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?

@Jj2431are you taking medication too? I’ve been prescribed sertraline but I’ve not taken then yet.

@MrsWhites so glad you had a good day yesterday, I too managed to have a good one as we had things planned and were busy. I felt done dread whilst in bed last night as I knew we don’t have anything planned today!

I’m on my period so my breasts feel heavy and full but it also gives me a few days break from prodding as I know they are fever ally supposed to feel quite different during a period. Fingers crossed today can be a good day too X hope it is for you too x

Social media is terrible isn't it. Whenever I log into my Facebook I am bombarded with stories popping up about cancer and it just fuels the fire. I have changed some settings to try and stop it but I'm seriously thinking about deleting it all as having woken up in an ok mood, the sick feeling and random pains are back after 5 mins on facebook!

@MrsWhites glad you had a lovely day. I know what you mean, it’s really comforting having people you can completely relate to x

@TheSilentStars hi there, sorry you’re going through a bad time. I can completely relate to what you’re saying, I’ve been there on numerous occasions. Your GP definitely wouldn’t say your scan isn’t urgent if they thought it needed to be so try and focus on that. Best thing to do is get your bloods done and take it from there. Your GP sounds like they’re bring thorough but not concerned about anything untoward so take comfort in that x

@chorusline79 social media is what usually sets me off, it’s either a cancer advert or I come across someone on Instagram who is going through a horrific time with stage 4 cancer. My heart breaks for them and I’m then googling all about it and my mental health takes a nosedive. I came off it for 3 weeks and felt much better so I may have to come off it permanently too

@Goolies hope you’re ok and have a good day today. Like you say, breasts feel totally different at that time of the month so no point feeling them. Think that’s why I struggle a bit whilst pregnant as they feel totally different and swollen x

@Goolies I know what you mean about periods affecting your breasts, mine get really bad shooting pains in the 10 days leading up to my period. It happens every month but I still struggle with the what ifs every time! This coincides with my anxiety seeming to be worst just before and during my periods!

Social media is a massive trigger for me too! I understand raising awareness is hugely important but for people like us it’s really hard to see and keep a clear mind!

I’ve got nothing planned for today so I’m trying to find things to occupy my mind!

@MrsWhites I really empathise about the breast pain. Mine become so tender and sore and have sharp pains in them too. I have started taking evening primrose oil in the hope that it might help as the pain is a big trigger isn't it - even though it's cyclical I worry every month too. My mum has pre cancerous breast cancer cells and had a double mastectomy as her mother and great aunt died from it in their 50s, so it terrifies me, but I have to remind myself that diagnosis and treatment is so much better now than it was then.

@Lib3rtine well done for having such a long break off social media - you are inspiring me to do the same as I'm sure it would hugely benefit me.
I am going to say no Facebook for a week and see how I get on.

Also need to commit to doing this CBT more regularly as mine is online, and when I'm having a good day I don't like being reminded of it but I see that I need to keep on with it for it to work.

Hope everyone is having a good day today and hopefully enjoying some sunshine too where you are.

Sorry I haven't been around much. I spoke to my gp on Wednesday. It was a bit frustrating. He started off saying he doesn't like it when patients send emails because it puts all the responsibility on him then told me I'd mentioned too many things. He did go through them all though. He commented on hrt, saying I should be preparing to come off it next year but can now too. That goes against everything I've read online and it just makes me depressed, thinking I'll have to cope without it at some point.

I've to go in for an internal on Tuesday, so at least I'll get to speak to another doctor in person. I feel really nervous.

I've been really down since. Gp also mentioned changing my antidepressants. I've been on fluoxetine, but when I mentioned health anxiety to him (I managed to do it!) he said it isn't suitable for anxiety. I haven't been taking it because it didn't help and I hated the side effects. I have real problems with antidepressants, a lot give me restless legs, which in turn makes me anxious and stops me sleeping. I can't stand the thought of starting them again.

Just feeling awful, low and stressed, several things going on in my life and I'm not coping. My counsellor has reduced my sessions to fortnightly just when I need them.

Hope you're all ok and coping

@NowImmeagain hi, just wanted to say sorry you're going through such a crap time. Sounds like you have lots going on as well as the HA.

Good that you spoke to the doc, but hope the one you're seeing this week will be more helpful. Ridiculous to expect you to have just one problem and then to say he doesn't like emails!

I can't be of any help or advice on the meds stuff but saw your message and just wanted to say you're not alone and that hopefully you can get some support here. Why are your sessions being reduced?

Thanks@chorusline79 . I wouldn't care, but I haven't been for a year, so I'm not exactly taking up a lot of their time!

Apparently my counsellor always does it that way, first 3 sessions weekly, then fortnightly.

Yes, lots going on and a lot of it is due to my situation and I can't change anything, I can't work out how much is depression and how much is down to my changing hormones or whether I need to change something in my life. Too much info to share here and too outing. I'm just lost.

