do not underestimate health anxiety [Archive]

mike_coventry_uk

23-06-11, 13:45

i wanted to share a story with you guys on how health anxiety has affected my life and why you should all take a step back from what your experiencing and try to rationalise!!

i am a sufferer of health anxiety for 2 years(altho i had a 8 month period of been ok) for me the main trigger is cancer. i have a strong family history of cancer,nan(lung),pops(throat)aunty(lung),mum(breas t). so i have reason to worry some might say?

almost 3 yrs ago i thought i found a lump in my testicle and after seeing 3 medical pros could not shake the fear tht they all must be wrong,little did i know 2 n half years later i would be here still feeling the same. in tht time i have had,lung,testicular,throat,brain and skin cancers.

it all came to a head 2 months ago when the symptoms of brain tumour had me feeling suicidal.my gp reffered me to neuro and had a ct scan on monday gone. the results are back and i am fine!!

what i am saying is 'anxiety is the enemy. it can make u feel every symptom of almost every disease in the book. do not be scared of it because it will not kill you! if you focus on anything enough you will create a pain there.as my cbt doc said 'think about it when u swallow....try it? how hard does it make it? the mind is so powerful and believe me anything is possible!

all of you ppl on here who are worried i have some advice,and its rich coming from me but it really has to happen to free urself.

1, steer clear of dr google. the internet is full of ppl who are not med pros scaring the life out of the likes of you and me

2,get cbt and or meds. citalopram is an amazing drug and i can give you any info u need on it.

3 use the putting off technique. if your about to book up a gp appointment,stop and tell urself i will do it tmoro,by then u mite not need it.

4,fill your life with things you enjoy,its too easy to avoid the things u like cause of anxiety. i love football but sme days couldnt force myself to go....but i did!!!

5,look after the people closest to you,its a massive strain to live with an anxiety sufferer. the constant body checking and internet surfing can drive them mad. they want to help you! listen to what they say because 9 times out of 10 they will be right in this instance!!

6,most importantly.believe in yourself. 'THIS IS NOT YOUR LIFE.YOU CAN BEAT ANXIETY. LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND SAY IT TO YOURSELF. if you feel angry get a dartboard pin the word anxiety and throw darts at it all day!!

the line from my cbt tht means the most ' when your 70 looking back on life you dont want to feel you have wasted it worrying' course none of us know ow long we have and what life holds but what we do know is here and now your alive and your healthy and tht little monkey on your back called anxiety CAN BE SHAKEN OFF!

have faith in yourselves and good luck with the fight! :hugs:

londonchris

23-06-11, 14:06

Super post Mike, thanks for coming on here and sharing your story with us.

I agree you're 100% right that we must stop worrying constantly because we're wasting the very thing we crave so much - our lives!

As I keep saying, better to live a day as a lion than a hundred years as a sheep! :yesyes:

flobrien

23-06-11, 14:08

Nice post Mike. I too am a fellow HA sufferer and man you are so right about how powerful the mind is to create these very real symptoms, and 9 out 10 times thats all they are is symptoms not the beginning of a terminal illness.

Thanks for some great pointers there, I am very keen to kick anxiety in the kahunas quite frankly it has taken over enough of my life already. I tell myself that statement everyday i.e. not looking back at 70 still healthy yet living in fear and wasting all those years worrying about something that may never happen. Ridding ourselves of HA is a tough and long road but like you say something that is very possible to do, I think if I put as much time and effort into curing myself as I do looking for health issues etc I'd be a very happy lady!

I am very interested in CBT but are yet to find someone locally. I have been quite adverse to trying meds but you talk of the benefits of cit. are there many side effects, I am almost at the stage of needing something desperately as it is taking over my life and getting the way of me being a good wife and mother.

Thanks again Mike, well said.

fi :yesyes:

mike_coventry_uk

23-06-11, 14:13

fi, citalopram for me had very few side effects,obviously every1 is different but when i was taking them it turned my life around. i only took a small dose of 20mg daily and had no side effects other than a dry mouth. the worse of the side effects r day 1-7 but if u can do it i really think its worthy. i had cbt with the meds and cbt is a godsend everything i learn about fighting anxiety is thru tht! you can contact mind direct who might be able to help i sel reffered myself 2nd time round without need of gp.

thanks for your reply and good luck x

sophiethestar

23-06-11, 16:54

Thank you :)

MinnieMouse

23-06-11, 17:08

Hi Mike

Thanks for a really positive post. You've made some good points about how to rid us of the gremlins. Health anxiety is a cruel master / mistress and I personally am exhausted mentally and physically. I don't want any more of my life to be poisoned by this condition so I aim to be more positive moving forwards. Let's kick its a**!!!!

