Health Anxiety - awaiting tests looking for assurance

[99isthebest]

Hi All,

I’m writing here because as all my fellow HA suffers will understand I’ve had another panic attack and am looking for some reassurance. Of course I know whatever you say won’t change a thing (health wise) but any kind of comfort or advice at this point will be greatly appreciated at this point. Maybe a tip you use to cope or maybe even just letting me know if you have experienced something similar then realised it was all in your head. So to my story and why I’m so anxious right now feeling like the worlds closing around me.

I have been single since 2017 when me and my partner of 6 years broke up. Since then I’ve had two sexual encounters. One was way back in 2019. I slept with a girl I meet on tinder, we did oral foreplay then had sex with a Condom. This was only once and after that she ghosted me as I had trouble getting it up (because of my anxiety go figure). At the time I never thought anything of it as my mind immediately goes to we had safe sex so no baby all good. But I never thought about the possibility of an sti more specifically something permanent and life changing like hiv.

The second time was recently and the catalyst for this recent anxiety attack. I had sex again with another girl from tinder this time with no condom. Again at the time I never thought anything of it because she was on the pill and in the heat of the moment/my previous bad experience I thought not having a condom would help me with keeping it up.

While both girls seemed like trustworthy people and not users of needles or anything crazy like that (one a teacher one a nurse) I didn’t think anything of it at the time but now I’m petrified that I could have something as even if they’re trust worthy people how can I know the people they’ve slept with before me are. Of course we had chats like this before having sex and they both seemed to be in long relationships before but obviously it’s hard to tell and of course the only way to know is to be tested.

Another thing I’m petrified of is if I have cancer as recently I’ve noticed my hips hurting especially after sport and constantly tired. Although I have been very depressed and anxious which I believe adds to both as I have gone through happier periods where these symptoms haven’t really bothered me.

I know that no one here can tell me for certain I don’t have these things but I guess I’m just looking for positive stories of fellow suffers and how it went. Any unusual symptoms etc when you were totally fine.

Thanks.

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

Yeh, well, what's done is done really, your experiences with those ladies will ensure you use safety in future.

The following threads will clarify your most serious issues. Have a read and you only have to read the first post of each.

Love to get your thoughts.

Use Google

Beyondblue topic anxiety, how I eliminated it

Beyondblue topic worry worry worry

TonyWK

[AverageAusGuy]

Hi,

I think it is a very sensible thing to do to get tested for STIs semi regularly when you are single and having casual sex with people. You should be proud that you are being responsible and got tested.

Remind yourself that it is a routine test that people get done every day and the likelyhood of anything bad coming back is very, very low. Health anxiety tricks us into putting a disproportionate amount of worry into these kind of things.

Try to keep busy and thinking about other things until your test comes back.

As far as your cancer fear goes, it is likely that your fatigue and soreness is a symptom of depression and/ or anxiety. Extreme fatigue is the first warning sign to me that I need to start taking better care of my mental health.

Maybe it is time to book in with a psychologist again and look at areas of your life that need a boost? Are you exercising, eating healthy, socialising, being stimulated at work/ school, experiencing new things? All factors that could be contributing to the fatigue.

[99isthebest]

Hi mate,

Thanks for the kind reply. You have already made me feel much more positive about the situation.

I think you are correct and speaking with my dr once the tests come back the next step is to see a physiologist again and improve my lifestyle as you say.