Please help me calm down.

[Calmclams]

About a year ago, I found a small lump next to my ear lobe. Don’t ask me why, but I used a small needle to pierce it and see if that got rid of it. It didn’t really have much effect, but the lump got less noticeable. Not sure if it went a way or if it’s just small enough to not be prominent now.

Fast forward to today and I’ve had almost like a headache type pain, radiating from around that area through my head. It’s come in waves but has eased off a bit as the day has gone on. Im not prone to headaches and haven’t experienced a headache radiating from that area before. I’m really starting to worry that the lump was something significant.

For context, I have a history of anxiety (health anxiety and OCD), I have been much better for the last year and have been off my medication. However, it’s winter and the dark nights and this time of year in general has been a time I’ve struggled in the past. Not sure if I’m being rational just now or if I’m catastrophising!

I know no one on here is a doctor, but I just need some help to calm myself down as I can feel my thoughts spiralling a little.

Thanks.

Hi, also have health related anxiety so I can help.

There is a chance that you are catastrophising it. And it's important to acknowledge that.

There is also a chance that it could be something more.

Write down your worries... then see if you can answer them with a plan of what you will do.

e.g. I'm anxious about X because of Y and Z.
I can do X which will help me understand Y and Z.

Even if you just write down that you plan to see your GP tomorrow and plan the conversation, that will help.

As PP said write a plan. Phone Dr on Monday.

Hi @Calmclams sending you lots of happy positive vibes x
Have you booked a doc appt re the lump?

Thanks. I haven’t booked an appointment. I feel like I’m always at the doctors and don’t want to waste their time. I can’t even really feel the lump in my ear anymore. I’m just so stressed about it though.

It’s a ear lobe cyst, they are really common.

I had radiating pain like that recently. It was a sinus infection and some spray from the pharmacy really helped! It's awful being so worried. If it gets worse, you could always give 111 a ring?

Health anxiety loves to make weird connections between things like this that often turn out to be totally unconnected - that’s a special skill of the illness! And you are absolutely right about the dark winter nights.

Thanks all.

@QuestionableMouse its interesting you say that. I’ve had incredibly blocked sinuses the last week or two… 🤔