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Scared i'll never have a appetite again.

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Posted 11/17/2017 5:47 AM (GMT -5)
I suffer from a severe anxiety disorder and I tend to lose my appetite and can barely eat. about a month ago I finally ate more then usual then had a loose bowel movement and because of the anxiety my throat gets tight and I gag. I have a fear of vomiting so when I have a loose stool I associate that with being sick. Since then everytime I try to eat i gag. It takes longer to eat because. I just gag and gag. It's all I can think about. I would get hungry about a week and a bit ago but I wouldn't eat in fear of vomiting or going to the bathroom. Then just this past two weeks my appetite went away completely. I see food on tv and my mind thinks of eating it and I gag. I have anxiety around family and when I talk, I gag. When it's time to eat, I gag. I went to my doctor yesterday who checked my glands, throat ect and I even gagged there three times due to the anxiety. He put me on Rabeprazole 10mg twice daily as I have been having acid reflux. This is anxiety right? it's my brain associating it with that? I went from around 140 when I saw him back in April to 134 today. I've only been struggling with this for about almost 2 months. I swear im thinking cancer of the esophagus. I can't stop this feeling in my throat and im scared i'll wither away to nothing. I eat maybe a sandwich and snack on small things a day and have been for about 3 weeks. I drink tons of water and i'm a mess and full of anxiety. My anxiety has never been so bad and because of this it's making it worse. I've always struggled with gagging since I was diagnosed with anxiety over a decade ago. God i'm fed up with this crap. I'm tired of worrying and I want my appetite back to eat without gagging.
Posted 11/17/2017 11:50 AM (GMT -5)
JLP,

I am sorry you are struggling with this issue. Know that you are not alone, and that yes, this is fairly common with anxiety sufferers. You will find relief as you continue in your management/recovery process.

If you can't tolerate solids at this time...nutrition shakes such as Boost or Ensure can give you the calories and nutrients you need to maintain your weight. They can be sipped throughout the day and go down easier than regular food. Of course if you can manage both...all the better.

Have you considered the use of MM for appetite? This is a personal decision of course...and some are not comfortable with the idea...but I thought I'd throw it out there, as many have had amazing results with this alternative treatment.

Keep working your coping skills. Things are difficult now, but it will get better. Hold onto hope, and keep posting!

S.C.
Posted 11/17/2017 5:55 PM (GMT -5)
Anxiety can cause you to lose your appetite and weight. All that nervous energy can also make your digestive tract go into overdrive, causing loose stools / diarrhea. Try not to worry about your digestive tract...it will be just fine, it's just nervous and responding to all that anxiety. When your mind calms, so will your digestion.

I'm a huge fan of Premiere Protein...tasty stuff!
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