Please read this

[heather27uk]

A few days ago I noticed a spot on my uvula in bk of my throat which set my anxiety off but since then I feel like I have a lump in my throat that feels like it comes up n I keep needing to swallow I'm really worried bout this . Has anyone else had a feeling like this before ?

[Bramwell]

Yes - the swallowing thing and lump in the throat I used to get a lot. Anxiety.

I too have health anxiety and am constantly checking myself for lumps, bumps, blood where it shouldn't be and so on..and on...and on.............

[heather27uk]

I'm really upset right now feel like its gonna affect my breathing it feels really bad sometimes like I'm gonna choke was its the same ?

[hedgecrone]

Spot could be a mild infection or nothing at all. Have you seen your GP for reassurance?

The lump in the throat thing is part of anxiety - think it's called globus. I get a tight feeling in my throat when anxious which makes it feel as though it's hard to swallow but it's only a sensation. Health anxiety comes and goes - and it's very unpleasant, but rest assured it won't kill you.

I recommend trying Mindfulness meditations - short ones - they help you notice body sensations objectively and without judging them or getting frightened by them. You learn to watch your breathing, in and out, eyes gently closed, and it's very calming - but you do have to do it every day. I am doing this too because I feel that mindfulness is really the only way of living with anxiety and depression and not being overwhelmed by it. It takes time to learn different ways of being, though, so be patient. I recommend you look on Amazon for a book by Danny Penman which has a CD of meditations at the back. It's excellent.

[heather27uk]

Thank u for ur comments really helpful and I will have a look for that book I hate that I'm constantly worrying about things . My panic attacks r also starting to come bk n I get chest pains too. It's worse at the min too cos I'm due to go on holiday on Monday n worry bout me or my children getting ill

[janicecarrington]

ive just ordered & book from amazon titled, mindful thought over anxiety. i think thats what its called. im expected it to be delivered in the next day or 2. stay strong & try to think positive.xxx

[Fifi_loves_rosie]

I find it helps to try to relax the muscle. I think it feels like its closing up because all of the muscles are tense in your throat and neck. Much like in yoga when you focus on muscles relaxing just focus on this muscle relaxing and I think this will help. At first focussing on it will be scary, but your throat won't close, and eventually the muscles will get the message. Hope that helps.

[hedgecrone]

Heather, where are you going on holiday? I can relate to feeling anxious about going away, especially abroad. I worry about being ill on holiday, and several years ago I kept getting caught out with urinary infections and migraines (I'm prone to them unfortunately) and now, because of that I take a battery of stuff away with me! MY GP knows I get UTIs so I never go away without a course of antibiotics just in case one starts while I'm away. I have painkillers, my migraine medication, and all sorts of other stuff which I rarely need but you never know. it's always a good idea to take paracetamol because it's VERY expensive abroad. We found that when my husband got a nasty dose of manflu in Rome (and he did have a temperature and felt awful tbh!) and we tried to buy some but it's loads more expensive than in the UK where you can get it for almost pence in supermarkets. So take that if nothing else, and a thermometer, plus just basic first aid kit and any regular meds your family might be taking currently..

Having said that, I realise my reaction is a bit OTT. If you are ill abroad, provided it's nowhere really remote, you can see a doctor there. In the EEC you are covered by EEC health rules and you presumably have health insurance for peace of mind? If you need hospital treatment, doctors abroad are as good as ours (and I once had a fracture in France and had to go to hospital in Annecy for x ray and treatment).

There are always risks with anything you do, but it might help to tell yourself that hey, ok, you are anxious but you are going away anyway and that it's OK to feel anxious. Just allow the thoughts to be there and try to comfort yourself as if you were a scared child you are trying to reassure. Tell the scared child 'it's ok, I am here to look after you and if you get ill, we will deal with it together - you aren't alone!' Say it even if it makes you feel silly - you might well find it makes you giggle a bit and takes the 'sting' out of the fear. You will cope whatever happens. You might not like it if you get ill, but people do and they live to tell the tale (barring tragedies which are SO rare as to be discountable).

Just take a few minutes now to sit in a comfy armchair, close your eyes, follow your breathing in and out without forcing it to be anything other than normal. Just let yourself breathe normally and 'watch' and listen to it. If your mind wanders off, just bring it back gently to following the breath, even if it keeps happening - that's ok, it's what the mind does. This is Mindfulness meditation, and if you do it regularly, it does help you deal with anxiety and depression, but you need to keep at it without judging yourself or whether it's 'working' or not.

I hope some of this makes sense and is reassuring, and I hope you have a lovely holiday. You will do the best that you can, and that is fine.

[janicecarrington in reply to hedgecrone]

hi hedgecrone. im the same when i go on holiday & i never go out of the uk. last year i managed to go to scotland, the first time ever. anyway i take everything with me. cos i worry about getting ill while away from home. my family always say hey you got the kitchen sink in there, or boots. lol, but it gives my peace of mind & not feel so anxious about going away, so i just take the jokes in the way they`re meant.xx

[heather27uk]

I'm only going to skegness for 4 nights even on the run up to going I worry bout me or my kids becoming ill I jus wish I could enjoy life n this is taking over n wrecking everything I also don't want these anxiety issues rubbing off on my children . Another part of my anxiety is I have really bad panic attacks if I have to take medication i worry bout being allergic of them making me ill like I have Prozac from my doctor but cnt bring myself to take them i hate feeling scared all the time

[heather27uk]

Ty all for replying really appreciate it

[Hidden]

Heather27uk one thing you really must not do is let these panic attacks beat you, they will take over your life if you let them. They have taken over my life completely and i can assure you this is not the place you want to be. The one thing that happens is we worry too much about the least little things. I worry all the time but i know this is not good and it is easier said than done but persevere with trying all the time and push yourself until you cannot push any more and it will get better. If you do not want to take your prozac then do not. listen to yourself, its yourself that matters and if this fears you in taking it then don't it took me years to go onto any medication for my panic attacks but i did notice after i shouted at myself lol and said get on with it i decided to take citalopram and i did find they did help with my panic attacks, i have no idea why or how but they do help reduce the panic and hyperventilation i have. Although this is for me hun it may not do the same for you. In any case speak to your GP see what they think or say. Im a long sufferer of panic disorder and fear taking different medication but i am aware immediately if it does not suit and i stop it. Good luck hun.