Health Anxiety

[Mumma1984]

Hi
I'm so worried STILL that I have MS and I can't shake it, I've had quite a few symptoms that can relate to MS but also anxiety:

I've had 3 'episodes' 3 years apart so nearly 7 years of this at stressful time, the most recent I went all hot and panicky and then it started almost a month of on and off stuff!

Numbness feeling inside my shoulder
Burning skin (not so much this time round)
Fuzzy head

I've had an OCT scan on my eyes the other day and they are very healthy inc optic nerve

I had a brain scan the first time round 7 years ago and it was fine and the neurologist said the symptoms wouldn't lead him to scan me but as I was so anxious he would and as I say it was fine.

But the symptoms and the episodic manner has just not stopped me worrying ... it's so hard, id say they have got better each episode not worst which I presume is good sign

I just am so worried all the time!

I'm on Setraline and having CBT ... also had lots of bloods done last week and my GP again just thinks anxiety ... should I be worried?

I was worried about this as I have had numb fingers and hands for several years. I went to the doctor and she did strengths tests which were normal. She said it all radiates from tension in my shoulders.

How is your diet? I went low wheat, low dairy and this helped my brain fog immensely.

i can understand your concerns but if the tests are normal, then don't worry. It's better not to have too many scans, unless essential, as they carry their own risks.

With the greatest respect, even if you did have MS, you would find a way of coping, the bodies survival instinct kicks in.

It is the anxiety that you need to manage - what strategies help there?

See that's how normal people behave lol you had a symptom of it and then were satisfied with the GP's diagnosis lol I've been through loads of GP's who all say the same and then a neuro as well who said the same and had a scan... but I'm still hung up on it, it's just because I watched a relative deteriorate with it when I was younger and that's what started me on MS !

@HoliBobber oh and I exercise, take Setraline and do CBT for the anxiety but I'm in a hole atm :(

Thanks for describing me as normal, fairly sure that's not the case.

I think if you've had a relative diagnosed with it, that's different (often seems to be the case as a trigger for health anxiety)...it's a reason to take extra precautions to be sure. I had my GM pass away due to breast cancer, so I check religiously and have had two mammograms now. I think after the second one it is starting to sink in that I just have fibrous breasts! I always thought in the background I would develop cancer, the irony being I developed something else in the meantime. The truth is OP, we never, ever really know, and all we can do is take care of ourselves, and try and be in the present moment (easier said than done I know).

I think having a health professional take the time to listen to and talk through your concerns is important, even if the conclusion at the end is that no action is needed. Often when we feel dismissed things can fester.

What about requesting another appointment with your GP to discuss the results and put your mind at rest?

I have health anxiety, and it got so bad that I ended up having a breakdown, getting signed off from work, and eventually having therapy.

Having CBT was the best thing I did. It made me realise that all the physical symptoms I was experiencing that I thought were various illnesses, were actually just caused by the stress and anxiety. It's amazing now the body reacts when your mind is unwell.

I don't really have advice on how to make it stop. The CBT helped me, and I don't know where I would be right now without it, but I know what it's like to be in this dark place and want you tell you in can get better. Have you spoken to friends and family about it? Having their support definitely helped me

I start my CBT this week I'm hoping it helps. My trigger was being misdiagnosed from a baby until 11 with kidney reflux and having continuous infections - they finally listened to my parents and scanned me at 11 after years of fighting for it, we then got taken to the hospital for emergency surgery - I remember everyone coming to visit me standing over my bed feeling sorry for me and I remember having to use a wheelchair for a while etc

The 'relative' was my grandfathers stepbrother so no hereditary risk but just a close family member as in we used to visit a lot and the deterioration really got to me until he passed only being able to blink. Stuck with me.

I think the Setraline is making me feel very very tired atm - all the other symptoms have gone but I'm still worrying it was a flare up of sorts. My doctors (I see a different one all the time) are ok but they are always in a rush to get me out and see the next person.

I don't know if another scan would put my mind at rest, or if I should accept that if when my symptoms were at their absolute worst I got a clear scan and additionally the neuro wasn't worried and would normally not scan for my symptoms !

I can relate to the feeling of helplessness OP. I think you sort of have to re-parent yourself when it comes up and be kind to yourself . Sounds like a good idea to leave having another scan. I hope the CBT therapy helps.

@HoliBobber got told my vit D is low today - not drastically but I don't know if it could contribute to symptoms ...

I get health anxiety and it brings loads of weird symptoms - tingling in my foot, feeling like someone's spilt hot water on my leg, dizziness, exhaustion etc. My doctor has told me it's all anxiety. I think you just have to trust them. I know people with MS and their symptoms were dramatic - suddenly not able to walk, suddenly not able to see in one eye etc.

@SallyWD I have no idea how much your message has helped me, thank you - I think because I've had 3 instances of the symptoms in winter 3 years apart that's what I keep focusing on - my neuro said the same he said it's usually a clinical symptom with MS - so optic neuritis ( had my eyes checked with an OCT scanner 2 days ago) or mobility issues or dropped foot etc ... I'm hoping as what I've had has got better over time not worse that's also a good sign? God knows what is causing it because my anxiety is like a 11/10 tonight but I have no symptoms which I find weird 🤦🏻‍♀️

Bless you, it really does sound like anxiety to me. You can have episodes of anxiety over the years. I don't know why why but my health anxiety tends to flare up once a year and I become absolutely certain I have something like MS. The more I believe it the more symptoms I get (one symptom I forgot to mention was an electric shock like symptom). It's scary but I notice when I manage to calm myself for prolonged periods (i.e. weeks) then the symptoms subside. It's so easy to become engulfed in this anxiety and become hyper sensitive to every small sensation in your body. They've done tests and they don't believe you have MS - now you just need to believe them.

