Health Anxiety - Strength Training

[Number 86]

Hi all,

this is my first post. I have been struggling with anxiety for the past 5 years.

Originally I had thought I had a heart condition as I would be doing something not stressful then bam! Feel dizzy/light headed tense chest and arms with the Terrified feeling of oh shit I am having a heart attack, this is it.

I have had issues with my stomach and throat that convinced me I had cancer.

I am starting to be aware of my patterns once I start to check my self over repeatedly after some kind of body sensation, I then go to doctor google and after a few days of that I am terrified and wanted reassurance from the emergency department.

unfortunately of late i am perceiving my anxiety to be getter worse. I have been on medication for 5 years now and thinking I am building an immunity.

Some times I get so bad i need to lay in bed face down and close my eyes until I relax enough to get out of bed.

I have booked in to see a psychologist and feel a little nervous talking about it as I have hidden my anxiety from friends and family and never spoke about it to anyone besides my doctor.

I have become a hermit as I feel better alone and when I am anxious I feel I need to run away.

i have gone through every test with my doctor multiple times and I am completely healthy but I panic that I am going to have a heart attack if I elevate my heart rate with exercise.

has anyone experienced this and have any pointers on how to combat this issue ?

[HelpsAlwaysNear96]

Hi Number 86

First of all I just want to say that you are not alone. I myself suffer from severe health anxiety that makes every day a challenge. I constantly think I’m having a heart attack or stroke and I spend a significant part of the day checking my vital signs and seeking reassurance from google and doctors.

Telling your story to your psychologist will be a weight lifted off your shoulders. They will not judge you and they have seen many many cases of health anxiety. They are the perfect person to speak to because they believe you and they know the effects of what you’re going through!

I can’t tell you that this is curable because I am still in one of the toughest patches of health anxiety I’ve ever had, but I can tell you that everything you’re feeling is a valid feeling and you should never be embarrassed that you’re having these physical symptoms that never amount to anything when you go through endless tests.

I hope your psychologist can give you some techniques like mine has. Heath anxiety will never fully go away but the goal is to be able to successfully manage it. So I hope you are on the road to this success soon.

All the best

[jemma09]

Hi Number 86,

You're not alone with this. I often have health anxiety too. I've been convinced I'm dying because I felt like I couldn't breathe, went to emergency just for them to tell me there's nothing wrong. At the moment I'm finding it hard too. I find doing a hobby helps to distract myself, like watching a movie or playing a video game. Do you have anything you enjoy doing?

What a great idea to see a psychologist! Hopefully talking about it with someone who understands and can show support will help. They could also give you some tips on how to manage it.

I wish you all the best.

[Number 86]

Hi HelpsAlwaysNear96's,

Thanks for your sharing your story, it does help knowing I am not the only one going through this as it more so reassures me that my symptoms are anxiety and not something undiagnosed.

I have avoided google for a day or 2 and are starting to feel a lot better.

I am hopeful that after seeing a psychologist that I can understand the triggers and adopt a healthier mindset. I ordered a book called the anxiety trick on eBay so hopefully I can find some value in that as well.

What techniques work for you?

[Number 86]

Hi jemma09's,

Thanks for the advice with distractions. I can see this helping as I am often distracted with health concerns thinking i could try this.

My hobby’s are photography, guitar, violin and fitness. I will try to distract myself with things I like and avoid checking my vitals over sensation as i am thinking the more attention I give it the worse it gets.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Number 86,

Thank you for your post and I can see that you've already gotten some great support and advice already from other members. I don't really want to repeat any of it but I just wanted to talk about that anxiety when exercising.

I agree that seeing a psychologist is absolutely a good idea, as well as keeping distracted and trying to avoid certain things like googling or checking vitals.

While my worries weren't about a heart attack, I can relate to that concern in being petrified something would happen while exercising and getting my heart rate up. For me personally? I had to get my heart rate up - that even though it would be uncomfortable it would prove to myself that I would be safe. When I say this I don't mean throw yourself into the deep end, but having little experiences - such as 5 star jumps.

I hope that your appointment goes well. It's normal to be nervous before the first appointment and yet you are not at all alone in your worries.

rt

[Jennene]

Hi everyone...this is my first post and it will probably be a long one !
I’m a 57 year old woman who up until a few years ago didn’t suffer from anxiety...the occasional freak out about certain things was it...but I am completely overwhelmed, anxious and scared 24/7 now. I go to sleep anxious and wake up the same. I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 12 years which has been a life changing ordeal in itself but I managed. I’ve had several stomach issues over the years that are o going but the last 3 years is what triggered my health anxiety 😔 I have a nodule on my lung that had to be biopsied. Thankfully it wasn’t malignant but the specialist said that doesn’t mean it won’t be further down the track...that freaks me out...the uncertainty of what lies ahead. I also have a lesion on my liver that has to be monitored. I was hospitalised with an infected gall...couldn’t eat...lost 25 kg and felt sick as a dog for months as they couldn’t operate until the gall infection was cleared. I had a knee replacement 2 years ago...and have to have the other knee done in a few months time which I am freaking out about. I was diagnosed last year with Chronic Gastritis, a hiatus hernia and a multi nodule goitre. I had to have a biopsy done on that as well which again came back benign. I will have to keep getting it checked until the time comes it starts choking me and I have to have the thyroid completely removed. Another major surgery 😔 I have over the last three years had abnormal smear tests so it is something that has to be monitored as well for cervical cancer. ( sorry for any men reading this lol ) So all in all this is how my health anxiety was triggered and I can’t for the life of me get the panic, dread, sadness and depression to leave. I have been for counselling and the dr has prescribed me anti depressants but I have bad memories of my dad taking those when I was younger...suicide attempts...so thought just talking about things may help. I get in a bad head space some days but I could never hurt my kids by doing anything to myself....thanks for reading this novel of a post ...any advice would be appreciated 😊

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Jennene,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for reaching out! I'm really glad you decided to join us.

It sounds like you have a hell of a lot on your plate right now with your health! I'm sitting here reading all of this and like 'phew', thinking that it must be really hard for you.

I'm glad though to hear that you've reached out to a counsellor and GP to talk about your mental health. I can totally see the reluctance to take medication and so I will never suggest that idea. How are the counselling sessions going though? Do you feel like he/she is offering a bit of support and advice to help you through this?

I hope that you find the forums supportive here. You are not alone in your health anxiety (as you can already see!) and if nothing else I hope you know that we see you and we hear you.

rt