I WAS DOING SO WELL.... HEALTH ANXIETY

[Jodie569]

I have managed to control my HA for years but now I am in real health scare! I have a huge lump growing on the front of my neck (over where my Thyroid is). I have been to ENT and had a camera down my nose and he felt lump (I have lots of nodules) bloods done (wbc slightly raised and TSH normal). This lump is so big it must have been growing very slowly over the years I now know it was the reason for restricted breathing over the years.... I have had most the the thyroid symptoms over the years but tests always come back normal. Currently thinking my bumpy scalp (that has been like it for years) is cancerous and thinking that I have terminal cancer because the lump come up.

I am struggling more than ever before and I have already convinced myself the worst outcome. Not sure what I expect from anyone replying (If anyone does thank you) Maybe some advice on how to cope while doing scans or waiting for results would help me.

Not looking forward to another sleepless night!.

What a worrying situation. No easy answers but these are things that have helped me over the years.

1.Remember that ANYONE in your situation would be worried -sometimes with health anxiety it's easy to forget that and imagine that everyone else would be coping easily with this and we're somehow idiots for not being able to manage. Reminding yourself that this is actually just a difficult time stops you adding on an extra layer of stress by beating yourself up.

2.I've finally managed to convince myself that my thinking does not affect the physical reality in any way. I always used to somehow think that if I was optimistic about an outcome I'd be "punished" and if I worried a lot and made myself miserable that would prevent it being actually bad. But it's not true.
I can worry or I can be completely blase but it doesn't make any difference to the outcome. Of course I still find tests etc scary but now when I'm having an optimistic day I can just enjoy it without worrying that I'm "taking things for granted".

3. Distract yourself in any way you can. Puzzles, TV, music, exercise, chocolate, it doesn't matter. Anything that will pass the hours is good!

I have my fingers crossed for you!

Thank you for your advice and kind words HPFA, you’re right in everything you said in that. I think soon as I know what’s going on I can deal with it better. Coming on here to read stories and chat with real people instead of googling has helped take my mind off it. I don’t have anyone who understands because they haven’t gone through it.

thank you x