Health anxiety sore throat

[WindmillionsFeet]

Sorry if this is the wrong place but I am posting on here in the hope that someone will understand. I have suffered from health anxiety for many years and have managed to get it somewhat under control. My biggest fear is cancer and I can feel myself spiralling.
I have had a sore throat for about 3 weeks now. It started off just on one side with a bit of earache and sore tongue. Just thought I was coming down with a cold but it did not develop. Now it’s a bit more in the middle, It’s not bad and comes and sometimes goes altogether. My mouth is quite often dry when I sleep and I do sometimes get acid reflux which might explain it but the one side thing is worrying me. I can’t see anything when I shine a torch in.
The more attention I give to this, the worse it feels and the deeper my anxiety gets.
Apart from running off to the docs, what can I do?

Hi. Fellow health anxiety sufferer here.
I know how it feels to become overwhelmed by symptoms and to automatically jump to the most extreme conclusions. In my own experience, the more I thought about my problems, the worse they seemed to become. The obvious thing to do would be distract yourself and not think about it. But that’s easier said than done.
Of course if things persist, then do go and see your gp. But it could be many things.

Ask yourself this question. How many times in the past have you worried about something and it’s resolved itself or turned out to be nothing? In my case, I’ve lost count!

But I fully understand how you are feeling because I am exactly the same myself. I don’t know the answer but I feel your pain.

Thank you. I decided I have to get it checked or else I will drive myself crazy. No routine doctors appointments to be had for 2 weeks but I am seeing the practice nurse today so hopefully can put my mind at ease. Fingers crossed.

Good. Hope things went well.

Thank you for asking ThreeOwls. Not the outcome I was expecting tbh. I posted on the general health section about this, looking for reassurance I suppose but only got one reply 😞. I was hoping for the “ I had this and I was fine” replies. That’s the thing about health anxiety, the constant need for reassurance.
Basically been referred on the 2 week wait list because of how long I’ve had it. The nurse couldn’t see anything. I’m kind of wishing I hadn’t gone because it’s not so bad really. Just a bit uncomfortable. I just wanted them to say it’s fine don’t worry, go away, here’s some antibiotics. But then again I would still have worried if it didn’t go away and would have gone back.

In real life I will pretend I’m not bothered and jokingly brush it off but truthfully I’m terrified. Sorry for rambling on. Feel like an idiot.

You’re okay.health anxiety is amplifying a common, non-dangerous symptom.
A sore throat that comes and goes is very unlikely to be anything serious.
Pause the checking, hydrate, and remind yourself: anxiety makes sensations louder, not worse.

Thank you ADHDFocusedLife. I hear what you are saying and it makes sense.
Notmally I would tell myself this but the thing bothering me most is the one sided symptoms and the length of time I’ve had it.
Checked my calendar and it’s actually coming up to 5 weeks.

Anxiety is living in the future when you have no idea of an outcome. Live in this hour, this minute. Enjoy now and put aside worries you have no control over.

Advice from a therapist I had once.

Nope, didn't do much for me, either!

Wise words DinoLil. If only it was that easy.

I fully understand the reassurance thing OP. I was told not to seek reassurance but I think it’s only human nature to do so but with health anxiety, our need for this can overtake all else. Just read your post on the general health board and sorry you didn’t get what you were looking for.

Thank you. The sooner I get this appointment the better tbh. At least I’ll know. With health anxiety, at least in my case, I laser focus on this one thing 24/7. Thinking about how the symptoms are constantly. It’s awful.
Its with it being only on one side that is bothering me most.

These symptoms are most often due to reflux, dry mouth, or anxiety-related irritation, not cancer.
Anything that comes and goes and isn’t getting worse is very unlikely to be serious.
Reduce focus on it, try warm fluids/steam, and avoid heavy food before bed.
Only see a doctor if it doesn’t improve after 6–8 weeks or new symptoms appear.

Thank you. That is what I am hoping and what I was hoping they would say when I went to the doctors/nurse. However the urgent referral shocked me quite a bit.
The times when it has gone are when I have taken paracetamol, or when I am not paying it any attention so don’t notice, and I don’t think it’s getting worse so that’s a positive.
The nurse couldn’t see anything and I think she said because it’s over 3 weeks and coz I’m over 45 she would refer.
Funnily enough my mum said she read something about anxiety causing sore throats and my anxiety is definitely making it feel worse as I can’t stop thinking about it.
I appreciate you taking the time to reply ADHD. You are very kind trying to help alleviate my fears.