Health Anxiety

[jadrianac17]

Newbie here. I've been feeling sick for a while and ended up in the ER. They ran blood tests, did a chest X-Ray and the doctor told me that everything was normal, that its probably just bronchitis/sinus infection. Today my nose bled twice and now I'm wondering if its leukemia because I've felt pain in my arm/wrist also at some point (maybe carpal tunnel because I type all day) I feel like a normal person would just be like, ok, the doctor said my tests were normal and any other symptom is just part of the bug or because I'm human and sometimes stuff hurts. Not me. Hearing the doctor say, based on these tests theres nothing seriously wrong with you wasn't enough. Im almost in panic mode. When will it ever be enough?

[Hidden]

Get a second opinion, dr. Get things wrong all the time. Give your self peace of mind.

[jadrianac17 in reply to Hidden]

I'm following up with my primary care doctor. It was colon/stomach cancer I was concerned with last year ( I got a colonoscopy and endoscopy) this year its lung cancer, something with my pancreas or leukemia apparently. Im just always terrified. Thank you for taking the time to respond!

[StormChaser43 in reply to jadrianac17]

I get this way sometimes too. It's actually fairly common with anxiety. In 2009 I had myself convinced that I was going to die by the time I was 40. Just because of a stupid radio station commercial that had played. My anxiety was so bad I for the first time went to the ER. My blood pressure was skyrocketing at 117/174. They ran tests checked my heart and it was confirmed a bad anxiety attack. They have me an injection of Ativan. and my blood pressure lowered and I went to sleep. And I was fine.

These diseases that you are worried about, is there someone close to you that did have them at some point in your life? Sometimes that's what traumatized us.

[jadrianac17 in reply to StormChaser43]

yes, my dad died of cancer. He was never in my life but I don't recall being terrified of cancer specifically until that happened. Its the funny thing about anxiety. We're very aware of why we are the way we are but still it doesn't help. Im glad to hear nothing serious was wrong.

[StormChaser43 in reply to jadrianac17]

He may not have been in your life but in a way he was or you would not have known about the cancer. How old were you when he died?

My Mom died of Cancer in 2005. I was turning 30. And it was a very hard thing to endure. She and I had always been close. Inspeparable even. I watched her break bones because It had spread to her bones. And I had to help my Dad finally decide to let her go.

As for your fear of colon cancer, what makes you think this is what it is? Is that the type your Dad had? I definitely think there is a link between your anxiety and this.

[jadrianac17 in reply to StormChaser43]

I'm so sorry for your loss. My husband lost his mother to an illness 10 years ago and it still affects him very much. I have a relationship with my half-sister. That is how I found out. It did upset me. I have learned that his type of cancer is not hereditary but its traumatizing to know someone so directly related to me died of cancer. I thought colon/stomach cancer because I had bloody stools and diarrhea and would get a lot of stomach pain/nausea.It turned out to be hemorrhoids and gastritis (tmi,sorry!) Probably due to the stress of anxiety. This time around its the aches in my arms and my legs that I feel in my bones, not my muscles. At least it feel like its my bones. Its just always something. Like I feel like I'm not going to get my happy ending. Anyway, you're very kind for sharing.

[jjb1983]

Hi jadrianac17,

Sorry you feel like that, I have felt the same way you have and it's just anxiety trying to tell you something is wrong. If the doctors have ran bloods it would of showed up if you have leuikemia.

My sister has just been diagnosed with leuikemia and it show up on bloods.

I've had the same pains in arms as your describing, I've just started a new job and type a lot more also write a lot more so I'm putting it down to that.

Maybe it is from typing.

Have you any neck pain?

It could be a pinched nerve.

Hope this helps

Jjb1983

[jadrianac17 in reply to jjb1983]

thank you, its comforting to know that Im not alone in freaking out-

[Sttbngi]

I used to suffer badly from this and I got great advice here... #1 No googling illnesses. There are 5 majors like heart attack, cancer, etc. Almost every symptom easily fits within the 5 so every time you google it scares you. #2. Tell yourself you are fine when panic sets in. The sentences like “I am ok” or “There is nothing wrong with you” starts to reassure you when the panic worsens. Include deep breathing and trigger point pressure when you say this. #3. When a negative or scary thought comes tell yourself in a harsh voice “stop” or “no” even if you can’t say it out loud. This helps break the cycle of negative thoughts.

I only focus on today which helps my dooms day tendencies and by using the above items I keep my anxiety in check. It still creeps up, but I do the above and it quickly subsides.

