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Original poster

Health anxiety

153 replies

Dollsandfoo · 13/01/2019 17:51

Hi am new here but just wondering if there are any other health anxiety suffers here . I have had it for years always worrying about my health I prod and like my body for lumps untill I hurt myself then convince myself some thing awful is wrong. Then in Oct 2018 I started with this awful tension headaches it's right at the top of my nose between my eyes. And it does affect my vision aswell. This has sent my anxiety into over drive and I kept taking myself off to the hospital and the docs. I had lots of tests done and a ct scan and all been fine and I had a eye test all fine. Doctor says it is all down to my anxiety but am finding it hard to believe this. Has anyone else had this. ?he started me on sertraline been taking 25mg for almost 5 weeks now and some days I feel it helping then others am a mess with worry. I am also going to CBT which is in helping yet but hopfully it will. Thanks for reading

OP posts:
lightisrightisnight · 30/01/2019 21:29

hi all, there are some very good sleep hypnosis videos free on youtube by Michael Sealey. You put them on when you get into bed and listen as you drop off. He has such a hypnotic voice! it doesn't matter if you fall asleep. Your subconscious is the most impressionable as you're drifting off to sleep. They are really good. Everything from stopping negative thoughts to anti-anxiety ones etc. Recommended to listen every night or so for a couple of weeks till it sinks in (then whenever you need it).

So easy, as you don't need to make other time for it. I think it really works for me. :)

autumngazer · 30/01/2019 21:30

Oh thanks @lightisrightisnight I'm going to try them now! I'm up for trying anything. Xxx

lightisrightisnight · 30/01/2019 21:34

@autumngazer ah I hope it helps! report back in a week or so and let us know how it's going. xx

grumblina · 30/01/2019 22:35

After reading this thread last night I have done it, I’ve thought rationally and stayed off google. I even managed to sit through neighbours and the oc story line. I can’t thank you all enough for sharing your stories xx

Hungrypuffin · 30/01/2019 23:07

Well done grumblina! Brilliant work xx

WhyDontYouComeOnOver · 30/01/2019 23:16

No, autumn. What could they do?

autumngazer · 31/01/2019 04:54

@WhyDontYouComeOnOver - I believe they have an email address where you can email them rather than phone them. They may able to help you with some of your fears. X

autumngazer · 31/01/2019 04:55

Well done @grumblina !! That brilliant!! A step in the right direction. X

autumngazer · 31/01/2019 05:14

Urgh mornings are just the worst for me! So hard. ☹️

Clastegra · 31/01/2019 06:07

You are not alone, I started on diazepan last night and as I've not been been eating it's made me like a zombie, because I wake up so anxious I have diarrhoea which I'm sure is a symptom of anxiety. Not at all well this morning. Hope you feel better soon. I always feel worse when it's dark outside xx

autumngazer · 31/01/2019 06:19

Morning @Clastegra . I'm here as well. You're not alone. I 100% agree with the dark outside thing. I can't move until it's got a bit lighter out. I have a seasonal affective disorder lamp that I sit in front of. I think it helps.

My back is aching from constant shivering and being tense.

I've had a bit of diarrhoea on the tablets I'm on, so it could be the tablet you've taken.

This is the worst. xx

Tequilamockinbird · 31/01/2019 09:46

@Hungrypuffin thank you for your earlier post, so helpful.

I had a great day yesterday, went to work and didn't have a heart attack (yay!), was so busy that I didn't even have time to think about anything health related.

Last night after work I could feel the anxiety returning. I'd nothing to occupy my mind (DH was watching football ) and so I came on here and read back through the posts. After reading @Hungrypuffin's post, I tried the technique of telling myself it was just anxiety. It's really difficult as the thoughts still take over, but I'm going to persevere with it.

-6 here today so I'm working from home. Hopefully I'll be kept as busy as I was yesterday.

Have a good day everyone.

autumngazer · 31/01/2019 10:06

My morning wasn't as bad. I can feel myself dipping and horrible thoughts returning. But I'm riding out the storm. This thread is being helpful ladies. Thanks for all your support xx

autumngazer · 31/01/2019 15:14

How is everyone today? X

Clastegra · 31/01/2019 15:27

My hubby is off work today and he's amazing with me. Even managed to eat some soup for lunch as my appetite has been crap due to worry. I'm on a speed awareness course tomorrow n hubby on annual leave all next week n I'm so glad.

How are you ?

autumngazer · 31/01/2019 15:49

@Clastegra that's good. Glad you have someone there for you!

I've felt sick as a dog all day and very tired.

Xx

Clastegra · 31/01/2019 15:55

@autumngazer what are your concerns at the moment, are you alone, I'm able to chat if you need too. X

grumblina · 31/01/2019 22:02

Hope everyone is ok tonight. Have any of you tried venlafaxine? I found it’s the only medication that has ever worked for me. There have been a couple times when I feel amazing so stopped taking it and that’s when my anxiety has become crushing. I think il be on these for life now ...

Lammoshay · 01/02/2019 01:05

Hi ladies
Want to give you some hope.
I myself suffer with health anxiety- I reached breaking point in Nov when i marched into doctors at least 4 times demanding to be seen as was convinced I had something wrong with me.
Fast forward to meds prescribed and round 2 of CBT therapy and I can hand in heart say it’s help.
But other things i find that help:
Meditation and mindfulness
Bath and lots of them to help relax
Lavender oil on pillow
Crystals (citrine) if your into them.
Do NOT google it’s the worst thing!!!! Trust me!
Stop body scanning if you can and when your having those thoughts distract yourself.
For me the physical symptoms were the trigger and I’m still working through that but I’m more optimistic now in that all is well.

I wouldn’t wish this on anyone as it’s horrendous but know your not alone x

Tequilamockinbird · 01/02/2019 20:15

@Lammoshay thanks for your post. I've recently downloaded a mindfulness app on my phone. It's taking some getting in to but I'm going to persevere in the hope that it helps eventually.

How is everyone doing tonight?

I managed to get an appt with nurse practitioner today. She has doubled my heart meds and assured me I'm not imminently at risk of a heart attack. So I actually feel better tonight having heard that from her. I mentioned about the anxiety and she could see from my notes that I'd brought it up quite a few times with the GP. She suggested Sertraline but wanted to speak to the GP before prescribing it as she was an SSRI? could interfere with my heart rhythm and therefore my heart meds. I've another appointment to go back in 2 weeks, so will see what happens then.

Namechanged86 · 03/02/2019 19:19

Hi, how is everyone? I am feeling sick with anxiety tonight. I have noticed a stinging sensation in the skin on my back every so often and I am becoming really scared it’s skin cancer. I can’t see my back to see if there are any dodgy looking moles or anything. Not really sure what to do. I can hardly go to the doctor because sometimes my skin stings.

Clastegra · 03/02/2019 19:46

I'm very bad tonight also, got scans on Tuesday and convinced they will tell me I've got cancer.
The fear is so bad I struggle to breathe and stutter terrible when talking. Blood test showed iron was low and I've managed to find an article that relates low iron to urological cancer so instant panic.

Just so very scared.

autumngazer · 03/02/2019 20:23

Hi all,

Hope you all feel better soon. I also have a health related worry, but I'm that sick of worrying about it, I can't even be bothered to type about it. I'm drained.

I wish I had the words to help! Xx

autumngazer · 03/02/2019 20:24

Thanks for the advice @Lammoshay very helpful. x

Lammoshay · 03/02/2019 20:44

Namechanged86- it only happens occasionally- if it was anything sinister it would be there all the time- take comfort in knowing and processing that. X