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Fear of Mastoiditis

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Posted 12/27/2013 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, it's me again.

For the last few days I've been thinking I have mastoiditis. There is a large area of swelling behind both of my ears and it feels sore on one side. I've been having recurring ear infections for two years and I'm worried this time I've developed mastoiditis. I'm terrified because I read that the only way to treat it is to go to the hospital and that I would have to stay there for several days. I have autism and separation anxiety and I've never been away from home before. I'm extremely scared that I might have to leave my home, my family and everything for that long in order to cure this. It also terrifies me because it would separate me from the things I do to try and keep my anxiety levels down. To make things worse, I read that surgery might be required and I don't even have health insurance, so I'm freaking out right now.

Post Edited (sjm0502) : 12/27/2013 9:12:34 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/27/2013 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
sjm, I think you first need to see a doctor, mastoid sugery was a long time ago, maybe before penicillin was
invented, so check with a MD this could be cured with some strong antibiotics, Peace.

Larry ***
Posted 12/27/2013 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
I agree...don't get ahead of things here.:)

Most likely you only need to see your regular doctor. Try not to anticipate the worst case scenario...and just envision an easy solution to your issue.

Let us know what you find out, and how you are doing soon, okay?

S.C.
Posted 12/29/2013 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Update: I haven't made a doctor's appointment yet. I went to my mom and dad they said they didn't feel or see any swelling. I asked my mom to take a picture of the back of my ear and I didn't see any swelling. In addition, it has been a week and the only symptom I have is still the "swelling" behind my ear that my parents and the pictures say isn't there. Is it normal for someone with health anxiety to start imagining symptoms that aren't there?
Posted 12/29/2013 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
One word answer:Yes! Stay with us and get better! Peace

Larry ***
Posted 12/30/2013 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Oh yes, that is a resounding affirmative!

All you would nee to do is a search here on HW on health anxiety...and you would find more posts than you could read in one sitting on this subject.

Keeping your overall stress levels low will help you to let go of these worries to some degree.

Use the coping skills such as the ones found in our Resoruces and try repeating this mantra when your worries are acting up:

"I am okay, it is just anxiety causing me to think/feel this way."

Keep posting!

S.C.
Posted 1/2/2014 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
I had been feeling better since coming here. HAD. Then I came across something that said that hard, unmovable swollen lymph nodes behind the ear were a sign of cancer. Now I'm back at square one worrying about things again.
Posted 1/2/2014 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Uh-oh, it sounds like you were another victim of symptom searching gone wrong.

Did your doctor tell you this? Did he/she recommend further testing for a major disease? No? Then most likely you read something that does not apply to you at all.

You can't rely on something that you read on the internet, and start applying what you have observed in an attempt to self diagnose.

You will only end up scaring yourself into a panicked frenzy!

So, if your doctor has told you that you are fine, then you most certainly are.

The lymph nodes that get swollen due to an illness can take several weeks to go down. So give it some time, and if they are still bothering you a couple of weeks, go in for a recheck...but until then, try to put it out of your mind.

You are going to be alright.:)

S.C.
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