Health Anxiety

[Anxious5]

Hi, I am new on here. I have been suffering with anxiety since my teens which has come and gone however in the last year we had some big life changes and my anxiety came back full on. My anxiety always stems to health anxiety in where I am convinced I have something horrible and then am just panicked so much that I can't function and so it started about a year ago where I started feeling a bit lightheaded and had to constantly go to the toilet and so I was convinced that I had bowel cancer and so after going to do a colonoscopy and it all came out clear I then developed some other pain or something else and it even developed into agoraphobia and I didn't leave the house for months. I slowly got the courage to go out again and do little everyday things but I haven't had a day where my anxiety has been low. I do not like taking medication and so I opted to do things naturally. I did yoga at home, walking/running on the treadmill which sometimes was my only relief from the adrenaline and meditation which I find really hard. I had also started taking Same which a naturopath suggested but then thought it created more heart palpitations so I stopped that but don't know if it was all created by me to be honest. I have been pushing myself outside of my comfort zone but I am finding no relief and new symptoms which now are really weird start creeping up. I have now for the past couple of months have started getting pins and needles in my feet and hands with sometimes I wake up to my hand completely fallen asleep in the middle of the night and I'm not even lying on it. I get pains in the back of my head and even had like a head zap which freaked me out completely. I get days which I feel really out of balance. I went to see a neurologist and he did a full spine and head MRI which he said came out ok and he suggested a nerve conduction test which I don't want to do as part of me does believe this is anxiety. Can anyone relate to this as I am feeling very alone in this situation.

[Chris_B]

Hi Anxious5, welcome to the forums. Health anxiety is frequently discussed here on the forums. Below are some threads you might want to participate in, you can find others by using the search function:

Health anxiety and constantly need reassurance

Health anxiety - ringing in ears

Health anxiety - how to undo what you've googled

Severe health anxiety

New health anxiety

[Anxious5]

Thanks Chris, I'll have a look.

[Ace6913]

Hi anxious5

im currently going through this vicious cycle and what I call the never ending vacuum of the anxiety sucking the life out of me. Im constantly on edge and in panic mode and my triggers have been lumps I have found and before I can even get to my dr I have catrophised every single scenario in my head I'm always proactive get straight to the Drs have all the appropriate tests done everything always comes back clear and for about 5 mins I feel reassured then bam back to panicking I'm off to a psychologist tomorrow first session so I'm hoping I can get out of this dark hole I'm in. I just want you to know your not alone in this I hope there is a light out there for us to find our way.

[Anxious5]

Hi Ace6913

Thank you for responding to my post. It's good to hear someone else whom understands. Hope your psychologist appt went well? I guess we have to remember not to be as hard on ourselves as we are and take it one day at a time.

[Ace6913]

Hi anxious5

how are things for you? I hope your doing well thanks for asking about my session it went really well I've had 3 so far now and it is helping a lot I've been given a lot of readings about anxiety itself and health anxiety right now I'm currently going through my 7 steps of challenges to stop ruminating and overthinking things if you need anything I'm here I always check back every couple of days it's always good to have a good vent and I can share some strategies im learning myself 😄

[Mandyb]

Hi Anxious5,

I also suffer from Health Anxiety. I fully understand what you are going through and can relate to the majority of your symptoms. Mindfulness has helped me cope with the racing thoughts. I used to power walk, which helped in the moment, but had little long term relief from my anxiety. I now go for long leisurely walks, enjoying the moment and the environment around me. I stay off "Dr Google", which can be a real struggle, and I use whatever distraction I can, to help keep my mind off my physical symptoms. Some days are very difficult, but I know that procrastinating over my symptoms only worsens my anxiety, and in turn worsens my symptoms. It is also SO frustrating when I have the all clear for one set of symptoms, then as ACE6913 says -BAM, back to panicking about something else!! Although I have yet to do it, I have heard it is a good idea to document your symptoms daily to help with future episodes. Don't be too hard on yourself. We are all learning to cope with our anxiety and can get through this together xx

[blackdogwhitedog]

Anxious5 you are not alone. I can totally relate. Also a brief review of these forums over the last day or so has shown me that there are many other people in the same situation. Dr Google, new or recurring health issues (perceived or otherwise), fear, dread, "I don't want this", need for constant reassurance, the list goes on an on. I too find it hard to fight every day, but seeing I am not alone really helps. I hope it helps you too.

As someone once said, waiting for the rain is no way to enjoy the sunshine. Enjoy the moment and let tomorrow take care of itself. It never turns out as bad as we expected it would.

Take care

[Lexj]

I can totally relate. I've always had anxiety, but in the last three years after my brother passed in constantly think that I have a blood clot, which is what he had, I have total melt downs where I'm certain I have all the symptoms and that I'm not going to make it through the night. Not matter how many times I'm wrong, it still happens to me. It's so exhausting.m so I know totally how you feel, every little lump and numb is something serious. I find I either have to push through until nothing happens, or go to the dr to get them to put my mind at ease. But I'm hoping cancelling my help me get control over it.

Good of luck I hope you find your way out.