health anxiety - Anxiety Message Board

taximom · 05-24-2005, 07:28 AM

first I have to say that reading these post has made a huge difference in my life. I usually have trouble falling asleep (when most of my panic attacks occur, not to mentin the herky jerky fellings). this past week I haven't had any.

I think just knowing that so may others have mnay of the same symptoms that I have, makes such a difference. my biggest anxiety problem ( I still have many anxiety attacts) now is my Health. I just finished a complete physical, I feel he must have missed something, I too have gone through many many test and they all come up negative. Although I basiclly feel ok health wise, every little twinge, sore muscle, headache, lump and bump is fatal to me. How I can I get through this?? medical websites are my favorite.

My husband is absolutely no help at all. he thingks I'm nuts( and a hypochondriac) My 15 yr old daughter is a big help, but I try so hard to get away from her when I am going to have an attack.

should I go back to the DR? I am afraid he will get mad at me. any advise??

malibu82 · 05-24-2005, 07:52 AM

Hi taximom, I know exactly what you are going through. Please go back to your doctor if you are still wracked with worry. I'm like part of the furniture in my doctors surgery but sometimes you need that extra bit of reassurance to let you get on with things.

I'm the same about my health. Every little thing must be terminal. Anything out of the ordinary and I automatically think I have got cancer and nothing can reassure me that I haven't until I get total reassurance from a doctor, or until another worry overtakes the first worry!

You probably know yourself that looking up symptoms is a bad idea. I have done it thousands of times and only ever made myself feel worse. You never get any reassurance looking up things on the internet. For every good thing there always seems to be 10 bad things.

Its a shame that your husband can't support you more. He probably doesn't understand. It can be hard for my partner to understand as well. He says he knows I'm fine so why can't I please stop worrying and enjoy live? Its so easy said isn't it?

It is so good that your daughter is there to support you. Let her help you like you would help her if she had a problem. You obviously have a good mother/daughter relationship, you should be proud of yourself for that.

I probably haven't been much help as I am in exactly the same boat as you, but just thought I would give you my support. xx

michaeldallas · 05-24-2005, 08:39 AM

Hi Malibu, I would love to talk to you about health anxiety--mine came on about a month ago, convinced I am HIV positive. Things are getting better, but I tend to self diagnose based on symptoms, and it is tearing me up inside--my wife is probably starting to think im crazy. I have had every symptom in the book--sweating, aches, pains, achy joints, sore throat, sore lymph nodes, trembling, loss of appetite, shaky, sharp pains throughout my body at random times, etc. I am still concerned, but after reading a number of posts, I am starting to feel like it might be in my head. But, like I said, still worried!!!!!!!!! Have you ever experienced this?

Michael

malibu82 · 05-24-2005, 09:27 AM

Hey michaeldallas, I'm like that all the time! I have had countless symptoms and every time I think it is something terminal. The very first thing I seriously worried about, like you, was HIV. I was convinced I had it. That was 2 years ago and I have been on a health anxiety roller coaster since then!

I have had every symptom that you mentioned. Even when I start to get it under control and start to realise that a certain symptom is just down to anxiety I still really worry. Its like it never leaves me.

I would be glad to talk to you any time about it. x

michaeldallas · 05-24-2005, 11:19 AM

Hi Malibu, thank you so much for the reply. I think I have started to realize that it could be due to anxiety, but like you said, it still worries me constantly. The sore throat, painful nodes, sharp pains all over, that is what really freaks me out. It is starting to really control my life, and I cant have that. So you had all of these symptoms? Were you ever in a position to possibly contract HIV, or was it completely in your head? Please let me know when you get a chance, like I said, I would love to discuss further, it really helps.

Thanks,

Michael