Panicked beyond exhaustion by health anxiety

[azarrah]

Hey all, so I know health anxiety is a common trend here. I suffer from it also, so I always try to offer my support to other people who are going through the same thing. But now, I could really use some reassurance of my own...

Basically, a few days ago, I found this mole underneath my chin. It's new, it's large, it's dark, it's different, and it's slightly irregular. You can see the problem immediately, I'm sure. I think it came from a pimple, but whatever it used to be, it's a dodgy-looking mole now. I did what you shouldn't do: I turned to Dr. Google for help, which naturally told me I had melanoma and should go to a doctor right away because melanoma can kill you within 6 weeks. Joy.

Normally, I ignore that stuff. The problem is, this thing actually does look rather like a melanoma, and it is new, and it has come in very quickly. It fulfils most of the "warning signs". It would honestly be stupid not to get the thing checked. By a complete coincidence, I have a surgeon's appointment to get another mole removed - for purely cosmetic reasons - in two weeks. I don't think I can wait that long. Is it even wise to wait that long? I'm going to explode with dread!

I was kind of okay with it until tonight, when an article I was reading said two terrifying things: if the (potential) melanoma is raised already, and if little black dots can be seen in it, you're in trouble. Well, my mole friend has both of those things. This cold panic just washed over me. To reiterate, I know it's unlikely. But it's not impossible. That's the problem.

I just can't stand the thought that this mole might, possibly, be growing and doing evil things while I live a normal life. I can't stomach it. I want to throw up, I'm so scared.

I guess this is partly health anxiety, and partly legitimate fear. I know the likelihood of my mole being a melanoma is very slim, but the possibility is there, and it does fulfil the criteria.

How do you guys deal with such panic, in the meantime? Meditation doesn't work for me, unfortunately.

[azarrah]

Hi bluewater, I'd really recommend getting the blood test done. It's very easy, completely free, and it will give you some answers. If it comes back as having no issues, that's great and you can forget about it. If there is a problem, both iron and thyroid function can be very easily treated, and it's best for your health to work it out. It will honestly make you feel so much better. I've had to stop taking my iron and VitD for 10 days, only a few weeks after I started, because of a minor surgery. It only took a few days for my (I suspect iron) levels to sink again and I am feeling sooooo tired and confused right now. It's amazing, how much better you can feel when you have the nutrients you need!

cakeboss, there are so many different symptoms and each person is unique. Iron deficiency often causes tiredness, dizziness, headaches, and depression. Vitamin D deficiency can cause confusion and lethargy. Thyroid problems have an enormous range of symptoms, because the thyroid controls the metabolism. Too little thyroid hormone creates a very slow metabolism, which can lead to weight gain, depression, tiredness, lethargy, and a whole host of other symptoms. Too much thyroid hormone can make you highly strung, anxious, intolerant to heat, have a racing heart, etc. However, I can't stress enough that thyroid problems have a colossal range of symptoms, which are often vague and difficult to identify. If you're concerned, do a little more research and speak with your GP, who'll be able to evaluate your circumstances and decided where to go from there.

Finally, Makka79, I'm really sorry about the panic attacks and I hope they calm down soon. Stay strong ❤️

[cakeboss]

Hi i know how you feel with the anxiety.I recently had my medication put up for some anxiety panick attacks im going through.I wake up nausated and think oh no not another day of this.Dr said yesterday got to give it more time and that it can make you feel stressed and high anxiety panick.I was at work and well feeling crap on the inside .Then for no reason had a massive panick attack .I managed to somehow get past it till i finished work.I was was thinking oh what if i got a over active tyroid id heard that can be simlar anxiey panick .I was thinking of what if its diabetes or what if i end up in hospital.I was that bad felt like throwing up in drs clinic from anixey panick.Dr told me blood pressure fine and pulse said try to think okay blood pressure normal and pulse im having a panick attack which he said i was having.I do hope my medication will settle down soon due to go back to drs tomorrow to discuss my medication .Does anyone else ever have days like i had yesterday when you can settle cant eat nausa driving me crazy .How do others cope with days like this

[Jessika]

Hi everybody. I also suffer from health anxiety. I started with general anxiety at 8 years old. Over the years it turned into health anxiety. And have been battling it ever since. So i can totally relate to everything posted here.

The big interuption in my life is the constant battle with getting to sleep. Because once i do i just want to sleep all day. But the alarm goes off at 6am and im up for work.

My anxiety gets better and worse in waves. Just when i feel its better its back