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?

@Mvshrln it’s really difficult isn’t it. I have read a lot about health anxiety and that it isn’t beneficial to keep seeing doctors and asking questions about your symptoms but then it’s impossible to know how you move past the worry. And it’s really hard knowing what is justified anxiety and what isn’t - how many times can I write off a symptom and put it down to anxiety or overthinking and so decide not to bother my GP before I actually have a symptom that is due to an illness. It’s a vicious circle!

Ok thanks that does make sense - often the anticipation of something is scarier than when it happens, and I think if I'd thought I'd had COVID I'd be feeling a bit less worried now. And I agree, OP, everything suggests that there's no point worrying about it - most people who have it will be fine, and worrying doesn't change anything anyway! I've gone through phases of worrying about COVID - when I have other worries about my body (more serious but less likely worries!) I don't worry about COVID at all. My main worry changes on a weekly basis!

Anyway thanks for answering

May I join please?

I had my breast clinic today and all was fine. You might think I am now relaxed and celebrating. Oh no, I'm now worried about a chest lain/heaviness feeling that came on this afternoon!

I'm pretty sure I had covid back in March and my main symptom was chest tightness/feeling like a weight was on my chest. DH had the same thing at the same time and another friend tested positive with the same symptoms so I am pretty sure that's what it was. We both recovered in about 3 weeks but I still had the weird chest feeling on and off for a couple of months after that. Not felt it for 2 months and then suddenly this afternoon it came back quite badly. I'm now convinced it is heart problems/lung tumour/damaged lungs and have started to panic again.

So exhausted...

@KingaRoo so glad it went okay.

I know a stranger trying to reassure you rarely does much at all to alleviate your worry but could the chest be stress/anxiety? One of my symptoms is this feeling of tightness and heavyness in my chest and I feel like I can’t get a deep enough breath. I wonder if the symptoms are related to the worry about your appointment. I often find a hot bath helps if that’s your thing. I too worry about my heart but I’ve been experiencing this symptom for many years and although it’s really horrible at the time, it does pass. And of course if it doesn’t, you should get it checked. It always seems like one thing after another with health anxiety!

Thank you, I had rejected the idea that it could be anxiety as DH had the same thing in March, but mine has come back on and off and his hasn't, so I suppose it could be.

I've woken up this morning with no chest symptoms at all so that's reassuring too - until it comes back and I start worrying again!

Hi Stilllivinginazoo

I'm sure you can how are things with you?

@Stilllivinginazoo of course you can join! How are you? :)

@KingaRoo glad your breast clinic appointment went okay :) But can totally relate to you about feeling relieved for a while (or expecting to at least) and then something else pops up!

Thought I'd say that I had a full health check yesterday (blood test with full blood count, body composition, urine test, breast exam and smear test). The doctor was fantastic. He listened patiently to me and was SO kind. He explained things in a very logical way, giving me enough information to understand things but not so much that it was overwhelming. He used statistical facts and figures alongside logic to provide reassurance.

I am waiting for the smear test results though, which always worries me since I had CIN3 cells removed following my first smear.

That's not to say I'm not feeling worried today about other things (because I am :( ) but yesterday I actually had a bit of a break from worrying about my health.

Really pleased you felt a bit better yesterday, OP. Hopefully this check up will make you feel less anxious when you've had all the results back. I've got to say, I'd like to get a full check-up if I could! Don't know if it's possible near me or how I'd go about it, but I think it would give me some reassurance!

@Sojo88 I hope so! I am expecting there to possibly be a follow up from the smear test so I'm sort of preparing myself for that. I got the full check up done at a Bupa clinic (I am fortunate in that I have health insurance through work that covered the cost), however I intend to save for this to be a yearly/regular thing if I change jobs etc). Bupa do a variety of the checks from basic to enhanced and they include gender specific tests too (breast exam etc). The doctor gave me a lot of time to discuss fears & concerns, and didn't make me feel stupid.

I think if you are over a certain age you can get these health checks for free (my mum is over 50 and gets yearly well woman checks) although I think the age depends on where you live and what your local NHS offers. Still, it could be worth exploring if you feel it would be of benefit.

