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Health Anxiety. Might sound dumb

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Posted 3/10/2015 10:16 AM (GMT 0)
So I had a checkup with the doctor. Since I haven't been seen in awhile he ordered some blood tests and a EKG. I went in today for my tests thinking an in and out situation. It's just a blood test and EKG. There's nothing wrong with me except my anxiety.

Now I've been to the urgent care a couple times for chest pain. I'm Guessing with my age and vague symptoms they only check my lungs which always sound normal. So I go in for my EKG. I asked how long is the test because I was tired and had a headache. He gets to the machine. Not a minute later he says it's done. Gives my sheet a funny look and walks out. He's taking forever so im assuming he didn't know what he was doing. He comes back after seems like forever and starts taking the plugs off. Asks if I exercise? I said no not in awhile. He says oh. He told me to get dressed and the doctor wants an ultrasound of my chest. Again irritated I go. I get directed by the technician on what to do. I get undressed again and then he asks a series of questions and I answer.

All this time I been assuming my chest pain, trouble breathing, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, a pounding in my chest, and flutters and stuff was just my anxiety or panic attacks. But I was told my heart wall is thickening and something wrong with the left ventricle.

I told my dad. I said I wasn't going to tell anyone because Id feel stupid if it turns out to be nothing. But it does worry me. So many people on both sides have died from heart problems. My grandfather had his first open heart at 40.

The dumb thing is. I'm Scared of treatment if there is something wrong. I'm Not scared really of problems just treatment.

And I feel really dumb posting this. But I guess I just needed to let it out. All day I been feeling like I need to tell someone. But don't want to either. I just feel really stupid. People have serious problems and I'm over here stressed over a test I got today.
Posted 3/10/2015 11:50 AM (GMT 0)
I think this goes to show that you can't blame all heart symptoms on anxiety.
Posted 3/10/2015 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Sorry to hear you are feeling this way at the moment health anxiety can really take over your life if it's left untreated. I have bad health anxiety so know what you are going through but the good news is lots can be done to help such as taking medication or doing some talking therapy such as CBT which works well for health anxiety.

The tests you have had have raised an issue which is good that you know about because you can be treated for it.

Don't feel stupid as health anxiety is really difficult to live with but can be treated so speak with your doctor about your anxiety.

Hibee
Posted 3/10/2015 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Bakomom - just wanted to let you know that I have the exact same problem as you....I'm more afraid of the treatments than the condition. I thought I was the only one but I guess there's more of us out there. Would you believe, however, that I had to go to the eye doctor for what I thought was just a minor eye issue and it turned out I have macular degeneration! When he told me I had to have a shot in my eye every month I thought I was going to pass out....but believe it or not they numbed my eye, the doc told me to look way up to the right so I couldn't see what he was doing and I almost felt nothing from the injection! And most of my friends who don't even have health anxiety seem to think getting a shot in ones eye is even horrible to THINK about...yet I'm amazed at myself that I was able to do it without passing out. So you see, some of our fears are just that....fear. Facing fear sometimes not only makes you feel brave, sometimes it gets rid of your anxiety. Good luck.
Posted 3/10/2015 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I guess in a way I already had health anxiety due to having phobia of vomit. But yuck. Anyway.... I just marked it all up to anxiety. And I guess you can't. But after the tests yesterday. I forgot they did a echocardiogram too while I was there after the ultrasound. But I got home a bit shocked but ok. It's when I started to do stuff, and the pain in my chest came on, and I can feel that pounding in my chest, the shortness of breath. That's when I actually felt it and got scared. Because I normally ignore it due to thinking its anxiety. But it happens all day. Of course it's worse with movement. But it's when I'm sitting. It sucks going to bed because I feel like I can't breathe.

I don't know. I know I'll be fine. But being that I got told that and I'm 33. Just shook me up. And like i said. I really don't want to tell anyone anything. Not until I at least know for sure I have something wrong. I have my follow up appointment on 25th.

And oh goodness on the eye!!! I've had a few things done to my eyes thinking I couldn't do it and left shocked. I asked the doctor why it didn't hurt. He was very informative. I guess it's because our eyes don't have nerves like the rest of our body.
Posted 3/10/2015 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
BKM,

What is the next step? Have all your test been reviewed and a plan put in place?

Do you see a cardiologist next?

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers especially now. I can completely understand how this would be a challenge for your anxiety...I would feel the same.

However, it is important to remember that nothing should be anticipated or worried about until you hear the final word from the specialist...

...treatment could be as simple as some medication, diet changes and exercise...

Keep us posted, and we will be here with you through this!

