New Here - think family is getting fed up with my anxiety

[contrarymary]

I always think I am seriously ill eg headache = brain tumour, chest pain = heart attack. been anxious on an of for months, had chest pain went to hospital all the tests no problems now everytime get pain think heart attack been to hospital 4 times in 3 months done all the tests again and again nothing is wrong with heart. still get the pain get really agitated pace up and down or lie down getting more anxious.

been to GP yet again today says it could be mental issue and try to relax I am not ill, says I should speak to someone who might be able to help.

any one else on here think they are ill but not and how do they cope.

had more blood tests a few days ago all clear as usual. My husband and daughter are getting fed up with me as I keep saying I need to go to hospital or doctor and they have to come home to take me. I am lying here typing this feeling agitated but trying to calm down I will be lucky to get any sleep tonight

I am 62

would appreciate any advice from anyone with health anxieties

[Neil_1]

Hi there CM

I have had some kinds of these issues in the past; I’m 11 years your junior … but after having had all the tests, etc etc that we do and to find that everything is as it should be, those fears were alleviated.

I am surprised that your GP mentioned that it could be a mental issue but only gave you a very poor (in my opinion) suggestion “to relax”. And then to speak to someone who might be able to help! Hello, “you’re” the doctor – firstly you “should” be able to provide me with better advice than that – that really sounded like a fob-off to me; and then they should have perhaps given you a referral to a counsellor to talk these issues through.

While on this subject, I AM pleased to hear that you are of sound health … that is a huge piece of great news and I hope that you may be able to find a different GP, to let them know how you’re feeling, what you’re feeling and to see if they’re able to recommend you to someone for better advice to hopefully get proper/helpful techniques so you can manage these feelings that you’re having.

Kind regards

Neil

[Starwolf]

Hi Mary, good to meet you.

Anxiety can be scary. I do remember the breathing difficulties, chest constriction etc...that once sent me rushing to hospital for suspected heart problems. I know how frustrating it is to be told there's nothing wrong with you when you know there is...even if you're not under threat of imminent heart failure.

I suggest you find a more helpful doctor. Being told to relax when relaxing is an impossibility shows poor professionalism. With the right help and support, anxiety can be managed. You may require a referral to go on a health plan or take medication to alleviate symptoms. Anxiety IS a medical issue and should be treated as such. You don't have to struggle alone.

If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you will find an Anxiety and Depression checklist under Facts" and also a whole lot of relevant information.

Not many people are aware of what anxiety really is and that it has nothing to do with some flaw/weakness of personality. This ignorance often leads them to say/do unhelpful things. Written info can be obtained and passed on to family members. It is usually taken more seriously than face to face conversation with those affected.

Kindest thoughts.

[Emma77]

Hi CM,
I too was at the hospital every five minutes when I was first diagnosed with anxiety. After learning to manage the anxiety, the chest pains went away. Sadly, they recently came back. Something that I find helpful is telling myself that if it was serious then A: there would be other symptoms, B: they would probably be more intense, and C: they won’t go away. Sometimes I try and distract myself for 20 minutes to see what happens. Sometimes I forget I have the pain, meaning that the anxiety has lessened. And it may sound silly, but for a while there, I used to take my temperature. A fever always seems to be the first sign of SO many things, but with my anxiety my temperature was always the same. Silly, but reassuring 🙂

However I’m not a doctor and your symptoms may be different, so it might be best to speak to a professional. It sounds like your GP kind of suggested counselling (though not in a very helpful way). It’s amazing how much
it can help just getting it out of your head into the real world. Please be kind to yourself xx