Health Anxiety - Part 4

[polkadotpixie]

I hope no-one minds me starting a follow up thread. I know some people were waiting for me to update so I thought I would but happy to ask MNHQ to delete if one of the long term posters wanted to start it 😊

@Skyliner001

About to start this book...

This is the app I've been using, recognise the logo. The app is made by the author and a few others. It's very helpful, has a section for health anxiety specifically.

Hi sorry everyone missed the thread yesterday! I had a really awful day yesterday! I keep thinking I have symptoms of a bloody hearty attack! Logically I know it’s because of my mum in December but I just can’t rationalise it! Convinced myself that my breasts aching and jaw pain is early signs of one 🙄 I actually think it’s because I had weird dreams Friday night about my mum and it’s just triggered something in me! I’ve cried a lot today and yesterday! Could be because it’s Mother’s Day too her deaths on my mind a lot! Just really struggling x

Hearty attack 😂 I got a chuckle at myself at least *heart attack

What I’m finding really hard especially is I really didn’t want my gifts this morning! I know how ungrateful that sounds but I feel a bit bitter!

Hi Ladies.
I am desperate. I spent the whole of Wednesday at the hospital in chest pain unit because I have had discomfort in my chest, shoulder and neck from last Friday when I felt there was something stuck in my chest. I get really lightheaded when I stand up and when I check my pulse it feels like it stops for a couple of beats and then gets really fast to make up for it. I really shouldn't have mentioned my anxiety at the hospital because when I was released, the diagnosis was put down as anxiety disorder and musco-sceletal problems. I had a couple of ECGs and an Echocardiogram, both came back as just tachycardia and nobody took me seriously when I said it happens when I stand up from squatting down or lying down. The consultant even mentioned it was normal (normal from last Friday from me then)
I have a 24hr ECG on Wednesday so it might show something but my anxiety is so so bad now and I'm thinking I've got some cancer that's pressing on my veins or an aneurysm.
I keep crying and breaking down and thinking my little girls have to grow up without me.
I avoid doctors like fire usually so it was quite an achievement for me to go there, just to be fobbed off with anxiety.

I had similar problems in my second pregnancy but then there was a reason. This is what makes me think there's something growing in me.
I wake up with so much anxiety unable to move because I'm too scared I'll get the symptoms again.
I was also told my cholesterol was high so I have been eating very little which probably doesn't help with my lightheadedness.

I've been referred to dermatology- I just wanted them to say it's nothing

@tmh88 as soon as I started to read your post I thought that your struggles would be because it’s Mother’s Day today. That’s perfectly natural that you would have a tough time coming up to today. Hope you feel better today x

@Earlgreyandcake maybe the doctor is just being cautious if skin problems are not their specialty.

Can I ask those of your who do a lot of breast checks...when you do an examination and decide everything is ok, do you not have any lumpy areas that continue to worry you or do you have lumpy areas but have been able to accept that they are normal for you?

That’s what I really struggle with, I have one breast lumper than the other but it’s pretty much always been like that yet it still bothers me and i can’t really accept that it’s just normal to me.

Hope so

@MrsWhites 1,000,000% yes, I have multiple lumpy areas which worry me, sometimes at times more than others, and plus, often when I'm doing a new exam, I will use my fingertips, and so I think I found a new lumpy bit! I have several areas so which I always go back to, and it's all about accepting that they are normal for me. I am certainly not smooth. Basically every check I'm finding lumps but I have to accept them!

@argueifnecessary So sorry to hear you are having so many troubles, well done for going to the doctor though. I hope you get things sorted out, sorry this is so short! I didn't want to read and run X

I’m the same @MrsWhites really struggling at the moment. Keep thinking what if, tempted to book a private breast clinic appointment, feel paralysed with fear today

@KAP232 I also ended up doing a full exam yesterday, and like you have made a note in my phone! Going to try and leave it for two weeks X

@SherbetLemon713 I am going between breasts and cervix at the moment, had some spotting after my period, which concerned me. And now ovulation is late! Not sure what is going on, but it's a constant stress for me X

@Skyliner001 and @Goolies thank you. As usual it’s reassuring to hear that other people have the same concerns - although I wouldn’t wish the anxiety on you!

I’m always using my fingertips too skyliner so I know I’m feeling more than I should be able to.

@MrsWhites I'm so the same as you! Just done a quick check this morning, but going to be good for the rest of the day!

@MrsWhites I have fairly large breasts so they are lumpy. I have lumps in the same
Place on both breasts but when in a high state of anxiety I don't believe they are the same or that I can't feel anything on one side. Therefore it must be BC. When I am thinking rationally I know that they are on both sides and I can feel them. I also press quite hard which makes me feel lumps deeper down x

@MrsWhites I have a lumpier left breast in general, but I also have a very glandular right breast. When I had my breast examination by the consultant at the clinic he said that I had several small cysts on the right hand side, but that it didn't worry him.

He also said I had some thickening on both breasts, I just about died, because you hear about that in breast cancer symptoms, but he also said it didn't worry him, he said I had nodular breasts, I guess fibercystic. Mine are totally not identical though, I like the idea of sisters not twins which a previous post I mentioned X

I asked my partner the other day how much in ultrasound scanner would cost. Still have at home…🙈🙈😳😬

Hey @Skyliner001 I have been told the same that there’s an area of thickening on my left breast but nothing to worry about it. So today I’m stressing because when I lift my right arm up it causes a crease/ indent. :( think I’m going to have to book an pot appt I’ve been in tears this morning

Thank you ladies. Like I said very reassuring to know others have the same.

@Goolies When you lift your arm and you see the crease, could you use your other hand, and see if the skin will straighten above the crease? I think the reason they say that lifting the arm is good to see if something is happening is because it pours skin up, which makes it noticeable if the skin is attached to something underlying. However lots of people have plenty of skin, so it might not be enough to create that effect, perhaps you could see if when you straighten the skin so to speak i.e. Pollitt taught over where you see there is a crease, and see if it seems attached to anything underlying. It does just sound like normal Skin creases so, I went through this exact same loop in late December. And I go back to it occasionally.

*pull it taught