Health anxiety is taking over..

dyinginsidebutnobodysawhe · ‎22-01-2015

Just really looking for some help..

Lately I have been stressed yet work & life are perfect a few hiccups in regards to work but things I can clear off my mind and get over.. Why am I feeling this way?

I am 23 and since 12/13 I have suffered severe anxiety & panic attacks. Lately I have had really bad episodes of panic and anxiety and all due to mainly how I feel about my health.

For the past 3weeks I had a dull ache in my upper left abdomen which I had full screened blood test on myself overall - ultrasound on my abdomen and sides and nothing .. currently waiting to receive a breath test back for possible ulcers etc..

Yet my mind has just taken over, every now and again I get the taste of metal or blood in my mouth and when I get stressed then I spit and its a dull red saliva im putting it down to my gums yet If I look in the mirror there not bleeding ! My head is quite frankly a MESS .. I then had pains in my stomach and thought im going for a pap test (smear test) this was perfect and nothing wrong also.?!
Now I have just found little lump behind my left ear on or in my neck and cant help but think cancer .. Why is this .. I exercise regularly eat so good .. never smoke or drink alcohol where the fear of both takes over so I don't even chance it!
Also recently had my implanon removed from my arm as loads of forums said about this causing depression etc and anxiety I will admit I do feel slightly different (in a good way) why cant I just trust my doctor when they say everything is perfect I feel as though on the outside I look well yet feel as though im dying inside !!!! 😞 Really wanting help and find it ridiculous that here in Australia a psychologist can cost anything between $120 and higher ..

thanks

H

Beltane · ‎22-01-2015

Hello my dear. I can see by the name you have chosen and the content of your post that you are quite distressed. I urge you to phone beyondblue- they are trained counsellors on the end of the phone who can guide you to further help. I urge you also to put their phone number in your phone, as well as Lifeline's number, in case you feel you need urgent help. If you feel you are in immediate risk of harming yourself, please call 000 to go to emergency.

ok well firstly, your doctor can write you a mental health care plan which entitles you to 10 visits to a psychologist on medicare every year- this means you'll pay very little, maybe $20 gap fee, maybe not even that. If you need further visits, consider Extras health insurance- it only costs me $10 a week but I get $550 of psychology covered.

secondly I can certainly see that you are having physical symptoms that are distressing you. It is worth remembering that severe anxiety can cause very real and distressing physical synptoms. I used to get severe stomach pain, nausea and vomiting from my severe anxiety but that is all gone away now that I am on a good medication for anxiety.

however for your own piece of mind it is well worth ruling out anything reallly serious. Perhaps you could ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist? You could also seek a second opinion from another doctor- ensure you bring your results from all tests done so far and book a long appointment to give them time to properly review your case.

i want you to hang onto hope, ok? There are very effective treatments for ajxiety and depression. Medication and theraoy in combination is a particularly common and very effective solution. As I said, my medication fixed my anxiety and deoression which then stopped those nasty symptoms.

i too had lots of tests done- even a gastroscopy ajd colonoscopy! And all along it was really the anxiety. But I think you'll rest much easier if you get a second opinion, make sure nothing is really wrong, then as I said, get the mental health care plan which gets you the cheap psychologist.

keep in touch and call beyondblue of you need help

HelenM · ‎22-01-2015

Hi H

To be afraid of having a medical condition is not an unusual anxiety. For years my father thought he had cancer, first one area then another. I remember one went on for months and months and though the gp had said things were fine he couldn't believe it. He doesn't have anything wrong. He's 84 and very healthy.

When I'm anxious I sometimes become afraid. Stomach ache means cancer. Various symptoms mean MS.

A friend's daughter found endless physical symptoms. when the correct psychiatric drug was found her fears went away.

I think that in mental illness we can find something to fit the statement ' my life as I know it is over, it's ruined'. Usually, with me, it's my actual mental health. I am convinced I'll never have another good day. The future looks bleak. Tbh given all the various health problems you've had I think it's highly likely it's all imagined. As Beltane says anxiety can cause pain.

I hope that helps a little.

Take care, Helen x

SkyeHigh · ‎22-01-2015

My first post and first time on this forum. I am needing support mostly. I have severe arthritis, fibromyalgia and a lot of other problems caused by the meds that treat these diseases. The pain and fatigue wears you down and on top of that I am still trying to work,albeit part time and in a very stressful job in the medical industry. I am also trying my best to care for my elderly and disabled mother. I just feel like each day I am sinking lower and lower into clinical depression even though I was always normally a positive person trying to make the best of things. Financially this has taken its toll as well. I feel that my family and work colleagues don't understand. I have some good friends but don't want to burden them with some of this. I just feel like I have no one to talk to about it, no one would understand or care if I did. Maybe at this stage I just need someone to talk to. I don't want to get so down that I would have to give up work because I wouldn't be able to pay the bills and fear I would end up homeless. I worry about what the future holds for me with my health, my financial situation etc. I live in the city and hate it and would love to move to a rural or coastal regional area. I always seem to be better when out of the city. Today was a horrible day at work. I woke up in a lot of pain but after resting and taking pain relief, I still went to work. However this was stressful and mostly people couldn't care anyway if I was there or not. I try my best to do my job and get criticised for it. Just feel like no matter how hard I try, nothing gets better. Is anyone else in a similar situation?

Bridgett · ‎22-01-2015

Hi

I classify myself as an alcoholic, I stopped drinking about 7 months ago and go to AA meetings but I am having problems with anxiety. I feel stressed most days and have a lot of stress at work that I can't seem to get under control. Symptoms are not sleeping, not hungry, nausea, lack of concentration. I used alcohol to control these symptoms. While AA is helpful I find the program a bit harsh and was looking for some extra help to self manage. I don't want to drink alcohol or take medication. wondered if anyone else had any experience.