Health anxiety getting out of control

[plantingandpotting]

I've always been prone to worry, Google endlessly, and convince myself I'm seriously ill.

Since having my first child 3 months ago however, this has absolutely spiralled out of control. I'm drowning in the fear that I won't live to see her grow up, and I can feel it affecting my mental health.

Having recently suffered several extreme cases of diarrhea and nausea, I'm now being referred to gastro with elevated calprotectin levels. My gastro appointment isn't for 2 months and I'm just so angry at myself, knowing I'll spend all of those evenings Googling and giving my family a watered down version of myself in the meantime. They deserve better.

Has anyone with extreme health anxiety found ways of coping, easing the worry, or even better, managing to forget and clear your headspace entirely?...

Apologies for the block of text - I did use paragraphs but for some reason it's decided to remove them 🤦

Have you spoken to your GP about having health anxiety? They might recommend some CBT or other talking therapies which could be helpful. High levels of anxiety can also exacerbate IBD symptoms which may be what you are experiencing? ( I am not a medical professional)

I have convinced myself that I will die young, or that my partner will die, and I Google the most normal of symptoms (that probably aren't symptoms of anything at all) and that doesn't help.

I think you (and I!) need help for your anxiety in general, rather than just this, as they're not normal thoughts to have. I would suggest seeing your GP and ask to perhaps be referred for counselling.

In the meantime, there are plenty of things you can do to keep yourself healthy. So many illnesses these days are lifestyle related, so we can certainly give ourselves the best possible chance!

CBT.

I started having extreme health anxiety after the birth of my first child. Constantly googling, looking fir reassurance from family and doctor. It developed into aggravated depression. I went along to CBT and it really helped. My therapist first of all taught me about the mechanics and biology of anxiety, then gave me exercises to work on. I still get the initial pangs when I read about an illness or find a funny shaped mole but I can now rationalise and move on in a much more regular way. I was going to have to wait 18 weeks on NHS so I bit the bullet and went privately.

I also suffer from health anxiety. I would see your gp and tell them how you're feeling, they should refer you for some cbt but it's a long waiting list, in the meantime you can purchase or download (kindle) from amazon a book called overcoming health anxiety, written by 2 therapists it's really very good if you work through it. The main advice is to stop googling, I know how extremely hard that is, and during my treatment I stopped entirely now, it has now creeped back up so I just try to limit my googling as much as I can. This completely takes over your life so I fully understand what you mean. The nausea and diarreah are physical symptoms of anxiety, but I'm not saying they shouldn't be investigated but tbh I had many things investigated which were all anxiety including ecgs for heart palpitations etc.

One thing my therapist told me which stuck with me and I always repeat to myself when I'm spiralling is this "your thoughts are not facts, just because you think you are 7 foot tall, are you? No. Just because you think you are ill, are you? No. Only rely on facts, not thoughts"

Two things for me-the first is your thyroid often goes into overdrive after birth which can increase anxiety. Ask for thyroid blood test to check. Secondly, I take duloxetine and it has been like turning off the anxiety tap. I do all the other stuff as well in terms of cbt stuff above but it’s the medication that really worked. I fully intend to take it gif the rest of my life.

Thank you so much everyone. I feel for those of you who have experienced the same - it's an absolute vice of self torture, isn't it.

@suggestionsplease1 Funnily enough, many of the major flare ups have coincided with high stress moments - holidays, first evening alone with the baby, my wedding day(!). Luckily I have a very caring and understanding husband.

Once I begin to feel unwell that's it. It's a steady spiral into feeling sick and tired, unable to focus on things in the real world. I just want to be left alone so that I can Google my symptoms.

I'm going to take every suggestion here on board and will book some CBT sessions, read the book recommended upthread and speak to my Dr about possible medications.

It's such a relief this morning wake up and feel some positivity and hope. Thank you

I have emailed a therapist! Quite surprised by how many there are to choose from 🤔

Great first steps @plantingandpotting. CBT works so well for HA.

Before dr Google there was the Health Encyclopaedia and I used to read and re-read hoping to find out that my symptoms were trivial. Instead most of the time they pointed out to potentially serious if not terminal illnesses and I used to descend into absolute panic! It got better now even if the anxiety is still there but I don't let it escalate like I used to. Any worrying symptoms straight to the GP telling them exactly what's bothering me. In this way I'm somewhat reassured even if it means going through some unpleasant tests. But yes some kind of talking therapy should also help.

Well, I just wanted to come back and say thank you for your advice.

I've only had 2 x face to face CBT sessions so far, but already feel like the weight of my anxieties is lifting.
For the first time in a long while, I've been able to consider living without this great dark overwhelming fear, and can consider that there might be a less sinister reason for my "symptoms".

Interestingly, it didn't take long for the therapist to get me talking about my mother, who sort of started the whole 'let's diagnose this together' routine, and who couldn't bear for me to be unwell.

Hugely enlightening!

Hi

Sorry you are struggling with this.

I was first diagnosed with health anxiety almost 10 years ago after an incidental finding(benign) on a scan.

I have 3 children and it would be particularly worse postnatally.

I have tried everything and for me the two things that have worked are fluoxetine and cbt. I have been well not for 2years. If I stop taking the medication and I’ve tried over the past ten years several times the irrational part just come back. The medication keeps me able to rationalise with myself. As someone else also said the cbt helps to stop doing the behaviours that’s keeps the fear going. So for me I had to stop looking at forums for health anxiety where I was reading about all these different types of illness. I had to stop googling and stop taking photographs of moles etc or any lumps and bumps.

You hit the nail on the head about not wanting to give your family a watered down version of yourself. Also though you deserve better for yourself too.

For so many years I just wished ‘to be at peace’ as I called it. Peace of mind where healthy anxiety didn’t take up most of my thoughts. I’ve ‘had’ nearly every kind of cancer, been convinced beyond belief and nearly every single test available to ‘prove’. I’ve spent thousands of pounds a few years ago on private medical tests as I needed the answers ‘now’.

I am well now. Can honestly say health anxiety features 0 percent in my daily life. For me it’s the combination of the medication, cbt and then sticking to not doing the things that keep it going.

Happy to help in any way I can or pm. It’s a horrible ‘place’ to be in and it used to help me speaking to someone who had been through similar.

P.s I also had raised calprotectin. Was referred to gastro consultant who said at the level it was although high was nothing to worry about. Ofcourse I didn’t believe him and insisted on a colonoscopy and was completely clear. The surgeon said it was ibs related. Although everything I read during that time said that ibs didn’t raise calprotectin levels but in my case it did.

No advice but I'm going through the same, and it's completely ruining my life as a mum of 3. I'm looking up things on the internet and worried all the time !

Lower back pain has spread around my back and you won't believe the things I "feel" I have got x I'm loosing myself in this x

I hope your ok OP

It's exhausting isn't it! I'm on MS still atm and it's a constant fear, even though numerous docs say no and my symptoms aren't the way it would present and that they come and go throughout a day which isn't how it works etc so hard to believe docs though for me :(

I have setraline and CBT so I'm hoping something helps! :(

@Mumma1984 I'm going to pm you x