Health Anxiety

[Ukgirl]

I have had GAD. For many years now ,but now it's more health anxiety , At the moment I am having health anxiety over my teeth , Went to dentist because I found a bump on my lower molars and was. Told all ok it was evidently a retromolar pad but I wanted X-ray done. Which still showed nothing , then I got another opinion from another dentist who said all ok but I can't help feeling it's something worse and I am just freaking out over it Just keep checking all the time , making myself more worried , I hate this anxiety anyone else have similar problems ,that can share please

[amalee78]

I have health anxiety too. It's a terrible thing! Mine isn't related to teeth, though. 4 years ago I had my adrenal gland and a (benign) tumour removed and 2 years later they found a very small tumour on the other adrenal gland and some thickening in a bit if my intestines. My doctor has told me the tumour is (so far) stable and not growing and just needs to be checked every year or 2. My HA has me convinced when I go for the check up scan, the tumour will be bigger and cancer and I will die - even though the doctor's words were having a scan doesn't automatically mean surgery, it's stable. As for the thickening, I've been told it's nothing sinister by the specialist at the hospital and might just be nothing or crohn's, but I have to have an endoscopy to check....my HA also has me convinced they'll find a tumour or cancer.

the best thing I can tell you is to keep busy. I walk every day and do deep breathing exercises and do not allow myself to think thoughts for that walk. Every day I do this is better, I also use mindfulness/distraction strategies like focusing on my breathing and all different sounds which also helps.

I see lots of people saying it's important to not google and to trust what the doctors tell you. I know it's really difficult, but if you've had X-rays and been told you're ok, then try to tell yourself you are ok. It really does help.

i've also named my anxiety the diabolical gremlin (who whispers terrible things in my ear when I'm weak). This also helps me to keep the anxious thoughts at bay.

anyway, you're not alone and this forum is wonderful for that. I hope a bit of peace comes your way soon.

[Jugglin_Strugglin]

Hi again. I did just reply in more detail to you previous thread.

In addition, as I can see it is still worrying you, I don't know if this will help but I have a medical background. A retro molar pad is something we all have. It is just a landmark in the mouth used by dentists, mainly used when fitting false teeth. It is a normal part of the gums. It is like saying we have a tongue. I don't understand why your dentist even mentioned it, as we all have it. I can understand how this comment has caused your distress. I hope my explanation can help lessen your worry on this.

[Hardy524]

I too have health anxiety. It started over 15 years ago when my husband and I both had a very bad stomach bug, I then developed an intense fear of vomiting. I used to do anything I could to prevent catching something like that again. I would avoid public bathrooms, carry hand sanitizer, take probiotics every day. I would go into major panic mode if one of my kids even said they felt sick.

In the past 6 months or so my health anxiety has shifted. It sounds ridiculous but every time I do a poop I get anxiety. I wonder if it's normal, do I have bowel cancer, am I going to have diarrhoea, am I constipated? It is driving me nuts.

The worst thing is that the anxiety causes symptoms of an upset tummy or tummy ache which in turn sets the anxiety off. It feels like a never ending cycle.

I am seeing a psychologist at the moment but don't feel it's helping a lot just yet. I'll persist with it and take each day as it comes.

[Ukgirl]

Thank you I feel quite embarrassed by my health anxiety and that i have to keep checking things , i went to oral surgeon who confirmed all was well Thank you again

[Ukgirl]

hi i really feel for you my anxiety makes me force vomit until i see blood every morning then i am checking all day because i am frightened i have a bleed somewhere else its horrible and its so hard to make people who don't suffer with it understand , i hate it always finding things wrong and checking all the time I get so depressed