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Former member back - with health anxiety

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Posted 10/9/2010 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Probably most of you don't know me, but I was a regular here for quite some time, up until about 18 months ago.  At that point, life intervened, as they say - in some good ways and some bad ways - so I took a hiatus from the forums.  I continued to work on my health issues and my anxiety through my local doctors and therapists and had some successes, but also some lacks of success.

I come back now for support in a very frightening time: my brand-new pulmonologist wants to test me for pulmonary hypertension (PAH), based on suggestive results from a test that somehow got ignored by my GP 2.5 years ago.  It does seem that I am now experiencing some of the symptoms of this disease, which is apparently quite a serious one.  Health anxiety has long been a real challenge for me, and I'd like to rejoin the A/P community (if you'll have me) for your support and to try to offer mine to all of you in return.

Blessings to all,

percycat

Posted 10/9/2010 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
welcome back. i'm a new member but i look forward to showing my support :)

good luck and take care
Posted 10/9/2010 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Percycat

Great to see you back at HW, Sorry to hear your health anxiety is back. I am not on here much either these days but pop in every now and then. I don't know much about PAH so can not advise on that but can relate to health anxiety, As im sure you know Percy try not to google to much and know that we are all here to help you through this rough time.

Hugs

Ben
Posted 10/9/2010 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Percy,

Of course you are welcome here and your support was always warm and comforting so we are here to help you.  I went through some strange health issues myself but all seems to be OK now. 

Your doctor may first suspect you have pulmonary hypertension based on the results of an echocardiogram. 

If it's difficult to get a clear picture of your heart and lungs with a standard echocardiogram, your doctor may recommend a transesophageal echocardiogram. In this procedure, a flexible tube containing a transducer is guided down your throat and into your esophagus using only a numbing spray in the back of your throat. From here, the transducer can get detailed images of your heart.  I had two of these in one day back in September looking for a hole in my heart that was not there.  :)  If you have this test it is a walk in the park,  just shout at me and I will support you. 

There are a lot of different tests to choose from as well as treatments should you have PAH so try not to become overwhelmed and worry until the tests and dx results are final. 

You have a right to worry some as this is always scary stuff but stick with us and we will be here to help you.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Posted 10/9/2010 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Percycat, I'm Scaredy Cat-welcome back! I'm sorry it's under some potentially frightening circumstances. I will definately be hoping and praying that all is well with your test results. Try not to worry about them until you have a definative answer from your Dr. It may turn out to be just fine, or something that can be managed and treated easily. My husband started showing signs of diabetes this last year, and we both spent so much time stressing about it while awaiting test results, Turns out, he is managing it really well, and he is healthier in many ways now than ever. Hang in there and let us know how you are soon.
Take care,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 10/10/2010 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, all. Your kind thoughts and words are a real rock for me right now.

percycat
Posted 10/10/2010 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome home Percy, *holds arms wide open*

I am new too, so good to see you came back.

Good luck with your tests
Posted 10/19/2010 10:49 AM (GMT 0)
All,

I have another medical test today, and I am very frightened about it. If it comes back negative, I suspect I'll have a hard time believing that the technician didn't miss something. If it comes back positive, I'll be a basket case about the diagnosis that indicates.

Please send out positive thoughts and prayers for me to handle this debilitating health anxiety. I feel like I've been hanging by my fingertips about health for a long time now, and I don't know how to make it stop. I want my symptoms to stop, but all my docs just give me a "your tests are mostly normal," make some conjecture about the ones that aren't, and send me on my way. The ones I've been with for a while don't realize that that's no longer a helpful approach with me, and the new ones often don't get that I'm looking for answers to a chronic problem, not an immediate one.

percycat
Posted 10/19/2010 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hey P.C. my thoughts and prayers go out to you today as you have your test. Is this the one for pulmonary hypertension? I'm sure that everything will be absolutely fine. I hope you get the answers that you need, so that you can stop worrying. Please post and let us know so that we can support you in any event.
Be brave!
Scaredy Cat
Posted 10/19/2010 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
I survived the test, but don't know the results yet. It was done at a different hospital from where I usually go, and the gel that they used didn't make me have breathing troubles like what's used at my usual hospital. That, at least, is a relief. Unfortunately, now I'm having a lot of tightness in my throat - pretty scary - and am off to get checked out by my ENT to make sure nothing's really wrong.

I am just so on edge with health anxiety right now, and cannot seem to get it under control. It's never been this bad. Could sure use those good thoughts and wishes from you all to get through this.

percycat
Posted 10/19/2010 6:27 PM (GMT 0)

Glad you returned for support!  I love this forum!! I am fairly new but have found it sooo supposrtive.  I too suffer from Health Anxiety so I can relate to your concerns. Hang in there, and try to focus on the positves and listen to your docs!  Keep us posted on your appt. 

Posted 10/19/2010 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
PC,  the test results will be ready soon and remember there is nothing you can do to hurry them along so keep your mind busy thinking of good things in your life.

I do remember your problems from before so I know where you are at right now.  Big breath and know that we are all sending good vibes your way.  We are right here and we support you my friend.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

 

Posted 10/20/2010 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
I have the results, and they are negative. Fortunately, there's data along with them, not just a blanket "negative" claim, so I feel I can trust them. I follow up with the doctor who ordered them on Monday.

Now to take steps to get this out of control health anixety back in the cage where it belongs.

percycat
Posted 10/20/2010 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah!  glad to hear the good news! turn   Sounds like you can trust in this bill of clean health, so enjoy!  Let me know if you would be interested in some of the things that helped me along the way with my health anxiety.  (I know exactly how you are feeling, and while it is a great relief to get a good result on a test, unless you treat the anxiety I'm afraid the relief won't last long.)

For now though, relax, smile and pat yourself on the back for getting over this hurdle.  Take time to treat yourself to something special today-you deserve it!

Take care,

Scaredy Cat 

Posted 10/21/2010 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
Percy, that's awesome news, so pleased for you! Proud that you got through all the waiting as well, that's the hardest bit.
Posted 10/21/2010 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
PC,  you rock yeah    yeah    yeah .  Glad you made it through the tests and are staying strong.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Posted 10/29/2010 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
So lately I've been looking for therapy especially to help with my fears about my food allergies. No luck yet, and I'm becoming afraid to eat a large, LARGE numbers of foods now. I've got a call in to my allergist - he's out until Monday - to do more reliable testing that might help me find out what's safe to eat and what isn't. Just trying to hang on. My therapist is concerned that I'm "shrinking" my world to a smaller and smaller one in order to feel "safe."

I read one article on the web where someone was discussing "food phobias" and food allergies, and one commenter noted that a phobia is an irrational fear, whereas folks with food allergies have fears that actually have a basis in real experience. The claim was that saying food alergic people have phobias about food isn't correct according to the DSM criteria. The article went on to speculate that maybe having a food allergic reaction could spawn PTSD in some people. Maybe that's what I'm dealing with right now...I plan to send a copy of the article to my therapist before our next session.

Please keep the thoughts and prayers coming. I surely need them right now!

percycat
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