Health anxiety, weight loss, no end in sight

[deleting]

hi, i've had health anxiety on and off for about five years and although when i'm in the grip it is hell i've managed to ride it out and it's just fizzled away after having tests for whatever i think i've got at the time (always cancer of some sort). This time though it was brought on by having a virus that wiped me out, lost weight from that and then the anxiety began when i began imagining it wasn't just a virus but something much more sinister and i'm losing even more weight. I always do whem i have these episodes even if i eat normally but this time it's becoming more of a problem because i'm putting myself under so much pressure to eat and put on weight that i'm developing some sort of eating disorder and get clammy and panicky just before mealtimes. I"ve been to doc who reassured me i'm not dying and said the weight loss is all part of the anxiety depression, but i'm desperate. Going back to talk about meds. Any suggestions what's the best one for both anxiety and depression. Anyone else lost weight with their anxiety? Also have a reflux/acid stomach problem and take omeprazole but this worrying is playing havoc with stomach which is not helping.

Hi - just wanted you to know that someone read this and is thinking about you :)
Im not an expert but have suffered from anxiety in past - I would ask for cognitive behavioural therapy as a first instance &maybe some counselling and or dietician. If you have a plan for meal times when you;re anxious it may help _ Im sure the CBT can help with the anxiety/ anxious about the anxiety ifysim.
Im not sure Id go for meds as a first approach altho obviously you need to follow doctor's advice.
It is really normal to lose weight with anxiety and or depression.
I really hope someone else joins this thread & says hi.
take care of yourself and Im sending you a big hug - well done for being brave enough to post.

Sounds like it is worth trying some ADs that also work on anxiety (usually an SSRI such as citalopram, however amitryptiline can also work really well plus it can calm your bowels a bit). This should really be coupled with CBT to help you learn coping strategies to manage the anxiety.

Oooh thanks very much for your replies, had given up on this one! Thanks for the hug aokay, it's much needed. Well, i am much better nowadays. I had to start on ads (sertraline) because i was completely hysterical and the cbt won't start for a couple of months, but i've been referred. Appetite has returned to almost normal and i'm working on the weight. I'm determined to sort it out this time with the therapy, i can't go back to that terrible uncontrollable fear. Anyway thank you both for taking the time to reply x

Just wanted to add my support deleting, health anxiety can be crippling and i battle with it, i had a break down in the end but im better now, although now i just have an underlying general anxiety the whole time. ADs helped me alot

I struggle to keep my weight up due to a variety of health issues, physical and mental.

One thing that I have found is protein bars, I have half of one as a mid morning snack. They often give me quite a substantial part of my daily protein quota if I an struggling to eat well, and stop me worrying so much about food intake. I get them from Holland and Barrett, there is a variety of flavors, I like "chewy caramel" the best. Quite expensive, but I only have half per day.

thanks boringnickname. I'm sorry you're going through it as well. It is dreadful. I think I'm probably the same as you, with just a constant feeling of panic all the time. Am on sertraline which has definitely helped, though I'm still not right. Early days though.

Thanks for the tip 4aminsomniac, I'll get some to give me a boost. I've kind of calmed down a little bit about it now (ads have helped) because I think I can see a little bit of weight going back on, but I find it so difficult to put it on and so easy to lose it. Of course if I mention that to anyone I usually get the reaction of "What are you complaining about, wish I was like that!" Mmmmm