Not sure how I feel about this.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Arrite. Most of you probably don't know the saga of teh's guts for the last half-year or so.
Really long and uncomfy story short, I've suffered digestive issues and nausea, to the point where I couldn't do much, if anything.
Got an appointment, somehow lasted a month when I didn't think I'd be able to, mostly due to a witches' brew called Swedish Bitters.
Pungent, but not nearly as bad as some digestives I've tasted in the past.
Anyway. Survived, went to the appointment at the gastroenterologist.
...
Bad: he told me it was most likely stress. Sounded dangerously close to "it's all in your head, and it's doing stuff to your body." Which very well could be the case, but damn if that's a dumbshit reason (on my end) to be sick.
Also told my mother that her long-standing diagnosis of hypoglycemia was most likely incorrect, as it's rare. Yeah, but wtf else is it hm? (came up because I have a similar problem, she was explaining how we came to that conclusion) Also told me that I seem like the type of person to be high strung, anxious, and a million-miles-an-hour. ... Uh, no. I drama, and then it's over in a half-hour or less--unless something is actually wrong, like when my blood sugar bottomed out last August (I can tell if you want), and I physically cannot get over it. I had no idea what was going on, I thought the world was ending. (no lie. It was bad times. )
Good: gave me two options, as I didn't show the typical signs of disease: 1) do nothing, as I've been doing (ever so slowly) better since taking the Concoction.
and 2) scope down the throat, biopsies. I went with nothing.
He did acknowledge that he didn't know everything, and that he wanted me to call every few weeks to give him an update, because their practice is stupid-busy and booked for months.
But still. Calling me high-strung? 4 srs? I don't even get mad as stuff most people get mad at. Mom says it's because most people aren't used to dealing with ADD/H people, and my stream-of-consciousness-multiple-threads-anticipaty-fast talk seems manic. I was talking like that because I knew what I was saying, and have explained it several times.
tl; dr: Doc is competent, but wedges me into a hole I'm not completely happy with as a patient, but is still a good doc. I guess.
EDIT: forgot to add "some people just need to be told there's nothing wrong with them," and "you may be like this the rest of your life, and there's nothing we can do about it; this might just be the way you are now." Verbatim. /depressed

[Seshat]

My wife is ... I can't remember the exact diagnosis, but it's the bowel condition which requires a PODMAP diet.

She went to several doctors, most of whom said some variation of what you were told. She did get scopes from two of them, different sorts.

Then we found our current doctor, Doctor of Awesome. He listened to her, asked questions, got the results of the scopes from the other doctors.

Sent her for a couple more uncomfortable and/or embarassing tests, unfortunately. BUT! He never once said 'it's all in your head'. He DID say 'it may be a side effect of your medications or your other conditions', but he made it clear that he was believing her, and that he intended to attempt to relieve it, if not cure it.

And tadaa, one of the tests came back positive for whatever-it-is.

She still wants to go to any of the doctors who said it was in her head or she was making it up and wave the test result in their face and say 'nyah nyah' at them.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Oh, believe me-- I remembered those types of stories. I am, however, willing to wait it out now, now that I can eat and lift stuff (I'm moving). If it, at any point, changes or gets worse (which, yeah... type of change ), believe you me I will be calling Dr.Gastroenterologist.
As it is, I have has this weird heart flutter-twitch (spasm?) thing that seems to be attached to either hormonal cycle and/or sodium intake (no discernible pattern yet)... and is rather disturbing, but doesn't seem to disrupt my blood flow/pulse. I'll probably pursue it after I get on solid health insurance; yes I poked at it in high school with a doctor, nothing came of it. Mom said she had something similar as a kid, but it went away. Mine has not. She's also said that she had stomach pains when she got really hungry and ignored it-- to the point where she couldn't move; but once they passed, she could eat and was fine. This too has gone away from her teen-hood. (Mom and I are strangely similar, so we do a lot of comparing and contrasting.)
Like I said: at least he cares, however skeptical he may be.

[Sapphire Silk]

For some people medical conditions ARE all in their head. They're called somatic disorders.

However, these kinds of patients are usually trying to gain something, usually attention.

Sometimes there really is nothing wrong, but they honestly believe there is.

But that needs to be diagnosed by a mental health professional. If a physician really believes it is a mental issue, they need to get that specialist involved.

"It's all in your head" becomes the default for, "I don't know what's wrong or how to make it better, so I'm going to blame the patient rather than get blamed."