Flobrien, I can totally relate. My daughter is two and I don't want her to be influenced by what's happening to me and my husband is losing patience with me (his mum has had anxiety issues for decades so he has just become immune to it). I see a CBT therapist privately and it does add up (another source of anxiety as I am only working one day a week) and she mixes up Bach flower remedies according to my needs at the time. Another good tip is to get a CBT book from the library - I've done that too as I had to cut down my therapist visits due to cost.

Take care everyone

MMx

Liliana83

23-06-11, 20:22

Great post, kudos!

mike_coventry_uk

23-06-11, 21:16

Thanx for the great comments guys. Soooo many posts on ere about symptoms and illness but ow many of us post about feeling better or don't something to combat anxiety?

To back up point 4 I made earlier I have just come in from playing five a side footie,60 mins of smething I enjoy very much. Get out there guys and enjoy ur lives :)

Were along time dead remember!

Jemski

24-06-11, 13:04

Great post. Sometimes you need to hear this stuff from a fellow sufferer to kick start your motivation and know its possible. THANK YOU. keep on enjoying life x

mike_coventry_uk

28-06-11, 19:27

after a positive week last week i am back on the worrying again,lymphoma this time. waitin on more test results :(

i am soooo determined to beat this tho :)

looking4answers

28-06-11, 21:31

Amen...I hear you....:)

s11fyx

28-06-11, 22:27

thanks this post is fab i have awful ha after my dad had a heart attack after years of test and retets by different consultant who all say im healthy i still check my pulse and feel i need to go to the doctors im waiting in starting cbt soon.

i logged in here tonight after having a bit of a set back this tonight id managed three weeks with out checking my pulse which is ace for me, this post has really made me feel positive aboiut thingsx

mike_coventry_uk

29-06-11, 09:49

guys,

i am so glad that you have taken some comfort from this post. its all too easy to spend your time going thru symptoms but look at the larger picture. we all think the same but all of us are healthy its just the power of the mind making us think differently!

keep thinking positive and enjoy your lives. :)

kah

29-06-11, 12:59

Great post, I had tears in my eyes because I so desperately want my life back. I want to be able to play with my children instead of sitting looking at the computer all day. For me it's getting over that 'what if this time there really is something wrong', but your post as inspired me and I will win the fight!!

Thank you xx

krissybabes

29-06-11, 14:34

Well done and thanks for this amazing post! Certainly made me feel a bit better anyway. The mind is one powerful thing!! :)

carlos2011

29-06-11, 14:40

Great post, I need this reality check sometimes..

mike_coventry_uk

20-01-12, 22:30

After been feeling down and relapsing I bought myself back to this post I put up sometime ago!

It made me feel slightly better so thought I woud bring it back to the front page for people to benefit! Anxiety is the real cancer causing us all to live half full lives! Read and be positive! We are a long time dead lets be happy and positive while we're here! :)

Jo1981

21-01-12, 08:48

Great post it has brought comfort in what your saying..Thank you x

Elen

21-01-12, 09:03

Mike what a fab post.

I am not a sufferer of health anxiety myself, but I meet loads of people on here.

It is helpful to hear your side of things.

Good luck in tackling your demons hun

Elen

LizeeeH

21-01-12, 10:54

mike_coventry_uk

21-01-12, 12:15

Hi Mike great post:D

You have just described me!!!!

The computer is a marvellous thing but Dr Goole is BAD!!!! its caused me sooooooooooo much stress you wouldnt believe!!!! or perhaps you would:) Most of my family have died from cancer, my dad, uncles and aunties BUT lets face it 100's of years ago they were dying of it then.......dr's just didnt know it!
I've had all the cancers you can imagine......bladder.....bowel.....skin.......bone and now Im back to breast! and the reason Im back to breast cancer is cos Im supposed to go for a 3 yearly mammogram in a couple of weeks, so Im checking myself about 10 times a day:blush:.......I know what you guys have said that I MUST go for this mammogram but the stress and anxiety its causing me is just too much:weep: also Im really not due until april and at the mo my mum is really ill.....my divorce settlement is getting really nasty:mad: and I dont feel Im in the right frame of mind to have to worry about mammograms too:weep:

Sorry that your going through a lot of ifs stresses! When I had my cbt he said that if you add all the stresses together you can see why anxiety is caused! If you can hold off with the mammogram then do so until your feeling more positive! Do not worry about breast cancer I know you don have it!

