Health anxiety

[Mvshrln]

Hi all,

I've seen a couple of health anxiety threads on here but they're all quite old/inactive and wondered if there were any more recent ones, or if anyone fancied discussing it via this new thread? It's helpful when someone else knows how you feel.

I really struggle with HA, the thoughts bounce around my head until I fixate on one and worry about it relentlessly. I can see why the anxiety has appeared (friends parent passed away, the covid-19 situation has terrified me, I'm getting older/have life events happening like buying a house, and I also work within the hospice sector). It's helpful to know why but it doesn't help with how to deal with it! I'm currently taking venlafaxine and CBT counselling via videocall but the worry takes up huge chunks of my day.

Nightmare! How is everyone else?

Hi,
Can I join. Everything I've read sounds just like me. I've suffered with this awful condition since I was a child. It can go away for a while, sometimes more than a year but always returns. I'm currently 27 weeks pregnant and just cry all the time, can't enjoy my pregnancy as all I can think about is getting a terminal illness and having to say goodbye to everyone and my child not having a mum. In the past two weeks I've self diagnosed inflammatory breast cancer, lung cancer and throat cancer. It's exhausting. I've been referred to the perinatal team so I hope I can finally get some much needed help as I'm having such a bad week x

Hi everyone, hope everyone is doing well.

@Ethellsmum that sounds very scary, I hope you are feeling better now!

@Lib3rtine I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling, especially with being pregnant, I know hormones can definitely make anxiety worse. I was talking to my DH today, he’s very supportive but still obviously can’t fully understand as he is very laid back and never really gets anxious. I described the anxiety as dampening down any other feelings, so for you like enjoying your pregnancy. I described it to him as the normal feelings being a fire and the anxiety is like a fire blanket, it just suffocates any other feelings or thoughts and totally takes over. I don’t know if that’s just me or it others can relate to that?

@MrsWhites that's a really good way of describing it, all I do feel like it consumes everything

Hope everyone is doing ok and getting support and help they need at the moment.

Does anyone find they get a flare up of HA around time of their period? I'm finding mind becomes much worse then and I can't sleep, my anxiety is much worse and intrusive thoughts just wont stop. Just wondering if anyone else sees a pattern?

@chorusline79 absolutely mine flares up around my period. Usually from a few days before and then during my period too!

@MrsWhites that is a perfect description of it! I think what brings it on for me is when I feel happy, I get scared that it will get taken away from me and just can’t stop thinking about it. I’ve got a phone appt with perinatal team tomorrow so I’m hoping I’m on the road to getting it manageable.
My husband is also really supportive and understands what I’m going through so he’s been really good. I’ve also found a social media break has really helped me.
Hope everyone is doing ok xx

I feel like I need to come off social media or get rid of my phone and Internet all together.
I have been great for about a year and now I have had a little pain in my stomach (probably wind or just a tummy ache) and period was 2 days late (which isn't uncommon) but now I have diagnosed myself with all kinds. And watching out for any little niggle and over thinking it. Just wish I could turn my brain off.

I know I definitely need to stay off social media but I am constantly looking for reassurance. I am having an mri scan in a couple of weeks and even though the consultant has said he’s 99% sure it won’t show anything I’m terrified and can’t stop thinking about it , he said it would help with my anxiety to know there is nothing wrong but until then I am seriously going mad with all the thoughts in my head. I have also been prescribed 20 mg of Amitriptyline to try and help with the tension headaches, teeth grinding and clenching which he feels is causing the titinus. I’m a mess 😢

@Proudnana3

I'm
The same at the minute been having headaches for a month, I've diagnosed myself with very cancer going, even tho I've had a ct scan on my head I'm like the doctors are lying. Constantly on my mind about it. I'm having bloods tomorrow and for the last 2 weeks I'm on edge Cos I want answer like now, I've even debated going to a&e Cos I'm anxiety is that bad at the min.