In which case changing providers is a good idea.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

I thought they were called psychosomatic, but whatevs.
I probably am stressing too much, and I have noticed my stomach muscles get tense at random, but I can untense them when I notice. It probably didn't help that I had gotten sick around this time last year, May last year, and earlier this year in February, mostly from stomach ailments. But, like I said, I'm willing to wait; and, taking Seshat's advice, I'd rather be well than be proven right. I don't like being wrong, especially about my own body... but I do the medical establishment rigamarole because there's knowledge out there I don't know about, will never know about, and can't honestly arse myself to learn like these medical professionals can and do. I could if I so desired... but I don't. I'll educate myself on basics, but I won't be doing thoracic surgery anytime soon (oh dear pogs I hope not).
I don't think he's wanting to pawn me off exactly, which is why I'm sticking with him for now.

[Seshat]

Strongly seconding Panacea. There are psychiatric disorders which lead to body-based results, but they need and deserve proper treatment not dismissal.

Teh: thank you. It's nice hearing that my sig there is useful.

Now, since you said you're stressed.....

Stress can have a serious effect on anything digestive. Basically, stress puts the body in 'fight or flight' mode; anything secondary to immediate survival gets less blood, less of the brain's attention, and less of all other resources.

Digestion is, of course, secondary to immediate survival.

Stress was evolutionarily (is that a word?) intended to be something that happened only for as long as it took to kill dinner or avoid being killed by something. Chronic stress is new, as evolution goes.

Because of this, it is likely that anything which reduces your stress levels will improve your digestion; whether you have other digestive issues or not.
(Panacea et al, feel free to correct me as always.)

If you need advice on stress relievers, feel free to post.

[Eisa]

She's also said that she had stomach pains when she got really hungry and ignored it-- to the point where she couldn't move; but once they passed, she could eat and was fine. This too has gone away from her teen-hood.

Wait, I'm not the only one who has that happen? It's so weird...and frustrating.

I'm sorry he acted like that, teh...you need my gastroenterologist or something--he was like "ok something is wrong" and yeah, had to go through a bunch of tests [endoscopy, abdominal ultrasound, gastric imaging scan, several blood tests], but he did diagnose me with gastroparesis and we're going from there.

"It's all in your head" isn't helpful. And for that matter, if he's going to tell you that it's from stress, why not...I dunno...try and help you deal with that?

[LewisLegion]

I have weird heart flutter things on occassion. When I'd bring them up to my doc they'd do that little five minute heart monitor thing and tell me they saw nothing wrong. Then, I finally got a GOOD doctor who had me do a 24hour holter test, which showed I have an extremely mild, nothing to be worried about tachychardia. So it's important to have a doc that actually listens and doesn't just rule things off as 'in your head'.

Honestly, I've been told pretty much every serious medical condition I have is 'in my head' at one point or another.

Can't get out of bed 23 hours a day, feel freezing when it's 90 degrees? Oh, you're just a lazy teenager. It's in your head.

Nope, sorry doc...rather severe thyroid condition, thank you.

You hurt constantly, can't think straight, have random fevers and your muscles do weird cramp things on occassion? Oh, that's kind of strange. Must be stress. It's all in your head.

Nope, wrong again: Fibromyalgia and XMRV Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, thankee very much.

You've had a cough for six weeks and find it hard to breathe now and again? We show nothing on xrays and you don't have a cold or the flu. It's just stress.

Nope, asthma. Thanks for nearly landing me in a coffin.

Never take that 'it's all in your head' excuse. If you know something is wrong, keep trying until someone finds out what it is. Remember, Multiple Sclerosis, PMS, and Lupus used to be 'fake' illnesses that were all in people's heads, too.

[Moogles]

Teh - You have the same symptoms I've had my whole life. I was told, even though I had a confirmed diagnosis, and it was in my head.

It's a genetic condition, called Porphyria. For women, it gets worse around your hormonal cycle. Our blood sugar is ALWAYS in the low range. I can eat a full box of sugar cubes and it won't go above 5.

Change doctors. There are always options for treatment. I, for example, had to stop eating meat. I no longer have stomach issues. I carry Dex4 tablets on me just in case I feel a bit weird. I eat 4 small meals + snacks a day.

And "it's all in my head". It was actually. I've been having seizures my whole life, which are in my head lol. My medication had also somehow calmed my heartrate (from 115 to 85)

Hypoglycemia isn't that rare... I went on an exchange program and 3 of the 20 people had it. I think most people just don't get diagnosed with it.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Strongly seconding Panacea. There are psychiatric disorders which lead to body-based results, but they need and deserve proper treatment not dismissal.

He didn't say I didn't have anything... well he did, but he did explain that it wasn't any disease, straight off the bat. why do I get the impression that he's had to use this speech a lot?

Teh: thank you. It's nice hearing that my sig there is useful.

Pleased to tell the truth (this time. Some truths are nasty)

Stress was evolutionarily (is that a word?)