I too have lost my mother,nan,auntie and grandad to various cancers so I worry due to this but we can't afford to let this ruin life! Chances r u will live to 80+ and be looking back thinking how anxiety wasted your life!

My advice..... Get out and enjoy ur self! Take care of ur mum if u can and make sometime for ur self! I lost my mum a year ago and it devastated me but I deat with it! U have to seek that inner strength to be strong and get the support from your loved ones!

As for the divorce settlement....... Fcuk him! There is prob a good reason ur not with him! Short term pain but remember once it's sorted ur clear of him n the shitt!

Hope u feel better placed soon and thanks for reading the post!

MIke

Carys

21-01-12, 12:45

To back up point 4 I made earlier I have just come in from playing five a side footie,60 mins of smething I enjoy very much. Get out there guys and enjoy ur lives :smile:So so true ! Great stuff to read Mike.

13 years ago I came to decision, at my very lowest, that...ok I might be about to die very shortly...(I wasn't as it happened, I wasn't even ill lol) and if that was the case then I needed to enjoy today as if it was my last day. I was going to smile, love people, eat, do things I liked and 'feel' the world around me, make people remember me as smiling at the end rather than fearful, anxious and desperate.

I carried on like that for days and days and then realised that I was still there and the symptoms were subsiding. Of course you can't go on living each day as if it were your last, it is blimmin tiring and you need to make future plans too; but you can adopt the attitude that you are going to make the most of what you have here and now and not worry about later in the day, the next day etc.

Keep up the good work Mike, really nice to read some positive attitudes. :yesyes: I'm off now for my third hour of cleaning out the greenhouse, and I prefer the thought of that to 60 mins of football, which sounds like a nightmare scenario to me. ;o)))

mike_coventry_uk

21-01-12, 13:00

So so true ! Great stuff to read Mike.

13 years ago I came to decision, at my very lowest, that...ok I might be about to die very shortly...(I wasn't as it happened, I wasn't even ill lol) and if that was the case then I needed to enjoy today as if it was my last day. I was going to smile, love people, eat, do things I liked and 'feel' the world around me, make people remember me as smiling at the end rather than fearful, anxious and desperate.

I carried on like that for days and days and then realised that I was still there and the symptoms were subsiding. Of course you can't go on living each day as if it were your last, it is blimmin tiring and you need to make future plans too; but you can adopt the attitude that you are going to make the most of what you have here and now and not worry about later in the day, the next day etc.

Keep up the good work Mike, really nice to read some positive attitudes. :yesyes: I'm off now for my third hour of cleaning out the greenhouse, and I prefer the thought of that to 60 mins of football, which sounds like a nightmare scenario to me. ;o)))

I wish people would read the stories like this cause there are positives too on here! Enjoy the greenhouse! :) and enjoy the rest of ur anxiety free life :)

mike_coventry_uk

19-02-12, 11:33

Refreshed this to the top of the forum incase ppl missed it last time.....

So important to believe you can beat this.....

Anyone needing support or questions on cbt get in touch!

Good luck

Mike

pearl79

19-02-12, 11:37

excellent advice for us HA sufferers .... cheers Mike x

19-02-12, 13:41

mike_coventry_uk

19-02-12, 13:49

Wow what a post so proud of you , I could not agree more , mike my anxieties are health related and like you fear the cancer , I even avoid posters with it on I don't know why. No one thank god in my family ever had it . I think it's from tv ads and magazines throwing it in our face's more than any other disease. But I ll be damned if anxiety will rule me I will rule it .
Great post Mike
Hugs from Zoe xxx

With no family history I seriously wouldn't over think things and worry! Your right about tv playing a part, soaps showing cancer and stories of people living with cancer but...... This does not mean you will die of cancer!

Anxiety will cause everything that points to a serious problem but that problem is exactly that...anxiety!

Life is precious so we can't waste it! Just believe wha the drs say! And with their help and self help it will be overcome!

