Health Anxiety - Part 5

[AJ297]

Sorry if someone else was going to do this, I just didn't want to lose you all 😂

@MrsWhites
@argueifnecessary
@tmh88
@Skyliner001
@TheSilentStars
@hildagardecrowe
@BigGreen
@goolies
@iamsodonewith2020
@KAP232
@polkadotpixie

Sorry if I missed anyone!

Thank you @Dollsandfoo, are you feeling ok today? I really can’t talk about this yet to DD - she’s doing her uni finals and is under so much stress. I’m speaking to the doctor on Monday about my latest “thing”, don’t know what I’d expect them to do....feel like going to A&E but can’t get out of bed. Just so terrified... xx

And thank you @tmh88, what wonderful support there is here. Do you think I should call the doctor too, even though I have an appointment on aMobday? I’m so much older than you all, am 63 and just terrified of dying but I know I could live a bit longer yet, my dear mum is 90. It was @Dollsandfoo who was worried about a leg lump yesterday but I hope she’s ok about it now x

Yes I have calmed myself down a little now about it and trying my best not to keep looking at it. I think it definitely worth speaking to the doctor today of you can and tell them how bad your feeling. You have lots to live for. 63 is no age you still have plenty of time . Have you a friend who you could call today and just let them know how bad your feeling and they can check in on you xx

That’s good if you stop looking, that’s what I find hardest. Yes have been in touch with a couple of friends and even my ex-H who lives nearby is popping in to see me. x

Good that's great. Here for you any time if you need a chat xxx

Means so much 🙏 I hope you have a good morning with the dogs.

@HildegardeCrowe sending hugs. I felt exactly the same before, thinking as soon as one thing is sorted I'm worrying about another. The good news is that it absolutely can get better. I am doing so well now, miles away from where I was a few months ago.
When you have a scary thought try to ask yourself - do I know this for a fact (ie have I been diagnosed) or is this a fiction, and tell yourself "right now, at this moment, I do not have a cancer diagnosis".
Speaking to my GP, family and friends really helped. I discovered two of my friends also have HA! We are always here too x

@DustyHoneydew, thank you for your advice, I will try to hang on to that thought. Can I ask how often you used to contact your GP? I’m at them on a weekly basis at the moment and they’re always so accommodating. They do know I have HA but a I do wonder if constant reassurance-seeking is helpful. I hope that when I’m a bit better, I’ll be able to assess a symptom calmly and give it a chance to go away (which it usually does of course) before demanding an emergency GP appointment.

I don't actually go that often I can usually rationalise enough until symptoms resolve and I tend to seek reassurance from friends and family (esp my friends who work in healthcare). I went to my GP for a breast exam earlier this year and just blurted everything out to her saying I think I have Health Anxiety. She was absolutely brilliant and told me she has lots of patients with it and it has increased during the pandemic. She said all my feelings were totally normal which a helped yo hear. I take propranolol too which really helps me (I've had no side effects) xx

I do hope I can get to where you are @DustyHoneydew and be a bit more rational and
patient. I think the GP needs to be firmer with me too!

@HildegardeCrowe how you feeling this afternoon x

Hello @Dollsandfoo, a bit calmer now thanks. A friend came round and I think I might be ok to go out. Really want to learn how to control my crazy thoughts 😳 How are you doing this afternoon? How many dogs are boarding with you ATM?

Good am glad your feeling a little better. I also need to learn to control the thoughts. There's 17 here today so plenty to keep us busy x

Hope you are all doing ok! I’ve had a really good day but having a bit of a wobble tonight! Not googled still though! I’m due on so thinking it’s that! Wish I could stop my periods

@EXA1912 how are you? Xx

Hey sorry not been on here much, spoken to a few doctors/consultants and they think with my past medical history and current pelvic issues continuing with the pregnancy probably wouldn’t the best idea 😢 and that I need to put my health and my children first. I want the baby but I’m also concerned what could happen 😔 I’m terrified either way, what a mess xx

Hello girls, seems like we’re doing ok. Oh 17 doggies, do you have a favourite breed @Dollsandfoo? @EXA1912 good to hear from you, listen to your body, can’t imagine what you’re going through - only had one baby myself! What does your partner think?