@SallyWD you will be responsible for me sleeping a little easier tonight with your reassurance ... until the panic starts up again tmw 🙈🤣 lol

@SallyWD yup back to worrying this morning haha seen as my vit d was low I'm going to take a high dose - see how I feel and retest in 2 months, I think the numbness I've felt in my shoulder is possibly a reoccurring trapped nerve or compression of sorts, seems to be worse in the morning and then get better a lot of the time and also it can come and go, I sleep on that side, I lean that side in the car etc

The burning skin (which I haven't had more than 5 min of on one occasion this time) is prob anxiety, the fuzzy headache maybe the same as that always comes after days of worry, and that's all I have ... logically ... MS would get worse over time not better as these instances have - and each instance has come at a time of stress...

I'm trying to think positive!

The anxiety won't just disappear. There's always a little voice saying "but what if...?". I'm interested that you say all your episodes have taken place during the winter (if I've understood correctly). Mine do too! It's usually January or Feb that I have a flare up of health anxiety and weird symptoms. This year it's been November. It makes me wonder if it's the lack of vitamin D causing these strange neurological symptoms OR maybe low vitamin D leads to anxiety. I've come to dread winter because I know I'll be dealing with health anxiety.

@SallyWD have you asked your GP about it? I keep looking at MS sites and the symptoms and I don't have any of them except the numbness and tingling and for 7 years that's been the case so I'm just confused what it could be - I just really wish I'd never started having them - I'd of saved Soooo much worry!

No. I haven't. I have googled vitamin D deficiency and I have many of the symptoms including muscle pain, frequentally getting sick, exhaustion and hair loss. I take high-ish dose vitamin D supplements and do feel better when I take them. Obviously I should get properly checked and see exactly how severe my deficiency is and what dose of vitamin D to take. Part of my health anxiety is a fear of going to the doctor. Just thinking about it makes me feel panicky. I went to the doctor 5 years ago when I was in my 30s and my children were toddlers . I thought I had a minor ailment but actually had cancer! I was always a hypochondriac but since then I've become hypersensitive to every symptom. Any symptom you can have could be related to cancer - or MS. I never know when it's in my mind or when I really need to have tests.

@SallyWD oh no I'm sorry to hear that - what cancer was it? I'm even now considering a private neuro app because I just can't seem to let it go - I need a definite answer that I don't have it, but then I think ... well you got that in 2013 but your still worrying!

It was kidney cancer. I'm so thankful to be ok now but of course it hasn't helped with the health anxiety. If you can afford to see a neurologist privately then go for it. If it can put your mind at rest then it's money well spent. As for me I've always had health anxiety, even as a child. I think I always will. By the way I have a friend who kept getting both numbness and tingling in her right hand. She had lots of tests and it turned out it was a trapped nerve. Try not to imagine the worst!

@SallyWD it's all gone now - lasted about 2 weeks and the last week was only in the mornings really, I've just bought the book 'help me in a hypochondriac' lol and CBT starts tonight ! I'm going to think about the private neuro stuff tho!

@SallyWD funnily brought a kidney op when I was 11 following having reflux since I was born was what started my HA - yet I never worry about my kidneys anymore ... so illogical!

My doctor told me he's only ever had 1 patient with MS in several decades of being a doctor - and the symptoms were very obvious. He said he's had hundreds of patients with anxiety thinking they have MS. He's also had patients with trapped nerves, vitamin deficiencies etc thinking they have MS. He said it's one of those conditions everyone thinks they have.

@SallyWD your so good at making me feel better hahaha it's just so annoying isn't it to have the constant worry! The internet is filled with horror stories, I've been through breast cancer worries with a lump in pregnancy, bowel cancer after pregnancy with stupid piles, HIV about 10 years ago for no reason, herpes, again no reason, but MS has been the constant one ! I think as well it's one of the quote vague ones isn't it with no definitive blood test or something easy that says no it's not that - so I linger hugely on it! I hate uncertainty!

I so relate to this. I've always been a worrier but my health anxiety was out of control last year.

Have you seen a physio about your shoulder?

Start taking high strength vitamin D. I'm taking the 1000ug obe you get get from Holland and Barrett. I feel SO much better, it's dramatic. I had the weird shoulder feeling before but I just realised I haven't had it in ages!

Also, are you anywhere near the menopause? These types of feelings - emotional and physical - can all be connected to that.

@AnuvvaMuvva no I'm only 35 and had 3 instances of similar symptoms since 28 ish I think :( I think I was 29 when I had a brain scan but the neuro said look I wouldn't normally scan you for these symptoms but as your anxiety is out of control I will let u choose if you want the scan or not, obviously I chose to have it because I thought I would stop worrying, sadly not! I'm going to take a load of VIT D and just see what happens, thing is symptoms are gone now, had the arm thing about 2 weeks Ish and then fuzzy head the odd few days not constant - that's all I really had this time, I had like 5 min of burning skin but that's when I went all panicky and hot up my back my legs went a bit burning - I suppose symptoms are better by quite a lot not worse than in 2012 when I had the scan so you would think it would get worse if it was really bad.

Just very hard when your so afraid of something to let it go!

I keep reading this thread to calm me down ! :(