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!

[quote MrsWhites]@Skyliner001 showering and getting dressed is the hardest part for me so I might go and do that now whilst I’m feeling inspired 🙈

Does anyone else find it hard to do basic things like get dressed, you know when you put your bra on and you have to cup your boob with your hand to settle it into the bra cup...I jump straight to oh was that something I felt then![/quote]
Yes. Also passing a mirror! I'm going to use the sponge for soap in my shower today to avoid lump distractions! 😱 Good luck, you can do it!

Hi all. Can I join?

I have health anxiety. Starting a CBT course And discussions with my therapist.

My fears are always cancer. Been at the doctor so much the last 2 years with lots of different symptoms which always get investigated and found to be benign. I feel lucky and thrilled for a short period and then another symptom appears (or a new lump, whatever) and the fear returns. Googling frantically happens, private tests arranged (I feel guilty using the nhs so much), and on we go again. It is exhausting and I just want to enjoy my life.

I hate checking my breasts every month (found 4 lumps so far), I have enlarged lymph nodes which I have to keep an eye on which also stresses me out. Just... done.

@Scaredykittycat welcome to the group, everyone is lovely here and understands what you are going through!

@Skyliner001 oh yes, mirrors too...I have considered taking the mirrors out of my bedroom at one point! I use a sponge thing in the shower too, otherwise there is no way I could avoid checking!

@Scaredykittycat Welcome! Good luck, let's all check in later 😊

@Scaredykittycat Can feel the frustration in your words too. This group helps as we are all going through the same thing.

I know lymph nodes bother us all, and as I have had lymphoma happy to share anything if anyone does have any questions about my symptoms don't hesitate to ask!

😊

@Skyliner001 I’m in! I’m meant to be doing so many days per week where I don’t check anything as part of my CBT so today can be one of them!

@Lib3rtine Amazing! Good luck 💚

@Skyliner001 I’m showered and dressed! Such a small thing but it’s an achievement for me...first time this week without prodding! 🎉

[quote MrsWhites]@Skyliner001 I’m showered and dressed! Such a small thing but it’s an achievement for me...first time this week without prodding! 🎉[/quote]
Congratulations you are amazing!!!

Good luck with the rest of the day, you've got this.

@Skyliner001 it is so hard because people just think you’re a hypochondriac. I definitely am not, and I don’t get health anxiety about spurious things, it always stems from something I have, like a bad headache lasting several days (turned out to by a sinus infection. I had an mri in case it was a brain tumour), enlarged glands in the neck (scanned. Told all fine. Still there), breast lumps (as on my previous post), lump in my abdomen (again, scanned. Seems to be muscle damage). Smear tests fill me with dread as in HPV positive and had abnormal cells once before. I scour my blood tests because the doctors don’t read them properly. It is just tiring and not how I want to live any more xx

@Scaredykittycat I’m just the same, had my neck scanned for my lymph nodes told all normal.. yet I still don’t believe them! I am starting slowly to believe them as had them around 3 months now and I do think they probably would or significantly grown in size in that time if it was anything sinister but I do still obsessively worry about them!

@Scaredykittycat I think that is a common misconception that health anxiety is hypochondria, it’s not the same at all IMO. For example I don’t worry about things like colds or even my asthma, or Covid etc because my anxiety is all linked to cancers. But equally some people don’t worry about cancers but Covid has caused them great health anxiety. For me, health anxiety is more of a phobia. No one will think you are a hypochondriac on this thread. Everyone is super supportive and friendly on here x

Yes exactly like you say @MrsWhites it’s like a phobia! X

[quote MrsWhites]@Scaredykittycat I think that is a common misconception that health anxiety is hypochondria, it’s not the same at all IMO. For example I don’t worry about things like colds or even my asthma, or Covid etc because my anxiety is all linked to cancers. But equally some people don’t worry about cancers but Covid has caused them great health anxiety. For me, health anxiety is more of a phobia. No one will think you are a hypochondriac on this thread. Everyone is super supportive and friendly on here x[/quote]
Absolutely!
I'm the opposite of a hypochondriac. Battle on with cold, flu, bronchitis last winter (thinking about the timing and symptoms was possibly Covid!) None of them bother me. Menopause without even ever seeing the GP.
DH will be "oh, got a sore throat, must go to the doctor" and I'm like "wtf, here's me with a bruised belly from poking and prodding and you want a doctor's appointment!"

