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do I have health anxiety?

Posted , 5 users are following.

dani33
dani33

So for years I've had this constant problem where I think that something is wrong with me all the time. I go to the doctors all the time believing that I have problems with my heart or a brain tumour or something, and they've always given me scans and told me that I'm fine, but I never believe them. I always think they've missed something. 

A couple of months ago I got a bit stressed out with uni work and relationship troubles and started getting some symptoms over a few days like blurry eyes and chest pains, and I genuinely thought I was going to die. I think I may have had a panic attack but I've never had one before so I'm not sure. And then over the next few days I started getting numbness in parts of my body like my face and my arm and I thought I was having a stroke, I got an emergency doctors appointment and she said I was probably just stressed. The numbness went after a few days but then I started getting dizzy spells and twitchy muscles and I thought I might have a nerological disorder, the doctor didn't take me seriously really or give me any tests, she said I was just anxious. 

im not really sure where to go from here, I'm just wondering if anyone has had any of these symptoms? And, if anything, they have found some way to deal with it? I'm just a complete mess at the moment. I can't concentrate on any of my work or anything. I don't know what to do. 

Thank you in advance to anyone who has taken the time to read this. Sorry I'm rambling on 

Dx

1 like, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • jmcg2014
    jmcg2014 dani33

    Posted

    It's a very common offshoot of anxiety known as health anxiety. The symptoms are totally unimportant, it doesnt matter what you think you are suffering from - just the fact your obsessed about it. If you deal with the anxiety in general, the fixation will lessen too. Therapy is a good option to get the the root of the anxiety
    • dani33
      dani33 jmcg2014

      Posted

      That's true, I'm obsessed with any ache or pain and I can't help it. I wouldn't mind trying therapy but I'm not really sure how to go about it. Thank you for replying smile
  • Itsjackieeex
    Itsjackieeex dani33

    Posted

    Hello Dani,

    I'm a lot like you, I get worried about my heart all the time. I've been to the doctors about 4-5 times over the past 2 months to do with my heart.. Thinking I'm having a heart attack. All tests have come back I'm fine but I don't believe them and feel like they are getting it wrong. I get chest pain, arm numbness, face pain, heart pain, acid reflux. You name it. You're more than likely fine Hun, I'm assuming you're young and heathy. Try not to worry

    • dani33
      dani33 Itsjackieeex

      Posted

      Hi smile

      Thank you for replying, I'm sorry you're going through it too but it's nice to know that someone else is experiencing the same thing! Have doctors mentioned anxiety to you at all?

    • Itsjackieeex
      Itsjackieeex dani33

      Posted

      Yeah all the time. They tell me it's always due to anxiety and/or stress. Just wish I could believe them
    • dani33
      dani33 Itsjackieeex

      Posted

      Sounds just like me! Any chance you've found anything that works? I'm not sure about trying therapy rolleyes
    • Itsjackieeex
      Itsjackieeex dani33

      Posted

      I was on an antidepressant which triggered my symptoms more so that didn't help. Tomorrow is my second session of therapy but so far so good
    • dani33
      dani33 Itsjackieeex

      Posted

      That doesn't sound good! I don't like the idea of antidepressants so I'll probably stay away from them. I really hope the therapy goes well for you, good luck! Xx
  • ashlee81611
    ashlee81611 dani33

    Posted

    This sounds exactly like me. The physical symptoms of anxiety are in the hundreds. The past few months I have been more stressed and anxious than normal. My symptoms are being constantly shaky, tingly arms, legs, face, hard to breathe, hard to swallow, etc. So bad that I was convinced I had ALS or MS. I spent thousands of Drs and saw 2 neurologists (didn't believe the first one) had EKG, MRI, EMG, nerve conduction study, lots of blood work, all to be told I am normal. My advice would be to see a specialist to ease your mind, but when they tell you that you are fine, believe them. They know what to look for. Good luck. You are not alone.
    • dani33
      dani33 ashlee81611

      Posted

      Thanks so much for replying Ashlee, I too thought I had MS, I was so scared! All the symptoms you said you've experienced sound the same as mine too. Doctors tend not to refer me to specialists but in a way I wish they would just to give me peace of mind. Did you try any kind of therapy?
    • ashlee81611
      ashlee81611 dani33

      Posted

      I am working on getting therapy now. It's iffy on insurance for me. Most antidepressants/anxiety medications don't work for me at all. I am about to start the lowest dose possible of Zoloft (have been on this before and worked wonders, but only at a tiny dose). I'd rather not be on anything, but right now my anxiety level is about a 12 of 10, so I need to knock it down a bit first. I have heard CBT works wonders for Health Anxiety.
    • jmcg2014
      jmcg2014 ashlee81611

      Posted

      CBT works for some, for others its utter garbage. It really depends on the cause of the root anxiety. Health anxiety is just a different presentation of anxiety, you can't treat it per say, only the anxiety which is causing it. CBT is cheap,its often offered first because it's easy to deliver. It can work for sure, but don't be disheartened if it doesn't,just look for a better form of therapy, there are many others
    • ashlee81611
      ashlee81611 jmcg2014

      Posted

      What kind would you recommend? I'd much rather a natural more permanent fix for sure! I've been an anxious person as long as I can remember.
    • jmcg2014
      jmcg2014 ashlee81611

      Posted

      For longer term problems, therapy is a better option than meds. Safer too. I've found CaT therapy to be effective. Theres loads about it online
    • dani33
      dani33 jmcg2014

      Posted

      From what I've heard CBT sounds like it would be really effective but at the moment I don't think doctors are taking me seriously, and I can't bring myself to tell them that I have an anxiety problem sad
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