How to get to the bottom of recent health issues; anxiety or something else?

Hi all. I haven't been on in a long time. I've had PD for about 18 years, but for the most part I've been doing very well over the last 14 years or so. I can usually talk myself down when I feel anxious and I don't get panic attacks that often anymore, until recently. The last 6 months or so I've become increasingly anxious and panicky. It was still pretty much under control, but the last couple of weeks I've been having more frequent, very strong panic attacks. I don't take thruways because I will have a panic attack if I do, but lately I am getting panic attacks just driving out of my town, on a normal street that I've driven a thousand times before. I am having more health anxiety. I feel like something is wrong, but I can't put my finger on it. I am more moody, anxious and achy in general. I am almost 48 and thinking that maybe I am getting closer to menopause. Could my hormones just be going into overdrive? I have a well check next week and I'm getting a general blood test and a thyroid test to see if that could be part of the problem. Any advice on what else I should look into? I don't want to have unnecessary tests done, but I need to do something. I'm considering going back to therapy. I really don't want to get on any drugs if I don't have to though. One of my health anxiety things, is that I have a reoccurring pain in my middle right abdomen. It isn't really painful, and it's been around for at least 3 years. When I started having it I got an abdominal ultrasound and they didn't see anything. The only other thing I could do is get a colonoscopy, which really freaks me out! My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's a year ago and my daughter has scoliosis that might eventually require surgery. I know that all of these things can increase anxiety, just want to get a handle on it and I'm wondering why now?

Hi P

Welcome back but sorry to hear you are having a tough time at the moment anxiety has a nasty habit of resurfacing after a long period of being ok and I tend to call these setbacks. Try and stay positive and tell yourself you have got through it before so you can do it again and double up on all your coping skills.

I hope your doctors appointment goes well keep us posted we are here for you.

Sorry to hear about your husbands and daughters diagnosis's my Dad has Parkinson's and I have a curve in my spine so I know some about it.

Hibee