Don’t know what to do.

[KK7]

Hi everyone,

just looking for some advice, I suffer bad health anxiety which I’m taking medication and stuff for. My doctors has told me she can’t me anymore and I need to find a new dr, I’m just wondering if there someone higher then a dr who would help me, I’ve hurt my left shoulder, and have a bad sinus infection waiting for ENT Appointment. I also stopped doing physio as it flare my shoulder up and make me panic which is annoying because that’s what I need to do to fix the pinched nerve, it freak me out because it my left side.

I guess my question is. Is there anyone higher then a dr who can help.

and how does everyone else function with health anxiety ?

Thanks

[maccaz]

Hey mate, I can relate somewhat. My doctors have got very fed up with me over the years with my insisting testing etc. What kind of symptoms do you have with your anxiety? What do you do to manage it?

What did your doctor say when they said they are not going to see you anymore? Did they refer youto any kind of mental health support service/mental health plan?

[maccaz]

hey mate

I can relate quite a bit to this. What did the doctor say was the reason they wont see you anymore? did they refer you to someone else?

[Blake_S]

Hi KK7,

Thank you for posting and telling us what’s been going on for you. It sounds like you've got a lot going on, in both mental and physical aspects of your life. I'm sorry to hear that you're suffering from bad health anxiety and that you need to find a new doctor. It's not an easy task moving from one doctor to another, especially since they know you and what you need help with. I was wondering if your doctor gave you a referral to another doctor? Often when you want to see a specialist there is a referral process.

I understand that you are on medication for your health anxiety, but are you receiving any mental health support? Health anxiety can be very distressing, and it sounds like you've reached out for help in the medical field, which is great. Mental health support can include a psychologist, and they would be able to help you manage and function with your health anxiety.

We are all here for you in this difficult time, if you can, please write back and let us know how you are going. The forums are a great and safe place to receive support and get feelings off your chest!

All the best,
Blake_S

[KK7]

Hi there,

I’m currently on a metal Health plan have been for a little bit, the reason I have bad health anxiety is because it took 6 month for them to work out I had a pinched nerve in my neck left side of course, I was also pregnant at the time so they kept stroke testing me everytime, I also had to have a heart monitor put on for 24 hours when it turned out to be just a pinched nerve and I had a sinus infection that went untreated for 4 months and she keep saying it couldn’t be that, now my sinus infection is so bad I’m waiting to see ENT people. I had a phone appointment with her as my right ear is ringing and still hurts due to my sinus infection she said there’s nothing more she can do an I need to find a new dr, finding a new dr give me more anxiety as you have to re explain everything and most put it down to your anxiety also have not been referred to a new dr an I haven’t found one, I’m currently only seeing a mental health person who gave me medication and I’m seeing a women’s group to help with my anxiety.

I’m just at the point of i don’t know what to do anymore, my anxiety makes me feel like I can’t breath like I have a brick on my chest a prickly feeling along my shoulders I also break into tears and my hand and arm and face go numb and my bones feel like jelly and I can’t stand then everything floods in at once and you feel doomed, I’m on medication for right now to stop the anxiety Getting out of hand, but if I don’t catch it on time it can be a full 2 hour panic attack.

[Blake_S]

Hey KK7,

Thank you for responding to maccaz, I thought I'd jump in a reply since it's been a few days. I'm so sorry to hear that impact and distress of your anxiety if making you feel you feel this way, in addition to being in physical pain. It sounds like you're going through a really tough time, especially if there are moments of dooms and even panic attacks! We are here for you, and I am glad you are seeking help. Please use these forums as a place to let us know how your coping.

You've clearly been through an absolute roller coaster with your health, and I'm sorry that you haven't received the medical help you need. It sounds like finding a new doctor might be the solution, but there are hurdles in your way (such as having to explain your anxiety and the possibility that they may blame the anxiety for everything) - does this sound right? Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the bigger picture which can cause us distress, breaking it down into 'bite-size' pieces can help us not become overwhelmed. In that case, what would be the first step in finding a new doctor?

I'm really glad that you are seeing mental health professionals, and a woman's group to help your anxiety - strength in numbers I say! How are those going for you?

Please let us know how you're going, we are here to support you through this difficult time.

All the best,
Blake_S :)

[maccaz]

Hi there, so sorry for the late reply, had a crazy busy few days at work and thought I had replied !!

Sounds like a really crap time you've been through, and I hope it gets easier once you have seen the ENT etc.

I've gone down that same path in the past where I just keep going for 2nd/3rd/4th/5th/so on opinions because I am so convinced there is something sinister going on, but each time it really ends up being something minor or nothing. Not saying thats necessarily the case for you, just that at some point we have to accept doctors advice and see if the mental health plan approach at least eases things a bit. By all means 2nd opinions are important etc but in my case at least I drove myself crazy trying to see doctor after doctor all the time, and it really got me nowhere except more wound up.

Really hope things get easier for you once the sinus issue is resolved 🙂

[KK7]

Hello, Thank you both for checking in,

I went and seen a new dr who yelled at me in front of my husband and said it’s all anxiety related, I paid $130 for him to make me feel stupid, so I have been putting off finding another dr. Even tho I need too. My anxiety attack are happening daily. I’ve noticed I’ve been avoiding things that are meant to help me I haven’t been to physio in 7 weeks I’m avoiding it as it flares up my shoulder n sends me straight to panic if my shoulder hurts, I’m constantly scared I’m going to have a heart attack. So any pain in my body makes me panic mind you I’m only 28 and my heart is fine . Everyday I wake up and think it’s going to be a good day until my body hurts then the whole day is ruined. Not really sure where to go next 😞 I’m over missing out with hanging out with my kids because my body hurts and I think the worst 😞

[Blake_S]

Hi there KK7,

Thank you for replying and keeping us in the loop about what has been going on for you.

I've got to say, I'm shocked that the doctor yelled at you! I'm so sorry you have had to go through that, doctors are there to help you, not to traumatise you with raising their voices! You're not stupid, and your feelings are valid - this is a safe place to voice them. I can imagine that it must be a tough and distressing time for you at the moment, especially with multiple panic attacks. I read before that you are currently on a mental health care plan, have you seen a mental health professional at all lately? I ask because panic attacks are frightening, and they do really feel like you're going to have a heart attack and I'd hate for this to stay a regular occurrence.

I was wondering, does the physio help you physically? I can relate to the physio not being a pleasurable experience, I often find I'm in a pain when they are completing their treatment, but I do feel better after.

I know you're not sure where to go next, so maybe we can help you. Could you think of a step you can take that may help you a little? I can see that seeing a doctor and physio are very overwhelming right now, so I'm wondering if there's something you could do to help?

Keep us updated - we are all here for you.
Blake_S :)

[KK7]

Hi everyone just giving and update,

nothing much has changed I’ve been on 3 different medication and I feel it’s getting worse I can’t deal with my panic attack anymore! I’m starting to lose myself and the love for everything I have! I’m exhausted and truely over it all. I also refuse to go back and see a dr after what happen with the last one, I have a medication review again today so let’s see how that goes