Question: I am right now panicky enough to a point my heart is beating. I had a sort of bug awhile back. I had a very growing stomach when I woke up the next morning a barely made it to the bathroom yet no diarrhea. No pain No fever no diarrhea at all. Other than the panic I feel OK. I do feel hungry oddly enough, yes, but not sure what to eat, my family was worried because I was hungry and barely eating. Now I'm introducing foods to see what will happen. Still panicky every time I go to eat something.... one day I thought a benign choice a turkey sandwich with some mayonnaise. my stomach growled right through the night, when this air and gas is released it comes out as flatulence with loose fecal matter. then all day nothing. no loose movement nothing ... I was told that it could be a bacteria from what I had that has disturbed the gut ecosystem. I want to believe that...things are better not perfect. better than they were. All I want to know is are there other things that can cause this, please I don't want to hear about some horrible disease. On top of all this I'm a medical phobic . Again I have no fever no pain no vomiting nothing as I said I'm fine just in a state of panic....PLease just let me know if there are other things that can cause this. minor things. It is better not as good as I would like it. Also I might add after this little bug thing , I had a UTI which is the first time for me. they told me it was possible due to the infection Again I don't want to hear anything else I'm in a panic state already because of this phobia. If it is something bad it will be found soon enough I"ll take care of it then but I can't handle it now. I feel good and I have hunger. just afraid of what to eat. I'm told yogurt may help...thank you
thank you for a better answer it appears that you read the question. As for the urinary infection which was the first one I ever had. that was taken care with antibiotics. The first time too, an antibiotic caused a reaction. But the urine infection was cleared up. The NP called in a prescription for Bactrim which he said is good for a year. If I have any frequency or discomfort I can take it. when I need it. So I have it on hand ...... they can't be sure but whatever bacteria entered a bug of some sort may be the reason for the UTI.
I already have an appetite I get hungry . no pain no vomiting. but would like a normal Bowel movement. right now it is getting better, the growling stomach not as bad but could be better. Yes mentally I have a problem I been in discussion groups re; this phobia there are many like me. I'm thinking of trying therapy. I do overthink my medical symptoms at times. you are right. I have been trying to eat fiber. scares me a little because I feel it will make it worse, but I did eat squash and the next day it was better. not good enough but not so loose. not much coming out I'm sure there must be much fecal matter that should be released. I 'm a little afraid right now to take a laxative. hoping this continues to get better. At least you gave it a name. and I hope for my panic you are right
I'm giving it a few more days. hopefully it will continue. I hope this isn't a dumb question but in May I fractured my wrist and had to have surgery with a nerve block, I had all kinds of IVs could that have contributed to this even if it was 2 mos. ago. I thank you you've been helpful at least I got something for my
15.00...
last time I'll bother you. Dr Ulabidin, gave a decent answer but I now know what he diagnosed isn't the problem.. I thank him for his time, and loved hearing the words you are not that ill....but what he describes is more for people who are alcoholics I don't drink extremely moderate wine with dinner once in awhile ....I don't understand using antacids aren't they for heartburn I don't have any thing like that. No pain no fever no vomiting feel pretty well except for the panic ...it's just growling stomach and that air has to be released usually in the morning and it comes out in flatulence with fecal matter. NOT DIARRHEA, I have an appetite just not sure what to eat not to eat something that brings on the growling and fecal matter expulsion some fecal matter. It is better than it was... I 'm hoping it's what I was told by someone, that the gut ecosystem has been unbalanced due to some sort of bug. Eating yogurt vegetables and fruit may put it back on track. I'd like to take a laxative, but a little afraid to. As for physical activity hard to do when you're depressed and in a panic state. Also love to hang out with friends as I use to , but with growling stomach afraid to eat things because not sure what is going to happen a loose movement thanks again just from things I heard can't believe it's gastritis, also some say that's a precursor to cancer.
please Tell dr. Ulabidin. where on earth did he read prolonged use of antibiotics in my question... I never said that.... I took 3 pills in 2 days and the UTI cleared up. he misread everything... the surgery was just as an outpatient to correct a fractured wrist I just thought that perhaps some of the medication I had to have that ONE day may be a cause. Are they really doctors on this site. My FREE advice was the best I received the other opinion said some sort of bug that disrupted the ecosystem ....I'm doing better...... I don't want and endoscopy as I'm sure not necessary. sorry I spent 15.00 I don't think they read questions thoroughly or can only deal with things like a headache a cold etc. Sorry but I 'm not too impressed. And not a good idea to bring up the word Cancer to someone already panic ridden this was not a good idea at all sorry I did never again. I hope he receives this again are they really doctors.

