Hi all
Just from taking a quick look at this forum, I can see that a lot of people are having the same problems as me, which is sort of reassuring.
Long story but basically I started with anxiety and depression 18 months ago. This came with chest pains and shortness of breath. Today I feel a lot better in myself but the chest pains and physical symptoms still linger.
I’ve developed health anxiety by worrying that I’m having a heart attack or developing some terminal illness. I feel like an idiot because logically it’s almost definitely nothing to worry about but when the chest pains come on, my rational thinking goes out the window.
I’ve had 2 x ECGs, an Echo, stress test (treadmill) and various breathing tests. One breathing test identified that my lungs are absorbing oxygen at a reduced rate but the doctor sent me for a CT scan which was clear so they’re not taking any further action.
I feel frustrated by the doctors because I hoped they’d give me a concrete answer that my health was satisfactory, but they just cover their backs by saying “well your tests were normal so we’ll just have to see how you get on and we can’t give you any answers” which doesn’t reassure me very much!
Due to how slow the NHS is, it has taken 15 months from first going to the doctors to getting to this point. I have got myself through the last year or so by telling myself “just wait until the doctors give you the all clear, then I can get on with living” but I have now realised that that point is not going to come, and the onus is on me to try and overcome the health anxiety.
I used to go running a lot, and I have tried running to help with the anxiety but when I run I start worrying that I’ll trigger a heart attack, and this makes the chest pains and shortness of breath come on - which stops me from running. A chicken and egg situation.
I don’t know what the point in this post is. I’m just exhausted and want to see a way out of this.
James