Anxiety, Cardiologist Phone Call, and Google. My enemies.

Hey Friends,

Well....today has had a STRANGE turn of events. And I am left sitting here to ponder all of my lovely health anxiety...

I received a phone call from a neighbor who is an Occupational Therapist. She knew that I have been having some issues with my heart and was wondering if I would be a part of one of her client's "therapy sessions." (Her client is a cardiologist.) I agreed, and was on a "practice phone appointment with a local cardiologist."

I explained my racing heart when exercising issue and he was leaning toward the thought that it might have something to do with high pulmonary pressure. I explained that I had a CT scan to rule out a pulmonary embolism, and he seems to think that all of the bases were covered with my doc and that I'm likely safe. But now, my lovely health anxiety ridden mind is all over the idea that I have a pulmonary embolism. Don't google search this, believe me, it's not a good idea to do so!

He was the nicest guy, had a great sense of humor on the phone, and ultimately thinks that I should take it day by day as I get back into exercising, but sheesh..... Did I make a mistake in agreeing to be a part of this phone call? Sometimes I wish I had a live-in cardiologist to chat with every day. Does anyone have any experience with this? Something to get my mind back on track with the idea that I have ANXIETY, not a pulmonary embsolism??

Happy anxiety day, everyone. :)

CT scan is good test and you need to stop googling health concerns as it causes much worse anxiety .

Meeting with a doc is always better but phone call is not bad as he is specialist .

STOP worrying and you are fine .

distraction works great !

i try it all the time !

good luck!

Thank you both for the support and encouragement. This phone call was not to be taken as medical advice, because he was only doing a "practice phone call" so the occupational therapist could see if he was ready to go back to work after a head injury. So, I couldn't take it as advice, but I think scaring me with all the possibilities of what it could be wasn't a great idea on his part...! EEEEK!!

Thanks for thinking that I am level headed Cornell. :) I feel like that is a great compliment coming from you. It's a bit easier to be level headed in writing than it is to be in person. I am a bit spastic when I get to chatting with people...sometimes anyway! depends on the day/time/etc.

I am going to give myself 3 weeks of conditioning my heart by walking/jogging every day for 20 minutes at least. If I'm not seeing improvement in 3 weeks I am likely going to go see a NEW cardiologist.

You guys are so great. I feel such a peace being able to discuss these things with you all, so thank-you, thank you.

:)