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Please please help me with my health anxiety.. Please.

Posted , 6 users are following.

n73299
n73299

Im new here because I needed help from anywhere/anyone right now. Im a complete suicidal mess right now.

Im 21 and ive been diagnosed with GAD and ive been doing CBT for 2 years. Mainly my issue is health related. When I was 12 I lost my great aunt to cancer then at 18 another to cancer. So I mean I guess those escalated my fear to what they are now.

In the past 2 years ive diagnosed myself with these cancers:

- Throat

- Leukemia 

- Brain

- Bowel 

- Thyroid 

- Ovarian 

- Ear

- Eyes

- Skin

Probably more but yeah...

Now im at cervical. So I usually have regular periods, once a month, last a week.

Fast foward to last March I had severe anxiety related to my health (at this time it was my brain), so I got blood tests done/went to the ER because I was convinced I was dying, everything came back 100% normal and was told it was my anxiety. From March-May I was all good (*** I started anti depressants in march). Then I skipped a period in June and then from July-October it was weird like I would spot for like 2 weeks then have my period so bam I assumed it was cervical cancer. Then in November it was normal like I spotted maybe 3 days then my regular period for 7 then nothing until the next month. Now mind you, since November I was slowly coming off my medication. December I started spotting maybe 3 weeks after my period ended instead of a full month. Then eventually I got my period which lasted maybe 10 days instead of 7, bam again cervical cancer there. Then I completely stopped my medication by January. Then this month what was different was that I didnt bleed/spot AT ALL for a month (which hasnt happened since like November) so the timing was normal but then I noticed blood (like a dot) on February 5th (period was due on the 3rd) then nothing for 2 weeks, now it's more prominent but still not my usual period. So bam again im a mess, and ive been suicidal...

I dont know what to do anymore, ive been crying myself to sleep all night. My doctor told me if there were any issues the blood test would have picked it up but online it only says you can see it through a pap smear which ive never gotten. (Btw im NOT sexually active). So my logical mind is saying it's the medication/coming off the medication/anxiety thats screwing the period but my emotions are saying it's cancer.

Somone please please help sad

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • millie10075
    millie10075 n73299

    Posted

    I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL B, I am the same. Know you are not alone.

    I've found for me mindfulness to be a good thing to look into. There's a website called 'franticworld' and if you go on resources there is a free body scan meditation. I do this every day and it helps clear my head xxx

    Here if you need to message

    • n73299
      n73299 millie10075

      Posted

      Thanks! I have that app on my phone but my mind is racing way too hard for me to even attempt that sad

  • lisalisa67
    lisalisa67 n73299

    Posted

    Stress can absolutely mess up your periods. Going on and off meds can change your cycle too. You have had so much real stressors going on. Severe stress no doubt. I know you had tests with your gp have you seen an endocrinologist? Not to make you nervous just to check your prolactin levels (pcos) one of every three woman and teens have it. Its not cancer. Its hormonal. A very good idea to check this. Thats for your periods

    you said you went off meds but it seems you are having a difficult time now. Are you on a new med?  You need specific  ocd therapy. Health anxiety is a definite form of ocd. Body checking, symptom checking. They call it health anxiety. Cbt is nice but if not done correctly its basically just informative. It GAD complicated. Many times anxiety disorders complicate, progress or intertwine with other issues.

    The health anxiety can be managed once you accept this is an anxiety disorder and the adrenaline rushes and cortisol all over the place cause terrible symptoms. If you get that and embrace that then you wouldnt jump to health issues because you then believe and know its an anxiety disorder which is a health issue just a mental one, this world is too funny that it feels mental issues are no biggie. Mental issues suck! The brain is an organ and can mal function like any other organ. But that hopefully will change over time and the population will acceot that as a real issue. Considering its rising in epidemic proportions it cant be ignored or swept under the rug any more,

    your logical mind is smart allow it to be used and listen to it. I hope you feel better soon. This is all rough stuff you are dealing with, but iver time youll see you will figure out how to manage it most of the time.

    • n73299
      n73299 lisalisa67

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. My GP actually ordered tests that check hormone levels too because he suspected high levels of thyroid (but that wasnt the case). It's really hard to deal with and I hate it.. Honestly it's like im not even enjoying life! I have yet to meet a 21 year old worried about the things im worrying about sad

    • lisalisa67
      lisalisa67 n73299

      Posted

      Ask your go if he specifically  checked prolactin levels. Not just thyroid. And i can promise you there are tons of kids your age and younger going through this. Its is becoming common. Im so sorry this is happening to you. It is awful. One day youll see you will have it all managed. You will enjoy life again. This is a bad chapter in a big book. Thats all it will be. Just keeo up therapy and try to find enjoyable stuff to keep a smile on your face. Try yoga too. Very heloful.
    • n73299
      n73299 lisalisa67

      Posted

      Thank you. I dont think he checked that but that's because it was normal until I started the meds. Which is why my logical part is saying that it's the meds screwing this up. Like what are the chances it's normal a month after I start meds but then starts screwing up you know?