@NowImmeagain so sorry to hear you’re having a bad time. I really hate it when GPs expect you to have only one issue to discuss as I think a lot of people have a few things going on that may all be relevant with the overall diagnosis. Makes me super stressed then worry I’ve left out something important. Hope your appointment on Tuesday goes okay and helps put your mind at ease.

I had an okay day yesterday as kept busy sorting xmas decs but struggled today. Palpitations bad tonight as well as hip and shoulder pain really bothering me. Just want to feel ‘normal’ again

And welcome to more new people joining. Hope you’ve all had nice weekends without too much worrying.

Morning everyone. Sorry to hear a few of us on here are struggling. It’s incredibly frustrating when GP’s aren’t supportive, it takes a lot of strength to go and talk to them so it’s such a shame when they don’t seem to realise this.

I’ve woken up with the same old breast worries again. This week before my period is always a bad week for me, it’s when my brain seems to drag up lots of my worries from the back of my mind. I’m off to do some Christmas shopping to try to take my mind off it all anyway.

Hope you all have a good day x

Morning all, hope everyone is doing okay. Monday mornings always really get to me! I think it's because of work (I'm in the hospice sector) and the fact I have to get up a bit earlier and not enjoy a lay in so I feel more tired/anxious. Totally agree with everyone about social media being a trigger. With Instagram there's an algorithm too so if you click on the 'cancer stories' on the explore page then similar pictures will keep popping up and it's a vicious cycle!
I latch on to stories I hear about other people too and it upsets me and I end up googling them as well.
Medication is a tricky decision, but I think when I've felt so awful with HA the options are either keep feeling that way or take medication to alleviate some of the painful feelings of anxiety.

Morning @MrsWhites good on you I think to keep moving is so helpful. Sometimes I think let me quickly just check this online and before I know it 3 hours later I am still sat stuck in an awful spiral. My DS (age 4) had a fever on the weekend so he’s off school today so I imagine it will be a busy one today. Keep thinking about whether I should do get my breasts checked privately but trying to fight the thoughts and keep distracted! X

Hey @TheSilentStars hope you’re feeling ok, I am just like you I can so end a day researching and by the end of the day convince myself I need to see every specialist there is!

I know it’s easier said than done but do take comfort from the fact that the scan is not urgent. They wouldn’t hold back if they felt it was xx

Hey @NowImmeagain sorry to hear your struggling. Hope your appt goes well tomorrow and gives you some answers. We have all been where you are now you’re not alone. It feels so isolating, like everyone else is just chugging along happy as Larry and I’m stuck in this hell hole. The amount of us on here proves that’s not the case.

Have you tried cbd oil? That really helps take the edge of for some. I hope today is a better day for you. Here if you want to chat x

Thanks @Goolies I tried cbd a couple of years ago, it didn't seem to do anything for me, although I know it helps my eldest dd. Maybe I should try it again. Any particular one you'd recommend? I couldn't get to grips with the strengths and amounts.

@NowImmeagain I’ve got some and like you didn’t feel it did much but I’m tempted to try it again. Maybe I didn’t give it long enough. That’s the thing when your in the fog of it all I’m always looking for a quick fix. I bought one from a company called love Dutch. I can’t remember the strength but I will try and find my bottle.

Thanks @Goolies. There are so many companies, so many strengths. Let me know how you get on.

Dd came home from her dad's last night and was in tears again, she's not managing uni this term and has been advised to drop out and repeat the year, but that's not a great idea either, as she'll be stuck with me in the sticks for 10 months!

@NowImmeagain oh bless her that must be tough. Could she go part time? Or maybe defer and get a job, focus on a hobby? Easier said than done I know. Must be so hard to see her struggling like that x

She doesn't feel like she can work, or anything. She just wants to stay in bed all day

@chorusline79

Social media is terrible isn't it. Whenever I log into my Facebook I am bombarded with stories popping up about cancer and it just fuels the fire. I have changed some settings to try and stop it but I'm seriously thinking about deleting it all as having woken up in an ok mood, the sick feeling and random pains are back after 5 mins on facebook!

Just popped on my Facebook page and a sodding life insurance page comes up, then Samaritans and it's all really sad stories that induce so much panic! I think I'm going to deactivate Facebook for a while and really limit Instagram time too!

@Goolies hope your DS is feeling better and that you’ve managed to keep busy today. You are so right, there is no such thing as a quick check of something is there!

@NowImmeagain Sorry to hear your DD is also suffering, it must be very difficult to know what to do for the best when supporting a child with anxiety and depression issues. I think Uni has been particularly stressful this year with everything that is going on.

@Mvshrln I try to remind myself that these social media adverts are responding to the cookies stored in our internet history because for a while I was viewing them as a sign or a warning and it caused me great anxiety. Sometimes it helps me to click on the ‘why am I seeing this as’ button, it usually says something like they are targeting people of your age, in your area or something which calms me down (sometimes 😂)!