Hi all, been reading this forum for a while and it is reassuring to know I am not on my own with some things, as it times I feel like there is no way anybody could possibly feel like this! My back story: dealt with anxiety for around 16 years (I am in my late 30s), and have had some bad spells during that time lasting 1-6 weeks at a time but generally I have found ways to manage my levels using a combo of exercise, mediation/breathing and some CBT when really bad (3-4 times). I tried meds once and hated the side effects and don't want to go back. My anxiety took a little spike when my mum passed away with cancer and that was when it seemed to manifest from purely GAD to being partly Health anxiety. Over this time I have experienced nearly all the symptoms I see listed in these threads but normally the worst ones for me are heart palps, chest heaviness, rib pressure, stomach issues, headaches, mini panic attacks but I also occasionally get sleep issues where I think I have stopped breathing then I have too much adrenaline to get back to sleep (paralysis?). Anyway, during this pandemic my health anxiety has really spiked!! In the first few weeks I was convinced the virus would get me at some point and I would die, I started doing that terrible habit of what if!! thinking I have an underlying condition I don't know about, that my heart was weak or had a malfunction etc - I managed to get back on some CBT and this has really helped but then some sleep issues started which we all know then creates a pattern of tiredness = more symptoms = even less sleep and then into a cycle. and now....I am worrying less about the virus and more about my general health, I thought I found a change in my testicle and was paralysed by fear, the 5 days waiting for my U/S I felt like a zombie :( I just had an U/S this week which was clear but when I found this change I also thought I could feel an ache in my left groin and left armpit and now that the scan is clear I am starting to focus on these aches and pains, are they there or am I creating them I ask?! It is this sort of thing that is almost impossible to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it, on one hand I know my anxiety is very likely up to its old tricks but then I think WHAT IF? ... I have never had armpit ache as a symptom, should I rush to my doctor to demand blood tests etc or do I continue with positive thoughts and behaviors from my CBT and hope it goes away - I am hoping some of you can relate to this constant need for reassurance, it is exhausting and I just want a break from it to enjoy life. I am hopeful as the world hopefully drifts back to normal I can break out of this cycle and get back on track, if anyone has any tips for things to watch perhaps on youtube or any natural remedies please let me know? I have been taking some calming teas and root extracts which I think help me at night but are maybe just creating a placebo effect? I have also ordered a book called Cleanse to Heal which talks about some diet changes so I am going to give that a go... If you took the time out from your own daily stresses to read this, thank you very much - please add your own experiences or tips or just some thoughts!
Does your palpatations feel like your heart randomly skips a beat? I get these all throughout the day for months now.
Hi Jack - sometimes it feels like it skips or sometimes like a pressure and my heart pounding, normally with shallow breathing.
Horrible isnt it. They seem to happen even when im not feeling very anxious theyre very unpredicatble.
unfortunately I cant give any tips or advice except to let you know you’re not alone. I have severe health anxiety! some of the aches, pains and sensations I get are unreal!! I’m always convinced there is something wrong with me and always seeking reassurance from doctors and my family, every blood test and scan comes back normal and clear everytime yet I cant accept it. I’ve just started medication, only 3 weeks in so I’ll see how i go with that but also due to start CBT - first session tomorrow! you’re definitely not alone in this and it’s a very scary place to be in, but I do think its possible to create symptoms with the mind and then they manifest because we focus and panic on them!
Hi Sophie - yes it is absolutely possible to create things with your mind, the power of it can be incredible! I suppose when I am having a dip I let those thoughts become louder than they should be, there are other times I can control them and dampen them quite easily - very frustrating!
Good luck with your medication, as for CBT I always find it a great help, maybe not right at that time during the session but as I let the ideas and suggestions grow and sink in/develop I can suddenly feel things turning for the better again.
thanks for adding your comments.