Health Anxiety/Panic attacks - New Thread

[Hellohihola]

Hello

as the title says.. I thought I’d start a new thread for health anxiety!

I for one, am really struggling with HA and panic attacks currently. I’ve had both for as long as I can remember from childhood. I’ve had therapy, Meds.. and have had years of relief but unfortunately I went through a stressful time with my DD 7 health last year which led to a spiral of stress, unmanaged panic attacks which led into a full mental breakdown this Feb just gone.

I am in recovery, but I have recently taken 20 steps back and dealing with current HA around my heart. Endless palpitations and persistent worry about heart attacks, heart thumping, checking pulse obsessively it’s an endless spiral. I went to A&E last week as I was worried about the flutters I was getting! I hate hospitals and DRs they frighten the life from me in case my irrational fears are told to be true.. and I had a massive panic attack yesterday, so all this has pushed me back in recovery.

Who else suffers and would like to support one another? HA and panic attacks are very lonely and isolating to deal with!

PS I have an amazing DP and family network to support x

Hi,

I've had HA and panic attacks for about 14 years. Have never tried medication as my HA won't allow me to for fear of side effects but I've had therapy and I'm currently in counselling again at the moment. I also have PTSD and GAD also. It's a fucking nightmare.

I'm having a terrible year with my health and the health of my family tbh so I've been triggered a lot this year. Most recently by having an ultrasound last week which discovered that I only have one kidney so I've now got to be referred to renal dept and have further tests - I am terrified of hospitals so every test they put me through is a massive hurdle to get through, however I know I must go as I need to maintain my health for my children's sake.

Sorry you are a fellow sufferer :( it’s crippling right? the recent findings for one kidney must of been a huge shock for you! I’m really sorry you’re having to go through this. I can totally relate to the testing side of things on hospitals - it is terrifying! But you will get through it and this thread is here if you did want to let all of your horrible anxious thoughts out 💐

I can’t take meds for the same reason - terrified of the side effects. I took them in the past (15 years ago or go) when I didn’t think about that so much. I was quite literally forced 3 tablets when I first broke down by family members, and they just fed the anxiety and made me feel awful. I had PTSD a couple of years ago and I had trauma therapy which really did help!

I am awaiting to start therapy again, just had to find the right person.

bump

So crippling. Thank you, I will definitely be on here to rant. In the last 6 months I've been at hospital 4 times for myself (3 appointments and 1 a&e), once for my husband (a&e) and then my DS was admitted to children's hospital for 4 days and had a follow up hospital appointment - every time I have to go it's panic attacks and days of anxiety either beforehand or afterwards. I went years of never having to go near a hospital and now it's like I'm being bombarded with it.

Oh that's awful that your family forced you to take the meds, I'm sure they were just trying to do the right thing in their minds but it can't have been easy on you.

My chronic conditions have really ramped up the last 12 months causing untold anxiety (IBS, reflux). I've never had trauma therapy, did you have it through the NHS or privately?

That is a lot of visits in the last 6 months! It’s no wonder you feel bombarded. I hope all is okay with your DC who had to go into hospital. I too have had many hospital visits in the last year - at one point I felt like I lived there and like you, it causes so much anxiety! I had to go to A&E last week for myself for heart flutters and it honestly made me feel so much worse, I think I have white coat syndrome!!

they had good intentions and they just wanted to see me better. They felt I needed to try the meds than be scared of the side effects so at least I can say - I tried!

I gained trauma therapy through the NHS but I am sure it will be something you can self find. I did personally find it very helpful, but I think that was down to having the right therapist who just really understood me and allowed me to process my trauma. How long have you been in counselling for this time?

Yes anxiety loves to really heighten the IBS!!!

My DS is doing better thank you but is still waiting for a follow up ultrasound appointment so I know I'll be back there with him plus I've got more referrals and tests for myself to come also so I'm already anticipating more misery.
I'm sorry you've been in hospital a lot too, has everything so far come back clear for you? Anxiety can play absolute havoc on our nervous system and our bodies which on perpetuates the HA!

Yes exactly at least you can say you've tried them, my husband is constantly telling me "try the pills, ask for meds" when he knows my anxiety really won't let me. I've had 5 sessions with my new counsellor so far, she is very nice but honestly this is my 5th time in therapy so I don't hold much hope if it changing anything. I had CBT in 2012, CBT in 2014, grief counselling in 2016, 6 sessions of talking therapy in 2021 and now back in talking therapy again. You?

can I join?