Thank you doctor. I just want to say. The UTI is gone. it came after the episode earlier. I still have this problem on and off, I'm not sure a bug is responsible because I thought that would have gone awhile ago. One day, After eating my stomach kept growling the next day, I barely made it to the bathroom. but I had no vomiting no pain no diarrhea. So I'm not sure what it was. But since then it's still comes and goes, I think I'm getting over it but the BMs are still loose here and there. small amts. sometimes with substance sometime not. so the fears start again... I am anxiety ridden because of medical phobia. I know that sounds strange to you. I am a sound fairly intelligent person, just with a phobia. I do fear something is wrong, but wouldn't I have pain????. thank you again. previously the doctors weren't reading the question. they came on saying a stomach bug you'll be fine soon. I wish that's what it is, sorry to say it's not. Thank you
thank you aga

thank you doctor and I won't bother you any further, but yogurt isn't helping I've been eating it nothing is.... because as I feared it something more serious. the antibiotics are took were after this I already had these symptoms before the UTI the antibiotics had nothing to do with it. A bad idea to mention the UTI The UTI cleared quickly the only thing that gives me a little hope that it's not colon cancer, is I have no pain no nausea no vomiting so hopefully it's something else. actually feeling OK except for the terrible anxiety. I hate the thought of wasting away. thank you for your response,

thanks again Doctor for your thoughtfulness. My anxiety and panic didn't cause this this caused the panic. I finally took a mild laxative and had some results.
Because I was afraid constipation would add to the problem ....I've never had anything like this so that's why the anxiety. I witness a couple of people with colon cancer and it was dreadful and horrible. I would rather die then go through what they did wasting away. I think Doctors should keep them sedated until they pass. just my opinion. Because there is no pain no blood no nausea, I feel maybe it's not serious. I just don't know what it could be. thank you for the info.

Doctor I told myself to stop bothering you but now I 'm using you as a psychologist or psychiatrist so excuse the length, I now feel you need to know why I'm the way I am. Because I know how strange this must sound to you, I am a fairly intelligent person who had a decent job except for this I'm usually a sound individual... No you haven't misled, me, the written word is difficult..
You are being very kind and patient with a very bad patient. Medical phobia, is due to bad experiences with doctors. There are many people like me. I come from a generation, If you had any illness, you called a local Gen'l pract.
and you'd go to their office some people would just walk in, and sometimes sat for an 1 hr. or so. waited your turn in a waiting room of people. They would treat you for a bad cold ,flu, strep throat etc. If they suspected anything they would go further with it, and were extremely gentle and kindly. It wasn't the end of the world if you didn't have a regular doctor, or medical history... Not so now. today doctors are in a hurry they don't know their patients, some rude, in my day they made house calls. They got to know you. They knew who were anxiety prone and were gentle with them. I'm sorry to bother you with this, and bore you with it, but thought you'd need to understand....One incident I had that exacerbated this anxiety problem.. I had a breast lump I went directly to a GYN a woman, she said you have a mass it has to come out. I said couldn't it be a cyst, she got half way out of her chair and said in a very loud voice, I'm not telling you things you want to hear it's a mass it has to come out. I was stunned I never knew a doctor like this. she was abrupt through the whole visit. luckily a surgeon was across the hall he was as nice as she was rude. He said I understand your horror, and you're going to be happy if a very few mins. He did a needle biopsy said I feel about 98 % sure you're OK. she should have said let's consult with the surgeon. I' m not a doctor but at least I know that much. I know this is rambling on and I'm sorry but thought it was time you know why I over react to things. and that was only one incident there was another a misdiagnosis, but I've bored you enough. I don't know what I have it's some sort of digestive upset and I've thought of all the worse things it could be. my stomach will rumble, on and off, sometimes not bad sometimes often, that's why I have anxiety (this started before the anxiety)... the bowel movements aren't what they were, I never had a growling stomach, so naturally I'm in anxiety and it's been going on for awhile. these are all firsts for me... I feel it has to be something serious.I like to think some sort of bacteria is to blame, but I doubt that's the case. I'm not doubting what you say, but I don't know how anti acids can help this. I 'm doing the yogurt I don't see any change at all. I feel like I have no future now I don't plan anything, ....sorry looks like I wrote a book, I won't do this again If I write back it will probably be to thank you. You've been very kind and patient.

