I am suffering with major health anxiety. I had my first anxiety attack a year ago and i have had a few since the first time. Aftet the attacks i started having constant chest pain and became very focused on my heart, thinking that i had heart issues. So over this last year i had 3 ekg's, 2 chest xrays, a lot of blood work and an echo cardiogram done by a cardiologists , everything comes back fine. I still cant believe everything is ok. Im 6.0ft 270lbs not all fat, i use to be really in shape and still have alot of muscle but not in that great of shape, have a bad diet and i smoke. My blood work comes back very good every time, cholesterol nice and normal. So in my head, with me being over weight, a smoker, having chest pain, chest tightness, constantly feel out of breath, how could something not be wrong?
I’m in the same boat as you.
I went through that last year, Had all those same test done... everything came back normal. I felt ok after seeing my cardiologist. I still worry a little, when I’m working out I watch my heart rate closely.
My anexity has moved on though. Now I’m worried and convinced that I have a brain tumor or aneurysm. I’ve seen a nurologist, eye doctor many times, even went to the ER. No one will order an MRI, but they have all told me I’m fine. I don’t believe it. Something seems off and I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s mostly vision issues that are making me feel this way.
The point of telling you my story is that I’ve been told over and over again that your anxiety can cause symptoms.
Are you in any sort of counseling for your anxiety? I am, it’s helpful. I do wish the doctors would just do every test I think I need. I’ve been toying with the idea of going on Medicine, some anti anxiety meds, I hate that my heath is always worrying me.
From a 29 year old who lost her mom at 20 from lung cancer. Stop smoking!!!!! You will feel so much better all around if you stop!
I totally understand how you are feeling... health anxiety can and will control your life! I am only 18, pretty healthy and I still can’t stop thinking that something is seriously wrong with me especially after my uncle died unexpectedly and suddenly from a heart attack. I also had (and still sometimes have) chest pains that felt like a “fullness” in my chest and would run into my armpit/arm, ended up being from anxiety so my doctor says, and that spiraled me into a panic attack. Those are very scary as the symptoms often mimic heart attacks... but really it is all in our mind. Now I have headaches and I’m convinced I have a brain tumor. But those can also be from stress/anxiety. The mind is so powerful and anxiety manifests itself physically more often than not, adding to our worries. It is a vicious cycle.
Try to keep faith in all the people who told you you are fine. Especially the testing that all came back normal. It is so hard to believe, I know. You’re probably thinking “we missed something.” I know I do. I try to remember if something was seriously wrong with me, I would already be in the hospital, or I would be in EXCRUCIATING pain, having seizures, something way more serious... sometimes our minds just won’t let us think this way. It’s like one side is logic and the other side is “but what if..”
I would definitely recommend some life style changes. Smoking isn’t good for you, physically or mentally, and seems like it is adding to your worry. Maybe try replacing it with a different habit. I know how hard it is to quit. I started smoking when i was 16 (yuck) and just quit this year. I did it by replacing the habit with chewing gum.. every time I got a craving I just pop a piece of Extra in and try to forget about it. It’s hard, but if you really want it it will work. Try exercising. It is clinically proven to help depression and anxiety and gives you something else to focus on... yoga and meditation really work wonders, too. Try to keep your mind occupied. I also go to therapy which helps a bit to put my mind at ease. I hope you start to feel better soon.
I am the same as you! I had to stop wearing my Apple Watch because i was obsessing over my heart rate, always watching it and as soon as it seemed out of range for me I would freak out, making it even higher and sometimes putting me into a panic attack.
I now also believe I have a brain tumor. Everyone thinks I’m absolutely mad. I’m so happy there’s so many people on this site who get it. Sometimes I get frustrated because it seems like my doctor immediately dismisses my symptoms as anxiety... it’s like, how can you be so sure nothing else is wrong? I just started therapy, too. I’m glad it helps you a bit. I’m also thinking about medication... it worries me a lot though. Having health anxiety I am constantly worried about the side affects of all medication. I wish you the best and hope you begin to feel better soon!!!
Yes!!! I’m thankful for this site. It’s been helpful. Everyone thinks I’m crazy and I worry too much.
Doctors definitely look at me and just assume I’m perfectly fine. Which I probably am, but I am worried something is wrong. Isn’t that reason enough to run some test to make me feel better?
The meds worry me a lot too. There are SO many side effects. I just KNOW I will have them all.