my eyes at this new diagnosis, he pushed in about a few inches above my pubic bone and dragged to about my belly button. This new pain brought tears to my eyes, but 10 minutes later, the pain stopped, for good.
I don't know if this info will help you, but in my case, I was desperate for info. I very occasionally have twinges of this pain, but only when I'm stressed and dehydrated, for some reason.
posted by runningwithscissors at 8:51 PM on December 3, 2009
Fed up, I eventually went to a chiropractor/applied kinesiologist, and he said in my case it could have been that the inflamed nerves that run from the lower back to the area of pain were acting up. As I was rolling my eyes at this new diagnosis, he pushed in about a few inches above my pubic bone and dragged to about my belly button. This new pain brought tears to my eyes, but 10 minutes later, the pain stopped, for good.
I don't know if this info will help you, but in my case, I was desperate for info. I very occasionally have twinges of this pain, but only when I'm stressed and dehydrated, for some reason.
posted by runningwithscissors at 8:51 PM on December 3, 2009
I have a very similar pain and tension after stress as part of my Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). I do have other symptoms though, although not at the same time as this particular one. In my case it's spasming around the ileocecal junction. Normally you can't feel this, intestines don't have many pain nerves and are used to contracting and relaxing, but part of IBS can be hypersensitivity to pain and inappropriate pain in the intestines. So what would be a normal spasm or mild cramp in a normal person is really painful in me just because the nerves don't work how they should. For me this one IBS symptom is definitely linked to stress, probably more so than some of the other ones, and stress is a common IBS trigger. Since it's a weird IBS miswired nerve/intestinal cramping thing painkillers do nothing. I have had this specific pain bad enough to send me to the ER on occasion, at least once I had an elevated white blood cell count indicating maybe an infection in the intestinal lining, another time the pain was bad enough to make me vomit for several hours straight (probably linked to a shut down in intestinal function causing a blockage). But generally it's just a pain in my side like something is pulling within and these days my IBS in general is well controlled so I don't even get that. IBS is present in between 10 and 20% of the population, so is really rather common.
Does this mean you're getting the same thing? Probably not given your lack of other symptoms. Muscle tension or physical pain due to stress is definitely normal and I think it hits different people in different ways so maybe this is just your weak area somehow. Or maybe that scar tissue is involved or maybe you pulled something once while exercising or a nerve is inflamed or maybe it's something else. You've had the appropriate tests done so far so it's not likely to be serious. Of course once you get worried and tense up then it gets worse making you more worried and tense, it's a hard cycle to break so don't beat yourself up if you can't keep on top of it every time.
A term to google may be psychosocial factors of pain, that talks about how our emotional state and general environment affects how we feel physically. Be be aware that reading too much about that stuff can have the opposite effect, I found myself imagining all kinds of aches after reading about how stress increases pain response, heh.
posted by shelleycat at 9:30 PM on December 3, 2009
Does this mean you're getting the same thing? Probably not given your lack of other symptoms. Muscle tension or physical pain due to stress is definitely normal and I think it hits different people in different ways so maybe this is just your weak area somehow. Or maybe that scar tissue is involved or maybe you pulled something once while exercising or a nerve is inflamed or maybe it's something else. You've had the appropriate tests done so far so it's not likely to be serious. Of course once you get worried and tense up then it gets worse making you more worried and tense, it's a hard cycle to break so don't beat yourself up if you can't keep on top of it every time.
A term to google may be psychosocial factors of pain, that talks about how our emotional state and general environment affects how we feel physically. Be be aware that reading too much about that stuff can have the opposite effect, I found myself imagining all kinds of aches after reading about how stress increases pain response, heh.
posted by shelleycat at 9:30 PM on December 3, 2009
I had something like this on and off for about six months except it wasn't so much tightness as it felt like someone stuck an ice pick into my side.
Nothing on MRI or Ultrasound. Then it went away.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 9:37 PM on December 3, 2009
Nothing on MRI or Ultrasound. Then it went away.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 9:37 PM on December 3, 2009
I had recurring pain in my pelvic area and joint and it kept coming and going and waking me up at night. My doctor poked me all over and ran some tests and called it endometriosis. I finally figured out that I was eating way too many peppers and irritating my urinary tract. Problem solved unless I hit the peppers again.
posted by effluvia at 10:20 PM on December 3, 2009
posted by effluvia at 10:20 PM on December 3, 2009
This might be strange, but could it be gas? It can be excrutiating, and since your pain flares up with stress it could just be digestive issues bringing on gas. Have you tried simenthicone or it's brand-name equivalent?
posted by fiercekitten at 11:38 PM on December 3, 2009
posted by fiercekitten at 11:38 PM on December 3, 2009
Seconding possible stress...anecdotally, when I've got a lot going on, my breathing becomes more shallow (without us even being aware) and rapid and gas builds up, resulting in a similar pain.
posted by dzaz at 2:49 AM on December 4, 2009
posted by dzaz at 2:49 AM on December 4, 2009
Oh my God, I have this too. For as long as I can remember. Doctors aren't really sure what it is - mine is almost identical to shelleycat's, around the ileocecal junction and bad enough to make me catch my breath/puke/go to the ER. I have noticed mine flares up during times of stress, if I'm dehydrated, or if my blood sugar's low.
