Health anxiety revolving around cancer

[lil-rose]

Hi! I'm looking for support and encouragement in getting help for health anxiety that revolves around cancer. I had an actual cancer diagnosis a few years ago after a long period of misdiagnosis, anxiety and fear that I feel wore out my family and friends. In my treatment recovery fears on recurrence plagued me. I have a different type of cancer fear about every week and it rotates what kind. It's been really bad the past 3 months, it's meshed into some OCD like behaviors with avoiding things, and panic. I have an appointment with a therapist next week and I have a call into my dr to see him for medication. I am seeking online support because I don't want to rely on family and friends for support in this because it has caused problems in relationships in the past. I also do better talking to people that can relate and wonder if anyone has found face to face support groups helpful. I did a post cancer support group that actually made things worse hearing about other people's experiences, maybe an OCD focused group would be better?

lil-rose

[Natsteveo]

Hi honey

I can relate to you about your health anxiety as my aanxiety is through the roof at the minute too although I've never had the 'C' word I have a huge fear and phobia of getting it..health anxiety is awful no matter where you have any pain or discomfort you automatically think you have it...it takes over my whole life I wake up shaking and burning hot hot sweats restless leg and foot mine was triggered this time by having a very large cyst on my ovary so now im assuming the worst i know its prob not anything bad as iive had blood tests done they come back ok but I can't seem to snap out of this episodes really got me bad this time were I can't function im constantly thinking it's terminal...Why I have no idea....wish I knew as I could get passed this episode im trying to convince y brain that it's only anxiety but out work as for a few hours then comes backagain this is not nice to have so ok know how you feel maybe we can help each other

Love Nat xxx

[meme68 in reply to Natsteveo]

I go through this too. I fear every ache and pain is something. I have a friend who has had cancer and now is being treated again and she has anxiety related to it. Its awful what the mind can convince us of. Therapy and medication for it might help. I know I am hopeful that mine will. I just started therapy and I see a psychiatrist soon! We are not alone in feeling like this! There are others too!

[Natsteveo in reply to meme68]

There sure are im already seeing a psychiatrist and believe me they help but it's training your brain to not think this way but it's scary and what's worse I lost my mum to cancer and im just so fearful of it but like you say we are not alone and im so sorry about your friend i can imagine anxiety does kick in going through that... hahd a major operation on my brain when i was 7 i had a benign cyst on my temple and my brain and they couldnt operate too deep because that would of killed me and I've also been told if I have a big hit on my head it could kill me too so most of my life I've remembered all this I mean who knows this could be why I have this anxiety because of the trauma of this operation

Take care

Love Nat xxx

[meme68 in reply to Natsteveo]

Yes! Cognitive behavioral therapy is what I am starting. To retrain my brain to think differently and more rationally. Yes, your operation could play a big part in your anxiety!! Talk about it with someone and maybe they can help with that!!! With the right help we can make it though anything I believe!

[lil-rose]

Thank you for your replies! I'm sorry about your mom Nat and your friend meme, thank you for your support. When I went through my treatment I had a good experience, and my OCD wasn't bad, it's almost like now that I am healthy my brain is trying to process everything and this health anxious state is my default status! I was misdiagnosed for a year, in and out with symptoms, they even put me on something for anxiety during that time, so I lost trust in healthcare providers. I panic when I see or feel symptoms, even a phone call can set me into panic when the caller ID says it's certain places. I know these panic feelings aren't healthy for my brain and body, and there is always this underlying feeling that I need to be as healthy as possible to remain in remission.

It's true Nat what you said about our brains, and we need to retrain the way think. I'm going to look up some techniques. I have been using some techniques, and I know it takes time for them to work, but new techniques will help! It gives me hope to have an appointment in the horizon, and to have support here too!

lil-rose