What's wrong with me?

[coolusername]

So, my health anxiety is through the roof. I'm a self-diagnosed hypochondriac, and it's getting worse the older I get (I'm 20yo).

The latest health obsession of mine, is that I have blood clots in my legs. This is because I get shooting pains/sometimes a dull ache in a certain spot of my left thigh and calf (feels like it's in the muscle). If you can imagine a fire alarm siren but in terms of waves of pain instead of sound, that's what it feels like. But I have no other symptoms of blood clots.

I'm really worried that the clots are going to get to my lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, or my brain and cause some sort of aneurism.

Regardless of how convinced I am of having these clots, I have no urgency to phone for an ambulance. It's very frustrating because such problem is rationally irrational.

Has anyone else experienced this type of pain? I've tried to explain it as best as I can, but it's difficult to translate.

[b1b1b1]

I very much doubt that you have blood clots. This is not terribly common at any age. You might want to see a therapist.

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

I have had this sensation and pain. It sounds like nerves not blood clots to me. Anxiety is originated in the nervous system. So your nerves are overstimulated. That alone will cause you to feel extra pains and feelings. You don’t have other signs. Your age is on your side. Of course I don’t know your history. Take a walk. Sometimes that can work it out. The pain and sensations that is. If it continues it’s better to be safe than sorry but as a health care provider that would not be what I would test for. It could have been positional. Then your worry made it worse. That’s not to say it’s not painful. Anxiety symptoms are not imaginary by any means and can be very troublesome. Try taking your mind off of it. Stay active. Take a walk. Keep busy. Focusing on it will only continue to exacerbate the pain.

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

Are you getting any relief? I sure hope so!

[coolusername in reply to Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

Thank you for your response! I've tried to put the pain into the back of my mind, as I have done a little research, and realised it's extremely unlikely that blood clots are the case. Nevertheless, I've an appointment booked with my GP, just to have some blood tests to make sure I'm all in order! If anything, it puts my mind at ease! I go to the gym regularly now, so any aches and pains, I put it down to that instead of letting my mind wonder!

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell in reply to coolusername]

That’s great! It does sound like you are handling things well. We’re Hear if needed.