I'm not too bad thank you.covid has rattled my cage as I have breathlessness, palpitations and dizzy spells which doctor believes to stem very bad anaemia

@Stilllivinginazoo this covid situation has definitely shaken us up hasn't it! I had very bad anaemia, felt absolutely washed out all the time. Turns out my body doesn't store iron very well so I now take ferrous sulphate tablets and it seems to have resolved that issue. Hopefully you will find out soon if it is anaemia and then you can take the right treatment for it.

Emetophobia is hard, and must be harder with children and all the sickness bugs they get! Have you had any treatment for this? I began to explore exposure therapy for it but stopped as felt I needed to focus on other issues.

It must be a really hard time for kids at the moment, I imagine quite a few have heightened worries since covid. But I think it's often a sign of a sensitive person, so they must have that as a lovely positive quality :)

Yep - you feel all calm and look normal on the outside but inside us we've got all sorts going on! I laugh when work colleagues say I'm positive and easy at making friends cos inside I feel like an absolutely insane, negative, nervous wreck!!

But it's good you've found this thread and hopefully some support :)

Hi everyone struggling today just submitted an econsult for a dodgy looking spot that I’ve had for months which I basically put my head in the sand about until today. I can’t help but think I’m going to be told to urgently come in because it looks like skin cancer! Why does health anxiety do this to us!😩

How’s everyone else doing today?

Hello everyone. Can I join please. I think it's the hot weather that has tipped me over the edge the past couple of weeks. Reading through this thread has helped a lot as I can relate to all of your stories.

@Pinkmonroe well done for making the appointment, that’s a huge step. I have everything crossed for you that it will be something harmless.

I’m having my first ‘okay’ day today for a while. I actually think this thread has been really helpful, I’ve always had this impression that my GP thinks I’m an absolute drama queen, and it’s really reassuring to know that health anxiety is recognised and other people (sorry everyone) have a similar problem.

Best of luck for your appointment.

Thank you @Ashmarie it was a big step and I’m glad I’ve done it now. Just the waiting to hear back is filling me with anxiety!

Just been for a walk and it’s still bloody boiling where’s the rain and thunder we were promised?!🥵

@Pinkmonroe hi! Well done for getting the appointment. Do you know when you will hear back? I'm waiting for my smear test results so I've got that in the back of my mind too. It's SO hot isn't it!!

@Chevron123 of course you can join! Welcome :) it's weird how the weather affects us isn't it? I definitely feel weird when it's hot, I do a lot better when the weather is cooler. How are you feeling today?

@Ashmarie I'm so pleased this thread is being helpful for you (although I am of course sorry that you and others feel like this because I know the pure torment it can be). I'm finding this thread helpful, so thanks everyone :) It's a shame your GP isn't as reassuring/understanding as you'd like. One thing the GP said to me earlier this week was that he could see I was a logical person, who has an awareness of things, it's just that I needed to reframe my mind about certain things. Which of course makes sense, but it just takes time putting it into practice. I am so pleased you are having an okay day though! Love those days

@Mvshrln I’ve got an appointment this morning. Panicking already!

@Pinkmonroe how did your appointment go?

@KingaRoo it went well thanks for asking😊 nothing to worry about apparently, just keep an eye on it and if it doesn’t resolve itself they will refer me to dermatology. Glad I’ve finally had it looked at I’ve spent months worrying that it was something sinister!

@Pinkmonroe that’s such good news, I hope that has put your mind at rest.

@Sojo88 thank you for your reply - it's so nice to speak to people who understand because they've experiencing similar. I feel like all this time on our hands with lockdown has really heightened it for everyone - it's a good idea that works for you Googling symptoms to match them to anxiety, I bet that really takes a weight off for you 

@Mvshrln it did reassure me when I was examined and she didn't seem concerned - after my last post a few days later I made an appointment with the same GP who referred me again for peace of mind and she said that this will be the third referral within six months and that she feels that anything would have already been picked up and the 'lump' she can feel she can move about and breast changes always occur in pregnancy. I do feel better that she listened to me because that's half the battle half the time! I also did some research into this pain (nipple pain now!) and found a lot of pregnant ladies use Lansinoh or however it's spelt for that very reason so I've bought some to see if it helps

Hope you are both - and everyone else - having a restful time x

@Pinkmonroe well done for submitting it though! That is a huge achievement

@Pinkmonroe and they've said to keep an eye and told you what possible next steps would be should you need them - I hope you sleep a lot better tonight