@EXA1912 so sorry your having to go through all this. Sending lots of love.
@HildegardeCrowe I love them all there all characters. We used to have ridgebacks untill our last 2 past away about 4 years ago. They were my babies so I guess there definitely a favourite breed. We do also have a miniature dachshund aswell who is a lovely little character. So they definitely on the list of favourites aswell. Hope your feeling ok this evening xx

Oh I love mini dachshunds and ridge backs too! Seems like you’ve had a good day without too much HA. We can do this 😀 feel so much better than this morning, a bit scared about how much my moods change, you were there for me this morning, thank you so much xx

Having had no crises for a reasonable length of time oh dear, the last few days....

Mysterious back issues which seem to be causing all sorts of weird numbnesses, tingling, aches and pains - and anyone on this thread knows what THAT all means to someone with HA.

And as if that wasn't enough now a bit of post-menopausal spotting. Something I absolutely did not need to be dealing with at the moment.

But on a slightly better note a weakness in my hand I'd noticed seemed to be all right today and I found what seemed to be a good method of countering the old shaky legs. There also seem to be quite a few reports of women experiencing PMB after getting the COVID vaccine. It's not going to save me from all the horrors of getting a scan etc but I guess it's nice to have another benign reason to cling to.

Hi all, hope you're ok!

@HildegardeCrowe I've been thinking about you a lot? How are you feeling? Please remember HA tends to work in cycles and the times where you do feel good are absolutely worth fighting it for 💕

Hope i can join?

Suffered with HA after middle baby was born in may 2019. Followed by pandemic and another, unplanned baby soon after (born November 2020) and I’m struggling again. I’ve been having flickering/shimmering in my peripheral vision in bright daylight. Eyes checked and all fine, optic nerve etc fine. I’ve been looking at visual snow and Irlen’s which both seem to fit what I’m experiencing. I’ve had this flickering since November. Was incredibly stressed after DD was born (she had jaundice and we were in and out of hospital) and also home life hasn’t been particularly easy and we are having issues with in laws who live in close proximity to us.

I experience palpitations, numbness and tingling, visual stuff as mentioned above, occasional, mild headaches, occasional slightly blurred vision, derealisation, dizziness (although I don’t think it’s actual dizziness as I can balance fine)
I’m seeing my GP first thing on Monday. I explained my symptoms to him over the phone and he’s booked me an urgent appointment which of course has me worried!

Thanks everyone, I’m really panicking. I really want the baby but I know with all my issues atm and the complications I’ve had in the past with my other babies that it might be best to not continue 😢 Doctors have kind of said I need to put my health and my children first which I understand, they advised no more at my last csection as well to be fair and offered sterilisation which I should of said yes to looking back. Very fearful of what could happen with either option. I just want my womb removing now 😢 x

Hi everyone @AJ297, thank you for your kind words. Welcome @user1488481370, it sounds like you’ve been under a huge amount of stress, hope the GP can help on Monday, try and distract yourself over the weekend.

I’m really trying to control my thoughts and distract myself but am still a mess and am just lying on the sofa today and cuddling the dog. A bit better than yesterday though and so grateful for the support I got here.

@user1488481370 hellos and welcome. I have experienced lots of the symptoms you have talked about at times when my anxiety had been really bad. Hopefully you'll feel a little better after seeing your doctor .
@EXA1912 its such a hard decision for you can't even imagine how your feeling but you have to do what is best for you and your family. Sedning lots of love.

@HildegardeCrowe cuddles with the dog are the best. Glad today is a little better. Small steps. Big hugs xx

@user1488481370

Don't worry too much about your doctor giving you an urgent appointment. Doctors are told that with patients with anxiety they must be extra careful not to assume that problems are caused by that. So he/she is probably just being very cautious.

I had what I think were "ocular migraines" at one time (can't be sure because the doctor lost interest after I had my retinas checked). I was lucky enough to find someone on the Internet who wrote a piece on how the symptoms of ocular migraines are different from those with more serious causes so that reassured me a lot. One of the main things I remember was that visual disturbances caused by strokes etc tend to be "solid" rather than flickering.