Health Anxiety - part three!!

[MrsWhites]

Hi ladies, back again for thread number 3!

I'm the same about avoiding things to do with death or dying. I can't follow any newspapers on Facebook because of those type stories and I'm really pissed off when I get an ad for a cancer charity or something as I've tried to block them all.
I've blocked all the health boards on here and the bereavement board but they still sneak in to the main boards which stresses me. My hide post list is huge!

##vitis

I do I have had shoulder pain that runs along the collarbone , then done under the armpits and then travel halfway done to wear my boobs are I am convinced that there is something wrong . Boob it
Lymph node cancer .
I got myself in such a state I rang the doctor he tried to reassure me the best he could . I have had a lot of CT scans and bloods ( neck and chest ) he said anything like that would be picked up on the scans . He has prescribed me some anti anxiety meds . Which I need to take as I am spiralling .
Stupidly I looked at Breat and says changes thickening under armpit ans boob . Now I am thinking I have breast cancer . Even though I only spoke with the doctor .
I feel utterly exhausted and unable to function properly.
Could someone please help me x

@donerwillbehere
Sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. It's just the worst isn't it.
Which medication have you been given?
What your doctor's are saying is correct, these things would definitely be picked up in bloods or especially a CT.
How long have you struggled with health anxiety and what methods have you tried to try and get on top of it?
When I'm spiralling I try meditation. There are specific ones on YouTube that are for anxiety. There is also health anxiety yoga which can help bring your adrenaline back to a normal rate.

@StooriMidori The Green Mile was a hard watch for many, tbf.
I do get what you mean about dying, though. I simply can't entertain the thought!
@KasparKat I do this too! "Well, if I do this exercise class and I don't die...then I'm probably okay."

In terms of pains, I've learned ibuprofen is my friend. I think I read somewhere that it actually improves low mood? Maybe that's because when your body feels better, your mind does too.

Ofwaren

Thank you thank you .
I think inhale had HA for a numbers of years that have got progressively worse .
I have had a few health worries and am under the hospital.

I just wish I could relax and believe the doctors , it almost like they are lying ( I know this is not done) .

When the armpit and breast bone feel thicker I just feel so consumed by anxiety and fear , I am unable to function correctly .

My poor partner doesn't know what to do . I am constantly feeling checking scanning .

Dreams that I have a really scary .

Thank you for replying . I will walk and pick up my prescription hopefully they will be some sort of relief .

Thank you for responding .

Self help I am reading mind over mood . Also will stay some breathing and meditation.

@ofwarren am intrigued by health anxiety yoga. How is it different from normal yoga? I'd love to have a go.

@KasparKat It's not specifically for health anxiety, just for anxiety itself.
It focuses more on breathing and has talking throughout it so I guess it's more "mindfulness" based maybe.
It still has the yoga poses but it feels more gentle and nurturing somehow.
www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/yoga-for-anxiety-and-depression

Just go on YouTube and search for yoga for anxiety.

I don't know why I wrote "health anxiety yoga" I just meant "anxiety yoga". Sorry

@ofwarren going to try that tonight!

@StooriMidori Welcome to this thread! We are all in the same boat here, glad that it has helped you. It's definitely helping me…

Well I tried the "going with it" thing when I felt the dizzy, fainty, panicking feeling and it worked!
I felt the sensation coming and I would usually jump up in terror but I forced myself to just sit and not do anything.
Nothing extra happened and it was just a wave going through me that dissipated.
What a revelation, thank you so much!

Yay @ofwarren I am so pleased it has helped you. When I read the book I was thinking "yeah right that's not going to work" and then when it happened again on the train it worked first time! Would recommend the book to get the background of why it works. So pleased it has helped you, that has made my day

I've been reading through this thread and so happy to have found it. I've had HA for years. No one understands and I feel so sorry for DH being put through it with me.

Latest for me is my chest, I've recently had a chest X-ray and chest was clear. Does this mean no tumour? I've convinced myself I have one and I can't think of anything else. It's probably a really pathetic question to someone who doesn't understand. I'm just feel so irritated with everyone, can't think straight

A tumour would definitely show on an XRay as a shadow. If yours is clear, then it's totally normal.

@ofwarren thank you honestly I go through phases throughout the day, I'll think I'm okay there is nothing, and then next hour I'm a mess. I'm glad I have found my people on this thread x

@donerwillbehere I feel exactly the same as you. I had a chest X-ray and I keep re-reading the report telling myself it says something. I feel like I'm going crazy

@donerwillbehere so sorry you're going through this. Sounds like you're going through a particularly rough patch. Hugs

I second @SquirrelFan re ibuprofen. For those of you having breast pain I recommend ibuprofen gel (voltarol). The consultant at the breast clinic advised me to use it and it really helps. If I can't feel the pain as much I don't worry as much!

Does anyone suffer from panic attacks. I'm pretty sure I have had one today. I worked my self up, was crying thinking abs felt like I couldn't catch my breath and felt dizzy.

When I saw the breast dr he recommended starflower supplement as well as ibuprofen for breast pain .

I have now started my anxiety tablets. Fingers crossed in a few weeks there will be a marked improvement. The tablets are also for nerve pain which I hope will help with the pain in arm and breast .

Ladies thanks for being so lovely 😊.

@Soon2beMrs I have panic attacks and it does sound like that's what you have experienced.
There are apps you can get that help you to slow your breathing down so you don't hyperventilate. They might be helpful for you.

@donerwillbehere have you got Amitriptyline?
Fingers crossed you get relief soon

@Soon2BeMrs yeah I get panic attacks, that sounds exactly like one. They're awful aren't they?

Sorry ladies haven’t read everything from today yet, will catch up this evening but just wanted to reassure you @Skyliner001 that my lumps don’t seem to change during the month. Other than those areas become tender and get shooting pains about 10 days to a week before my period. I’ve worried about that too in the past because everything online tends to points to lumps that change size during the month!