Welcome to newbies, this thread is a sanity saver!

I've already prodded today but am up for not prodding any more!

Got my appointment for Monday under the 2 week referral pathway. Feel sick to my stomach and terrified of bad news!! Praying it's all fine but have basically convinced myself that it's not... and cannot stop bloody poking.

@Skyliner001 I’m in too!! I’ve already failed but as of now and tomorrow no prodding!!! 🤓🤓good luck ladies we can do this!

@PeachScone I know it’s hard, I really do, I’ve been there and still struggle daily but try to remember that they kind of have to refer you. The majority of the time these things are nothing, it’s so brave of you to even go and get checked

@PeachScone I think lots of referrals are on the 2 week pathway at the moment because doctors don’t want to take any chances at the moment, especially with not being able to see many people face to face! Good luck, I’m sure you’ll be fine x

[quote Scaredykittycat]@Skyliner001 it is so hard because people just think you’re a hypochondriac. I definitely am not, and I don’t get health anxiety about spurious things, it always stems from something I have, like a bad headache lasting several days (turned out to by a sinus infection. I had an mri in case it was a brain tumour), enlarged glands in the neck (scanned. Told all fine. Still there), breast lumps (as on my previous post), lump in my abdomen (again, scanned. Seems to be muscle damage). Smear tests fill me with dread as in HPV positive and had abnormal cells once before. I scour my blood tests because the doctors don’t read them properly. It is just tiring and not how I want to live any more xx[/quote]
This is so interesting and I am so the same. Don't have any anxiety over Covid, colds flu etc.

It's so tiring 😨

[quote tmh88]@Scaredykittycat I’m just the same, had my neck scanned for my lymph nodes told all normal.. yet I still don’t believe them! I am starting slowly to believe them as had them around 3 months now and I do think they probably would or significantly grown in size in that time if it was anything sinister but I do still obsessively worry about them![/quote]
When I actually had lymphoma they grew incredibly quickly, I'm talking days, so please believe the doctors 😊

@PeachScone

Got my appointment for Monday under the 2 week referral pathway. Feel sick to my stomach and terrified of bad news!! Praying it's all fine but have basically convinced myself that it's not... and cannot stop bloody poking.

I know how you feel so much, I was there in October, we'll be with you 😊

[quote MrsWhites]@PeachScone I think lots of referrals are on the 2 week pathway at the moment because doctors don’t want to take any chances at the moment, especially with not being able to see many people face to face! Good luck, I’m sure you’ll be fine x[/quote]
My simple cyst was 2 week pathway! Scary but at least you get your answers 😊

@tmh88 I do feel better thank you :) I definitely think it’s from where you’ve made them swollen, I know it’s hard but the longer you keep off them the less swollen they will get

@TheSilentStars it really has, people think they can behave how they like behind a screen it’s so sad

@Nononononoyes @Scaredykittycat welcome to the thread! We’re all here off and on most days so chip in with any worries you have!

@MrsWhites not breastfeeding, but every website I’ve read states breakthrough and irregular bleeding as side effects

@Lib3rtine any signs yet?! Do you know what you’re having? Is it your first? Sorry for the questions I just loveeee babies haha, I miss being pregnant so much!

@Skyliner001 how did you get on with your no prod day?

@PeachScone good luck for your appointment, remember you are so brave going

@Skyliner001 thank you for that, you are so strong to share about your lymphoma! To be honest when I spoke to the therapist on the phone in December she thought I had become fixated on my lymph nodes as a form of control in my life as everything else as in money/work was uncertain and I felt like I needed to have control over something! I sound so daft when I write it all down but in my head it’s a real not nice worry!

Good look for Monday @PeachScone the waiting is the worst bit but you will get through it and we will all be on here to support you!

Said it before but I’m so glad I have found all you lovely people!