pb's Health anxiety worries thread

[pb]

It's really hard to just go out and "find" distractions but I would have thought that finding some work-maybe voluntary work for a start- would be a good and positive thing for you? Would this be something you would consider to give you some structure and routine to your day and also a sense of self-worth? I know it's a lot more tricky with all the covid restrictions but it may be possible?

I do think your GP has been extremely unhelpful in sending you for test after test..It's incredible and very sad that no one has challenged your HA after all these years..

Have you ever had an operation, pb?

I had a polyp removed from my uterus about six years ago, this unfortunately went wrong when they snipped my uterus, but it was easily corrected and I had an anaesthetic, so knew nothing about it.

[NoraB]

I think I probably have thought that posting my symptoms and looking for reassurance would somehow make my HA go away

It works the opposite way, and very obviously in your case....

What will make heath anxiety go away is facing your fear and understanding why your body is throwing out so many symptoms, and that it is absolutely normal.

I know I need to challenge my thoughts and find ways and distractions.

Challenge thoughts, yes, but also allowing them in and observing them as a matter of curiosity over fear.

If by challenge, you mean trying to block the thoughts, then that won't work.

Distract yourself by doing things regardless of how poo you feel, yes, but not avoidance - because that's just as detrimental as obsessing over your health.

If you make your peace with potential illness and very definite, death, then all the better, because this will free up your mind to live in the present - having accepted that the future is both uncertain (illness etc) and certain (death).

Then, learn to live in the present where you can tell yourself that, no matter what else, in this moment, you are OK.

All listing your symptoms and imaginary diseases on here does is to keep fuelling the fear/symptom cycle...

Each sentence is a thought because you have to be thinking them in order to write them, but you're only believing the lies - the ones where you are convinced you have cancer, angina, heart disease etc, and your body is responding to these lies as it would to any threat of danger.

The pattern with you is that today you've said some positive stuff in-between the obligatory HA dialogue. Tomorrow (or even later today) you will be freaking out over your imagined angina/whatever again - which just reinforces the fear and keeps this whole unmerry-go-round going, do you see?

In 77 pages of symptoms and sinister diseases, you're still here, very much alive, with no diagnosis other than anxiety. You need to believe in this, instead of those lies...

[pb]

I have looked at my posts , especially the ones on the heart. I have posted about heart pains, spasms and angina.
I have had a lot of pain today and am trying to reassure myself, that it’s probably muscular and anxiety.
I have had chest pain on and off for years, I even remember having pain when I was a teenager.
Ive always been anxious.
All of this makes me scared and panicky.
Ive resisted going to A&E which is good, I’m going to have a cup of tea and watch som tv.
Ive not looked at the online resources , but I will try tomorrow, although I’ve got the dentist for a deep clean.

[pb]

I have looked at my posts , especially the ones on the heart. I have posted about heart pains, spasms and angina.
I have had a lot of pain today and am trying to reassure myself, that it’s probably muscular and anxiety.
I have had chest pain on and off for years, I even remember having pain when I was a teenager.
Ive always been anxious.
All of this makes me scared and panicky.
Ive resisted going to A&E which is good, I’m going to have a cup of tea and watch som tv.
Ive not looked at the online resources , but I will try tomorrow, although I’ve got the dentist for a deep clean.

I'm really spiralling tonight, feel stressed and have chest pain
Really dont want a exercise test, maybe I can have something else, but need to ask my gp.
Worried I'm going to have a heart attack.

[pb]

Has anyone had an alternative test to the exercise test.

[pulisa]

Facts:

You've always been anxious

You've had chest pain intermittently for decades

You have a long history of being worried about your heart, heart disease and angina.

You are scared and panicky because you are afraid of illness.

You have no diagnosis of any physical illness despite years of tests and procedures.

You use A&E as a coping mechanism...but it is a false coping mechanism which exposes you to additional risks especially at the moment.


I'm sure you feel very isolated and adrift with just phone call assessments from the psychiatrist? Does he/she offer face to face consultations? My son is able to see his psychiatrist in person and it's so much better and less impersonal. Doling out meds without a true picture of what is actually going on isn't that beneficial especially when you've never actually met him/her in person before. Would this be a better option for you?

[pb]

My psychiatrist has never offered me face to face appointments , just a five minute call every couple of weeks to adjust medication. I do feel that I need to be able to discuss how I feel.

[pulisa]

My psychiatrist has never offered me face to face appointments , just a five minute call every couple of weeks to adjust medication. I do feel that I need to be able to discuss how I feel.

I think that's appalling. You've never even had a full assessment, I don't suppose? Can you request a full face to face assessment?

[pb]

I did have an assessment at the beginning, but it was over the phone. I doubt with covid increasing they will offer me face to face. My gp is calling on Monday, I'm not sure the medication is helping. I really will try to look at the online resources tomorrow. Enough is enough !!

[Phoenixess]

Despite your fears you still manage to cope with everyday life and situations and get to dentists socialise etc. Perhaps you need a break from posting on here and the site altogether to help you readjust. Repeatedly posting and anticipating and seeking reassurance from other members I think is now becoming more harmful than beneficial. You should be phoning your CPN or GP if this is happening and your under a mental health team which presumably you are with a psychiatrist if cbt wasn’t beneficial. Break the cycle. Your in control all of this is you and your body and you’d mind even when it feels real you know deep down it’s in your mind otherwise you wouldn’t be able to resist going to a and e with chest pains. You have a choice take control or continue. Why don’t you focus on little achievements each day. One is your not dead from your heart so keep living. I know it’s easier said than done. And I’m not trying to be savage however I’ve been in the darkest depths of anxiety and when I had no other choice but to surrender it’s changed my world completely but I did that not this website (however much I love you all no offence), the support of my gp, support from my CPN, secondary care mental health team, meds and finally acceptance. Don’t end up like me needing a triple dose of diazepam and nearly being committed as I lost all ability to function.


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