I didn’t really know where to turn to so thought this forum could be useful. To sum up my life is dominated by the C word - my father passed away with cancer and my mum then had breast cancer. For the past 8 years if I ever have any symptoms of an illness I really struggle to get things in to perspective?!! I go to Dr Google, I’m always trying to get reassurance and want to cry. I went to the Drs about this when episodes have got too much, I’ve had a panic attack when I had a nerve condition that took 6 months to diagnose, constant testing etc! Anyway as soon as the symptoms are diagnosed or go away then I’m normal again and carry on with life? I’ve got a 16 month old little boy now and it’s hard to not think negative outcomes when not well? I don’t want to not see him grow up etc?! Two weeks ago I developed constant burping and indigestion - I’m scared to go to the doctors about it and I’m sure my husband is fed up of me worrying about everything?! So in a nutshell I need help with ways to deal with these episodes of being scared of illness, doctors and tests etc? I hope this makes sense and someone can empathise with me as I feel I spend so many hours trying to deal with these feelings. I had an episode of these symptoms about 7 years ago! Thanks a worried new Mum!
First off I’m sorry for the loss of your dad as I’m sure that was very hard for you to deal with as well as your mom being diagnosed with breast cancer. I have been going through the same health anxiety problems for the past few months and have also had the indigestion and burping. One morning I woke up with extreme pressure under my breastbone area and constant burping and it caused me to go into a full blown panic attack and I ended up in the er. I am. I have lost twenty pounds over this time and I am scared to eat because of how it will make me feel. This had made me extremely depressed because I used to love food. I am also a mom to a little boy and I have the same thoughts to the point where I am always crying and worried and not enjoying the moment with him now. My advice is go to the doctor and see if you need acid reflux medication or if there is something you can change with your diet so you don’t need the Medication. I have suffered from acid reflux on and off over the years and never changed my diet (I love spicy and acidic foods) I would just take medicine and feel better but continue to eat the same and now I’m scared I overdid it and it’s too late to heal myself so I have a lot of guilt and regret with that and it adds to the anxiety and depression. Stress can do a lot to the body and cause you to be oversensitive to every sensation you feel. My doctors are convinced my indigestion feelings at this point are from anxiety and depression and want to put me on antidepressants which I am hesitant to do because I am scared of the side effects. I keep telling myself if I can feel better physically then I will stop being depressed and worried constantly. But This point because I have been worried for so long I don’t know what is what anymore.
you are exactly the same as me when it comes to the c word. i cant get the thoughts that ive got symptoms of cancer out of my head. like your husband i think my wife is slowly getting sick of me. my mum to has had breast cancer and is currently in remission so i know how you feel when it comes to this. i have been tryed on different medications for this with no success. ive started a new medication but im convinced it wont work for me. to me its like as soon as i see a couple of pounds come off on the scales i instantly think unitentional weight loss due to cancer. i hope one day i will get over this as i hope you do aswell.
If you are consumed with worry, see a therapist. If you have a anxiety/panic disorder, he/she can help you through it, support you and teach you how to accept it. Just like you take care of your body, you must take care of your mind. The sooner the better, and the reason I say this is because you have a little one and children pick up habits, ways of thinking, etc. from the parents. Some anxiety happens more when you are hormonal, or stressed. or have too much time on your hands, or witness or where involved in a traumatic event, etc. You will have to learn your triggers and learn ways to cope with anxiety. Anxiety does not go away. We need anxiety to survive. We just have to relearn how we think of it.