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Still feeling so anxious

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Posted 5/28/2020 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
I posted a couple weeks ago about my low WBC (was only very mildly low by .4 outside the normal range). I had a follow up Zoom call with the doctor and she was completely un-phased by it and does not want to retest at all because everything else was within normal limits.

I just can’t seem to shake this anxiety about it, regardless that I got the “all clear” from my doctor. I find myself obsessively and compulsively checking lymph nodes and just still so freaked out.

The acute stress and panic from it has also made me lose my appetite and increased my IBS-D which is annoying 😑. But I also have no one else to blame but myself because I’m eating my trigger foods. The funny thing is about my trigger foods is they sometimes irritate my stomach, and sometimes are fine so it’s hard to keep up.

I’m exhausted from being so scared all the time.
Posted 5/29/2020 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
I worked in the healthcare field, in the medical laboratory, and used to get anxiety about any test that was not within the normal range. I learned over time that these ranges are exactly that, and it's nothing to get my brain in knot over. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to counter my worrisome thoughts helped.

I had a recent episode of this with an slightly out-of-range blood sugar test result (I am not a diabetic). My first thoughts were "I have diabetes; I have hypoglycemia; I will have to take insulin for the rest of my life; I'm going to die from this". Later, my better thoughts prevailed.
Posted 5/30/2020 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Blu

That’s great you have got the all clear but sorry to hear it’s still causing you anxiety.

I went through a period were I continually checked my lymph nodes and ended up making them swell up due to checking them all the time. Try and do something to take your mind of things and use your coping skills to help with your anxiety

Hibee
Posted 5/30/2020 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Tim and Hibee.

I'm trying to put my coping skills to good use and stay as distracted as possible.

It helps having a safe place to come vent. Thank you both for your responses.
Posted 6/1/2020 9:54 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Blu, I totally understand how you are thinking. I've been there and my slightly out of range test result was something liver/pancreas related... imagine how anxious I became over that. xD
Meanwhile the Dr was looking at my face and smiling. Then she said "slightly out of range doesn't mean anything. Your other liver results are perfect. Don't worry"
After that of course I kept thinking about that for a month or so, then I replaced it with a new worry (it's typical for worriers) and when I realized the pattern of my thoughts, I calmed.
It's been 4 years. I don't have a liver problem as far as I am concerned. And I don't want to check to be honest.

So to sum it up, you will be fine if your Dr is not worried. Listen to them smile If you can't overcome the worry, ask for a second opinion. But it may cause more anxiety imo, so stick to your CBT skills as much as you can.
All will be fine <3
Posted 6/1/2020 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Rrakkma,

My doctor said the same thing! Literally "you are just .4 decimals away from the normal range, with all other values being great, so just go on and live your life and I'll see you next year."

Isn't it funny how when one worry dissipates, another one pops up? So exhausting!
Posted 6/1/2020 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Kind of seems like the flow of life in general. It is always something... When you get one problem solved another arises. I have kind of gotten use to it.

Wishing you all the best...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 6/2/2020 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Yes Karen and Blu,
I sometimes think if it's an issue of, I don't want to put it this way but, an addiction of worry?
Because there were many occasions for me that the worry didn't ease until I found a new thing to worry about.
We may chose to believe bad things are happening to us and cause worry but actually it may be all about perception?
Hmmm
Posted 6/3/2020 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Yes Rrakkma,

I think you are right about perceiving things. A lot of it is how we look at things. I try to stay positive, but sometimes it is hard. But I am finding in my older age, less things worry me than use to. I tend to forget about my problems until they re-arise. Keeps me from worrying so much though.

I wish you guys a lovely day.

Hugs, Karen...
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