milly
24-11-07, 10:03
Hi,
I am new to this site but have been suffering with hypochondria for about 5 months. In that time I have been checked for diabetes (twice), anaemia (twice), had a head x-ray and been to the opticians as well as numerous other sundry visits to the doctor, including one where I insisted he reassure me that I did not have a brain tumour.
My problem is now that I am in a cycle of anxiety. The first thing I do in the morning is remember the last 5 months which sets me off for the day. I am then on a treadmill of thinking about my bodily sensations non stop. Sometimes I get so worked up that I feel sick and dizzy, my GP gave me Lustral which I took for 8 days but had to stop. I felt awful and lost 10 lbs and was not happy at all on them. I want to beat this thing medication free and I know that stopping SSRI's after several months can increase anxiety so did not want that. I was then given Alprazolam and had 2 weeks of them. I have more but have not taken them, they are not the answer either. On Tuesday I start CBT and am so looking forward to it. I am ready to beat this but am EXHAUSTED by it. I was having panic feelings which put me off going out but went out anyway despite feeling apprehensive about doing so.
I had a bout of hypochondria about 13 years ago which lasted about a year. During that time I thought I had a bad heart, a brain tumour, cervical cancer and more and even had an ECG at hospital as well as blood tests. All clear but I spent the next year on Diazepam and beta blockers.
I am sorry to ramble but what I am trying to do is get rid of this once and for all. I have an absolute phobia of blood tests which does not help as I keep imaginging I will have to face this fear. Basically its a cycle of anxiety. I had a marvellous 3 days this week where I seemed to be free of this health anxiety but the surge of worry returned on Thursday. I have been doing a lot of diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation which has helped.
Who wants to join me in facing this full on? Its making a lot of people lives a misery. What are others experiences of CBT with this problem?
Basically I want my life back, I want to enjoy things and look forward to things without these ridiculous thoughts and sensations.
Thanks for hearing me out.
I am new to this site but have been suffering with hypochondria for about 5 months. In that time I have been checked for diabetes (twice), anaemia (twice), had a head x-ray and been to the opticians as well as numerous other sundry visits to the doctor, including one where I insisted he reassure me that I did not have a brain tumour.
My problem is now that I am in a cycle of anxiety. The first thing I do in the morning is remember the last 5 months which sets me off for the day. I am then on a treadmill of thinking about my bodily sensations non stop. Sometimes I get so worked up that I feel sick and dizzy, my GP gave me Lustral which I took for 8 days but had to stop. I felt awful and lost 10 lbs and was not happy at all on them. I want to beat this thing medication free and I know that stopping SSRI's after several months can increase anxiety so did not want that. I was then given Alprazolam and had 2 weeks of them. I have more but have not taken them, they are not the answer either. On Tuesday I start CBT and am so looking forward to it. I am ready to beat this but am EXHAUSTED by it. I was having panic feelings which put me off going out but went out anyway despite feeling apprehensive about doing so.
I had a bout of hypochondria about 13 years ago which lasted about a year. During that time I thought I had a bad heart, a brain tumour, cervical cancer and more and even had an ECG at hospital as well as blood tests. All clear but I spent the next year on Diazepam and beta blockers.
I am sorry to ramble but what I am trying to do is get rid of this once and for all. I have an absolute phobia of blood tests which does not help as I keep imaginging I will have to face this fear. Basically its a cycle of anxiety. I had a marvellous 3 days this week where I seemed to be free of this health anxiety but the surge of worry returned on Thursday. I have been doing a lot of diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation which has helped.
Who wants to join me in facing this full on? Its making a lot of people lives a misery. What are others experiences of CBT with this problem?
Basically I want my life back, I want to enjoy things and look forward to things without these ridiculous thoughts and sensations.
Thanks for hearing me out.