New parent - Health anxiety.

[Trixie_A]

Hi there everyone - I’m so happy to be a part of this forum. Currently feeling very alone, knowing there are others that are experiencing the same, makes me feel supported.

I have never been one to feeling like I had a form of health anxiety until recently - 8 months after having my daughter. Now having so much to live for, I am feeling an immense pressure and pre occupation that I am going to become terminally ill.

I had my first panic attack over the weekend - a hot flush up the back of my neck, numbing in the right hand side of my face, tingling in my legs (which may be nerve related) and a feeling of derealisation. Of course, I had this checked - CT and pathology came back normal but have an MRI scheduled tomorrow as well. I have since had tingling in my arms and like others have mentioned, this also feeds the fear that there is something terminally wrong with me. It’s a very stressful time.

Are there any new parents experiencing the same sort of thing?

[xhypervigilantx]

Hi Trixie!

I am not a new parent so please ignore this if it doesn't help you in anyway, but I can tell you that you most certainly aren't alone with health anxiety.

Anixety can cause so many 'weird' and 'odd' feeling symptoms, and every time a new one pops up usually so does that overwhelming fear that something is seriously wrong! I have experienced those same symptoms as you and I'm only 19! It usually lasted as long as I focused on it! Symptoms like lumps in my head, or feeling my heart skip are other ones that I obsess over it for weeks and it really does take over your life! However, there is an article online that provides over 100 different types of symptoms that can occur from anxiety! It helped me a lot and made me realise every time I get a funny feeling it most likely is just my health anxiety telling me that, which causes those physical symptoms!

However the tests will probably ease your mind! I hope everything goes well and the symptoms subside soon but you definitely aren't alone! Hopefully we can all pull through this!

Best wishes,

-H

[Trixie_A]

Hi there,

Thank you so much for responding so quickly - You’ve definitely made me feel supported. It’s difficult for those around me to understand when they haven’t gone through the same thing.

do you happen to know the name of the article?

Thank you!

[xhypervigilantx]

No worries! I can't remember the exact name of the article but I've found this which also groups symptoms so you can find them quicker! They vary so much honestly and can be extremely bizarre it's crazy! You definitely aren't alone though, I've had my fair share of tingling/ numbness and it is so scary and odd but hopefully yours gradually disappears as time goes on like mine did! I wish you all the best for you and your new family too! 🙂

[xhypervigilantx]

https://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety-guide/symptoms - I just realised I forgot the link sorry!

[Trixie_A]

That’s so helpful - thank you so much.

Best of luck!

[Rach93]

Hi Trixie,

im abit late replying to your post but I am going through the same thing at the moment. I am a new parent 4 months pp and I am experiencing high anxiety and it’s all revolved around my health. I keep thinking I have MS I have convinced myself I have it. I have tingling in my legs on and off all day everyday for the past 2 weeks.. I have headaches that feel like someone is pressing down on my head, vision seems blury and I’m just so tired everyday.. I get muscle spasms and twitches sometimes and I keep reading symptoms on google and it’s making it worse because it all leads to me having MS.. It’s ruining my precious time with my bub and it really upsetting.. I hope you find the help you need and get back on the path to less worries!