Weird fear

[dogmom88]

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the long post. I just feel like I need to get this off my chest in order for me to feel better, hopefully. For starters, I suffer from health anxiety. Can anyone relate to this? I feel like it really started In April 2019. My dad, who just turned 58 this year, had emergency triple bypass surgery. I am super close with my family and it was a tragic experience for me, even though all is well with him now! The whole situation was just very unexpected, hence the word emergency, and it made me realize how precious life really is.

When I realized I had health anxiety, I was super focused on “physical symptoms” that I was having. I would have slight pain on my left side and my arm felt weak. Of course, my brain instantly thought heart attack and my anxiety spikes even more. I went to the doctor and was prescribed Wellbutrin. I told the Dr about the symptoms I was having and he said it was most likely due to my anxiety. After leaving the doctor, symptoms went away.

Fast forward to November 2019 and my dad had emergency gallbladder surgery! Ever since then, I am constantly worried about having a gallbladder attack. I don’t know why! I’m 30 years old but I don’t think age even matters with something like this? My cholesterol levels are good and I’m trying to eat healthier and exercise more. But this “fear” has been going on for awhile and I just can’t seem to shake it. Maybe this time of year doesn’t help? I live in the Northeast where it gets dark around 5:15 and it’s cold/snowy/rainy most days.

Sorry this is such a long post. I just feel better sometimes getting things off my chest. Hope this fear goes away soon...

[brokenlight]

I’m sorry for your pain and suffering.

[Hidden]

Hi. I've been on wellbutrin for several years. It's technically an antidepressant but helps calm the anxiety. I hadn't thought about "health" anxiety as being a thing. But from your spoken feelings you're having about feeling ill, I've actually unfortunately had many health issues that have required ongoing medicines and surgeries. My health got me really anxious and am now prescribed 3 meds for anxiety and mood swings from it. Hydroxyzine pamoate, lamictal, and compazine which also helps the nausea caused by the anxiety eating away at my stomach.

Over the last 20 years I've had cystic removal surgeries 5 times. Another thought at first to be another cyst in my neck was actually cancer. My position is do what you can to take care of yourself. Meds will work for some and not others. With the anxiety you might need a therapist besides meds to teach you how to manage the anxiety. I wish you well.