Health anxiety brain tumor (25)

[Kaelon]

Does anyone else here suffer from health anxiety?I thought I had left it in my past after suffering debilitating month long anxiety attacks about having ALS, HIV, some sort of bird flu and a few others.And at the moment I feel utterly convinced I have a brain tumour. My symptoms are as follows: - trouble recalling the right word or name of a colleague - constant brain fog and headaches (seven weeks going now) headaches are relieved with ibuprofen - occasional ringing in my ears - constant post nasal drip down the back of my throats despite no blocked noseI've been to a doctor who gave me numerous cognitive and neurological tests. All of which I passed perfect. He's booked me in for a blood test and an MRI. However due to the holiday season I'm unable to get these tests done for a week and a bit.All I can do is sit in my room and obsessively read threads of brain tumour stories and initial symptoms having a mild panic attack every time I find one that matches my symptoms.Has anyone else suffered from this and can you offer any advice?

[MsPurple]

Hi Kaelon

I know exactly how you feel because I used to be exactly the same. I was always concerned I had something wrong. I forgot peoples names, couldn't retain information, headaches, felt like my throat was closing, felt weak, faint and always thirsty. I thought I may have something wrong. I used doctor google and trust me it is not always right. It said I could have brain cancer or anxiety. And after months of getting worse and being crippled by my anxiety I got help and now the symptoms are minimal/pretty much gone. Anxiety can cause havoc on the body. It affects the nervous system, digestive symptom and more. I didn't realise how physical the symptoms of anxiety can be. I thought something might be physically wrong with me but my GP and blood tests told me I was medically and physically ok so I was diagnosed with GAD. Since that diagnosis I have been on the mend and I feel better physically and mentally than ever.

Basically what I am saying is I wouldn't be too concerned with your symptoms. It is normal to have physical symptoms with anxiety. Yes it is terrible but it will get better with treatment and support. However I am not a professional so please talk to your GP about your concerns. I just want to offer you reassurance

Hope this helps and keep me updated

[geoff]

hi Kaelon, personally I've had a blood clot on my brain, and yes it has changed my life totally, with headaches, however the more you read about brain tumours will only help you if you are able not to have any anxiety attacks, but if that's what happens to you then I would suggest you put down the books.
There are a lot of similarities in brain tumours as to what side-effects you may suffer from, but one particular feature maybe worse for one person than it is for another person, but reading on the net may give you an idea that may not be with you, however you then begin to believe it's happening to you, until your neurologist says something different. Geoff.

[Starwolf]

Hi Kaelon,

The only advice I can give you is to please set the books and Dr Google aside. Both will without fail give you further cause to boost anxiety levels...the last thing you need. Only a proper diagnosis can deliver the truth.

Distracting yourself will help while waiting for results. Googling things like mindfulness, Relaxed Breathing, Relaxed Body Scan and various types of sound and visual meditations can help. So do colouring books for adults, going out, exercising, volunteering etc... Finding out whatever can focus your interest away from the symptoms is the way to go. Changing from one occupation/coping strategy to the next when anxiety takes over can help regain control over the runaway mind.

Like many others, I once was convinced I had a heart condition...then a stomach ulcer, or cancer. The thing with anxiety is that it can mimic all kinds of symptoms belonging to a variety of medical conditions. I'd suggest you keep this particular fact in mind until you get a definite answer.

Kindest thoughts.

[Zeal]

Hey Kaelon,

Welcome to the forum!

The others above have already given great advice based on personal experience. I would like to refer you to a great resource on health anxiety: http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_ID=53

This resource, from the same site, is about panic attacks: http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_ID=44

If this health anxiety doesn't ease, it's worth getting a referral from your GP to see a psychologist.

Best wishes,

Zeal

[Kaelon]

I just had my MRI and I am extremely nervous, the person doing the scan didn't say anything and said I will hear back in a few days. Is this standard procedure? I'm quite sure he was looking at me strangely and he was on the phone a lot during the MRI.

[BballJ]

Hi Kaelon,

As someone who has suffered from health anxiety in the past and still mildly to this day, I can totally understand where you are coming from and how you feel. I hope you have stopped reading google threads because they do not helps, only make the anxiety 10 times worse as everyone has said.

I haven't had an MRI and not sure of the procedure but it sounds pretty standard. The days in-between getting results are always nerve racking, I have had numerous tests about stuff i had anxiety about even though Doctor said I was fine.

I hope everything is ok and results come back all clear.

My best for you,

Jay

[Starwolf]

Yes Kaelon, it is standard procedure. MRI operators (like radiologists) are not to discuss results with patients. All they are qualified for is operate the devices. Readings and diagnostic interpretation is the doctor's or specialist's responsibility.

Waiting is nerve-wracking but I hope this puts your mind at rest on at least this point.

[ezz04]

How did you go? I just registered today, saw this thread & could relate to it. Hope you're well and that you got good results?