Good luck!

🌸🌺🌼

[jadrianac17 in reply to Sttbngi]

I'm so happy you were able to break from this anxiety. I hope I can be free of it too one day because I can see it starting to affect those around me and I don't want to infect them with my issues. I'm in such a panic at the moment that I can't process telling myself I'm fine. Hopefully I can get some further answers from the doctor that aren't worse case scenario and I can start to practice your advice. Thank you <3

[Sttbngi in reply to jadrianac17]

Even if you can’t process telling yourself positive things do it anyway. I understand how you feel, but it will start working little by little. I hope you get the help you are looking for and find peace. 🌺🌸🌷

[Drdabbss]

Thank you for your post. As a major health anxiety sufferer I often have a hard time to avoid the doomsday vibes. Appreciate your recommendations. Not a day goes by I don’t complain or connect a certain symptom to the end. I hope I can break this 5+ year cycle.

[jadrianac17 in reply to Drdabbss]

I'm so sorry you're going through it too. Catastrophic thoughts are so scary especially since they consume our every moment. I hope you find peace soon

[Drdabbss in reply to jadrianac17]

Thank you! Talking through our issues and problems with this giant online family here on health unlocked helps me get through those tough days. I am always here to chat through any symptoms or feelings you may have and I appreciate your support! Hope you have a wonderful day!

[hypercat54]

Hi I think distraction could help a lot. When you start getting into this cycle keep interrupting yourself by doing something else ie the washing up, watch the telly or anything. The more you interrupt these thoughts the less you will think of them as it is a vicious circle.

When we learn a new skill we repeat it many times before it finally sinks in and we improve at it. This is the same with repetitive thinking, the more we do it the more we do it as the brain is being trained. Interrupting the brain pattern means it lessens over time. x

[jadrianac17 in reply to hypercat54]

I try to distract myself but as soon as I feel the ache, or the pain its over. It's like Im free for a moment and then my dreaded reality comes looking for me. I will try to be more proactive. Thank you!

[Want2BHappy3]

I've read that many people go to the ER thinking like you do, and nothing wrong, anxiety makes you feel like you're dieing. You said they ran text, if you had leukemia you would have had a high white blood cell count, did you? In sure your fine like the doctor said.

[jadrianac17 in reply to Want2BHappy3]

my blood test were normal, which for a normal person I guess would be the end of the story, but since the ER doctor also couldnt tell me exactly why I was in pain, it was basically as if he had said nothing to me. So then of course I look up other causes for bone pain aside from leukemia and I find bone cancer and that blood tests don't pick that up. and down the messed up whirlpool I go again. I know its hard to believe, but I do want to be fine. I want to be normal

[Want2BHappy3 in reply to jadrianac17]

You should stay off the internet, there is so much misinformation. I have a high white blood cell count, went on the internet and lukemia was the main reason. That was 27 year's ago, I still get results saying high white blood and I'm still alive, doing fine. But I figured out it's because I have allergy's...go figure.

[lakelifeliving]

Health anxiety is the ABSOLUTE worst. I have been where you are many many times, in the 5 months alone I have had 6/7 different death sentences.

Your mind will constantly seek the reassurance it needs either by verbalizing it or using Dr. Google. Your body is never feeling 100% - everyone has daily feelings but not everyone notices those things. You are probably like me in that your senses are heightened. I feel every ache every pain. The other day I had a finger that was tingling (I fought the voices to google it really quick because it would make me feel better). Your mind is a very powerful thing. Try and relax and trust your doctor. See how you feel in a week if symptoms (real ones) are getting worse. You need to trust your doctor (easier said than done). Your not alone. Health anxiety is a BEAST. Do you take anxiety meds?

[jadrianac17 in reply to lakelifeliving]

I don't take meds but I have to just accept that I can't do it alone and start taking them. I have a follow-up tomorrow with my doctor. I'm going to bring it up. Today I sobbed on the phone with my husband because I feel like I have cancer because of my bones hurting. I explained to him that if I didn't have any symptoms then it would be easier for my brain to rationalize that its just my anxiety, but I feel the pain. I try so hard to stay off google but I can't. I'm just hoping to find an answer that will ease my fears but I end up finding more terrifying possibilities. You're so right, I feel every little pain, I notice every change. Its such an exhausting and miserable life. I keep saying, ok, once you get cleared with this then its smooth sailing. Thank you for sharing. I felt a lot of comfort in your response.