Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
I received a text message yesterday evening , saying that I should book a stress ecg. When I spoke to my gp last week , she said that I would have a test on my heart to reassure me and that the cardiologist had said my there was nothing on my ecg of concern. My referral was sent to the cardiac clinic and now I’m worried that they think I have angina, there was something small that was picked up on my last ecg. I’ve had so many ecgs in the past , that have been ok.
I have increased my pregablin on Sunday and feel really dizzy, not sure if it’s the medication or my ears that I have had problems with before.
Have decided not to do the school work, because of the increase in covid, plus there was only a few shifts available.
I tried to speak to a dr yesterday evening, but it was too late.
Cant help thinking I’ve got angina or they think I had.
I don’t think with my anxiety I could have the stress test anyway.
I spoke to the Samaritans yesterday , because I feel in despair and I’ve started to get chest pains again.
My gp did not say I would be having a stress ecg.
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
The problem is that the more tests and repeated tests you have the more likely it is that something insignificant will be picked up and more tests will be needed etc etc. Incidental findings are a hazard of having HA and having a GP who appears to be unaware that you have HA.Is there any liaison at all between your GP and your psychiatrist?
You are in despair because you can't contain your anxiety about having an illness..any illness. Say you were diagnosed with angina..what would this mean to you? You think you are ill anyway..what difference would it make to be actually diagnosed with something?
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
My gp does know that I have HA and the psychiatrist sends her an update after he has spoken to me.
I don’t want angina or any illness, I’m just scared all the time that I have an illness.
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
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Originally Posted by
pb
When I spoke to my gp last week , she said that I would have a test on my heart to reassure me and that the cardiologist had said my there was nothing on my ecg of concern.
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My referral was sent to the cardiac clinic and now I’m worried that they think I have angina,
See, this is the problem when GPs order tests in order to 'reassure' people with health anxiety. Our brains interpret this as there 'must' be something wrong because they are ordering the test. Our brains also totally ignore the bits about heart specialists not being concerned..
Have you looked into EFT? I'm guessing no, but this is the time to start.
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there was something small that was picked up on my last ecg. I’ve had so many ecgs in the past , that have been ok.
You've had lots of normal ECGs, but your anxious brain is focusing on the 'small' anomaly which is most likely be an error on the test itself. If there was something wrong with your heart, do you seriously think it wouldn't have shown up on all those other tests? You've got to remember that cardiologists look at the results - not the ladies in the WRVS. They deal with heart issues all the time - it's their area of expertise.(docs, obvs - not the ladies in the WRVS)
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I have increased my pregablin on Sunday and feel really dizzy, not sure if it’s the medication or my ears that I have had problems with before.
Increased meds equals side effects while your body adjusts (logic)
P.s - chest pain and chest tightness are a side effect of this medication. Side-effects on meds is my first port of call with symptoms. Maybe you just need to change your meds, cocker?
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Cant help thinking I’ve got angina or they think I had.
That's because you have health anxiety.
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I spoke to the Samaritans yesterday , because I feel in despair and I’ve started to get chest pains again.
Did it help?
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My gp did not say I would be having a stress ecg.
What test did she say you would be having? Or didn't she elaborate?
Get tappin' and stop flappin' pb. X
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
If you were diagnosed with an illness what do you think you would do? Do you have a plan for what you would do?
The reason I ask this is that dealing with uncertainty and fear may be worse for you than dealing with fact and a definitive diagnosis. You would have a treatment plan and a reason for your pain. There would be a way forward. I always make a plan when I have been fast-tracked for tests because I feel more in control this way. I am a carer for both my adult children so can't afford to be ill but I am able to manage my HA this way.
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
Spoke to another gp this morning, who said that stress ecg was to check due to changes on one of my ecgs I had . My anxiety is through the roof.
She did say that the two ecgs I had after the abnormal one were normal.
I don’t know what’s going on, I’m sure there is something wrong with my heart..
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pb
Spoke to another gp this morning, who said that stress ecg was to check due to changes on one of my ecgs I had . My anxiety is through the roof.
She did say that the two ecgs I had after the abnormal one were normal.
I don’t know what’s going on, I’m sure there is something wrong with my heart..
You're sure? Even though you had two normal ECGs after the abnormal one? You're sure there isn't a teensie bit of room for doubt here?
My last ECG was abnormal - mind you, I was having a panic attack at the time. It was 'abnormal' because my ticker was running at 124bpm - which is perfectly normal when the stress response has been triggered. El machineo doesn't know that I am an anxiety case and the mere sight of someone coming at me with electrodes triggers a panic attack - it just records the info. You get me?
So, you have the stress test and all is well (as I would expect) what then?
What will it take to convince you that you are ok?
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
I suspect that nothing will but that is pb's choice of course. There's the CT/MRI scans for the hip pain to come, the diverticular pouches issue and now the stress ecg so plenty of health-related stuff to focus on.
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
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Originally Posted by
pulisa
I suspect that nothing will but that is pb's choice of course. There's the CT/MRI scans for the hip pain to come, the diverticular pouches issue and now the stress ecg so plenty of health-related stuff to focus on.
This just isn't true, I really wish I could switch off my HA, I’m in despair at the moment..
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
NoraB
You're sure? Even though you had two normal ECGs after the abnormal one? You're sure there isn't a teensie bit of room for doubt here?
My last ECG was abnormal - mind you, I was having a panic attack at the time. It was 'abnormal' because my ticker was running at 124bpm - which is perfectly normal when the stress response has been triggered. El machineo doesn't know that I am an anxiety case and the mere sight of someone coming at me with electrodes triggers a panic attack - it just records the info. You get me?
So, you have the stress test and all is well (as I would expect) what then?
What will it take to convince you that you are ok?
I just can’t get it out of my head, the dr I spoke to today said the two ecgs after the abnormal one were normal, but my gp said something had shown up on one of the other ones, although another dr who I spoke to said they were normal.
I don’t think I could tolerate a stress test, I think I am going to ask for a ct scan , which was originally suggested, I think it’s the cardiologist who has suggested a stress test.
On a more positive note, my nieces are staying over tomorrow for a sleepover and I’m going to write down all of my worries and go through them one at a time with a friend. The psychiatrist is calling on Thursday.
Thank you for all your advice , I know your really trying to help and pulisa and blueiris as well..