Mike x

Gaspa79

19-02-12, 17:35

6,most importantly.believe in yourself. 'THIS IS NOT YOUR LIFE.YOU CAN BEAT ANXIETY. LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND SAY IT TO YOURSELF. if you feel angry get a dartboard pin the word anxiety and throw darts at it all day!!
:hugs:

+1

I did this on my own and it actually helps.

mike_coventry_uk

13-04-12, 10:57

Anyone who missed this before?

Just think its important to put anxiety into perspective from time to time!

Read and believe!!!!

(I know I drag this back to the forum,apologies just want new posters to read and anyone who may have missed it) :)

Mike

honeyb

13-04-12, 11:13

mike_coventry_uk

13-04-12, 11:21

Thanks Mike for this post it's great, i'm new and your post gave me hope. Some days i just get on and try and put it to the back of my mind but its hard. My biggest downfall is google, i work on computers and everytime i get a slight twinge or feeling that's it i'm straight on google dianosing myself with fatal illnesses. I was on medication about 7 years ago and got better but now its back and i can't face going back to the Drs because i don't want to sit and cry in front of them, post days i cry because i'm convinced i'm dying. Anyway just wanted to say that i will try your advice, because anything has to be better than this.

Hi, I am sorry your going through a hard time and relapsing! When you put a symptom into google it will auto throw you to worse case, I.e I coughed a tiny bit of blood once and googled,,,,hey presto I had lung cancer!

Avoid google at all costs,these sites are non regulated and mostly non British based!

Have you considered cbt?

Try to be positive! All these 000's of people on here, are still here and alive,anxiety will not kill you! I have lived with this years but I am making the most of my life!

Mike x

miss sparkle

13-04-12, 11:52

hi mike.
a great post, sorry you are having doubts again :-\
Can i just ask, how do you get all the tests done?
every time i have been to the doctors, they are reluctant to do anything!
x

honeyb

13-04-12, 12:07

mike_coventry_uk

13-04-12, 12:55

hi mike.
a great post, sorry you are having doubts again :-\
Can i just ask, how do you get all the tests done?
every time i have been to the doctors, they are reluctant to do anything!
x

I think in truth it was because I was going to the gp 3 times weekly,docs are reluctant to refer to specialists because...

1, they believe nothing is wrong in the first place
2, it feeds the anxiety,waiting for referrals and test results sends the anxiety sky high
3,after you have a test and get the all clear, anxiety will make you believe something else is wrong I.e after my ct scan to confirm I had no brain tumor I then thought I had lymphoma. Docs can't send u to a spepecialist every time!
4, they are looking to treat the anxiety not the phantom illness we believe we have!

Have you asked the doc about cbt? Or meds?

blueangel

13-04-12, 13:01

I found CBT to be very helpful, I have to say. Also, the guy I saw for it has done mindfulness meditation and gave me a bit of instruction on that as well. Some of the really important things I learnt were:

* rationalising my fears - which included working out the probability of something awful being wrong with me (which most of the time, is pretty low)
* accepting that I have anxiety and moving on - there is no such thing as a complete "cure" for anxiety, as if we didn't have any, we'd all end up dead as we'd walk out in front of cars
* accepting that anxiety is a natural response, and learning to manage it
* accepting that there are some things in life that we just can't change, no matter what we do about them

candy_floss

13-04-12, 13:26

Thanks Mike

I did see a counsellor a couple of years ago and it worked for a while, but i've had a stressful few months and it's all started up again. I get really frustrated, because the Drs keep giving me books to read on anxiety and i just got straight to the symptoms. I just have a huge problem in believing that anxiety can make me feel so awful.

The power of the mind terrifies me.
I've posted this story before because it really helps to put things into perspective.
At the beginning of this year the joint under my arm slipped out of position. I didn't know this was what it was at the time and instead entertained the idea of lymphoma and breast cancer. As soon as the scan showed the problem was just my joint, all the pain magically stopped and the doctor told me that typically there was no pain acosiated with this condition - basically it had all been in my head.
Just like those 'heart attacks' I kept thinking I was having when I was a teenager - even with pain travelling down my left arm.
Anxiety can feel terrible and I frequently try and tell myself that when I'm in the midst of completely freaking out but it's hard to rationalise sometimes :weep:.