It is now

intended to be something that happened only for as long as it took to kill dinner or avoid being killed by something. Chronic stress is new, as evolution goes.
Because of this, it is likely that anything which reduces your stress levels will improve your digestion; whether you have other digestive issues or not.
(Panacea et al, feel free to correct me as always.)
If you need advice on stress relievers, feel free to post.

My friend N asked one point what I do for stress relief, what made me feel better after a tough day, one that was frustrating, or just horrible. I told him that whatever I did on days that went to shit, or were frustrating, wound up just frustrating me more: I tend to be crappy at things, even simple things, when I'm upset, frustrated, angry, etc. and this makes me feel even worse. There are days where I just throw up my hands and sulk, but those are few and very rare. THANK GOD. Once, I couldn't even read. I think I slept... but wound up more dozing/not actually sleeping. I have actively tried to 'clear my mind of stuff that's happened earlier in the day, don't think about anything but X,' that sort of thing, because like most women I can think about X when doing Y and not compartmentalize... but on Bad Days, I still tip the frustration bucket over very easily. I'm considering Pilates, and am getting a bike soon for the first time in years (remind me to tell everyone of the bike sagas... ) I love biking, and ice skating (yes, 'lazy' activities when done at not-aerobic-speeds, which is how I generally roll. Might be because of the strange joint thing I've had since I can remember/puberty, not sure, that's another post entirely )

Wait, I'm not the only one who has that happen? It's so weird...and frustrating.

I'm sorry he acted like that, teh...you need my gastroenterologist or something--he was like "ok something is wrong" and yeah, had to go through a bunch of tests [endoscopy, abdominal ultrasound, gastric imaging scan, several blood tests], but he did diagnose me with gastroparesis and we're going from there.

"It's all in your head" isn't helpful. And for that matter, if he's going to tell you that it's from stress, why not...I dunno...try and help you deal with that?

1) So glad my mom can help! She's going to be happy when she hears too! Yaaay Internet Power! Connecting weirdos everywhere!
2) He was polite... but disbelieving. Shun the unbeliever? /interwebs
3) You're right, the conclusion isn't helpful, but it does give me somewhere else to look, in a way. Besides, like I said, I need to talk with my psych anyway. Maybe I can get the paperwork from the Gastro. place over to my health services...

I have weird heart flutter things on occassion. When I'd bring them up to my doc they'd do that little five minute heart monitor thing and tell me they saw nothing wrong. Then, I finally got a GOOD doctor who had me do a 24hour holter test, which showed I have an extremely mild, nothing to be worried about tachychardia. So it's important to have a doc that actually listens and doesn't just rule things off as 'in your head'.
<snip>
Never take that 'it's all in your head' excuse. If you know something is wrong, keep trying until someone finds out what it is. Remember, Multiple Sclerosis, PMS, and Lupus used to be 'fake' illnesses that were all in people's heads, too.

>_> Hey someone else has that?/Esia Like I said, it's not constantly, nor is it predictable... but I'll start trolling for a heart monitor. Sometimes, I don't notice that it happens for months... but months like this, it's happened all over the place.
And, it's stuff like what you've gone through LL that keeps me questioning about my own situation...

Teh - You have the same symptoms I've had my whole life. I was told, even though I had a confirmed diagnosis, and it was in my head.
It's a genetic condition, called Porphyria. For women, it gets worse around your hormonal cycle. Our blood sugar is ALWAYS in the low range. I can eat a full box of sugar cubes and it won't go above 5.
<snip>
Hypoglycemia isn't that rare... I went on an exchange program and 3 of the 20 people had it. I think most people just don't get diagnosed with it.

I've had my sugar tested, forget the test, but the results were my three-month sugar level was at 105, which should be at 100. Stopped putting sugar in my tea. ( I drink a lot of tea... or did, not so much right now. Caffeine might have been the problem, but don't think so!) Is that 5 on a glucose monitor? Also, I've had sugar highs... ugh, just as bad, but only two or three in my life, as opposed to more than 20 of lows. X___x
I'll have to double-check, but I've seen stuff online that says that it occurs in less than .05 percent of a population. Might have been .5.
EDIT: looked up Porphyria, wikipedia. O__O I have never ever had purple urine! also, I've never had pain, just... not comfortable/nausea/maybe pulled muscles? ... which is yet another indicator for doctors. I could be not noticing it?

[Seshat]

Okay. Some anti-stress things to try. (Note: just keep trying until something works for you. Not everything works for everyone.)

* Keep a 'worry book'. Sit and write/type/dictate whatever is in your head until your mental state is calmer because you now know it's written down and you can think about it later.

* Get some cheap fingerpaints or kids' watercolours, get some kids' painting paper. Paint your emotion out. You can go wild, because it's ultra-cheap stuff and it's washable. You're not wasting anything that cost you a lot.

