Health Anxiety - Part two

[MrsWhites]

Hi everyone, it seems we have reached 1000 posts on our original thread which is amazing, just shows how much support we have been able to give each other.

I thought we would benefit from part two!

@MrsWhites me too!! Before I realised everything we searched is tracked by certain advertising companies it used to freak me out so much!! Used to think maybe one of my ancestors made this happen to get me to take action 😂

Hi everyone. My sinusitis still hasn't gone after a week of antibiotics. I suppose I should just wait another week or so and see if it starts to get better on its own? I think if there wasn't a pandemic going on I wouldn't think twice about being ill like this. Would just get on with it, but I am noticing and questioning every symptom. Started getting a cough a few days ago so got a covid test - negative.

Now I'm fixating on a pain in my cheekbone. Which I only found by pressing all over my face! If I hadn't done that I wouldn't know there was a sore bit.

I don't want to call the GP again and potentially set in motion a whole range of tests/appointments but on the other hand I don't know why it is going on for so long and now I'm obsessing about it.

I really think that if life was normal and I was busy rushing around the place I would just accept that I'm not feeling quite right but wouldn't be obsessing over whether I am somehow going to die from a random illness relating to my sinuses!

Yep, my search history too. And then the pages go "you have visited this page eleventy billion times, the most recent being 28 minutes ago".
It's almost comforting in a weird way, I kind of phrase the question differently and see what comes up.
I was brave not health related today....I also get anxious about going and asking people favours....I have to do a self-employed thing invoice for the school I'm at and the accountant is a family friend and does it ne free. I get so worked up before going it's bonkers. If I had to pay him to do it I'd be fine. I should have gone mid December and I've been putting it off and off. When I sent a message saying "can I come in with the latest invoice?" I sent the message and then hid the phone under a cushion because I'm so mortified at asking for something.
See, nuts.

Hope everyone is having a non-pokey evening. I've come to bed with a book which is when my googling and poking starts but I'll try and be good.

You can do it @TheSilentStars 🥳 Enjoy that book!

@Catsneezies So sorry to hear that you are still having a hard time, it sounds like they do need another week to work, but I know it's really hard for us anxiety sufferers

@TheSilentStars that is the exact same as me! I’m an anxious person in general, start therapy tomorrow.

Goodluck @tmh88 Let us know how you get on!

Hi everyone! I hope you don't mind me joining in. I've been following the thread for a few days and it's been really really helpful realising that there are people who think just like I do. I've struggled with health anxiety for about 10 years, sometimes it feels like it's easing but then a symptom will pop up and obviously I go down the well-trodden worst case scenario path. Almost always related to cancer. It really is horrendous at times, but I'm learning to look at statistics more on the Cancer Research UK website which helps with the rarer ones I've worried about. And whilst the anxiety is horrible and I'm really sorry you're struggling, your post @Skyliner001 about your search history made me laugh so much because it could be mine. And honestly some of the positions I've got myself into trying to check things would make an acrobat jealous!

@tmh88 I’m starting therapy tomorrow too! I’ve ended up going private as it was taking too long on the NHS. I’m having EMDR therapy. What type of therapy are you having?

@Goolies I’ve not heard of that before I’ll look into it! I’m also going private and having hypno. Fill me in tomorrow how you get on! I’ll come back on and do the same x

Good luck hun. I’m so excited to start but nervous too as I don’t know what can of worms if might open. Trying to go in with an open mind though. Look forward to hearing about how it goes for you x

@Goolies I am too! My friend had hypno and said it’s not like stage hypno you are aware of your surroundings, what you are saying etc but I’m nervous too! Mainly because I have an anxiety of if I say something out loud it’s going to happen hopefully this will fix that! X

@catsneezies
I am going through a bout of sinusitis too and my initial dose of antibiotics didn't work and I ended up with an ear infection too.
I went back to the doctors and got a different antibiotic. Within 2 days my sinus pain when I touch it has improved a lot.
You should ring your doctor back and tell them you don't think they have worked.

I'm currently lay in bed really anxious as my ear popped in my sleep 🙄 I can't tell if it's made me feel better or worse because all I can feel is anxiety.

@MakingASilkPurse I, like you get health anxiety that mainly focuses on cancer! It’s draining and I get guilt when I think there is people really going through it and I struggle with the thought my Drs missed something! I’m hopeful my mind will get better with some help soon.

Thanks @ofwarren. I'm actually now wondering if it is related to my top wisdom teeth. I have two impacted top wisdom teeth, they've been like that for years and haven't caused many problems, I've had one infection which went with antibiotics 9 years ago. Every time I go to the dentist they mumble about me possibly needing them taken out but as they're not causing problems nothing happens.

I happen to have a dentist appointment on Monday so will see what they say.

I'm now worried I might need an operation under GA to have them taken out, I really don't fancy that during the pandemic and all the stories of people getting covid in hospitals

@MakingASilkPurse welcome to this thread, we are all in it together on this thread! It's made a massive difference to me to know there are other people who think like I do.

Actually, as I was getting into bed last night, I had a massive urge to Prod, and I suddenly had a really happy thought that I am not alone in this, and although I wouldn't wish health anxiety on anyone, it's incredibly helpful to know that I am not alone. I think it's really making A difference, so thanks to all you ladies.

Good luck to those starting therapy today! Let us know how it goes!!

Awful night last night. Reflux issues brought on huge panic attack that I still haven't shaken off properly. I got up at 4am and I'm exhausted.
I'm so dizzy and feel dreadful with this inner ear infection. So scared that it's something sinister 😔

@Catsneezies I need a tooth out too and am just waiting for the hospital appointment for it. It's scary isn't it. Hospital is the last place I want to be right now.

@Goolies and @tmh88 best of luck with your therapy today. I really hope it helps you both!

@TheSilentStars I’m a generally anxious person too, I worry about ridiculous things. Hate driving because I convince myself I’ve done something wrong, hate talking to people on the phone in case I come across wrong. I always worry about what people think of me, because of this I struggle with the school mums, football mums etc. I would have been exactly the same in your situation!

@Skyliner001 you definitely aren’t alone. I haven’t poked since yesterday and I’m having an urge this morning but I’m going to follow your lead and remember that I’m not alone in feeling like this!

Welcome to the new people on here, I hope it helps you as much as it’s helped me!

Just out of interest what temp are you all? Mine ranges throughout the day from 36.5-37.4. I can’t really find a conclusive online of what a normal temp is?

Morning everyone.
@tmh88 mine is usually around 37 but I find it varies so much as themometer isn't great - do you feel like you have a temp?

@ofwarren hope you can get some rest today, lack of sleep really doesn't help with the anxiety. Hope you feel better later.

@tmh88 and @Goolies let us know how you get on! Interesting to hear about different therapies and approaches. I'm not sure CBT is working for me so may look into something else. My friend had CAT therapy for her anxiety and said it changed her life as looks more at root cause, and I might look into that.

@MakingASilkPurse welcome to the thread and I hope it helps. Lots of us here identify with the cancer fears so you are not alone.

@tmh88 I think mine is usually around the 36.5-37 region. My thermometer is pretty rubbish though!

@chorusline79 I do feel a bit hot today but not sure if it’s because I feel stressed! I’m 37.2 however so I guess normal!
I’ll let you know how I get on! Not heard of cat either I’ll look into it!

@MrsWhites I had a tommee tippee ear one which was dreadful always gave a different temp in the space of a minute! This one is the same reading within the space of a minute but I change day to day!

37.2 today!

@tmh88 my temperature is generally quite low as I have a thyroid issue, so 35-36.7 is my range.
A mouth thermometer is more accurate to take your temperature.