Compulsive finger chewing due to endo anxiety

[Rjb_88]

I’ve always been really bad for chewing my fingers, not my nails, like the actual skin around my nails and probably up to my first finger joint.

I’m having really awful endo flare ups recently and it’s making me really anxious and constantly paranoid that the pain or bleeding is bad every day and I’ve been out of control with the chewing. Two weeks ago I’d chewed one of my fingers raw around the nail 😕

Not really sure what to do - I feel like if I call my GP they’ll just tell me to stop doing it but I can’t, I even have my nails done every two weeks and leave the nail alone but I can’t stop the chewing. I feel like if I get anxiety under control I should be able to change the habit but I don’t want to look stupid explaining to the GP.... any advise?

[plotments]

You need to speak to GP about endo symptoms which is causing you anxiety......your way of coping is to chew....You get the help you need for endo and I'm sure you will get the chewing under control.

Any ideas why you think endo has flared up?

[Rjb_88 in reply to plotments]

Thanks, I’m going to ring them Monday I think I don’t know really, it’s been going on for a while but it’s been for the last four weeks really bad, some days I look six months pregnant. I’m starting prostap and HRT at the end of August and I’m a bit worried about that and it not working too I guess. I have a really good endo specialist who I’ve been referred to and I know she’ll look at other options if the prostap isn’t any good but it’s a lot at the moment to take in!

[plotments]

That's good you've got endo specialist least you know your getting the help you need with your endo journey.

Maybe try some relaxation therapy...there's plenty of tips on the web.....before ringing docs but if your feeling a bit too overwhelmed they can give you something for a few weeks to help you calm down long enough to put things in perspective.

All we can do is work our way through the different hormone treatments until we find what is right for us but I know what you mean about being worried if they will work....its such along process going month to month and can wear you out but stay positive your not alone

take care

[Harriet_health]

I loved to bite my nails and chew my fingers. I was also getting my nails done to prevent the chewing!

More recently I have reduced the habit, it’s not totally gone but I’m no longer drawing blood/ biting until my fingers are sore.

The only advice I can offer from my experience is

1: I increased my collagen consumption, I drink bone broth really often and omg my nails and skin are so strong now which makes it easier to maintain. Also consider taking a nice multivitamin to get your nails nice and strong.

2: try and be mindful of the chewing, when you’re doing it pause and try and notice why you’re doing it.

3: buy nail files, I have one in every room to try and manage my nails, as soon as one is broken the whole finger is as risk! So filing the edge helps me stay in control

4: ask someone to help you, I have a partner and my mum who will both quite literally gently slap my hand away from my mouth (I’ve asked them to do this) and it helped me realise when and why I’m biting.

I really hope you have better luck stopping / reducing the habit. Take care xx

[Rjb_88 in reply to Harriet_health]

Ahh thank you for these tips! I’ll have a look at some collagen and multi vitamins. I think if I can just get them all healed then I’ll have a better chance of stopping, luckily my nails aren’t tempting, it’s just the rest of my hands that are! Xx

[Moon_maiden]

When I get pain, I grind my teeth, very annoying, I think it’s a natural distraction. Doesn’t make things easier.

Good luck on Monday, you need to get the pain under control. Is there a reason you’re waiting until the end of August for prostrap?

[Rjb_88 in reply to Moon_maiden]

Thank you

It’s because I’m on the depo injection and they want that out of my system before we add anything else in

[Moon_maiden in reply to Rjb_88]

That makes sense, another wait though.

You could try the nail biting stuff, if you do try a small patch test on the skin to make sure you don’t get a reaction.

[Rjb_88 in reply to Moon_maiden]

It’s frustrating because I think it gives so much more time to build up anxiety and worry about it all!

I’ve found today that using the proper alcohol based medical hand sanitiser puts me off a lot so I’ll use that lots tomorrow and see how we go 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Moon_maiden in reply to Rjb_88]

🤞

I know how you feel about waiting 🙄😡

[Endolinka]

Hello!

I also struggle with anxiety/depression and I guess endo is one of the reason. One of the symptom of my anxiety is scratching my skin scalp face... I found mindfulness relaxation helpful. You can find a lot of that guided mindfulness on YouTube. Mindfulness is just a nice break for me, moment of peace, maybe it will help you too. Kisses

[Rjb_88 in reply to Endolinka]

I do the scalp picking too, around my hair line! I found a good product from wella that sorts it and I managed to stop that most of the time.

I’ve found a mindfulness app so I’ll give that a try thank you xx

[Endolinka in reply to Rjb_88]

Yes, around the hair line I have plenty of redness, that's why I have fringe, no one can see it What's the wells product you found helpful?

[Rjb_88 in reply to Endolinka]

lookfantastic.com/system-pr...

It’s really good, just gently repairs it and helps me stop!