Physical symptoms

[Shazza]

Hello you lovely bunch,

I wondered if anyone else has experienced something similar to what I will describe below.
I don’t understand what’s happening with my body at the moment it seems all over the place.
I had been losing weight for no known reason last year and had lots and lots of investigations. I had other symptoms along side this which were investigated.
This strangely seemed to come to a halt when I left my ex and I am now wondering if it was related to the stress of the situation.
However these symptoms now seem to have restarted. I feel like I am eating more than enough and no less than normal but am losing weight again.
I am also now having horrible dreams, though they aren’t of things that happened with my ex but are very random and extremely vivid. I am waking up screaming and shouting and therefore not sleeping well at all, and thoroughly annoying those I live with. I feel exhausted and so tired in the day because of this.
I am constantly ready to burst into tears at the drop of a hat and anything can set me off. I feel like crying during the middle of random conversations, whilst driving, whilst trying to sleep, whilst eating, any time really.
I have completely withdrawn into myself and I wonder if because I am not properly talking about things and trying to stuff them all down, these issues are now becoming physical symptoms.
Does it make sense that this is all related to the stress of the situation? It is still ongoing and nothing is yet resolved and so I am constantly stressed and anxious. Could the stress be manifesting in these ways?

[Wants To Help]

Hi Shazza,

Are you of an age that you could be going through menopause by any chance? Some of the symptoms you describe are menopausal ones. Are you on medication or have recently changed one or increased a dose?
I was on AD’s a while ago and I experienced very vivid and realistic dreams that were so different to my normal dreams and these started within days of my medication. There is also the possibility that you may have PTSD as a result of your abuse, and the effects of this are now just starting to materialise. If your tests are showing there is nothing physically causing this then it could well be a reaction to the mental stress and anxiety you are going through.

xx

[Shazza]

Thank you wants to help. No I am not of that age though it was something that they looked into last year. I’m not on any medication either.
Maybe a trip back to the Dr for another convo may be needed soon.
Xx

[Sunshinedrops]

I’m questioning this too, recently I’m sweating having hot flushes during the day and night! But my anexity has become so bad I’m always on edge, pounding heart and feel very emotional/ coming to the realisation I have been emotional abused has been tough and don’t think I’ve accepted this yet! Opening Pandora’s box with all the emotion I have brushed underneath for years! Which I don’t think my body can take anymore, it’s rising up and it’s over flowing to physical symptons! But if this sweating, hot flashes continue I’ll have to go see if I’m menopausal I’m only (detail removed by Moderator)
Look after yourself and you can always message me

[Shazza]

Thank you sunshinedrops. That’s interesting to hear that you are having some similar difficulties. My anxiety has also been through the roof. My emotions are so crazy, I cried cos the toothpaste fell off my toothbrush this morning. I am laughing at myself over that now lol but I’m just so on edge. X*x

[Eggshells]

Hi both

Perimenopause can commonly start at around 45 but it can start earlier. The symptoms that you are describing can be linked to menopause.

However, the link between mind and body is much better understood these days and illnesses such as depression or trauma can and do present as physical symptoms.

GPs should know that abused women have a higher than average rate of attendance at their surgery. They often present with symptoms that don’t seem to match any known illness and no cause can be found for their symptoms. In short, the symptoms they are experiencing in their physical health can result directly from mental health illness.

It’s worth going back to your GP. Tell them about the abuse. If you are loosing weight unexpectedly, you shouldn’t ignore it.

[Shazza]

Thank you eggshells. I think you are right and a trip back to the gp is needed. Thank you for taking the time to reply x

[Eyesopening]

Hey,
It’s classic PTSD symptoms, PTSD does havoc on the body, once you go through trauma therapy it’s amazing how things improve in all areas of your life. Nightmares, anxiety, sweating, weight loss ( either/both caused by loss of appetite or your digestion is just too fast due the adrenaline)
I also lost a ridiculous amount of weight, i was so anxious and tired all the time, couldn’t sleep, flashbacks, vivid strange dreams. After finishing my trauma therapy all the physical symptoms improved, I can sleep now. When I had a blip recently, the symptoms came back. I need to really focus on what I have learnt, do great self care, maybe get a massage, just generally have as little stress as possible and things will improve xx

[Shazza]

Thanks eye-opening. I also had trauma therapy before for something very different and it did work wonders. Maybe this time I am experiencing slightly different symptoms compared to my previous trauma. I feel so weak minded at times and just wonder why I cant handle things very well. I feel ashamed of myseld for not coping very well.
I’m also so bad at self care I don’t even know where to start with that 🙈 x

[Eyesopening]

Hey, I think some people are pre-disposed to trauma, and it never really goes away fully. We need to work constantly against ‘it’. That’s how I feel, then we need to prevent those setbacks where we regress to a bad state again, and when we feel ourselves falling, to take preventative steps.
Maybe trauma syptoms develop and change overtime just like we do..
It’s a constant battle, we need to fight for ourselves, we fight with self care, dedication to ourselves, journalling, reaching out for support.
Your not alone I feel weak also, especially when I compare myself to others. But no one else has been through all that we have been through. There is a reason and it is not our fault.
I had terrible fatigue the years with my ex, I was constantly getting tests, thinking something was terribly wrong with me, trying different diets. It was the stress. The fatigue is starting to dissapear now I have been safe for quite a while. But I think it will always be something that comes back if I go through any stress. I would also get hot flashes, those are gone now.
What really helped me was Shiatsu. We need to re-balance our bodies and this really helped, or acupuncture.
Ofcourse I think we should always be checking both areas, physical & mental, just incase and for peace of mind.
xx

[nbumblebee]

I think there is deffo a link. Today he is being horrid my stomach is in knots i feel sick tired i ache all over and im freezing i cant stop shivering.
I really do think there is a link between anxiety and worry and stress and physical pain.
Its all just so exhausting. X

[Shazza]

I hope you are feeling OK today nbumblebee?
I think there must be a link, our minds are such powerful things and stress can take its toll on our bodies for sure x

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