Health anxiety causing real symptoms?

[Bear2014]

Could do with some experiences and perspectives as I feel like I am truly losing the plot.

I have been investigated at hospital this week for palpitations and chest tightening, referred by the GP, and have had my thyroid tested (normal) in case it is this causing the palpitations. I've had an ECG (normal) and have been referred for a 24-hour tape ECG. I have also mentioned to the doctor that I have slight tenderness in my upper right abdomen and am concerned that an old pregnancy hernia is pushing up on my chest making the problems worse. No one has examined this or suggested any scans etc.

Problem is I have had the most crippling anxiety about all of this, mostly terrified that I am about to be diagnosed as being riddled with cancer or something. I have never struggled with my mental health before but have been feeling slightly anxious about turning 40 and staying healthy for my very young children. My Dad was hospitalised with pneumonia recently and I have known of people my age having serious diagnoses, and I'm wondering if I've been tipped over into some kind of nervous breakdown, panicking and worrying myself into having actual symptoms. I have been obsessing about it all weekend and it has made me feel like I'm spinning out. My latest is that there is an abdominal tumour pushing into my chest cavity stopping me from breathing properly.

I have a GP appointment this afternoon and I'm worried about coming across like a proper nutcase.

Has anyone experienced this? help!

Yes, I have health anxiety and the anxiety causes very real physical symptoms.
I constantly feel like I am seriously ill.
My heart skips beats, I have strange eye floaters, I feel like my throat is going to close and I can't breathe properly- this is just what I'm feeling this very moment.
I have had countless teats and I now understand ( when in a more rational mood) these symptoms are anxiety and not likely a physical health issue but it's very scary.
I've been 'sure' I've had strokes, heart episodes and cancer of various parts of my body ( latest was cervical). All tests neg.

Write down some questions you want to ask. Try your best to be calm and collected.
( Ime they take you more seriously than if you go in all flustered)
Be open to CBT. Really helped me.

Thanks for replying. I'm sorry to hear about your struggles.

I'm finding it impossible to tell if I'm detecting that there is genuinely something wrong with me and responding with understandable fear, or working myself up to the point that every sensation is something terrible. I started writing in the children's journals again at the weekend which I hadn't bothered doing for ages, in case I'm about to keel over

Hope your appointment went well

@Spied and OP I have terrible health anxiety and it can 100% cause horrible physical symptoms - I haven't found an answer or cure yet - trying CBT and reading books etc but no luck yet, please let me know if you find a magic cure to end the misery! Xx

The GP was really sweet and even gave me a hug. She said everything felt and sounded fine but has given me a form to go and get a chest x-ray for reassurance. Really hoping it works. I've not been this pre-occupied since I was pregnant with DS following a miscarriage. Such a horrible feeling.

It's a really horrible feeling is it? I also get the stomach pushing into chest feeling regularly. Convinced myself it's a tumour etc, praying that I can get myself to the point where my children are a little older to be able to cope . I'm getting there though, with lots of reminding myself that it'll pass, and tomorrow is another day.

I've had anxiety for 9 years and I really wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!

Peri menopause can cause anxiety. For me, it was that changing hormone levels caused physical symptoms eg racing heart. My mind then interpreted this the only way it knew how - that there must be some kind of threat or problem - and then my mind rushed to find something to be anxious about! But it started with the physical, not the mental.
I also take a really good b vitamin complex. I was low in b12 and folate, which causes these kinds of symptoms too.

Sorry, because I know I am giving you other physical things to think about, but they are not cancer! Just ... high dose vit b supplements .. and consider a trial of hrt to see if it helps.

That's interesting about the hormone imbalance thing and the vitamins - thank you. I would be surprised if I'm perimenopausal. I'm 39, regular periods etc but not out of the question.

Mumma1984
Not specifically related to health anxiety but I've found 'At last a Life' - Paul David very helpful. I also look at his blog.
His words have seen through many a bad day.

Thanks for input everyone. I'm still struggling so much. I have continued to have palpitations and slight chest pains, every day sometimes several times. I have also been back to the GP as my thyroid seemed enlarged. they weren't concerned but have sent me for an ultrasound (referral pending). Thyroid, liver and kidney profile blood tests are all in normal range and full blood count did not show anything worrying. I'm still waiting for results of the chest x-ray that I had last week, as I've been so convinced I have a tumour lurking in there.

One thing that did come back was that I have low vitamin D (my level is 20 somthing). Could this explain any of the symptoms I have been having? Calcium is normal. I just want the chest x-ray to come back so that I know one way or another.

