Health anxiety is a horrible place to be

[Natsteveo]

Hi everyone

Hope you don’t mind me having a rant...

I suffer with awful health anxiety anything medical kicks me into panic overload...

I’ve been fine for a while but this last week I’ve been in uproar over my health anxiety...

So I’ve had a cold and a bit of a sore throat so you get the normal sinus headache well yesterday my arms and legs aches like hell and I had a pain in my gums so like a plank I googled my symptoms it came up I have heart attack symptoms so I’ve been so worried over it... I have arm aches so keep thinking now what if I’m not I’ll what if I’m having heart related warning signs????

Then I woke up this morning found out a friend of mines wife passed suddenly this morning of 2 heart attacks she was only in her late 30’s... leaving 5 young children so my anxiety now is way overboard but I feel selfish feeling this way when a lovely young wife and mum has passed from it anybody else go through this or any positive advice would be helpful and appreciated

Nat

[o2G2o]

With a few simple tests you can rule out anything heart related - I've just gone through this myself (for my own peace of mind) and do not get panic attacks anymore when my arm, jaw or chest hurt. Highly recommend this plan of action.

I did have a cold à month or so ago and had horrible leg pain as well, started Googling DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and all kinds of stuff, wasn't fun. In the end it was just pain associated with the cold itself, which is common.

[Natsteveo in reply to o2G2o]

So it’s best to go to my dr then and ask for these heart related tests

[Suneday_46]

Sorry to hear about what happened to your friend.

Have you ever tried listening to soothing nature music during your attacks? Taking a few deep breaths and thinking of something that makes you happy?

I would suggest even making a doctors visit to rule out anything serious.

[Natsteveo in reply to Suneday_46]

Hi @suneday_46

Thanks for the reply...no I haven’t listen to nature music I will give it a try though...I’m going to make an appointment next week

Thanks

[sjanee11]

Health anxiety is awful. I ended up with an electrical issue in my heart in 2016 and panic attacks and anxiety mimic symptoms of it, so I struggled for 2 years before getting surgery to correct it. A week after surgery, I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. I am one year post surgery and nearly one year post PE and am left with just allergies and asthma, however, any ache, pain, etc. sends me into a spiral of consulting Dr. Google and assuming the worst. I have gone to the doctor and been checked out for various things and I am a-okay. I am trying to learn how to rationalize my fears. I find keeping myself well rested, hydrated, and minimizing as much stress as possible helps too. You are not alone. I have noticed over time mine has lessened from clearly not having a stroke, heart attack, etc. But I definitely have a long way to go.

[Lovetorun02]

Hi Nat,

I suffer from the exact same thing. You are not alone. Mine was so bad at one point that I was going to the ER at least once a month. I, like sjanee, had suffered from PEs this past November which enhanced my health anxiety. I’m not sure what tests o2G2o is referring to but if you want some peace of mind I reccomend asking your doctor(s) for the following:

1. Referral to a cardiologist. And from there ask for an EKG/Holter monitor, Echocardiogram and/or stress test. I’ve had the Holter and echo done due to heart palpatations. They are both noninvasive and will hopefully give you some ease.

2. Ask your primary doctor for a full lipid profile bloodwork. It will let you know your triglycerides, LDL, HDL and cholesterol.

3. If you’re worried about blood clots ask for a D-dimer test. This test checks for new clot formation.

As always, talk to your doctor about your concerns. I’m not saying these tests will take the place of a good doctor’s recommendation nor should it replace their suggestions. Those are the ones I’ve had done and talking to a therapist and my primary care doctor just perscribed lexapro and all those combined have helped with my health anxiety. I’m hoping to be able to come off this lexapro in a month and see how I’m doing.

One last thing, if you feel you’re not getting the answers you feel you need, there’s nothing wrong with asking for a second opinion. I know how scary and debilitating this anxiety can be. It’s a horrible feeling but there is hope and healthy days out there for us. Keep me updated. Hope you find some peace.

Christina.

[Natsteveo in reply to Lovetorun02]

Hi @lovetorun02

Thank you so much for this I’m going to the dr this week so I will ask for these tests so sorry you and sjanee11 are experiencing this I wish you well and a speedy recovery I will keep you updated on my health thanks for your help

Nat

[Icanbeathis2016]

I definitely understand the bewilderment this can cause. We've responded to one another before. I know for me, all I have to do is hear of someone else passing and my health anxiety is right on my back. I hope things are getting better. Because I'm no stranger to this fears of my health and death I took a really big step outside of my comfort zone to do something that I have been wanting to do. I'd like to share with you my new broadcast endeavor. 😊

I wish us the best

youtu.be/kReK2k5cSCw(Not working as expected?)