    • lisalisa67
      lisalisa67 n73299

      Posted

      With therapy and if the dr. Feels you need meds id say 6 weeks from that point if all goes accordingly you will feel way better. But when using meds you must understand the body has to readjust itself so you can feel worse for a bit but need to forge through because at the six week mark it becomes active and stable medicines do not replace retraining your brain hence therapy is needed either way. It is all going to be okay youll see. Meds are not a mandatory thing and if at the six week mark one isnt working they have others. Your mindset is very what if..and negative you must force yourself to start saying a positive prediction and affirmation. Some of this mess is that you have programmed yourself to always seek the negative or predict the worst. The body keeps score and makes shortcuts to fear if thats what you keep feeding it.Thats something a therpaist ahould be guiding you in there is cbt or dbt. They do sell workbooks on anxiety and on cbt so you can get one and learn it. You have within you to change your mindset,  the body might need a little help right now with meds and thats okay.
  • mandi32309
    mandi32309 n73299

    Posted

    You need to trust me when I tell you there is hope!!! I do not know anyone who has had health anxiety worse than me. I've been living with it for 20 years now. I'm 37. I'm a mom of 3. I constantly think I am dying and every little ache is something serious. I have diagnosed myself with the following:

    Ovarian cancer

    Leukemia

    Heart disease

    Brain aneurysm

    Stomach cancer

    Bone cancer

    Gallbladder cancer

    Bladder cancer

    breast cancer.

    I magnify every pain to be something so much more. It is our mind tricking us. It is a chemical imbalance that needs to be treated. My doctor prescribed me pristique 50mg and I swear it as worked miracles. I don't worry anymore and haven't had a panic attack in 6 months. Please do not take your own life over this. Do not let this stupid pathetic illness win again. Fight it. You are strong and will get better. I thought I would never feel this good. I suffered every day. I swear the tinest little ache or pain made me jump up and start shaking thinking uh oh what is that? I would worry myself sick. All test were always fine. So yes as humans we are going to have aches and pains. We have millions of nerves in our bodies and things are changing as we age. It's almost always normal changes. We will continue to have symptoms and aches and pains but they are nothing more than that. So stop worrying and go see your doctor to try you with a good medicine. Take care!

    • elaine75058
      elaine75058 mandi32309

      Posted

      hi mandy i too have extreme health anxiety and have diagnosed myself with those too due to the physical symptons i have, what physical symtons did u suffer? ive had 80 out of the 100 this past year or so.

  • mandi32309
    mandi32309 n73299

    Posted

    Oh and my periods are never ever normal. So heavy at times and I go months without one for the last 16 years. It's a hormonal imbalance and it also comes from stress and anxiety my doc said. So stop worrying. Easier said than done but I'm here to talk all the time. You are one of millions who deal with these thoughts and fears. I

    Promise you will get better! Look in the mirror and tell yourself you are healthy and strong and no thoughts are going to take over your body. Thoughts are just thoughts and nothing more. Just because your brain makes you think something, doesn't mean it's real. Think of the clouds in the sky. Are the clouds the sky? No! They are a part of the sky. Think of your body as the sky and the clouds as your thoughts. Your body is your body. The clouds ( your thoughts are just that) thoughts! Nothing to do with your physical body. Our thoughts control us. If we believe eveything we THINK then that's crazy! If weTHINK the world is gonna end in 5 seconds, would you believe it? Prob not right? So why believe you have an illness just because your mind is telling you that a certain symptom is something serious. Don't let your thoughts take over. Be strong!

  • gill21655
    gill21655 n73299

    Posted

    Bless you 

    You are having it rough.. Try to relax and not worry about your periods there are so many things that can cause a slight disruption.

    Stay positive 

    Trust your doctors judgement.

    Try doing some coping skills through this extra stressful time xxx

    😊

  • gill21655
    gill21655 n73299

    Posted

    Stay strong and as relaxed as you can.. Things will improve.

    Great advice off everyone

    Hope things settle down foe you soon xx

    • n73299
      n73299 gill21655

      Posted

      Thank you. Im trying to distract myself but even then I worry about it. What helps for a while is just thinking logically as much as I can. sad This sucks.

  • borderriever
    borderriever n73299

    Posted

    You have had all the tests, you are Cancer Clear, you need to move on and be happy all is ok

    If you are taking the Pill you can have problems associated like above.

    When people suffer Anxiety they can feel they have problems with their period. It all depends on body stress.

    You need to discuss all again with your GP

     

    • n73299
      n73299 borderriever

      Posted

      Thank you. I know, my GP told me that if I had something it would show on the test but of course google said something so much more different. Im not on the pill but have anxiety almost everyday + going on and then off the medication in less than a year didnt help either. 
    • gill21655
      gill21655 n73299

      Posted

      Lol ... never google health symptoms ever !!! 

      Thats what i did last year and it kicked off health anxiety... So i banned myself and i would never do it now..

      It freaks you out and drives you crazy😊😊😊 xx

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