Hi and welcome! I thought that I would start a new post, as the other old one was getting kind of long. (it's easier sometimes for other members to find new poeple if you're on a fresh message)
Well you mentioned that you were experiencing a pain in your arm, and are fearful of going to the doctor. This sounds so much like many of us-me included! A/Pers (people with anxiety and panic) tend to catastrophize every situation, letting our fears and imagination run wild. With health anxiety, every bodily sensation is magnified and turned into the worst case senario. Let me give you some examples from my own past. I have seen the doctor for...
What I thought was melanoma on my ear...turned out to be a 'bed-sore' from sleeping predominately on one side
What I thought was heart trouble...turned out to be gastric upset.
What I thought was melanoma on my leg...turned out to be a benign growth
What I thought was Mengier's disease/brain tumor?!? (causing dizziness, roaring sound in ears, fuzzy/full feeling in head)...turned out to be a middle ear infection-treated easily w/ antibiotics
As you can see, I was worked up over nothing. Now I can see the pattern, and when I am having a strange/new symptom, I can pull from these experiences and know that I need not panic. I can simply make an appointment, and get it checked out. I won't say that I am now worry free, but it is manageable, and at a level that is closer to normal.
I hope that this helps. Do make an appointment, and see if you can take along a support person to accompany you. Let us know how this turns out.
Take care,
Scaredy Cat