Mitzybx

05-05-12, 11:50

Thank you so much for posting this I often think I am going mad and my husband certainly as the raw end of the deal with my anxiety..... I felt I was alone till randomly googling symptoms and finding no more panic! Thanks so much for the positive foot up the bottom much needed xxxx:blush:

milicent

15-05-12, 16:43

I think any sort of "obsessive" thoughts or behaviour are about control-I don't mean acting like a dictator-but if we are hypervigilant about symptoms then we can stop the outcome.The outcome of not controlling will be chaos .
Most of us will have had a close relative get or die of someting horrible I have and I can remember the feeling of "I can't do anything about this to really help" it didn't matter how good you were or how hard you tried the outcome was the same.

xfilme

15-05-12, 17:55

I agree with flobrian. I spent a long time googling symptoms of disease in the name of "preventative knowledge" and my Health Anxiety went off the scale. Over the years, since hitting that point, I started puttin all my efforts into curing myself instead of my symptoms. Most of my symptoms are undeniably there, but the fact is, my super-honed disease detector that had becom my mind seemed to turn any noticed function into a death sentence.

In my journey to beat it, Ive tried CBT (which solved the massive majority of my issues), meditation, breathing techniques, EFT, self help, relaxation music, distraction techniques, medication, self help books, exercise, nutrition and sound masking.

If all the things Ive tried, only a few have been valuable in overcoming Health Anxiety. Firstly, and most importantly, CBT. CBT is not a wonder cure, but for anyone who has a keen interest in how things work, this could be very beneficial for you. Its simple in principle and can be applied to any kind of problem in any kind of situation. Secondly, self-help books. Yeah I know, 'how can a book change my mind?' well they can. For those of you who wish to have CBT buy not see a therapist, for whatever reason, get a copy of Chris Williams "Overcoming Anxiety - using CBT". Its the book that most UK CBT therapists use for setting the homework. It covers everything from phobias and health anxiety, to agoraphobia and panic disorder. Its a work book so it requires total interaction whilst learning in the form of questions and answers. Very good book.

Another beneficial move is to look at what you are eating. Its easy to get IBS, acid reflux, water retention, and heart flutters and call it anxiety, when it can so easily be lack of sufficient amino acids or lack or vitamin b. Get some high quality multivitamins from Holland & Barratt or somewhere and give your body what it needs.

Lastly, and most importantly, exercise. I know its boring to many of us, but many of out problems in health could also be in fitness. I hate exercise myself, but Ive taken to jogging daily. Taking up exercise does a good job of rationalising. Mostly because its changing your focus from all the bad things that could be wrong with you, to all the good things you are doing for your body.

Oh there is one last thing. Stop checking. Your body will tell you without you checking if something is wrong. Checking is not a preventative measure. Youre not making sure you are well, you are making sure you are not ill. Its negative and keeps your mind in a continual negative mind-set. The less you check, the faster the negative predictions subside.

Sorry for the long post, but not many people here talk about getting better. they generally just talk about their fears. So its conversation that should always be encouraged.

jayred

16-05-12, 10:39

Brilliant post we all need to be more encouraging and post positive stories to show people that theres hope at the end of the dark gloomy tunnel that we go trhough as HA sufferers. I have social anxiety aswell which makes it hard as i get lightheaded and blurry eye when out and about which knocks on to my HA but ive found being around positive people and keep on going during those negative times works going to the gym going out and when you get home remembering while you was out you had no symptoms proving to yourself that its allin your head once you believe you can progress to a better place. Live your lifes.

stressedmamof3

03-08-12, 19:12

great post... helping me to think positive xxx

mike_coventry_uk

18-09-12, 08:21

Right now I am struggling to heed my own advice on this post! :mad:

I am letting my symptoms get the better of me! :weep:

I hope I can re fing the positivity I once had to tackle anxiety head on!

Hope your all well and dealing better with your demons!

Mike

DylanR

18-09-12, 09:39

Can i ask what symptoms you had when you were worrying about a Brain Tumour?

mike_coventry_uk

18-09-12, 14:02

Can i ask what symptoms you had when you were worrying about a Brain Tumour?

My main symptom was lightheadness! I would find it especially worse in the mornings! It took several docs and a ct scan to convince me it wasn't the case!

I can only describe it as I felt tipsy a lot of the time,I didn't believe anxiety could ake me feel like that!

If you have any questions get in touch I'm happy to talk and try to help!

Mike

mike_coventry_uk

17-12-13, 16:53

As it's the time of year to be enjoying our lives and not focussing all our attentions on health issues I thought I would bring this back to the top of the forum!

