Does anyone else suffer from health anxiety thinking they have awful things wrong with them all the time and think there must be something else going on as all these symptoms are so horrible ? It,s awful.
Lou as you say theres so many horrible symptoms its easy to match them up with other health issues. Most good doctors would rule out other things first to conclude it is indeed the menapause. I do understand where your coming from though.
Sue x
Hi Lou, For years I thought I had health anxiety, and as a result did not go to the doc at all for a while as I thought he would laugh at me. Finally plucked up courage and found I had several medical conditions that needed medications and operations. Don't worry without going to see a Doctor. My Doctor told me that part of their job is to allay patients fears. It is natural to get anxious about our health when things go wrong. If you have any symptoms get them checked out and do not worry about worrying. Goodluck
Hi Lou
Yes I suffer with this badly, I constantly keep thinking I'm gonna have a heart attack with every little ache and pain I get it's ridiculous, I'm getting it checked out with the doctors, as I'm not that badly overweight, but it's a awful thing in my head and won't go away
L x
Oh yes! In the past 12 months I've "had" skin cancer, breast cancer, schizophrenia, dementia, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, stroke, brain tumour. No wonder I'm in a state...!! I think it is because I've reached that age where I realise I no longer have youth on my side, I live alone and my work involves seeing tragic things/ death on a regular basis, such that it feels like it is the norm.
I do sympathise. You're right, it is awful! I think you just have to find coping mechanisms and find what works for you. I'm trying. Not easy, but I am thankful that I am surrounded my good family and friends and this forum and people who genuinely care. hang on in there, 😊x
Yes Lou.... It's awful....you are not alone far from it! It's ongoing for such a long time that it's sometimes hard to believe what we have to go through to get out the other side 😳 but it is good to know we can talk about it, our worries & concerns, sharing what we think and trying to help others who are going through the same. Big hugs to you xx
Well said Bubbins... Very true! We put ourselves through further misery trying to understand it all 💞
Hi Chrisy, I am pleased that you had the courage to seek help and you had a good doctor to help you, but I feel I can,t keep going back - it was 18 months ago I had a borderline cyst 20cms plus removed that was missed by GP for a whole summer getting biger and bigger until I demanded a scan, big operation followed and then CT scan, tumor marker tests, internal scans, ultrasounds for past 18 months the last one being 2 months ago. Had a letter from hospital fortnight ago saying that because last results were so good I no longer need any more observation and the hospital are very pleased that all things are good and no more appointments, which of course is great news. I went to GP to discuss my anxietys to be told basically that it,s time to move on and put it all in the past now, which to a point is true - but because I feel so awful ( surgical menopause ) I am sure there must be other things wrong with me, this was a massive thing for me in the first place as nobody believed there was anything wrong in the beginning. I don,t think the hospspital could have been any more thorough, my last scan I had a massive panic attack terrified of what they might find, I just can,t get over this and feel like I am going mad inside, it,s all getting a bit much to deal with - i will probably be awake all night googling away everything I can think of that could be wrong and one symptom leads to another online and it goes on and on and on, its a complete nightmare x
I know the feeling ,it'such a feeling of dread and just being scared all the time. I would make my poor husband take me to the emergency room about three times a week. It's not to bad now I have calm down a lot.
How did you get over your fears ? I,m so glad that you have calmed down, I really wish I could x
Hi Lou86
I have this. I know. This is awful.I've been like this for years, recently I'm tryong mindfulness trying to focus my mind something else, not about my health. This is difficult to do than said, but worth trying.
I really feel for you especially in your job, that is very hard to deal with. I am glad though that you have coping mechanisms I wish I did, I have panic attacks also and can,t cope with things very well, anything I have to deal with sends me into panic mode, any shocks or scary news - I even read the obituary colums in my local paper and scare myself that it will be me next, how depressing is that, I think there is something very wrong with me and its embarrasing aswell, hubby gets cross with me and tells me to stop being so negative all the time, he just doesn,t get it x
It just stop, it's been about three years that I have not felt it coming on. It started when turned 52 am 56 now so I've think a subsided already, cause I have been pretty calm now.
Lou~
I relate 100%!!! It's easy to develop health anxiety when we do, in fact, have various symptoms that seem like they stem from other, more serious things. I was terrified by heart palps I was having- and did the whole cardiologist work up and am healthy. I was having brain fog, dizziness, even what feels like vision changes- neurologists checked everything and I'm healthy. I've had sleep disturbances (trouble staying asleep and getting "good" sleep) and get hot flashes- my GP isn't overly concerned. My cycles have shortened- and again, my dr isn't worried about it.
The symptoms are verifiable and are truly there- but none lead to a serious condition which leaves me with assuming perimenopause. I just wish doctors were better about acknowledging and affirming the symptoms as hormonal, mid-life changes and not leave us guessing and googling!!!
Most Drs just say "your fine" or give out anti-anxiety meds.
This leaves us still guessing and googling symptoms.
It would go A LONG WAY if Drs would say "yes! Those symptoms can, and likely do, add up to (peri)menopause!"
It's the lack of affirmation and education on hormonal changes that is leaving patients scared.
Even though I hate these symptoms, just knowing it could all be hormonal really provides relief. Better than thinking I'm dying!
So glad you are feeling better, I really feel like this is how it will be forever and to be honest I think I really am going mad at times, this surgigal menopause is not fun at all and hope to goodness it gets better, tonight is really bad and feel like going to A and E, but how can I when I think they will think I have gone mad, its a hopeless situation right now, I have been given the all clear from the hospital but in my head I,m thinking they just said that to get rid of me because I,m so annoying ! thats where my head is at right now x
The only thing that I can tell you is that there is light on the other side of the tunnel. You have to be strong because it will mess with your mind . Good luck and you will be OK.
Agree I wish GP,s understood more, I have all the sympoms you describe, mind blowing anxiety ALL the time, just been told to " move on and be grateful" huh allright for them to say that. I have to say the hospital were very kind and lovely to me, but these life changes are almost to hard to cope with - I wish I had a doctor living with me that could put my mind at rest 24/7 and I could ask questions all day and night, oh what a mess this all is x
Thank you for that, I am glad you have positive thoughts and I really will try to think positive it,s just so hard, thank you for kind words x
Poor love, we are all here to support each other, there are lots of lovely ladies on this site who advise vitamins, ect, you are not alone, we have or are having the same problems, our Grandmothers, Mum's, ancestors, did it cold turkey remember!!! Xxxx
Yes would be lost without you all to talk to and know I,m not on my own, thank you x