* If you sing or play music, sing/play your emotion out.

* Garden. Pull weeds when you're angry and frustrated, nurture plants when you feel a need to be more loving and caring.

* Punch a punching bag. I have a friend who does a boxing circuit to clear anger/frustration emotions. Me, I .. ahem .. "fluff" my pillows. Violently.

* I need to go visit my doctor - back with more suggestions later, unless someone beats me to it.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Writing things down doesn't do much, aside from making it useful later when I need to explain things to someone and helps me think things through... I have some angrivvated stuff on my hard-drive. :| I remember giving up on it and going back, in a cycle of a night, because I was pissed I couldn't find words, but I wanted to find words, but I couldn't, I worked around them and it sounded wrong, went back, left... I'm glad I can laugh at my mental pacing now...
Gardening will be an option once I get more than planters and keep up with the planters; right now I'm apartmenting.
I've tried punching bags, it just makes my hands/elbows hurt. I really wanted that to work, too. I tried punching my bed, my pillows, and a few times I tried kicking walls. THAT was dumb. Still angry afterwards too. I pretty much just have to wait it out, let boil away. Ninety percent of bad-day-itis is frustration, rather than anger, upset rather than fury. Yes, I was in pain after the attempts, the wall was obvious, but the pain is the joint thing I mentioned (also because when I'm intensely emotional, my body tightens up, and doing stuff then is bad). I'm good walking, sitting, doing chores that aren't aerobic in nature (like when I scrub the tub fast and hard). But if I'm on my knees and/or hands for more than ten minutes, sometimes even right when I kneel, the joints ache and feel sore. I've mentioned in another thread awhile back... I repeat myself too much. Annwy...
Hopefully the bike riding will help me keep my stress levels from rocking hard. The more I think about it, the more like my stress is a pond, less like a temperature or pressure gauge like it seems for most people. It does take me a lot longer to decompress from stuff/the day than it does to rile me up stress-wise.
Singing, like what we do in church, tends to clear my head a bit better; playing rpgs (pencil and paper) are also good-- but both require that I not be in CritFail mode. :\

[TawnyMyst]

For stress relief, I'll go to yard sales and garage sales and find the ugliest ceramics and statues I can find and on really bad days, I'll take them into the back yard with a baseball bat and go nuts. It's actually really fun and it helps sometimes to put faces on them while I do so.

[Seshat]

I'm back, and I've slept.

* Many people find crafts and hobbies relaxing and stress relieving.

* Baking or other non-essential cooking can be great. Kneading dough can be extremely therapeutic; something about the required movements is as calming to humans as cat-massage is to cats.

* Meditation is a classic, as is having a long hot bath with or without bubbles. Or standing in the shower and just letting the water ease the aches away.

* Some people enjoy walking, running, jogging, bike-riding, or skiing. Putting their mind solely into the movement and the moment.

* Yoga and Tai Chi are also classics, any other of that type of moving-meditation exercise can work wonders.

* For some people, being around other people. For some people, being apart from people.

* For some people, being a friend/mentor/listener to another person. Some get it from being around elderly people, some from children, some from the disabled who need support, some from the disadvantaged, some from just anyone.

* This is not a complete list. I don't think there can be a complete list without it taking up the entire forum's disc allocation. Hopefully I've included something helpful.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Crafts and hobbies are for when I'm not having a Red Ink day, good for minor stress, for sure.
Baking/cooking is still new/I haven't branched out very far for it to be relaxing, but at least it's neutral, usually. Baking is a tad stressful, if only because I can't just walk away and forget about it if I start getting bored. Stress== shorter attention span.
Meditation. Probably part of the solution. ... Must clean tub. Bike riding... must get bike
Yoga is stupid popular 'round these parts. Classes are usually full!
People==STRESSSSSS~ ._____. Even when I enjoy their company, rarely is 'being around people' a fix for a problem I have. (and yes, even reading this forum can make it worse. Usually this is a null quantity. ) As it is, only in the last few years have I consistently approached my parents, sister, and other significants in my life for physical affection. Usually they've initiated it; before, about once or twice a month did I go in for hugs. People are the source of about 70 percent of my stress. School is the other thirty.
Whenever I vent to others... I get yelly and loud and angry-sounding, and the only person who gets that this isn't actual anger is my Mom. ... Well, my BF's now learned... This is one reason why I'm dating him: he gets me, or at least tries to very, very hard.
Perhaps advice on not getting stressed in the first place would be best? The pond analogy means that I ripple for awhile, the stress sticks around and gradually settles away. It's like a hard-to-scrub-out stain.
... speaking of which , I have an apartment to clean!
(thank you)