Over the past 4 or 5 months my health anxiety is back in full swing. Terrified of the pre conception that every ache or pain, missed breath, bowel movement, stomach gurgle and panic attack is something thats going to kill me. A serious disease. Those who suffer know exaclty what i mean. Prior to this i was great for 9 months afyer what was 1 year of panic and countless tests and doctor visits who said o was healthy.
Latest symptom has got me, i consider myself healthy, workout 5 days a week, eat healthy, dont drink a lot ans dont smoke. I had a 30 minute stabbing pain in my chest, paramedics came out, checked with EKG, blood pressure etc, said it was textbook for a healthy heart, recommenses bloods, had those and waiting for results.
As i write this, its 3 am and ive woke up with sheer panic, freezing cold, tingling down both arms and face, shaking with terror. Wake up, get up, shaking....after some time, start to warm up, start to relax, but damage done, another thing to add to my list. Doctors call is imminent. Scared to go back to bed.
Seeing a therapist, helps, but i would need to see her daily to have the impact i need. I am stuck ans dont know what to do next, guess i am looking for advice from anyone suffering, i am 31 and losing control of my young life.
Hi
I undersand. I have beentrough this myself. I never want to go back there again honestly. I think I was also suffering PTSD from the original anxiety which in fact was triggered off by an infection.
It is really weird why these things happen and how they can affect us. I say that because even accidentally finding out that I had had ovarian cancer many years ago did not throw me into such panic and afraid of going to bed/sleep.
However three years ago I started with what I now recognise as being health anxiety.
You are right when you say that unless or until it happens to an individual that one cannot appreciate what it is all like.
What helped me was getting support from various sources including this forum. Getting support from the Samaritans just to talk things through and to shut out the feelings of anxiety, isolation etc. Tel no is 116 1234 freephone too!
Also phoning a crisis line who said that I did not fulfill the criteria for an emergency but kindly listened to me and advised me on Mindfulness, Distraction and Relaxation techniques.Sleep hyjiene , changing my routine , exercise.
Each person I spoke to had a different approach and response however the pattern emerging was to relax, distract, change routine, unwind before bedtime, drink hot milk to relax-I find this very beneficial and effective, to take baby steps, to change GP who in actual fact was causing a lot of my anxiety by his personality.
I did not change theGP but changed MY atitude towards his negativity and rely on positive drs now.
Hope this helps.
Hi, I suffer the exact same. How are you doing now?
Forgot to mention that my health anxiety was due to an over active thyroid and a low vitamin D disorder.
Hi Jane,
I suffer because I had a panic attack in work 3 years ago and had to be taken by ambulance to hospital. It was
Terrifying I thought I was dying, so now every ache and pain I feel is heart related. Been for many tests and to A and E a few times. Try to stay positive but sometimes it takes over. I try many different approaches, I'll keep trying. I've not tried hot milk before, I'll try that one! 😊
Hi again
I went to a private endocrinologist who DID do the full range of blood tests and came up with a severe vitamin D deficiecy and Hyperthyroidism.
Low vitamin D interferes with the calcium levels in the blood wwhich interferes with the healthy functioning of every cell in the body.
Hi Jane,
I was sent to endocrinology but not sure how many tests they carried out on me. I know they said I had raised prolactin due to stress but that was all. I may ask the Dr to send me back, thanks for letting me know about that. Everything is worth a try! 👍🏻
reply awaiing moderation but don't know why!
Hannah Tried to reply but sent for moderating. If you have high prolactin levels this is treated with vaious drugs etc.
Hi Jane,
When my prolactin level was retested it had come down. They put it down to stress. I think I do just suffer badly with stress and anxiety but my Dr is sending me back to endocrinology in the next few weeks 👍🏻
Possibly treat with adrenal support medication but best done under strict medical supervision.Please be careful with these supplements it is always best to consult your dr about these recommended supplements because of interactions your dr has access to your Records and we do not.
It would be handy and interesting if you could get print outs of results and post them. It is of course enturely your decision.
Thanks Jane,
I'll mention it to my Dr, thanks 👍🏻
Hi again Hannah Stress levekls are best done several times a day according to my endo. He sent me for saliva testing, at least he ordered teststrips for saliva testing tobe done about three times a day to get an overall picture. If you google cortisol testing and adrenal stres/fatigue you will get lots of info.