Health anxiety, struggling today

[Livelydively]

40/f with health anxiety. I have lung diesease caused by chemotherapy. I had COVID in March. I had my 2 month post follow up with my PCP yesterday. My EKG results came back abnormal and I have to have an echocardiogram on 6/18. My chest tightness, which I have daily, has been causing me a lot of anxiety today. It is no different than any other day but I am really overthinking it and none of my typical coping skills are working. Any support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[b1b1b1]

You have a Lot of health concerns on your mind, so I can understand that you would feel anxious. Can the chest tightness and heart issues be caused by covid? Hopefully you will get some answers after June 18. It is very difficult to have health issues, and be waiting for tests, and not really know what is going on. I hope you will be able to find some ways to relax a little more. xx

[Livelydively in reply to b1b1b1]

The chest tightness is from my lung diesease. The PCP didn't say what she thinks the heart issue is from. I had a normal echocardiogram in 2019. Hoping for another normal one. Thank you for your support. It's much appreciated.

[Hidden]

The thing that always works best for me is distraction of some kind. When I used to have panic attacks I would call a trusted friend and just tell them to talk to me about anything (so long as it wasn’t health related) or they would ask me questions that made me have to think of the answers. That worked quite well. For health anxiety it’s a little harder because it hangs around longer but I think the principle still applies. Distract yourself from hen you can, keep your mind busy and I find exercise helpful if you are able to do that.

[Livelydively in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I appreciate the advice! I tried to stay busy. I walked my brothers dog with him 3 times and played Rock Band with my kids.

[Hidden in reply to Livelydively]

Awesome! Did that help at least a bit? Rock band is fun!

[Chloepotter1962]

It sounds very scary and pain can cause me to spiral as well. I am right there with you and know my mind does those same little twists and dives. Sometimes I feel my meds can make those bouts of anxiety much more intense that before I took the pain meds, steroids and SSRI's.....I think these meds can exacerbate my obsessive thought processes and cause big dives of mood. Big hugs to you today