Health anxiety - scared

[Lostgirl815]

Hi, this is my first post here. I’ve struggled with general anxiety and panic attacks since I was 4 years old. I have bouts of health anxiety also and it’s just surfaced again. Yesterday afternoon I started developing itchy lumps that looked like mozzie bites. Over a few hours though they spread all over my thighs and lower back and eventually up my back and neck. They tuned into huge swollen welts. I was terrified, after a google search I discovered they were called hives and possibly an allergic reaction to something. They have since calmed down a lot over the last 24 hours, but the rash is still flaring up a bit then settling down. I have never had this before in my life and I ate nothing different or out of the ordinary to get them. I ended up staying awake all night to be on guard for an anaphylactic shock and and today I’ve been so on edge, thinking everything I eat is going to make my throat close up and I’ll die. Yes that sounds extreme but I can’t get rid of this fear now. I feel so insanely anxious and I just wish I knew what caused the hives. It’s the not knowing that is really affecting me. I’m not sure what my question is.. I guess I’m just looking for some advice to calm down and some logical input from others who also suffer anxiety to help combat the thoughts that I’m letting myself get carried away with right now.

[Already_in_use]

You poor girl. I know how you feel. Life can be so difficult living with anxiety. Hope you are ok today.

[Sophie_M]

Hi Lostgirl815,

We're writing as we are concerned about you and want to let you know that our Support Service have sent you an email wanting to get in touch.

It's great that you have come to our safe and supportive community and we are so grateful you have. Keep reaching out to us and letting us know how you are when you feel up to it.

[Worrier87]

I completely understand how you are feeling because I am really suffering with health anxiety at the moment too except I have convinced myself i have HIV. I have spent days googling and seriously convinced myself and im scared to death. I've barely been sleeping and when I wake up the first thing I think of is the thing I just mentioned.

I don't have much advice because I'm in the same boat but just wanted you to know that you're not alone. I am going to go to the doctor to get on medication.

[Lostgirl815]

Thank you for your replies, I am feeling better today, the hives have completely gone and so I am not freaking out as much. I am still feeling anxious over my health as I’m worried that I could be allergic to everything I eat now. But I know i need to try and think logically about it to combat this over the top thinking. It’s just comforting to know others, such as yourself, worrier87, understand how I’m feeling, although I’m sorry you’re also stuggling so much right now 😞 I hope the medication you’re wanting to try helps you.

Sophie_M thank you for your support 🙂