Health Anxiety getting the best of me

[Jay_Tee22]

Hi all,

Hope everyone is well.

i just came seeking advice/reassurance. I am 33 years old, have suffered from anxiety for a long time, was seeing a psychologist until this year as I thought I was better but I think covid lockdowns got the best of me. Anyway, recently my health anxiety has spiked big time, restless and constant worry set in that something was wrong with me, I decided i’d go and get a blood test and results came back today and one of my levels was elevated, doctor said mild but on the form she gave me it said high levels. Anyway I told her I am suffering big time with health anxiety and this was the last thing I wanted to hear, having anything wrong, she advised me not to worry and just wants to see whats causing this elevated level. I am now booked in for ultrasound and another blood test and won’t get results until Monday next week.

As much as she told me not to worry, I am constantly worried, the doctor said to me she over investigates things anyway and also said I should be more concerned about getting Covid rather than whatever this is (weirdly that was somewhat reassuring to me) because I just don’t want whatever this is to be anything sinister. However like with anxiety we overthink and analyze everything that was said and worry about it and think what if they mean this or that etc - she giggled at one point as I asked whats worst case with this and she said I won’t tell you worst case cause that would stress me out - that in itself has stressed me out.

My partner told me that if they thought it was really bad, they would send you straight to hospital or refer you to a specialist and not continue doing tests themselves as they are just GP’s.

After all of this, I am just in a panic and worry! It’s really hard to cope with! As much as people say don’t worry about it, that is just as hard not to do.

[HappyHelper88]

Hey there Jay_Tee22 Thanks for your post, I hope you are well also

Im glad to hear that you were seeing someone and it is normal with mental health to go up and down throughout life with different life events
Im so sorry to hear what your going through

I think your doctor just didn't want you to panic
You will get the results soon and if there is something then your doctor will know the best treatment and management, Please do not worry I know its easier said then done.

Just try and tell yourself that worry about what it may or may not be will not change the results
we must learnt to accept the things we can not change and this brings us peace
And i agree with your partner that if it seemed urgent they would have sent you to hospital

I completely understand its very hard not to worry its a very normal thing but getting consumed in worry is also not good for your health

Have you tried Meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises etc?
There are some good ways to try and calm yourself until you find out the results

I hope this helps
Also If you want to talk this through with a Beyond Blue counsellor, we’re on 1300 22 4636 or you can reach us on webchat too.
Please remember to reach out whenever you need to.

[EC123]

Hi Jay_Tee22,

First of all I want to say I hope you’re doing okay and that the further tests come back clear (I’m sure they will xx). Health anxiety can be extremely an draining cycle.

I don’t know if I have any advice as such (as I am going through a very similar situation and struggling myself) but I guess I can reassure you that you’re not alone with these feelings and thoughts.

For a few months I’ve been battling some mysterious health issues (some tests have showed up as abnormal but doctors don’t know what’s wrong). And all of this during lockdown has definitely spiked my health anxiety.

I guess speaking to people/a psychologist/practising mindfulness and exercising can really help you in the mean time (while you figure out what’s going on). But it’s really good that your doctor is thorough which can put you at further ease when you get results back.

If you need to chat about this on here feel free to keep on reaching out, you’re definitely not alone xx

Best wishes 😊

[Jay_Tee22]

Thanks EC123 and HappyHelper88 for your replies. They mean alot.

It’s almost like I understand things are ok and the doctor would have told me if she was worried or if it was something bad. The doctor even made a remark that I should go and get vaccinated still cause that doesn’t interfere with what we are doing here and that I should be more worried about getting covid. Which gave me a somewhat reassurance cause if she thought it was something very serious I can’t see how she could recommend the vaccine. I just hate it cause ive never heard of this elevation before and the people I told, they hadn’t either. Just freaks me out especially having to get an ultrasound. I just want to stop the worrying. I have done meditation and need to get back into it. I exercise and eat well but I just feel like I cannot function at the moment overcome with worry.

[jaz28]

Hi there,

Health anxiety is never fun. You’re right - if they were really concerned you would be going to the ER!

as someone with chronic illness and anxiety, worrying about your health is normal. In fact, I just had a random chest pain and found myself worrying if I have a heart problem!

when I find myself down the anxiety road and googling path, I just take a step back and breathe. The doctors know what theyre doing. You’re ok.

I hope things improve soon, a psychologist could also help you with your anxiety.

jaz

[EC123]

That’s okay Jay_Tee22!

What you said is definitely right, she sounds very confident everything will be okay and probably wouldn’t recommend the vaccine if it wasn’t safe, but just do what feels right for you 🙂

Possibly try to think of the ultrasound as just a precautionary measure, not as a diagnostic measure. Our bodies are amazing and constantly changing. As I said before, it’s really good she’s being cautious, and once whatever it is has been ruled out you can breathe a sigh of fresh air xx

If you don’t mind me asking, was the elevated test called a D-dimer? No pressure to reveal if you do not feel comfortable, but I recently had a D-dimer blood test come back elevated and got further testing for it too.It can be very stressful, but at least you know you’re taking active steps to get on top of things.

When health issues pop up, it can be very difficult not to think about it a lot and worry about it. Sometimes meditating and using our usual coping mechanisms don’t seem to work because we’re in such a heightened state of worry. But that’s okay! We just have to keep trying.

Reaching out here is a really positive step!