@Squeekybummum it’s definitely done me good having a break, I think I’m going to extend it further than the week I initially said. I am exactly the same, every little change however slight, I have diagnosed some kind of terminal cancer. I have found that doing something different to going on social media has really helped switch my brain off from negative thoughts. I’ve started colouring and even downloaded Tetris to my phone and I’ve felt a lot better the past couple of days.

@Proudnana3 I hope you feel better after your scan when you know that everything is ok. In the mean time try and stay off social media and Dr google. Keep coming on here if you need to talk, I know what you mean with the thoughts in your head driving you mad, I’m not as bad as last week but still having wobbles.

I had my initial phone consultation with the mental health team today and I’ll either be doing group therapy or 121 so I’m feeling more positive that I’m going to get some help in coping strategies xx

Lib3rtine thanks for replying, yeah I'm going to come off social media for a while. Hopefully that snaps me out of this.
I have been doing so well, not sure what has set me off.

Proudnana3 I hope your mri scan comes back quickly so you get your reassurance. HA is such a horrible thing to go through.
I tried medication after I had my daughter but really don't want to go back on them just yet, want to try other ways 1st. Another worry of mine is will I even be able to get an appointment if I really do need one (with all my self diagnosed illnesses) 😩

Proudnana3 I hope your mri comes back quickly so you can get your reassurance. HA is just a horrible thing to suffer from.
My next worry is will I even be able to get a doctors appointment if I need one, with everything going on (with all my self diagnosed illnesses) 😩

Lib3rtine Thank you I’m going to try hard today.

Squeekybummum. Thank you, my gp’s are rubbish at the moment, not seeing anyone and wrongly diagnosing over the phone, that’s why I went to a&e and then paid to go private. The hospital even said gp surgery’s weren’t pulling their weight in this pandemic and that they were getting patients come in that should have been seen by their gp but just weren’t. It all adds to the anxiety.

Hi all - not posted here before, but have had a quick skim through and so many things resound with me! Self-diagnosing multiple cancers, fear of leaving children without a mother, etc.

My current symptoms are unexplained weight loss, frequent/loose bowel movements and pain in my left shoulder and bra strap area. Circulation problems with my hands come and go as well. Some of them could have benign causes (the pain could be muscular, the weight loss could be because I was intentionally losing weight until a couple of months ago and maybe I haven't quite settled at my new natural weight yet). But I can't explain all of them, and 3 are consistent with pancreatic cancer, 2 with heart disease. Possibly diabetes too - what if I'm clinically vulnerable to covid and don't even know it? Etc

I have a BUPA health MOT coming up, which I hope will reassure me somewhat, but I don't know that I'll be tested extensively enough for my peace of mind!

How is everyone doing?

Bloody hell this impending lockdown not helping! I'm so fed up with this health anxiety, i just don't feel like myself anymore. Its making me desperately unhappy. I manage to stay off google for a while but I've taken 3 steps back today and am now in a panic feeling sick and shaky. It's just so tiring and I can't see a light at the end of the tunnel where I will feel normal again 😭

I reched out to the doctor this morning. I had a particularly bad night the other night, and yesterday morning, although I'm better today. I wanted to ask her if there was something I could take to help me take a step back while I'm in a 'spiral' with it. Her reply: 'have you tried taking 5 deep breaths?' and 'sometimes a walk can help, or yoga.' really useful. Next time I'm having a panic attack I'll just whip out the yoga mat and the world will be right again

Hi @Malzzy
How are you doing today? That is so frustrating and I'm sorry to hear your Dr was so useless as it takes a lot to get in contact and then to feel dismissed like that is so frustrating. Does your GP offer any talk services? Mine signposted me to an online service where you can sign up for an assessment and therapy over the phone, I think it's usually in person but at the moment all phone based.

@PowerslidePanda hello! Agree with you that a lot of this thread resonates and also jumping in.

