HEALTH ANXIETY FLARE UP - JUST NEED SOME KIND WORDS

[nh_user_1136028]

Hey everyone it’s been quiet sometime since i last wrote on this forum in regards to my health anxiety which i guess is a good thing , but once again i feel myself spiralling down that health anxiety vortex and im really struggling at the moment . I’m not looking for any expert advise but just some kind words from people who can relate of knows what this feels like because right now i feel like i have noone to talk to .

So just a bit of background history after the death of my best friend three years ago i’ve actually coped very well and for the most part despite 2020 being crazy i’ve done pretty well in remaining positive and strong . However in September i experienced a few bouts of diarrea , loud stomache and ofcourse you health anxiety suffers know sent me into an absolute panic i also thought i saw blood in my stool but it also looked like it was just red food bits so i wasnt too sure . Anyway i booked myself a GP appointment and ofcourse she wanted to run a few bloods and a stool sample , now 2 years ago i had to do this as i had hyploryi so at first i was feeling confident that i need this last time and it wasnt too bad . But i am now petrified that hyployri two years ago wasnt the main reason for my issues and that it was something else now i cry everyday thinking something was missed .

Unfortunately a few days ago my brother who is 27 was also diagonised with a rare cancer , however we are feeling positive that it was caught early and he is currently recovering . However as you can imagine that has literally sent me and my family into complete shock . I also feel ashamed that i am thinking of my own health anxiety when he is going through something like this which is why i am doing my best to hide how i am feeling to myself . So right now it would just be so nice to hear some kind words or receive some sort of support . I managed to pluck up the confidence to do the blood test its been 4 days and i have not yet received the results however i still need to do the stool fit test which is giving me loads of anxiety at the moment but i know i need to find the strength to do it . I only turned 25 in september and i am sad that i am feeling so depressed and hopeless . I also reffered myself to some therapy finally as i want to find better coping mechanisms to deal with my health anxiety so i am proud i am taking the right steps .

But if any of you have experienced any tummy issues , maybe went through something similar or just have any words of hope and encouragement that would be greatly appreciated .

Thankyou

[nh_user_929991]

hello
so sorry to hear you are going through this and so sorry to hear about your brother. hopefully his treatment will go well and he will make a full recovery.

I too am a health anxiety sufferer and sometimes I have a really hard time with it , other times I’m not so bad.

I find when I hear of something having a certain illness , usually cancer, I will convince myself that I too have that cancer and I will be convinced I have the symptoms of that cancer.

like you I get so anxious about waiting for teat results which usually leads me to not going to doctors because I can’t deal with the anxiety of waiting for results .

I know it easier said than done but just try and keep your mind focused of positive things. I find doing a little bit of exercise helps, even if it’s just a workout on TV.

please feel free to send me a private message if you need to talk

I wish you and your family all the best with the current struggles you have

[nh_user_998356]

I have a feeling you’re going to be just fine. anxiety and stress can cause all sorts of stomach issues. I’ve had that on and off my whole life with cramping, indigestion, and all my testing came back normal each time. There is a strong connection between the brain and the stomach and that’s why you here of people who get stressed out and have stomach issues. So the more you relax your mind, the better you will feel. Also, if the blood you saw in your stool was bright red, that’s usually just a little blood vessels that can break where you wipe . it happens all the time to people and it’s nothing serious.
while you are waiting, relax your entire body by listening to some soothing meditations for anxiety found on YouTube. There are hundreds of them and I listen every night when laying down to sleep or sometimes during the day. There are all kinds of positive affirmations on YouTube also. Find some that you really enjoy. Do you things that make you laugh and smile. I know you’ve been through a lot but you can definitely feel a lot better! We are here for you! Take care and smile!