S.C.
Posted 3/10/2015 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know yet. Each test I got yesterday, my result led to another test. First blood, EKG, then ultrasound, then echocardiogram. The guy doing the test kept giving me funny looks which made me nervous. I won't know till my appointment on the 25th. I been having problems for awhile. I just figured they were anxiety. Or maybe I was sick which was why Id go to urgent care and have them listen to my lungs. I don't eat really bad. But I hardly eat. I've always watched my salt intake. my only problem is once in awhile I binge on candy. But that's it.
Posted 3/10/2015 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
A friend on the FM/CFS group I was a member of for 8 yrs, and from what I could see about her life, she had it made...but I guess not the case...she had a lot of anxiety and MOSTLY about doctors...huge fears there. She would ask my opinions etc...we have totally different lives, and I've lived alone for 40some yrs after my marriage ended way back...so I've grown up on my own....and dove into so much over these years and no one to catch me if I fell.

Well, she finally ended up in talk therapy as she had to count on her health insurance thru her husband's work...she's doing better from what I hear but she's forever working on her fear issues.

For me so much help came from some talk therapy, SOM principles and AA principles...lifechanging in my life...
Posted 3/10/2015 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Okay...if they are having you wait until the 25th, then this is indicative that it is nothing immediately urgent.:)

It is hard to wait I know! But try to put any worries out of your mind until then...

Use your coping skills and keep posting when you need to talk.

S.C.
Posted 3/11/2015 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there,
I am sorry to hear that things aren't going too well for you lately. First of all, you are doing the right thing to be checked out. Never ignore your symptoms. Remember you are being proactive, rather than reactive about your wellbeing which is great. I understand that hearing results from tests is worrisome. I don't know anyone who wouldn't worry! If you feel that strongly about this situation then call your doc, perhaps you can be seen sooner so your results can be discussed and a treatment plan can be formulated if need be.

I recently had an ekg on my son with results being abnormal. However knowing what I know from being in the medical field helped when the pediatric cardiologist explained the results as being a variant of what would be considered normal. But now we have to go back, get an echo and he had to wear a holter monitor!

My therapist offered me good advice which I will pass along to you. Try not to worry, and ask yourself what you can do about your situation. Call your doctor, and try to be sooner!

Goodluck,
Natasha
Posted 3/11/2015 6:26 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah I'm just going to wait. I know if it was serious they'd call me in. I scheduled my appointments after my appointment a week ago. I been not worried about it as much today. I know I'll be ok. Just caught me off guard.

I just stress non stop. All I do lately is worry. I can't keep still. Trouble sleeping. Now I'm nervous over my kids. I think my youngest is getting sick now.
Posted 3/11/2015 8:57 AM (GMT 0)
Absolutely what Deborah said. So glad that you had it checked thoroughly. I feel it is wrong to blame everything on anxiety. Many anxiety sufferers tend to blame their physical symptoms on anxiety. None of us are medical professionals anyway so we shouldn't just jump to conclusions and say anxiety is the cause for everything.

Don't ever take these physical symptoms lightly. Always get it checked thoroughly before you say 'oh it's just anxiety'.

For the meantime I would not be stressed out about the treatment. Actually if I were you , I would be super happy that your condition can be treated! Let them do their job. They know know how to fix it! That is what's important.
Posted 3/11/2015 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah well anything pretty much these days is treatable. But I'm also one of those who doesn't watch out for themselves. When I'm told to take it easy or relax I just can't. I push myself beyond my limits no matter how I feel.

From what I read it's caused by a couple things. High blood pressure, something wrong with aortic, and hereditary. I don't have high blood pressure. And I don't know anything about the aortic thing. But I do know pretty much everyone on both sides had heart failure and died. My grandpa had massive heart attack.

Just sucks. I planned on doing this thing before. But now I'm really doing it. It's a family emergency book. I read about it looking up homeschool papers. You put emergency plan. List all numbers and addresses. Emergency numbers. Like poision control. Then you make an ID for each person with finger prints and photos. And you add all important documents and cards.

Given that I live alone right now. And me being scared over my heart. I thought it would be a good idea to get started on that and make sure my kids know where it is.
Posted 3/11/2015 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Bakomom,

First of all I am sorry to hear that you are struggling with anxiety due to this condition. But at the same time I am glad you know the problem now and it can be managed.

Think about it like this, if it can be treated then it doesn't have the power to bring you down.
Try to be calm and I am sending lots of healing your way.
Posted 3/11/2015 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
BKM,

You are doing great...I think you are approaching things with a lot of perspective and doing a good job of not catastrophizing.

Putting a plan into place such as the emergency book is very pro-active and a great idea for your new living situation...

...but don't anticipate needing it anytime soon...

...it's good to have it...but you are going to be fine.:)

Keep us updated and continue to take care of you and practice staying in the moment.

S.C.
Posted 3/11/2015 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks SC. Yeah I'm sure I'm not. But it's good to have it either way instead of being scramble brain and looking for each document.

I'm Having such a bad attack right now. My little one didn't eat anything all day yesterday. Then started running a slight fever. My other 2 have been sick I was hoping it was the same thing. But then he wakes up and says wipe my butt. Then a couple minutes later tells me to wipe his butt again. He messed his pants twice. I told him go to the toilet. But I'm getting my main water line replaced so I have no water. I'm completely freaked out right now. My husband played Disneyland dad over the weekend and I'm sure he didn't care for their hands.
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