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Is this anxiety? Please help!

Posted , 5 users are following.

fiona16554
fiona16554

Hello,

I'm new to this so bear with me... Basically I moved away from home for a new job 6 weeks ago - three weeks ago I had some strange stomach pains and became convinced I was pregnant - did 3 tests, I'm not pregnant! 

The week after I had been out drinking with friends at home, when I came back for work I didn't hear much from them and became convinced everyone hated me!

It's all fine.

Now I am experiencing some pain in my lower left side again and odd pains elsewhere in my body (back, leg, abdomen) and I've convinced myself I'm terminally ill and constantly googling symptoms of various diseases.

My twin brother suffered health anxiety and it's got me really stressed out!  

Are these pains normal for someone whose stressed/anxious?? 

Any tips on how to calm myself down?

Thanks xx 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • jmcg2014
    jmcg2014 fiona16554

    Posted

    Hi Fiona ,I have had pains/in just about every part of my body from anxiety, health anxiety does make us so super conscious of every sensation- we then build stories around them and turn them into terrible things. If you can deal with your anxiety with meds or therapy then the health anxiety too will come under control. Stay away from googleing symptoms please!!
    • fiona16554
      fiona16554 jmcg2014

      Posted

      Thanks for this - I'm trying to stay away from google! 

      I've never experienced anxiety before - can it come from a stressful new situation? 

    • jmcg2014
      jmcg2014 fiona16554

      Posted

      It sure can,quite often that is exactly how it starts,I suffer too like that
  • Phoebe604
    Phoebe604 fiona16554

    Posted

    Please, please don't google.  Have you seen the doctor about these pains.  If you get the all clear it may reassure you.  I have had HA for years and yes it can affect any part of your body, but get it checked out
    • jmcg2014
      jmcg2014 Phoebe604

      Posted

      Indeed always get it the checked if it worries you. My health anxiety affects me in a lot of ways, easily the most distressing is swallowing, I seem to fixate on it and at time it/just feels like I can't swallow.  Docs say it's fine, but jeez it feels anything but! 
  • david7897
    david7897 fiona16554

    Posted

    Sorry to be blunt, but Google is not your friend. Just stop . You will instantly feel better smile

     

  • skipp930
    skipp930 fiona16554

    Posted

    Stress can make you feel like you are dying. I work for a construction co. Its always Hurry Up!, Hurry Up! I handle materials for this co. to all the crews for building bridges and colverts. I handle 10 crews all by myself, and  I'm thinking of quiting because how sick I stay. I've been there 12 years, and totally can't stand going in there anymore because of how bad my stomach is. It hurts constantly, like dying hurt, I've has every kinda test done for my stomach except running the light in there, and they say nothing is wrong, I know whats wrong, STRESS!
    • david7897
      david7897 skipp930

      Posted

      Hi Skipp, I am sorry to hear how you are and I can completely understand. I have made a big change and got out of my 'blame game' job and it is helping me. In my case if something went wrong and I fixed it (as we always do) it was 'how come you let this happen? ' or if I got ahead and actually made an improvement it became 'why didn't you do this before?' Even just writing about it turns my guts in a knot. Let someone else carry the load for a bit. Even if you got a similar job at a competitor you would be better off for a while till the heaper system heaped it on. Best wishes mate. David.
  • Phoebe604
    Phoebe604 fiona16554

    Posted

    I used to be addicted to googling symptoms and I have had nearly every disease going.  It is never useful only makes you feel worse.  I know it can be tempting.  The other point is seeking reassurances which is normally very short lived.  Take care
  • fiona16554
    fiona16554

    Posted

    Thanks for all your help.

    Having just moved I went to the doctors yesterday and was told I had to wait at least a week for me to appear on the patient register.

    The stomach pains seem to have stopped but this morning I found myself poking aroung in my armpit and groin - convincing myself I had pain and swellings.

    I feel like I'm going mad - I've done no work and just sit over-analysing every tiny pain (it seems there's a lot).

    Also, these 'symptoms' seem to get worse when I'm with my partner who is the only person I've confided in about this - do you think this could be a subconcious craving of reassurance?

    Anyone know how to help myself while I wait for a doctors appointment? I've seen my bro sit and sob over various illnesses he thought he had I don't want that to end up being me?

    I have also started to write a diary of pains/anxieties and what I've eaten in case it's an IBS-based thing - does anyone else do this?

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