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 😊

Feeling very dizzy today and right side of neck very stiff. My private brain MRI that I booked has been cancelled as I didn’t have a GP referral. GP said I had an MRI 14 months ago on brain so brain tumour not a concern of hers.

@Iamsodonewith2020

Can you book a massage and see if it alleviates your neck problems and dizziness? When I went to the physio last August he asked me lots of times if I've been dizzy.

Evening ladies, is anyone else in their late 30’s or older and seen a change in length of cycle? Mine seem to be anywhere between 25-29 days in recent years but this month I’m on day 29 with no sign. Husband has had the snip so hopefully not pregnant. It’s causing me anxiety though because I’ve convinced myself it’s a a sign of something wrong!

Yes @MrsWhites 39 and periods been a bit weird since 2020 (Feb)
Skipped a couple then light then normal. Stopped again in Oct, restarted in Nov, then long cycles, delayed ovulation this cycle, just happened now on day 34.... so cycle will be 50 days 😬😬😬

@Iamsodonewith2020 I've had a dizzy few days, and some neck pain too 😒🥺

@Skyliner001 I feel like menopause and pre-menopause are just a nightmare for health anxiety sufferers. I just delayed ovulation is my problem too, it did seem later this month.

Think I’m starting to get a few cramps now so hopefully normal service will resume tomorrow.

I saw an article that was about why lockdown makes women's menstruation crazy and I can't for the life of me find it now.
I'm 33 and last month my cycle was 24 days. Never in my life has it been that short. Before that it was 45 days. This isn't something super new to me, I have had periods (lol) before where the cycle has been very out of wack but then always delayed ones, not early.

@argueifnecessary I also read that, I feel like It said something like pandemic period is in the title, I can't member which publication it was there!

I finished a stressful piece of work around a week ago, and ovulated almost immediately, so I think I need to really look at the impact of stress on my mental cycle! It makes sense that the pandemic has caused people to have a lot of low-level stress.

Like you is always delayed, although occasionally in periods of high stress I've had an early period, and then a big gap. The body is a strange thing!

@argueifnecessary thanks, I’ll try and find the article. It probably is since the pandemic that they have become the most irregular.

I’ve woken up with the usual weekend anxiety, I think it’s just because of having more time on my hands. We have some DIY jobs to do around the house though this weekend so hoping that will keep me distracted. Might also venture a bit further than our local area for a walk at some point this weekend now the stay at home rules have been relaxed.

What plans do you ladies have for the Easter weekend?

Immediate goal, leave my vagina alone and stop trying to work out what I'm feeling! (Currently in that spiral)

Secondary goal, have fun, relax, eat choc 😊😬

@MrsWhites no real plans, we are going to venture a bit further too! I’ve bit the bullet and started looking for jobs, I know I won’t get one like my old job but it’s either get out of being at home on furlough every day or lose my sanity haha!

@Skyliner001 they both sound like good goals to achieve, especially the first one. You are probably just feeling normal bumpy tissue. I also have a lump about an half an inch in on either side but it’s more prominent on one side...they are glands apparently. Could it be something like this?

@tmh88 good luck on the job front. It must be very hard being furloughed for so long!

@Skyliner001 I always try to think when in a spiral, 'which parts of your body do the nhs recommend you check?'. I always check my throat, and that's not recommended- probably because it's meant to be like that. Same with vaginas, they are supposed to be lumpy and bumpy!

Anxiety messing with me big time today. I feel like a complete zombie. I guess it’s day 4 of Amitryptline kicking in it my health Anxiety says it’s my brain tumour that I think is there. Have managed to avoid googling for 2 days now. Just wish they had let me have that brain scan. I know 3 people who have died with 2-5 months of diagnoses after being brushed off by the GP do this is fuelling my anxiety about having a Brain tumour. Also I have a few red flag symptoms. Feel dreadful today

Thanks for the feedback on vaginas ladies! I think you are probably right about not being recommended to examine, although there is a general be aware of things, there isn't anything specific that says we should be examining our own services, or Aaron vaginas, and that probably is because they are bumpy lumpy things!

I hope you don't mind me asking this, but has anybody had the Covid vaccine yet? The reason I ask is because I'm not worried about side-effects per se, but I am very worried about spiralling into a mental health maze with my current health anxiety, and therefore interpreting any side-effects as being hugely negative. I'm in two minds as to whether to go ahead with my appointment next week. Or to cancel.

Although I am in a younger bracket, and supposedly have underlying health conditions, I don't really feel I need to have one yet, the underlying health condition, I'm not sure what it is! I don't even suffer badly when I get a cold.

I guess what I'm saying is I'm worried if I cancel it I am letting the health anxiety beat me, but equally I'm worried if I go ahead I will spiral. Any advice would be greatly appreciated?

@Iamsodonewith2020 So sorry to hear this, it's so hard when we are in a spiral.

@MrsWhites yes I’m struggling with too much time on my own!

@AJ297 that’s a really good way of looking at it I always check body parts such as my actual chest not breasts, throat, collar bones, stomach 😂 I was convinced one side of my chest wall rib muscle felt larger/lumpier than the other (dp says it feels the same) but he also said what on earth made you think of feeling your ribs/chest wall!

@Iamsodonewith2020 sorry your struggling

@Skyliner001 no I haven’t had it yet and I’m already worrying about the worry it’ll cause me after having it, so I’m in the exact same boat 😂

@tmh88 OMG I'm sure one side of my rib cage is larger!

@Skyliner001 I’m worried about the vaccine for the same reasons, I’ve read it messes with your periods and can cause lumps in underarm which have shown up on mammograms or been felt by women. Most people would be able to think ‘oh it’ll just be the vaccine’ but I know it will freak me out big time if it happens to me x

@Skyliner001 yes I’m the same!😂 the side above my right breast! I have to remember that it probably is slightly because it’s the side of my body I use! even though my partner can’t feel a difference.. it’s been aching that side too lately but I think its the newly started diet and exercise ha!

@MrsWhites I’m the exact same, I would love to think normally about it!

@Skyliner001 I've had both doses. Had rubbishy cold symptoms with first and a sore arm and second was fine. Also lumps under my armpits, not sure if they're all related but one came up the day after second dose and is decreasing in size now x

Thanks lovelies, feel less alone 💚

@tmh88 mine is right side too!!

Do any of you get throat tightness? I keep getting it today again. Had 3 days off from it. Wondering if it's an anxiety thing. Feels like a hair bobble tied round it at the top.