could this be IBS or does IBS always have pain. I don' t have pain. I do have a rumble stomach when this is going on. some days not. If it is IBS there's nothing I can do is there. If this is the problem why at my age would I contract this. Is there a way to control it??? thanks again sorry didn't think I'd bother you again.

first thank you for being so patient. I'm taking up too much of your time. I had not intention of taking so much time for this.

1. how long about 3 wks.

2. I 'm not really hesitatant....I do use the yogurt. I didn't take anti acids because I don't see what they have to do with this. But since you ask I"ll try it. part of this phobia is medication.

3 number of times to go... --sometimes once, sometimes twice Also I feel it's flatulence but something always comes out sometimes not. a little spurt is the only way I can describe it.

4 consistency ----sometimes there is a substance mostly loose sometimes a lot sometimes not. color brown no blood that I can see, and I don't have pain.

5 sometimes I've had something a little normal then back to loosness.

6. growling comes and goes. sometimes during the night sometimes not at all
if I eat something it can start... then again it doesn't always. mostly it's around the naval area mostly below the naval. Or it seems to be

7. straining only when I wasn't going then took a laxative. I try not to eat too
much for fear it will start something. but when I get hungry enough I do.
and I thought I'm putting a lot in and nothing is coming out so I felt I ' d
better take a laxative. first time I've taken one

8 no regurgitation....no sour taste...once there was like a sour stomach but it passed quickly

9 my blood pressure is a little high I feel due to a recent weight gain.

10 no medications.

In the past certain foods have caused a loose bowel movment couple of hours after eating but I've always had that doesn't happen very often and my family has had that happen and some friends of mine have had it.


I thank you for your time, but now I'm fearing that I'm never going to have a bowel movement again. I think maybe it is a bug of some sort that started this but not sure any more. I'm trying to get up the courage to find out but so far not so good, I'm afraid of social situations due to this. . the day I took the laxative it worked a few hrs. later. the next morning after a very light breakfast awhile after,I felt and urge and rushed to the bathroom and had a slight accident but had a good amt. of fecal matter. I think the laxative may have had something.to do with it, , but would that go into the next day? I sometimes have small stools sometimes not at all. some days better than others. I'm trying hard to go find out, but hate the thought of tests, and waiting for results that can be bad news. which now I think may well be. I don't fear death it's how I die. I know I need to see a therapist which is less frightening, than a doctor. Other than this problem I feel fine. No vomiting no pain. but I'll try the antiacids. Is tums or whatever other be OK does it have to be omapro. I never know which foods to eat always wondering if it 's going to cause something. But then I get so hungry I have to. this came on very suddenly...and that make me wonder. I Wish I could have normal bowel movements...