I’ve had a bad couple of years with health/anxiety? issues and now in the middle of another period of lots of different symptoms and starting to wonder what’s real and what my brain is imagining

I’ve diagnosed myself with a brain tumour, heart disease, nasal cancer, MS in the past year and now I’m worrying about cancer again. Had back/abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and fatigue over the last few months. So bloody draining. GP not particularly concerned had a load of blood tests all normal. Had ultrasound of pelvis normal, and after going private most recently a CT scan of abdo and pelvis which consultant told me was normal but wants me to have a colonoscopy now too. So in my head I’m thinking he’s seen something on CT scan and wants to investigate further. Arghhh! Just keep spiralling into thoughts about leaving the kids without a mum and how they’d cope. I know it’s silly and not helpful but just can’t help it!

Anyway, glad to see there’s others out there in similar positions, even if it’s not a great place to be!

Wow, @Malzzy - I know that people who don't suffer health anxiety don't really 'get' it, but you'd think a GP of all people would!

@Lolly12 - I can very much relate to not knowing what's real vs created by our own heads! It's good that your symptoms are being checked out, and I don't think the consultant ordering a colonoscopy is any indication that he saw something on the CT. I can't see any reason why he'd lie and tell you it was normal, if it wasn't. I think he's just being a good doctor who's trying to find an explanation for his patient's symptoms, rather than brushing you off just because the CT came back clear. Do you have a date for the colonoscopy yet?

Had a panic a few days ago when my Fitbit kept showing my heart rate as above 90 when I was sat perfectly still. And another when I coughed up a little bit of sputum tinged with blood - cue lung cancer panic But apart from the shoulder pain, my symptoms have been generally ok this week, so not currently too worried about the things I posted about before.

I know 🙈 I've actually felt a lot better since so I've seen the 'funny' side in whatever problem arises in the household saying completely straight faced 'maybe you could try taking 5 deep breaths' 🤣 but I realise how lucky it is that this was just a wobble and not a full blown few-week episode. I've taken the decision to leave the gp surgery that I've been with since I was born, and have registered elsewhere. Might be jumping from the frying pan into the fire, but it can't be much worse!
Hope everyone is OK, especially those in England dealing with a lockdown!

@PowerslidePanda glad you’re not worrying too much about things right now. My colonoscopy is in a couple of weeks... You’re totally right, I can’t see how he’d tell me CT okay when not, really need to stop overthinking everything. But easier said than done! I’ve had awful lower back pain that’s gradually got worse these last few weeks. Worse at rest and night, and with nausea too are red flags. So obviously now convinced it’s spinal mets from unknown primary cancer. Honestly I’m just the worst at spiralling into catastrophic outcomes. And once it’s in my head I can’t unthinking it if that makes sense.

I don’t think new lockdown is helping either. Stressing about keeping kids entertained/exercised at weekends when I’m feeling crap.

@Malzzy changing GPs sounds like a good positive step. Having someone you can trust and feel comfortable sharing your worries with, with confidence, is so important.

Can I join . I’ve had HA for a few years a bunch of tests for various things set me on the cancer pathway .

Was not cancer but I have periods where I go to doctor , get tested and all is ok. But I am convinced it is only a matter of time before they find something . This week I am something going on and have convinced myself it’s a heart attack !

I take 100mgs of setraline which was working fine , does anyone else fee like they are very in tune with there body and feel every twinge

@Ahbump I am also aware of literally every single twinge or discomfort. It’s so draining.

@Lolly12 it is and draining to hard to switch of !

So obviously now convinced it’s spinal mets from unknown primary cancer. Honestly I’m just the worst at spiralling into catastrophic outcomes. And once it’s in my head I can’t unthinking it if that makes sense.

I do this too! I developed a couple of symptoms of breast cancer, but I'd been fretting about my tummy troubles up to that point, so my first thought was that it was bowel cancer which had metatasized! Glad you don't have long to wait for your colonoscopy - hope your back pain improves in the mean time though.

@Ahbump - Yes - the being-in-tune thing is tricky, because they do advise that you pay attention to your body and get checked out if something changes. I don't understand how it's possible to be vigilant without also worrying over every little thing.