I'm sorry I don't have more solutions for you - but I'm surprised how many other people have had this same pain in the same location. (I always feel a little Morgellons-ish when I talk about it.) Taking deep breaths, sitting down, having something to eat, and relaxing are the best cure I've found so far.
posted by harperpitt at 8:00 AM on December 4, 2009
I'm sorry I don't have more solutions for you - but I'm surprised how many other people have had this same pain in the same location. (I always feel a little Morgellons-ish when I talk about it.) Taking deep breaths, sitting down, having something to eat, and relaxing are the best cure I've found so far.
posted by harperpitt at 8:00 AM on December 4, 2009
Huh. The ileocecal junction is totally in the area where my pain was!
posted by runningwithscissors at 9:19 AM on December 4, 2009
posted by runningwithscissors at 9:19 AM on December 4, 2009
I think its brought on by stress, mostly, with your scar tissue aggrivating it further.
When i get stressed, anxious, nervous, etc I get a similar pain in about the area where the bottom of the stomach goes into the intestines (where I imagine that would be anyways). No other symptoms other than discomfort / slight pain, does not respond to Advil or the like, and has no other identifyable cause other than my outlook and attitude. It never happens when I'm happy and goes away when I chill out.
Stress kills, man. Take care of yourself, physically and emotionally. My doctor actually gave me a "prescription" to chill out - take the day off, relax if you need too, etc.
posted by WeekendJen at 9:30 AM on December 4, 2009
When i get stressed, anxious, nervous, etc I get a similar pain in about the area where the bottom of the stomach goes into the intestines (where I imagine that would be anyways). No other symptoms other than discomfort / slight pain, does not respond to Advil or the like, and has no other identifyable cause other than my outlook and attitude. It never happens when I'm happy and goes away when I chill out.
Stress kills, man. Take care of yourself, physically and emotionally. My doctor actually gave me a "prescription" to chill out - take the day off, relax if you need too, etc.
posted by WeekendJen at 9:30 AM on December 4, 2009
Huh. I had this same problem a couple of months ago. Pain/pressure/achy-ness in lower right abdomen above pelvis. Lasted close to a week and made it difficult to sit or lie down properly. It freaked me out and I was worried about appendicitis so I went in for a bunch of lab work, dr. exam, and an ultrasound. All they could find with the ultrasound was gallstones. Appendix is fine, lab work fine, no other problems. The gallstones answer struck me as odd because the gallbladder is in the mid/upper abdomen and that's not where this pain was located. They recommended having the gallbladder removed but I've been holding off on that since I haven't had trouble since then. Personally, I have my doubts that gallstones were the actual cause of that pain (and the stone are probably coincidental); I believe it's more likely to be endometriosis since I'm female and this runs in my family. As a male: Have you considered this may be a hernia? I understand that's also a common issue. But I'll be watching this thread with interest.
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 10:02 AM on December 4, 2009
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 10:02 AM on December 4, 2009
Nevermind, you've pursued the hernia thing -- guess I didn't read well enough. Ignore that suggestion. :-)
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 10:03 AM on December 4, 2009
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 10:03 AM on December 4, 2009
Response by poster: Thank you all for your comments... I'd mark them all "best answer" if it wasn't kind of silly to do so. They were pretty much exactly what I was looking for, and they went a long way toward reassuring me that this, while I wouldn't call it "common," exactly, is far from unheard of. I'm a little surprised that so many people have experienced this or something like it. I still don't know what it is, but having read all your experiences makes me feel a bit better about it. I was able to go to the doctor today (other than my normal one, who is currently sick) to get my anxiety meds refilled, and I'll be seeing my regular doc on Monday, when I plan to propose that I want to get to the bottom of this by any means necessary.
posted by Kosh at 3:37 PM on December 4, 2009
posted by Kosh at 3:37 PM on December 4, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
I went to see a GI about this a year ago - nothing that he poked or prodded felt tender in any way, and he assured me my condition was "not mortal." He did not want to order a scan, and it went away some time thereafter. But it's come back on occasion, very unpredictably. The only thing I've noticed is that sometimes it seems to correlate with eating, but even then I can't really say for sure.
I haven't really figured out any way to "deal" with it other than to try to ignore it as best I can. I may go see a different doctor for a second opinion. I'd really like to know what the hell it is!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 7:48 PM on December 3, 2009