So over this health anxiety (female cycle mentioned)

[distelfink]

It's been awhile since I've been on here as things have been okay, I guess. I'm seeing a psychologist now and the doctor put me on antidepressants.

For about a week now, I've started having period pain symptoms (including the sore boobs) but it started when it was too early for my period to come and pretty much straight after my period finished. It was a pretty 'reverse period' as it was, so for the pain to come after made somewhat sense as it's happened a few times after.

But because of the pain in both boobs, I keep thinking it's breast cancer. It's not constant. I feel no lumps. (to the point I keep checking and it hurts the more I check.. duh).. the pain is only there when I try to find it. 9 times out of 10 ... there's no pain. But of course, when I think of it, I feel it and focus on it. I feel my shirt touching them (mostly just my left side)... and it stresses me out. Or if I change position and my boob touches my (underboob... --- hahaha I'm overweight, you get the idea) and I think "OMG something has grown"... yet, I know exactly what it is.

But If I'm with friends... or If I'm side tracked, there are absolutely no symptoms at all. It's literally until I stop and I tried to find something that's wrong...

I see my psychologist tomorrow, and will talk to her then about it too. I've given it a month, if the pain (which isn't even bad?? it's just a feeling that I feel shouldn't be there yet) is still there, I'll see the doctor. I've been so concerned with everything cancer related since my Mama died in 2009. Literally the stupidest things.

My recent blood tests came back as my red and whites being good,... I keep trying to focus on that.

I am low in Vitamin D, as well as a slight fatty liver. Doctor wasn't too concerned about the liver but I am making changes to correct that. (diet related, not alcohol related)

If a person pokes my back or shoulders, or chest area (even softly) it feels as if someone has punched me. It's ridiculous. So of course, I see the big C in my mind again.

The mental thoughts and the physical thoughts that follow are so tiring.

[Quercus]

Hi Distelfink,

Ah the joys of monthly symptoms (yep that's sarcasm there).

I think one of the most important things to remember when you start panicking about symptoms is that you are proactive. If there was something abnormal you would notice it and see your GP.

Hypersensitivity is pretty normal for a lot of women throughout their cycle. And it can be an anxious time anyway being hormonal too.

I know this sounds very random but one thing I wish I knew before kids and breastfeeding is how good cold cabbage leaves are for breast tenderness. Cold from the crisper. Just slide them into your bra. Or cold gel packs are good too.

When the anxiety hits and you find yourself checking for the second or third time try the cold. It is a good distraction as well as easing any discomfort. If you're putting pressure checking for lumps you're probably a bit sore anyway.

You mentioned with friends the symptoms aren't present. Distraction is an excellent technique. What do you LOVE to do? Something that can occupy your mind totally at least some of the time.

For me it's garden design. Gardening books. Planning and drawing.

Once you have this activity keep it for moments when your anxiety is relentless. Sometimes I think of I am busy I'm too busy to worry.

There are a lot of threads on the forums relating to health anxiety. If you haven't already check out the anxiety section and see what other suggestions others have previously came up with.

I hope you can find a way to ease your mind.

Nat

[distelfink]

Ah you're right. Thank you so much.

The symptoms have eased a lot and are definitely less frequent. But now there's pain in other areas. On a serious note, I do think I need to see a doctor about maybe seeing if i have fibromyalgia; the touch pains are so consistent with that, but also vitamin D deficiency (which is what I know I definitely am)... so I want to rule that out and if by chance I do have it, then coping strategies for the pain would be great! haha!

It's so annoying. Facebook pops up all these self check things for breast cancer, and one of them that keeps popping up is itchy and sore boobs. Wellll my skin (every where) is itchy. Time of the month makes them hurt. So my brain remembers that post and puts the two together.... then my back itches, and I go.. oh yeah, it's my whole body that is itchy because of XYZ... calm your farm. lol.

Thanks for listening 🙂 Sometimes that's all a person needs, hey?

[Quercus]

Hi Distelfink and thanks for replying. It does feel nice 😊.

You're welcome. It helps me to reply and read too. I do relate to health anxiety (I seem to be collecting medical conditions unfortunately) so the panic is always there in the back of my mind. What next?

It helps to remind myself that health anxiety is very real. Sometimes I have to stop myself and ask what's happening in my head? Is it anxiety? And to stop reading and go distractm myself. Social media isn't healthy for me. I can easily get lost on health link after health link. And it sets me off completely. That's it. I am doomed sort of thing.

It is also very difficult when you experience symptoms that could have many causes. Not all of them deadly. For example the itchiness you feel. It could be as simple as the weather change and the layers we wear as it cools. I slather up with sorbolone cream once autumn begins. Otherwise I start scratching myself in my sleep.

Sometimes we need to manage the discomfort and realise many conditions are triggered by stress and anxiety. Pain can be one of these. So rather than searching for diagnosis after diagnosis I try to use physical work. Get outside and work in my garden.

Another thing I've found helps is recording the symptoms. It helps when you go to the doctor to have records or a simple diary of symptoms. It can be easy to be brushed off and I find that makes me worse because I feel like the doctor didn't consider or listen so I don't feel reassured.

How are your antidepressants going? Do you feel like they're helping?

Nat