Anxiety and Health Anxiety

[Miss_Anxiety]

Hi everyone, this is my first ever post here!

Mental Health never crossed my mind until something happened to me 2 months ago. I’m a 25yearold Mother of one. Early February I suffered from an UNEXPECTED anxiety/panic attack. I didn’t know what was happening and neither did my family so I ended up in the ER. Tests came back all clear but left me questioning “why did this Happen?”, How can this just happen out of no where?” “ what if i am really sick and they can’t seem to find it?”

I have seen 10 doctors from 5 different Medical Centres, multiple blood tests, urine tests .
Brain MRI, Spine MRI, Chest XRay, pelvic ultrasound, thyroid/neck ultrasound, stomach ultrasound. All clear. Found a 2cm cyst on ovary which I have had for a while. My biggest fear is cancer. My sisters husband past away last year from cancer and since then I guess it’s always been in the back of my mind. My panic attack was what triggered “health anxiety”.

2 Weeks ago I requested a blood test and urine just for a reassurance as that week I believed I had throat cancer. Results came back with high cortisol and inflammatory marker. Also pus in the urine. I ended up showing the results to another doctor who told me cortisol testing should be tested early morning . Did a retest and came back all normal. Except for my urine . Cloudy Urine, with pus and GROUP B STREP bacteria.

The doctor keeps reassuring me it’s just a UTI. But I have not one single symptom of a UTI. I’ve finished my antibiotics and still cloudy urine. No smell just cloudy with white particles floating around. I’m so scared. I think the worst . I’m losing sleep. Has anyone had this before ?

From February until now I have already self diagnosed myself with

throat cancer, spine tumor, lung cancer, colon cancer, bowel cancer, thyroid cancer, now I’m thinking it’s ovarian cancer or bladder cancer. I have never been like this before . I’m having lower belly cramps/pressure and lower back pressure. Not sure if it’s just me overthinking. I even have dreams about it. I already see my psych. I no longer have attacks but constant worry, obsessive thoughts, fear.

[Apprehensive]

Hi Miss Anxiety,

I really feel for you having had GAD and Health Anxiety for many years. I came across this website which has been an absolutely fantastic and has/is helping me through becoming well again. It has up to date and very sound research and all their therapists have both experienced anxiety and highly qualified. Hope it helps. Warmest wishes.

https://www.anxietycentre.com/

[CalmCat]

Hi imjustme & Apprehensive,

Welcome to the forum and what heartfelt first posts.

I've had breakthrough anxiety since I was 12. I wouldn't of been able to manage it if it weren't for a great GP, psychologist and supportive friends an family.

Make sure you have as many support people around you, it's a game changer.

On a more personal note; I also urinate from anxiety also imjustme/ I know it annoying but I think it just helps define the amazing people we must be.

Would love to hear more of your anxiety story, as this is a great forum thread.

Regards,

Doran

[Ace1988]

Hi miss anxiety!

I’m so glad I found your thread, but im also sorry I found it because it’s a horrible thing to have to go through.

I’m glad I’m not alone in this stupid health anxiety thing.

Reading through the thread has made me realise I’m definitely not alone in what my brain is doing.
Im currently sitting here with pains in my chest (I’ve been to emergency several times for it and bloods, ecg all come back normal) so doctor believes it’s anxiety related, but of course, how can he know without doing ALL the cardiac tests known to man? *frustrating*

I don’t want to go back on long term meds as I had come off them prior to covid, and was doing so well.
But now, that I’m not working and I’m homeschooling my child, I’ve never felt so stressed and anxious and I’m feeling every little ache and pain and sensation in my body.

just know you’re not alone.

we are all in this together girl. You got this shit.

[Miss_Anxiety]

Hello Gumtree77,

so sorry I took your username lol. I literally typed up the first thing that came to mind when I signed up to BB.
Thankyou for your reply! I too have recently diagnosed myself with some sort of oral cancer. I’m not sure why I feel so on edge when I wake up , go to sleep, or just anytime throughout my day. I just sense something bad is going to happen, that I won’t see my daughter grow up, that I won’t get to experience anything with her. Is it normal for my brain to do this? I piece up puzzles in my life and so sure that everything happens for a reason! So then I begin to question everything. Like for example.. how come this anxiety hit me out of nowhere? Why now? Why not when I was actually going through stressful times? What does all this mean? What is the purpose of certain events taking place? Is it just preparing me for the worst.

feeling anxious

[Miss_Anxiety]

Hello imjustme & Apprehensive,

I’m so sorry about your parents. Losing one is hard so I can’t imagine what losing both feels like. I hope things have been easy on you. I do understand why you have health anxiety just by mentioning your parents .

I hope you both are coping well. Health anxiety is so hard. I always heard the word anxiety growing up, didn’t actually know what it meant. I hope people can stop throwing that word around so lightly.

I now understand how much it affects a persons life. It is crippling.

But with eachothers support, we can get through this !!!

[0antman]

Hi. Ive been through what you are going through. It truly does suck. Ive done all the tests, and every minor symptom makes me fear the worst.

One thing ive stopped doing is going on google and checking symptoms. If I google that I have a headache, it will tell me I might have a brain tumor. Google is the worst thing when you have health anxiety. I stay away

I also relate to hearing others dying of cancer and other diseases. But what I have learnt is to try to stay away from potential triggers. I have stopped watching the news. I mean, when does the news provide us with positive stories? Its either about a tragic death, home invasion or some other negative story. All these can trigger my anxiety, so I have stopped watching the news and it definitely helps. I try to listen to my favorite music and have a water diffuser with lavender in my room which also can help 🙂