Dr. thank you for your kindness. I wish I had met a doctor like you earlier and I wouldn't have this phobia. You're trying so hard to help a very poor patient.I know you're being helpful probably more than you should be. I appreciate the fact you say nothing major. I wish I could hold on to that thought. I don't doubt your ability at all it's me with a sick mind. Below is information on my family... There is a sort of reunion the end of the month with former classmates, I doubt if I'll attend because something may happen and it will be embarrassing. Also I should mention I'm a private person, this is all so hard to talk about such a personal thing....I 'm trying very hard to look into what's wrong. but medical phobia is not an easy thing to conquer. I assumed it was a bug that caused this problem, but I don't really know that. Then a urinary infection I never had one, so I assumed again, the bacteria caused it. But I don't really know it's a layman's guess and hopeful thinking.. I only know this all started quickly, after eating.... I had a growling stomach which for me is unusual, I thought nothing of it. the next morning I barely made it out of bed to the bathroom. I assumed it was a bug, but I would think diarrhea, from a bug would be constant throughout the duration. this didn't happen I didn't go again. It turned into flatulence noisy and spurts of fecal matter, I don't think of it as diarrhea. Since then just spurts of fecal matter, and that's when I push to try to have a normal bowel movement. I wear feminine pads for protection in case. I need it. , but it's me pushing to get something moving. The growling isn't that frequent ....Once or twice I had small movements with some sort of substance...I don't think taking laxatives is a good Idea I've only done it the one time. Now I think I may have to do it often, which is not good. this phobia causes irrational thinking I'm now worried about a blockage. but then again would the laxative had worked so efficiently if it was a blockage???? See all kinds of scenarios and diseases come to mind. I really need to be helped.

As for my family my husband had a stroke, and has to be in a nursing home, which to me is so terrible. Heartbreaking .....it's been close to 2 yrs. I doubt if it has to do with this, I been handling it pretty well, and bringing him home for day visits, with transportation in what is called a cabulance I can't get him into a car his left side is as they say in neglect. the visit is for 2 or 3 hrs.. I'm with him as much as possible. my son came back to help, I don't live a alone I also have a very helpful daughter who lives about 1/2 hr. away. I don't really need care outside of this fear and problem I take care of myself and feel fine. I was always very active, did things like painting rooms in the house, I use to mow the lawn, until my husband retired. my son takes care of that. most people remark how young I look, I'm not boasting just trying to give you an idea of what I'm like, I'm not elderly in the sense that I can't care for myself I don't need any kind of personal care...I'm doing that very well....Several aides at the nursing home said they were so surprised that I was 74, because I'm so youthful looking. they thought 60s maybe, I've always looked younger. Again I'm not bragging I want you to have an idea of what I'm like physically. outside of this I'm healthy I assume I'm healthy. I just wish I could shake this terrible thing and phobia, the depression.... I continue to do duties even with fear,

I had surgery for a fractured wrist in May. I handled it very well. yesterday the orthopedist said x rays are perfect he said you'd never know you had a fracture. It's just under 3 mos. this is good for someone my age. And I never was a milk drinker. I doubt if the surgery had anything to do with the bowel problem . the bowel thing is what exacerbated the phobia. If you're asking about my history, outside of the usual things I've been pretty healthy. I had whooping cough at 3mos. old, I survived because the doctor said my mother breast fed me. Most infants in my generation died from it. . I had strep throat once had penicillin and got over it with no problems I had pneumonia a few yrs. back it was in it's early stages was helped with antibiotics. no problems after at all, I've had all the childhood diseases...My father died at 84, mother 94.

I'm going to be eating yogurt again with fruit is once a day OK or should it be more twice??? and I"ll take an anti acid, not that I doubt you, but I don't seem to have an acid problem no heartburn. I would love to find out why this is happening and to have a normal bowel movement again. Outside of a couple of times and because of the laxative, I haven't had one. with the laxative it was loose but at least something came out. I saw what a couple of people looked like with colon cancer, it was terrible, so I can't get it out of my mind. I 'd rather die.. everyday I feel this will correct itself but now I see, it may never happen, I wish I had the courage to find out. eventually I probably will have to. .I wish I could be sedated...... in short unconscious for days and let them perform all kinds of tests. I wish it could be done I'm sure it will never be possible. thanks again you're being very patient. I'll try to think it's not serious, but so hard to do. I feel I'm at an age something is going to happen.

I had to write right away...I actually had a bowel movement not as good as I would like but at least better. something with substance. I thought no laxative now. I feel maybe there's no blockage. I hate so much to get my hopes up, trying hard not to. Do you think it's coming to an end. I'm going to inhale yogurt if it makes a difference. just had to tell you hopefully it continues. the first movement of substance in a awhile without straining or laxatives. one splotch was about the size of a lemon or lime, but it was a splotch (loose). I hope this means something good, I hate to get too optimistic. what do you think.