HomeAnswersInternal MedicineanxietyI am a 23-year-old with anxiety issues and weight loss. I take Lorazepam 5 mg when required. What could be the reason for my weight loss?

Can anxiety cause weight loss?

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Published At September 4, 2023
Reviewed AtSeptember 4, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 23-year-old female, 167 lbs (and decreasing) 5'6" in height, and taking Lorazepam 5 mg when needed. This has been an issue for a long time. It starts with a feeling of consuming dread. Like it suffocates you. Then my heart beats so hard and fast. As if it's ready to burst out of my chest. Then I get so hot. My hands have become so cold. And I feel incredibly faint. It would get so bad I do feel like I am passing out while laying down. Somehow, that triggers an upset stomach or vomiting. I have had multiple blood tests done. As well as a 24-hour urine culture where they check your adrenal glands that sit on top of the kidneys and they check for tumors that could be causing extra hormone production. That came out normal. I have worn a 24/7 event monitor for 30 days. Which came out normal. I've had an echocardiogram done, that came out normal. ECG all comes out normal. They did chest X-rays to check the lungs and heart. All good. The blood is good. Everything is good. The symptoms are happening more frequently. They used to occur once a month now I experience them daily. Most days, I wake up to them. In addition, where my heart is, I feel pain like pressure. Sometimes I have soreness. It keeps me awake at night. Sometimes my heart beats so strongly, I can not sleep. Other times my heart feels like it is stopping or dropping only to resume beating again. There are days when it feels like there is a huge ball stuck in the center of my chest which forces me to cough just so I could breathe. There is always a tickle in my lower throat because of it. I have barely any appetite. I am losing weight. That pretty much sums up what is going on. Please help me.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I read your query and understand your concern. There are probably two issues with you, one is anxiety and panic attacks, and the second is gastritis and reflux disease. For your first problem, I think you should have medicine continuously rather than whenever needed. You should get a prescribed tab of Clonazepam (Docusate sodium, Lactose monohydrate) 25 mg twice a day for a few weeks then taper off. You can have other medicine like Sertraline (Sertraline Hydrochloride). You should avoid a fatty, oily, and spicy diet. Have some walks after having food instead of taking a rest. Have multiple small meals instead of heavy meals. Have regular sleep habits and avoid stress. Lots of green leafy vegetables, fruits. Avoid smoking and alcohol if any. You can get prescribed tab Pan DSR (pantoprazole) 40 mg or esomeprazole domperidone combination before breakfast once a day for two weeks. If not adequately relieved, then you should add syrup. Sucral O (Sucralfate and Oxetacaine) or Gelusil two teaspoons three times a day for a week. I hope this helps you get back if you have any doubts.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode
Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Cardiology

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