Amanda3266
15-01-08, 09:40
Longish post here so apologies but I am suffering from dreadful health anxiety and panic attacks at the moment. For some reason I have convinced myself that I have something major wrong with me even though I have no symptoms to speak of except the anxiety and panic symptoms listed on the "Symptoms" page - worst is the hot flash/burning sensation after which I just feel real terror. At it's worst the anxiety is paralyzing and I can hardly get on with the day.
My Mum suffered from this for years but is now a changed woman since taking Seroxat which has been a wonder drug for her (but which did not help me). I have always worried about little symptoms and health problems but it's never felt this out of control before.
The worst stuff started after I had my son 5 years ago and started experiencing severe chest pain which felt like severe indigestion spread all over my back - this turned out to be gall stones and I had my gall bladder out. Unfortunately before this was diagnosed I had too many doctors telling me I was depressed and experiencing anxiety indigestion.
I used to get the hot flashes then as well and in time put it down to my Liver Function Tests being abnormal - which they were because of the gall stones (which probably was NOT the cause of the hot flashing as I was also experiencing panic then as well).
Last weekend I went out with my hubby and drank too much wine - felt hungover the next day and had a hot flash which freaked me out as I thought I must have damaged my liver - since then I have been getting them daily - mostly in the morning as by evening when I have calmed down I feel normal and don't get them at all. I am also symptom free at work when my mind is occupied with other things.
My Mum says that there is nothing wrong with me except anxiety and panic attacks. Mine are so similar to what she experienced that she can practically describe the timings of them and everything.
Part of me feels I should have all the blood tests done to reassure myself but am too scared in case they show anything up. My Mum says that having the blood tests would be brave but that they are unnecessary as I am not ill but I cannot convince myself of that and I am noting every little twinge and ache. What I fear is cancer (I lost an acquaintance to liver cancer 7 years ago). I have none of the symptoms she did but this is what I am fearing.
It didn't help that I came back to work after Christmas to find that one of my young Mums (I'm a health visitor) had died suddenly and unexpectedly(a rare event) from a blood clot in her lung.
My GP has given me Venlafaxine tabs and some Diazepam (for emergencies only) and I have to go back and see him in two weeks. I've only been on the Venlafaxine for 5 days so far and I know it'll be a couple of weeks before they kick in.
Should I face my fears and book in for the blood tests - I had a Well Woman check about 3 years ago when all these tests were done (and were all normal) - to my knowledge the only thing I suffer with now is raised blood pressure.
Help me - I think I am going crazy with this and I just want to feel normal again.
My Mum suffered from this for years but is now a changed woman since taking Seroxat which has been a wonder drug for her (but which did not help me). I have always worried about little symptoms and health problems but it's never felt this out of control before.
The worst stuff started after I had my son 5 years ago and started experiencing severe chest pain which felt like severe indigestion spread all over my back - this turned out to be gall stones and I had my gall bladder out. Unfortunately before this was diagnosed I had too many doctors telling me I was depressed and experiencing anxiety indigestion.
I used to get the hot flashes then as well and in time put it down to my Liver Function Tests being abnormal - which they were because of the gall stones (which probably was NOT the cause of the hot flashing as I was also experiencing panic then as well).
Last weekend I went out with my hubby and drank too much wine - felt hungover the next day and had a hot flash which freaked me out as I thought I must have damaged my liver - since then I have been getting them daily - mostly in the morning as by evening when I have calmed down I feel normal and don't get them at all. I am also symptom free at work when my mind is occupied with other things.
My Mum says that there is nothing wrong with me except anxiety and panic attacks. Mine are so similar to what she experienced that she can practically describe the timings of them and everything.
Part of me feels I should have all the blood tests done to reassure myself but am too scared in case they show anything up. My Mum says that having the blood tests would be brave but that they are unnecessary as I am not ill but I cannot convince myself of that and I am noting every little twinge and ache. What I fear is cancer (I lost an acquaintance to liver cancer 7 years ago). I have none of the symptoms she did but this is what I am fearing.
It didn't help that I came back to work after Christmas to find that one of my young Mums (I'm a health visitor) had died suddenly and unexpectedly(a rare event) from a blood clot in her lung.
My GP has given me Venlafaxine tabs and some Diazepam (for emergencies only) and I have to go back and see him in two weeks. I've only been on the Venlafaxine for 5 days so far and I know it'll be a couple of weeks before they kick in.
Should I face my fears and book in for the blood tests - I had a Well Woman check about 3 years ago when all these tests were done (and were all normal) - to my knowledge the only thing I suffer with now is raised blood pressure.
Help me - I think I am going crazy with this and I just want to feel normal again.