Many people have taken something out of my story and I am happy the help over the festive period if I can support u all!

This is my first time logging on to nmp since sept12. I have come through the other side! U all can too! :)

Stay positive and if u want some help! Post or MSG me!

Have a great Xmas guys! :)

willous1

17-12-13, 17:16

mike_coventry_uk

17-12-13, 17:21

Thank you. This hit me more than a lot of things I've read. Especially the bit about the brain being powerful and making you feel like you have something. That thing I have where I do not know whether I said something or thought it is crippling me but reading your posts gives me hope that it may just be me playing tricks on my brain.

I know that the symptoms are very real! When I was worrying about brain tumours I used to feel on the verge of passing out, I never did though.

I really think that cbt is a must and it can free you! Even today I still worry about health but more rationally! I put off the doctors and take their diagnosis as the truth instead of the doubts of before!

Life is short! Try and enjoy the festive season! U r not dying I can assure u of that. :)

mike_coventry_uk

02-04-14, 20:35

Relapse! :( could do with some advice! Struggling to head my own advice ATM!

Hope everyone is well!

Mike

mbarger33

03-04-14, 02:48

Must be something in the air this month. The last 3 days I've been having massive anxiety attacks.. today was the first day in a long time that I had to double take my ativan..

I had trouble swallowing on the way home and then a very strange central chest stab which of course tossed me into panic mode and my heart started racing.

I'm at wits end with this madness a year ago I used to enjoy life now I'm on edge everyday wondering what symptom will pop in today!

Masqued

03-04-14, 11:12

Thanks Mike.

I was an athlete up until March last year. I held records, have trophies and medals and was simply unbeatable in my game. It came crashing down when one day I took a super dose of caffiene prior to training which spun me into a panic attack. My life went down hill from there. Being an athlete made me someone and took me all over my country. A year later I've gained weight, unfit, and couldn't compete to save my life.

I just wished it was easy to cut yourself off from panic and anxiety and go on to live a normal life. It took time but im training again.

skippy66

03-04-14, 11:37

Relapse! :( could do with some advice! Struggling to head my own advice ATM!

Hope everyone is well!

Mike

Mike, sorry to hear about your relapse but please take it from me that you CAN and WILL beat this - I can tell from your previous posts that you are capable of having the right mindset.

Masqued - go and watch the film Rocky. I took 8 years out from exercise due to health anxiety, I regret this so much now - do not go down the same path as me.

blueangel

03-04-14, 12:27

Sorry to hear about the relapse Mike - try to dig in and reread all your CBT stuff. My counsellor gave me a "relapse procedure" which I've found helpful at various times.

Mrschurchill

03-04-14, 20:54

Brilliant post! 👍

mike_coventry_uk

14-05-15, 12:58

Hi Guys,

I wanted to resurrect this old post of mine to help any new posters or people who have relapsed.

I was a long time health anxiety sufferer and i have over came it. I have health issues even today and have learnt many coping mechanisms. I have had many tests in the past and scans etc.

I want you all to know there is hope. If I can do it any one can. Too many posts on here are centred around illness and anxiety and mainly CANCER. I want you all to know i believed i had cancer many years ago and i am still here, do not worry you can beat this. I was at the doctors almost daily(i am sure they were close to striking me off their register) and now i can count on one hand my visits in the last year. I also visited the a&e department at least monthly. I have not visited in the last 12 months.

I am not saying the journey is easy and u will need the support and help of loved ones but YOU CAN BEAT HEALTH ANXIETY. i am living proof.

I am on here now merely to offer my support and advice. I have been there, i know the do's and don'ts to overcome this. If any of you feel you need advice or support message me i will be more than willing to help you all.

Stay positive guys you can beat this!!

Mike

Emmylou93

14-05-15, 13:50

Hi Mike,

I have suffered from HA for many years but recently it has become unbearable. I cannot function and I'm scared to leave the house.

I am convinced I have a brain tumour and am scared to walk as I feel kind of light headed / off balance like I'm gonna fall (although I never actually do)

I'm terrified. I just want my old life back. I've been to the doctors countless times who tell me it's just anxiety. But how do I make this symptom go away? It is very real to me.

