I'm convinced I have something wrong with me

[RainOnMe79]

For the past 9 months I have been suffering with awful health anxiety. It all started when I had a genuine health scare, which turned out to be nothing,
I now keep having really bad back ache and I've convinced myself I have a tumour which is secondary to somewhere else. I can't eat, sleep and can't stop crying, thinking I'm going to die and leave my dc.
I don't know how to cope, I've had chest X-ray, bloods ecg and all normal. I can't live my life because of it. Every little pain/ache I worry. This isn't normal is it?

Health anxiety is a recognised condition. Have you spoken with your GP or one of the medical team to see if they can do anything?
There is a service in our area called Time to Talk. It might be worth googling it and seeing if there's a similar service in your area?
May I ask if you are taking any anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications?

Thank you @pinkplantpotspot.

I have briefly spoken to gp when I was being investigated for something and when I said how I was feeling he just said there was nothing physically wrong with me.
I'm not taking anything for depression/anxiety and I will have a look at what you suggested, thank you

You've answered your own question. Health anxiety. It's awful to live with, you could try medication, counselling or both?

I have health anxiety its just awful I know exactly how your feeling. I have just started some antidepressants because I can't carry on the way things were. I have had to take them in the past for it and they really helped so hoping they will help again. Might be worth you trying them. Sending lots of love x

I self referred into our local nhs mental health organisation for my anxiety - am now doing CBT which is bloody hard work but is helping loads. Definitely seek help, you don’t deserve to feel like this and it is a real thing that can be treated.

While you wait, you could try downloading headspace and doing some meditations on there. It can feel a bit of a waste of time but after a while you might find they’re shifting you in a calmer direction.

Thank you so much for replies

The thing is though, I can actually feel symptoms, can anxiety cause symptoms?

I'm definitely going to call GP tomorrow and ask about some medication and I'll have a look at the you tube suggested, thank you. I just feel like it's taking over my life now

Yes mine has definitely caused me symptoms. About 2 years ago I was really bad convinced I had a brain tumour I had the worst headaches constantly and blurry vision couldn't eat or sleep was being sick. I was so bad I kept taking myself to a and e had all sorts of test and everything was fine once I got my anxiety under control it all went. Now am back to being bad with my anxiety now but not quiet as bad as I was back then am hoping that going back on medication will stop me getting bad as bad as I was back then. Definitely talk to your gp. And think about taking some meds xxx

It’s officially called hypochondria op, I think you need to speak to your gp and see about treatment for it. Be it medication or therapy.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypochondriasis

It can give you symptoms and can make you hyper-vigilant about normal stuff (eg I have been to the optician about melanoma in my eye this week. It’s a totally normal freckle on my cornea which I have probably had my whole life but only noticed in my current low patch. Nothing to worry about, they will check it at my next sight test.)

Anxiety can cause you to feel pains which aren't actually there.
I only ever use the NhS site when talking with patients because otherwise googling health info can be overwhelming for anyone, let alone someone who is struggling with health anxiety.

www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/health-anxiety/

Please let us know how you get on OP x

ThNk you for the link @pinkplantpotspot

I'm really not doing well. I seem to be spiralling. I just keep googling symptoms and ive convinced myself I'm going to die. I go to bed thinking it's the last time I'll aww dc and DH. I hate living like this

@Dollsandfoo if you don't mind me asking, what medication did you take x

@RainOnMe79 health anxiety is an absolute bastard to live with. Mine started after the birth of my 8 year old. I struggled with it for a couple of years and then went on fluoxetine. Life changer for me. I also had a short course of CBT which helped.
It was pretty much under control until I fell pregnant 18 months ago. When my baby was 8 weeks old it was back with a vengeance (I had stopped my medication when pg). I lasted until she was about 12 weeks old and I went back on the medication. This time I’m on sertraline and it works for me.
I can’t tell you how bad I was - it was horrendous. I’m having a wobble this week but I now it’s just a wobble and I’ll be better in a week or so.

CBT is good - it helps you think differently. I have to force myself to use what I’ve learnt as the HA make me want to ignore the sensible stuff. I sed-referred for mine and it was a short wait.

Thank you so much for replying @Ethellsmum it's good to hear from people who understand. DH is rubbish and doesn't understand and I can't really tell anyone else. Looking back I think mine started after the birth of my dc. It's good to hear medication has worked for you and gives me hope - I have an appointment with gp on Monday so I really hope I can start some medication. It is a bastard to live with, it's taking over my life, I can't plan anything because I live in constant fear x

Let us know how you get on. Don’t know if you’ve seen but there is a dedicated HA thread on here - it’s full of people who understand what you are going through. I find it very helpful.

@Ethellsmum, health anxiety can suck it. It is torture.
@Dollsandfoo, a good few years back I had a breakdown where I was convinced I had a brain tumour and it was hell on earth. Looking back, the physical symptoms I was experiencing were migraine but I was so scared that I was going to die. I would keep going back to the doctor and would be reassured for about an hour or so before the "What if they're wrong" shit would start up again in my head.

@RainOnMe79 how are you doing?