I’ve had health anxiety for pretty much my whole life, which probably stems from my DM’s cancer diagnosis then subsequent stroke when I was three. When I was 15 she had a bad car accident which led to complications even though she seemed physically fine (apart from a limp!) though ended up with a bleed on the brain and required surgery during my GCSE year. Then my little brother ended up on paeds HDU with extremely similar symptoms to that of my DM/of a brain tumour and now has a neurological lifetime condition. As a result I’m extremely health conscious and worry about every little thing health related. Any time I get something out of the ordinary I immediately go into panic mode! Even though I do know it’s probably nothing that doesn’t help.

I did CAT and trauma focused CBT which weren’t too helpful. I had medication for around nine months but ended up coming off that as at the time I felt it was well controlled. Then my DM had three hospital admissions in five weeks. While I don’t take the medication often, I do still have to on occasion. Like others I refuse medication (pretty much all contraceptives!) due to the risks that come with them. I tend to eat vegetarian when out and about due to a fear of getting food poisoning. My DM just keeps telling me “oh just stop worrying all the time” which is frustrating to be honest!

I have all my fingers crossed for all of your upcoming appointments! Glad your DS is doing better though, it’s just awful when you go through such worry with your own DC’s. Yes first it was me for 18 months in hospital most weeks under rheumatology and had an official diagnosis just over a year ago in which now my condition is in remission (thankfully) then from July I have been in hospital a lot with my DD7 who is now doing really well. Like you we are just waiting for test results but things are a lot better so not so worried! I think her being so unwell has caused all of this influx of anxiety again :(

oh wow you have tried a lot of therapies, I do think it’s a good thing to persist with though! Wish I had more advice on how to help. and I totally get it with your OH’s making meds out not to be a big deal, and for them it isn’t but for us it’s huge!! I have actually read a couple of books recently - 1 by dr Claire weekend hope and help for your nerves (brill) and at last a life by Paul David (that’s my advice to help lol) but they were really useful. IV done various counselling all my life to be honest, trauma therapy x10 in 2022 and starting talking therapies with the same lady this week. Sorry very long reply!!

more the merrier!! (Although wouldn’t wish this on anyone but it’s nice to not feel alone)

Gosh you have been through so much trauma with your loved ones! I can really really sympathise.. it’s going to have a huge negative affect on you. I’m so sorry to hear about all the recent hospital admissions for your DM and it must of been terrifying watching your DB suffer. Is he younger/older than you?

i can 100% relate to the food thing. I’m a vegetarian too, I won’t try new foods with a fear il have an anaphylactic reaction (no known allergies) and die. I won’t take any meds either (contraception, Covid vaccines etc) because of the potential effects. It’s draining!

it is frustrating when others tell you to stop worrying as we don’t CHOOSE to be this way, but for me I need my DP to tell me to stop worrying he seems to be the only person who keeps me in check.

sending support 💐

Placemarking as this is me also!

I came off medication in February as I want to try and regain control, but my worries are also currently around my heart and it's so hard

Thank you, I just have to try and get some things in place to try and manage the anxiety and get me through the appointments. I have a calm music playlist and I bring my headphones, I also put lavender on a tissue and smell it frequently, these things are a little helpful.
Thank you, I actually got Dr Claire weekes book on audible app and have listened to maybe 3/4 chapters so need to keep going with that. Are you putting her techniques into practice?

So sorry to hear about your daughter having health issues but glad to hear she is on the mend and hopefully won't be anything serious, it's so scary when it's your kids isn't it?

My chronic conditions are IBS and reflux so because these have symptoms on a daily basis I am always worrying about them - is it bowel cancer, why's this symptom changed to that etc it's exhausting!

Do you have problems with sleep at all?

@Hellohihola we have a large age gap and he’s younger than me, but I’ve always been quite maternal with him! Especially with our mum being so unwell lately. Ive had the covid vaccines but didn’t have the AZ vaccine, then once all the bad press came along i was terrified! I got them early as a carer.

The anxiety of waiting for test results is awful! Feel like the night before appointment I’m always on edge/can’t sleep. Then need coffee to stay away which also makes me more anxious it’s a never ending cycle

I hadn’t heard of Dr Claire weekes—will take a look at her!