Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

How to stop health anxiety taking over

2 replies

WTFIsHappeningInTheWorld · 13/03/2022 06:01

Up until the end of last year my health has been pretty stable. Rubbish (recently diagnosed life limiting condition) but stable.

Then it all started going haywire towards the end of last year. A positive FIT test meant an urgent two week referral for colonoscopy which was thankfully clear. Covid which thankfully wasn’t too bad. A worsening back problem which culminated in emergency surgery last week and two flare ups of existing conditions.

I think I am struggling with it all, and can’t help catastrophising. For example -
Following my surgery last week I still have pins and needles/numbness in my leg. The surgeon warned me this may be the case as where they were operating wouldn’t affect this. But. In my mind - I’m either going to end up with Cauda Equina again and need more surgery, or lose the blood supply to my leg resulting in amputation Blush

Another example - I took my prescribed painkillers last night as normal. For the following two hours I felt really out of it, not a feeling I normally get with these. In my rational head I put it down to not eating as much as previous days (bad pain day) and knew that I was taking less than the maximum dose. In my anxiety fuelled state however, I convinced myself I had overdosed and was going to die in my sleep. I know it’s ridiculous but it kept me awake for hours.

I am already on anxiety meds, yet I know this is anxiety based. How do I stop myself from falling further down the health anxiety rabbit hole?

OP posts:
Libertybear80 · 13/03/2022 06:29

Definitely come off the internet. You probably Google conditions that you may have because you have a symptom.

Anonymous42178 · 13/03/2022 17:38

Try and practice mindfulness which is just focusing on the present moment. You could focus on your breath or if you're at home look outside at the clouds or spend some time in nature. Listen to some meditation on youtube. I also love healing crystals, whether they work or not doesn't matter. It just gives me comfort personally and I love a sage cleanse. The point is anything that brings you comfort and gets you focusing on the present. Over thinking and worrying solves nothing just makes things 10x worse. I'm sure there's nothing for you to worry about and I agree definitely don't google symptoms. Stress can actually cause illness or the appearance of something serious. Staying calm and relaxed you will feel a lot better.Flowers

New posts on this thread. Refresh page