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SEVERE health anxiety?

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Posted 6/25/2006 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I have posted here a few times before, and usually about the same thing eyes   Does anyone here have SEVERE health anxiety? I wake up worried about my health and go to bed the same way...no matter what I do I cant shake it and it is eating me alive. I was DX'd with fibromyalgia, also known as a great imitator of more serious illnesses. I am VERY worried that it is something worse sad I was dx'd by an internal med specialist, and it was confirmed by a rheumatologist, yet I still dont seem to accept it. It doesnt help that I read so many horror stories about how the tesing isnt accurarate and dont mean anything , or that misdiagnosis is common....AAARRRGGGG....And now I worry about everything....I am so stressed from all this that I think I am making myself physically ill...my hubby doesnt know what to do with me and just gets mad...I am ready to scream...I have an 8 year old son who really needs his mom back but I am just so consumed....I also have dx's of generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks and mild agoraphobia...I dont have any health insurance, so therapy is out, i am on ativan, as well as lexapro 20mg a day that I get from my doc in samples...believe it or not i am better than I was tongue   Sorry this is so long, just wanted to listen to myself whine I guess, and wanted to know if anyonbe out there has dealt with this too?

Shelly

Posted 6/25/2006 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Shelly!
I have severe health anxiety, too. My dx is IBS. Like you, I'm worried that it's something else. Had lots of tests and since they come up with "nothing wrong" they call it IBS. Noone can explain why I got this out of the blue. Totally freaks me out. Now every little thing wrong and I'm a basket case. I was in the hospital for 3 nights and when I got out I could not function at all. My 4 year old is the only reason I get out of bed everyday and try to get well. I also take ativan but am trying to gradually taper off of it. I'm a little worried cause before I took it I did not sleep more than 2 hours a night and had terrible PVC's which would awaken me and lead to panic attacks (and trips to the ER). How much ativan do you take? Maybe there is a social service that could help you out with therapist? My Dad does not have insurance and is able to go to a therapist and a psychiatrist through social services. Something else that helps me is checking books out from the library about anxiety, panic, etc. I actually think the books have helped me just as much as counseling. Anxiety & Phobia workbook by Dr Bourne is a good one. I hope you feel better, you are not whining-- just venting-- and it's good for ya'!
Sami
Posted 6/25/2006 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
Sami Jo I totally agree, that Bourne book is one of my most trusted sources of reading even 10 years after buying the second edition! Way to go Sami! that is a great reason to want to beat this! Shelly if you have a chance that is definitely a book to get. I am currently reading the Peurifoy book that some talented writer on this board made some extremely detailed notes about. So far that seems like a good one too!

Post Edited (cybervato) : 6/24/2006 10:48:00 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/25/2006 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
Shelly,

If you are in the U.S. go to your local health department. They will examine you and most likely get you free help with your condition. Thats what I do. I see a Psychiatrist and a counciler for free. (the county pays for it all) You also get free meds, which is really nice. Thats what I do and it's really great.

If you have money already though..forget about it

Posted 6/26/2006 10:08 AM (GMT 0)
I also suffer with Health Anxiety but am getting much beter with it ( from the same intelectual person Cyber is talking about) ......I do medittion and relation as well as do more fro self and I dont read up to much on things anymore on internet unless doing reseach........I think most of us with A/P have the health Anxiety ...........Take care and way to go Sami ,..........God Bless...Lyn
Thanks for your input Cyber.........
Posted 6/26/2006 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Fibro is really good at making you feel horrible :) and because it is little understood with so many variable symptoms it really does make you feel that way.
All I can suggest is that you have a full checkup to rule out other things, and then maybe you find it easier to accept the diagnosis as fibromyalgia.
I still have some health anxiety when mine flares up really bad, takes a lot of time and willpower to stop the thoughts, have you considered some cognitive behaviour therapy? that can help a lot :)
Posted 1/16/2007 4:18 PM (GMT 0)

 

If any one out there can help me get in contact with Beffrey please email me.  Thank You!

Beffrey said...
Shelly,

If you are in the U.S. go to your local health department. They will examine you and most likely get you free help with your condition. Thats what I do. I see a Psychiatrist and a counciler for free. (the county pays for it all) You also get free meds, which is really nice. Thats what I do and it's really great.

If you have money already though..forget about it

Posted 1/16/2007 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Shelly G.

Boy do I relate to you! I'm sitting here crying due to anxiety over my health. I've been diaxnosed with gallbladder dysfunction - was actually supposed to have it removed yesterday but have had an ongoing tonsillitis that is horrible and doesn't seem to want to go away even though I've already been on 2 antibiodics. I'm off work with the blessings of my superiors but am unable to just rest and relax because of my extreme anxiety which keeps me panicky, crying, hyper, and MISERABLE. Anyway, I don't know how anybody can help at this point. I have a wonderful, supportive husband, and even he can't help me overcome this anxiety and sadness. You see, it's was 6 months of health hell before finally finding out it was my gallbladder causing my GI symptoms. Finally, the surgery was scheduled and had to be cancelled because now have something else that won't go away. Can anybody help me? I can't stop sobbing.
Posted 1/17/2007 10:42 AM (GMT 0)
BethEllen
Most do have this H/A so we do know what you are feeling '
Yes your a/p is going to go up due to cancellation of surgury BUT it will happen I am sure
Just keep coming here and getting support from us and we will try to get ya thru all of this
So sorry you are dealing with all of this hun
Lyno
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