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Original poster

Health anxiety

6 replies

Talkabtit101 · 29/06/2024 16:01

I'm not even sure what I expect from this post but just wanted to vent it out really.

I'm a long term sufferer of Health anxiety, centred around my own health, did swap to DD when she was born however something happened to a previous family member which made the anxiety manifest itself back to me.

I'm always poorly, I always feel horrible, whether that be a headache, a belly ache, back ache, sore arm, sore legs, tired, no appetite and dizzy. Theres never a day where nothing feels wrong.

The biggest issue was heart palpitations, after fighting my GP for 16 months I finally got referred to cardiology. There was no abnormalities apart from a Single Superventricular Isolated Ectopy, so they signed me off. I still get them now, but I'm also a long term suffer of costochondritis, which I don't know if they're " PVCS " or a blatant muscle spasm.

I have a loving partner and an amazing DD, but I'm always sad. I'm scared I'll be this way for the rest of my life and I'll eventually end up pushing everyone away with my constant reassurance seeking.

The newest concern is I'm scared of a certain Blood C, I have pain under my left rib whenever I eat/drink or sometimes take a deep breath. Also upon pressing the lower area of my rib cage I can feel something, it might be a rib but I don't know, it feels softer than the other ribs.

I was suffering with feeling tired, and due to always feeling poorly I went down to the GP and they requested blood tests. I had those done at the beginning of the month which all came back fine apart from High White Blood Cells, normal range is 4.5-10.9 and mine were 11.6.

The DR requested a retest for 4 weeks time which I'm due to have again on Wednesday.

Once again now as the day gets closer I'm back in the cycle of googling my symptoms which is bringing me back to Blood C. I had a big cry about it today and I have a pounding headache now, and I've seen how amazing the people of Mumsnet are at hand holding. I don't know what I'm after for really, I just can't cope anymore.

I'm scared of leaving my DD behind and my lovely DH, and something happening to me whilst I'm young. I sometimes can't sleep because of it, sometimes can't eat.

I have toilet issues where I'm constipated for days and then something panics me and then have loose BMs. It's a never ending cycle, sharp stomach pains, cramps back ache.

I just don't know what to do.
Does anyone / did anyone suffer with health anxiety? Does it get better? What helps? I can't keep living like this anymore.

OP posts:
Original poster
Talkabtit101 · 29/06/2024 16:03

Also I'd like to ask, how much weight loss is normal? i lost 4LBS in 6 weeks without trying and I don't feel like I've being eating less, however did so a bit more walking/activity in the last few weeks.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 29/06/2024 16:07

By blood c do you mean blood cancer?

High white cells are probably from an infection like a cold or you've eaten something slightly dodgy.

Have you tried stopping eating gluten for at least four weeks? Gluten intolerance can cause all sorts of issues and it's an easy thing to try out!

Original poster
Talkabtit101 · 29/06/2024 16:11

@QuestionableMouse hi, yes I mean that.

No I haven't tried a gluten free diet, wouldn't know where to start, but will look into it. I'm more concerned about my results at the minute.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 29/06/2024 16:14

It's unlikely that you have cancer based on just having high white cells. There are some typical symptoms that you don't have so please don't worry too much!

Waitingfordoggo · 29/06/2024 16:19

Have you had any treatment for the health anxiety itself?

I have been where you are a number of times, and the times when my anxiety is high is when I get the most physical issues and then it becomes an infinite loop. Anxiety causes physical symptoms which lead to further anxiety.

You need to treat the anxiety. A combination of SSRIs and CBT worked for me at various times.

Something which we often think will be helpful is reassurance but actually it doesn’t resolve the anxiety because then when we get home we might start thinking ‘What if the Dr was wrong?’ ‘What if the scanner was malfunctioning?’ Or even ‘what if a tumour has started to form in the hours since I had that test?’ I came to realise that there could never be enough reassurance, even if I had a team of on-call Drs 24/7!

It’s important that you do still seek medical advice regarding physical symptoms but that you also get started on treating the anxiety itself - you will probably find that many of your symptoms will subside.

ByLovingGuide · 12/02/2025 22:28

Waitingfordoggo · 29/06/2024 16:19

Have you had any treatment for the health anxiety itself?

I have been where you are a number of times, and the times when my anxiety is high is when I get the most physical issues and then it becomes an infinite loop. Anxiety causes physical symptoms which lead to further anxiety.

You need to treat the anxiety. A combination of SSRIs and CBT worked for me at various times.

Something which we often think will be helpful is reassurance but actually it doesn’t resolve the anxiety because then when we get home we might start thinking ‘What if the Dr was wrong?’ ‘What if the scanner was malfunctioning?’ Or even ‘what if a tumour has started to form in the hours since I had that test?’ I came to realise that there could never be enough reassurance, even if I had a team of on-call Drs 24/7!

It’s important that you do still seek medical advice regarding physical symptoms but that you also get started on treating the anxiety itself - you will probably find that many of your symptoms will subside.

Hit the nail on the head. I’m exactly this

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