Thanks
Emx

mike_coventry_uk

14-05-15, 13:56

Hi Emma,

This is one i can directly relate to as i had the same issue. I assume you get the light headedness and the feeling of been disconnected from the body. These do feel very real but you need to tell yourself it is the anxiety that creates the symptoms.

i remember standing in the street once and it felt like i was about to collapse through light headed feelings... I made it home on the bus though and i am here typing now with no symptoms at all.

Firstly you need to keep busy it is the focus ono these sensations that make them worse. I know its hard but do anything even cleaning to stop thinking of it and don't think you will fall.... you will not i promise you.

have you asked the doctors about cat? this will help to rationalise things for you over time.

STAY POSITIVE THINGS GET BETTER!!

if you need advice just drop me a message i am happy to help.

Mike

Emmylou93

14-05-15, 14:22

Thanks for your reply Mike.

Yeah it's awful it's my worst symptom. It's literally ruining my life.

The doctor offered me a scan but I said no because I'm too scared of going through it and waiting for the results etc :(

Thank you
Em

mike_coventry_uk

14-05-15, 14:36

I went for a scan and it was fine. The problem with any tests or scans is that it feeds the very thing that is causing the problem... anxiety.

If you went for a brain scan it would offer you some reassurance that would only be temporary. The problem with HA is that you will move on to other illnesses quickly. During my time i had skin,testicular,lung,brain and breast cancers... The solution is to treat the health anxiety.

How long have you thought that you have a brain tumour?
Did the docs do any cognitive testing like checking vision and perception etc?
Do you read up on brain tumours... how many times a day do you visit Dr google?
Instead of googling symptoms go to the symptoms section on this site, See all the other people who suffer the same issues.... How many of these do you think actually have a tumour?

I know how hard it is i really honestly do, please call your doctor and ask for some CBT. I had this for 4 months and with the help of that and citalopram i dealt with the inner demons and come out the other side, sure i have relapses but i now have the mechanisms to cope due to what i learnt.

Good luck...

ready_to_live

14-05-15, 16:59

Thanks for listing mike, I'm currently struggling with HA, though I still doubt sometimes it is just anxiety! Over the last 6 months I've convinced myself in dying of something whether it is a a brain tumour, heart disease or lung/bone cancer! I have so many physical symptoms that isbis hard to believe there isn't something wrong the fact that I don't necessarily feel depressed also makes it hard to accept it is anxiety. I have visited the Dr so many times these past few months (and a&e) I'm having an MRI next week after I begged the Dr to refer me as I stupidly thought it would solve all my problems instead it somehow made my my headaches and dizziness improve and instead I started having shortness of breath chest pain and lung pain!! So now my focus I on cardiac issue or cancer!!!

In a good moment I can rationalize it but then the physical symptoms start again and I'm back to worrying! It has now got to the point where I'm in a physically anxious state most of the time and I am thinking of visiting the Dr and actually asking for help, I'm glad to hear citalopram worked for you as I do think I need medication to help me. Can I ask did citalopram help with the physical symptoms of anxiety? Quite often I feel physically anxious bit not necessarily mentally anxious does that make sense?

mike_coventry_uk

14-05-15, 20:02

hi ready_to_live,

i was not and have never been depressed overtime i went to my CBT sessions and filled in the questionnaire i seemed to score low as i didn't lock myself away. i went to work and tried to socialise but the only time i stopped was when my symptoms were excessive.

I understand what you mean about the physical anxiety. I guess this comes down to feeling ok and not feeling depressed... you believe it is just physical but the truth is the physical symptoms are born from the mental symptoms.

Most the anxiety comes from a trigger, you can probably remember what started it all off i know i can.

It is good that you can rationalise cause that is the main coping mechanism. I know you say that you don't need drugs, is it cause you feel they are an anti depressant and you don't feel depressed?

I felt the same and i admit to been reluctant but they made a massive difference. I admit it takes time unto 8 weeks typically to feel a big change but it works. The side effects can be horrible first two weeks so you have to mentally prepare yourself. The other drug although docs are reluctant to give is lorazepam which is short term only but brilliant.

lastly try and avoid tests etc they feed the anxiety. You are quite right in that as soon as one of your concerns is quashed you move directly to another. Use the putting off technique and try to tell yourself to book it in an hour... might be you end up not booking at all.

Remember you will not die... everyone on here is still alive and kicking and its just the quality of life that is poor. You do not want to look back in 30 years feeling you wasted your life worrying!!

Good luck and take care!

Mike