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Severe Health Anxiety
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I suffer from severe health anxiety and have for the past 6 years which all started after my son was seriously iill and we came very close to losing him thankfully we didn't. Since that time my anxiety has gotten a lot worse these past 2 years have been so bad with my physical symptoms worsening to the point I'm googling my symptoms all the time constantly thinking I have some disease that relates to the symptoms I have at the time. I guess I just don't believe that even though my anxiety is so severe it can cause these weird sensations and symptoms in my body which with having health anxiety the symptoms just escalate my anxiety and I can't function at all. I'm constantly waking up anxious hoping I won't have a the symptom that day then when I do it makes me so upset and frustrated I think I must have a serious disease for it to still be there. Can anyone else relate to this and has the horrible scary physical symptoms that go along with anxiety what did you do to help I don't want to be like this anymore the Physical symptoms are horrible.
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Hi all, I am a severe suffer too of health anxiety! I'm a newb to this forum and just replied to post on this site, saying how relieved I am to see that I am not alone, it also though is saddening to see how many of us there are! But so pleased I have found somewhere I can come and gain comfort hearing others speak of exactly what I too am suffering from! In some post it's like people are talking about me! Lol One symptom of late to add to the many I worry excessively about, has been restless legs, but it seems to start in my stomach and give me a restless sensation in my legs and sometimes arms, I know there is such a thing as 'restless leg syndrome', but just wondered if it could be stress/tension related? Any one else suffered with this symptom? Thanks again to all for being upfront and honest, which gives everyone a place to come to not be afraid to talk of their suffering with health anxiety.
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Thank you for your reply Humbleb! I don't suppose you've had any luck getting rid of the head issues? I'm still getting the muscle spasms/tic/zaps! I have been trying Blackmore Executive Stress formula and while I feel less anxious or tense I'm still getting the spasms. I only tend to notice it when I'm sitting still. I try distracting myself by counting or something but they still come about every 5secs.
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Hi rmcg
yes it improves.. it takes time though. Currently I'm on medication through my gp and seeing a psychologist. Also I need to exercise each day even some days it's hard. I go for long walks and push myself through it. Getting fresh air and the exercise helps and will notice over time. These days I have more of a mind that goes a bit dizzy and wants to not look into reality. Fatigue of the mind. And this is getting better.
before I had a lot of physical symptoms like you were referring to directly from anxiety. And it can be passed. Keep positive and do good things for your body and mind like exercise and meditation and eat well and drink at least 1 litre of water a day.
magnesium may help to relax. I take that too.
but these days for me it's anxiety, panic, post traumatic stress and depression. It's a long journey to recovery but feel good now by keep taking care of myself.
take care xx
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I'm feeling so scared today! I came to terms with the fact I may have anxiety but my anxiousness wasn't improving. I was still worrying about MS or dystonia. Things keep popping up about brain tumours or MS and making me think they were trying to tell me something!
today I went to the doctor to get anxiety medication as I just wasn't coping. Instead I've come away with an MRI brain scan referral!! It has on it please make urgent appointment. I can't stop crying!
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I read lots of posts where people end up having a heap of tests/scans they don't need because of going to the doctors to check on symptoms they have because of HA....nearly all the people say their doctors did it just to rule things out and the tests were clear. I get your doctor is doing the same - ruling stuff out to put your mind at rest. That also maybe why they said it was urgent... do some mindfulness exercises and try to keep busy.
positive thoughts to you
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Thanks so much for your reply Amalee!
my husband gave me a firm talking to, telling me I always think of the negative and to think more positive. The doctor was worried that the pressure behind my eye was only behind one and not both eyes. She said I don't think it's MS but just to be sure it's nothing... of course I've left thinking the worst! Fingers crossed! Now to keep my mind occupied until I get the scan!
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Hi RCMC,
I have recently had a very similar experience to yours. Last week, I had pain behind my left eye and tingling/numbness in legs and left arm. I went to GP and she arranged an urgent brain MRI the next morning (worst nightmare). Scan came back normal, so I had a moment of relief. Hopefully yours will, too!
Problem is, I'm still having the symptoms, so I'm still pretty much convinced I have MS. I'm getting a blood test tomorrow to rule out B12 deficiency, and if that is all fine next step is a neurologist.
I feel like my brain is my own private hell, and I'm making everyone around me miserable with my whinging. My husband and mum are so worried about me and I feel so guilty. I keep thinking about how much of my life I am wasting with these health 'crises'.
It's so hard to know what is just health anxiety and what is a genuine, serious medical issue! I want to tell myself not to worry, because it's just anxiety, but then I think "but what if it's serious and it needs immediate treatment?" Grrr! This is so frustrating.
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Reading your post was like listening to myself talk Mae83! I was great today telling myself I was ok and even the muscle spasms were ok, but still an ache behind my eye. Then an article a friend liked on MS and I was a mess again!
My husband and I just had a talk with him saying I'll kill myself with worry. He keeps trying to tell me MS isn't as bad as it once was, that his workmate has it and is still fine, just gets tired. But can't help thinking of a poor quality of life and that scares me.
if the MRI comes back clear on Tuesday I'm going to crack down on dealing with the anxiety and hope that helps. I can't go on living with this worry, as I'm sure you understand! As my husband says the worrying is going to end up being what kills me! But like you I don't want to miss a diagnosis and waste precious treatment time!
So scary and frustrating all st the same time! Wish my brain had a reset button to erase all this 😞
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Hi RMCG,
It's good to know we're not alone! I hope your MRI was all clear and that you can start treating the mental side of things. I'm still getting tests done (spinal MRI is next) but hoping that I too can start working concertedly on my mental health. I really want to try again for a baby after a miscarriage three months ago, so mental health is a big priority.
Best wishes!