An Introduction to Coping with Health Anxiety by Brenda Hogan is a good place to start. It should be available at a local library.

Hi @Bear2014
How are you doing? Your symptoms sound exactly how I am feeling. I also have been for ecg, bloods, chest X-ray and the waiting is killing me. I'm convinced they are going to find something and it causing me physical symptoms. I have appointment with dr next week and I am thinking of asking for help with my anxiety. It is ruining my life my children's life and my husbands. I just want to be normal

Hi @TheChaser, so sorry you're feeling like this too. It's been months and it comes and goes. I do have the odd day where I feel normal but still get light headed, tight chest and sesation of needing to cough/clear my throat. I had a covid test and antibody test, 24 hour heart monitor, thyroid ultrasound and chest x ray. All normal. I was self medicating with Gaviscon Ultra for months in case it was reflux but recently stopped as it made no difference. Thinking about going back to GP but it keeps leading to same dead ends. Tempted to get a private MRI or something but probably need to just get out more as lockdown is not at all helpful. Hope you get some support from your doctor.

Have you sought help for the anxiety itself? That’s the issue.

@Bear2014 thank you for replying and sorry to hear you are still having these feelings. It's awful isn't it I had a bit of a wobble today and the more I think about it the more I can feel symptoms. I've had normal blood, X-rays, echo but can't get it out of my head. I have a telephone appointment so the gp next week and I'm really considering medication for my anxiety to see if that helps

Please join us on the health anxiety thread OP. It's really helped me!

Completely understand how you feel. I can only describe my health anxiety as completely debilitating. I’ve had it for 5 years having been completely carefree before that. It can definitely cause me physical symptoms such as headache, stomach ache, dizziness and chest tightness x

@katiemumma20 I am the same. It's awful. It definitely became worse after having children. I've recently been prescribed medication from the GP I'm hoping it helps soon

Its causes real symptoms in me when my anxiety is really playing up. I have quite a lot of palpitations, chest tightness, numb tongue, eye floaters, numb/weak legs, dizziness, feeling spaced out. I feel for you OP, health anxiety is debilitating. Do you have support OP?

I also have the physical symptoms, chest pain, thudding heart, dizziness, restless legs. Wouldn't wish it on anyone

Yes I have had similar. Still don't know if it was caused by anxiety or something else.
Remember palpitations can be brought on from being dehydrated. Try drinking lots of water every day and see if that helps. Also potassium is important so eat Bananas and mushrooms. A deficiency can cause palpitations.

Yes, I suffer with anxiety anyway (racing heart, sweats, palpitations, upset tummy etc.) but over the past year my anxiety has definitely centred around my health after having a spate of different things happening. I think it’s been exacerbated by COVID and worrying about not being able to get the same level of care. I’ve never contacted my GP surgery so much in my life as I have in the past year! 😳 It’s got to the point where I am so embarrassed I’m constantly apologising everytime I speak to the same practitioner with a new issue 😭 I’m finally seeing a GP face to face this week about pain I’ve had for a whole YEAR! 😣 I’m not holding out much hope if I’m honest, the pain has really worn me down to the point that I’m worried I will have it forever and won’t be able to lead a normal life (it’s worse when doing certain activities) 😢

I hope you can start to feel better OP.

Image result for Health anxiety causing real symptoms?
Many people with health anxiety are often unable to function or enjoy life due to their fears and preoccupations. They become preoccupied with bodily functions (breathing, heartbeat), minor physical abnormalities (skin blemishes), or physical sensations (headaches, stomach aches)

@igotdemons

Yes, I suffer with anxiety anyway (racing heart, sweats, palpitations, upset tummy etc.) but over the past year my anxiety has definitely centred around my health after having a spate of different things happening. I think it’s been exacerbated by COVID and worrying about not being able to get the same level of care. I’ve never contacted my GP surgery so much in my life as I have in the past year! 😳 It’s got to the point where I am so embarrassed I’m constantly apologising everytime I speak to the same practitioner with a new issue 😭 I’m finally seeing a GP face to face this week about pain I’ve had for a whole YEAR! 😣 I’m not holding out much hope if I’m honest, the pain has really worn me down to the point that I’m worried I will have it forever and won’t be able to lead a normal life (it’s worse when doing certain activities) 😢

I hope you can start to feel better OP.

This sounds like me. I think the receptionists probably know me now and imagine then saying "it's her again". GP is calling me on Friday and I'm hoping to start something for my anxiety. Hope your appointment goes okay