Severe anxiety over lungs.

Hi everyone,
I've had health anxiety most of my life. It's been controlled for a long time with meds and therapy..until a couple months ago. My 3 kids and myself were sick for most of December with colds and stomach bugs, but throughout January I had constant clearingnof my throats and random voice hoarseness that concerned me.
I ignored it for weeks, but then a week ago, I woke up to gurgle sound in my left lung when I exhaled. I totally freaked out. Inwent to the doctor and she didn't hear anythingn in my lungs and took an x-ray that came back clear. By the way, I did not have a cold or anything...the chest rattles and cough were only symptoms. So I went home. After a week went by and I was still having rattles when I exhale and sometimes a productive cough. I went back and the dr listened to me and said she heard wheezing and said I have asthmatic bronchitis. I was terrified I may have lung cancer..and she swore the X-ray a week ago would've showed something suspicious. So she prescribed my antiinflammatories to take for 2 days and an inhaler to use as needed. I woke this morning and am now more worried because I now have a deep gurgle in my chest when I inhale AND exhale! My family and friends are begging me to relax and believe my dr that it's nothing malignant...but I can't seem to stop worries as the feeling in my chest is really upsetting me.
Is this normal for chest congestion? Any advice would be helpful!


Thank you!

Hi T and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of the rough cold/flu season your household has had...and the resulting health anxiety that is has triggered. Being sick, even with something as common as a cold can be a real challenge for someone with health anxiety.

Try to be patient with yourself and the process of getting well. Your doctor just prescribed the anti-inflammatory and the inhaler...so try to give them a chance to do their work...

...and in the meantime, practice self help skills for managing the run away worries and catastrophic thinking.

At the top of the main forum page here you'll find our Resources. They are filled with great coping exercises that will make a difference in how you feel if practiced daily. There are even links specifically for Health Anxiety that you will find beneficial, I am sure.

Health and wellness to you, body and mind...

...and post with us anytime for anxiety sharing and support!

Scaredy Cat

T.,

I am so glad to hear that you are managing with all of your tools...great work! Best wishes with your Rx addition/possible switch. Good job on being pro-active and getting the needed adjustment guidance from your doctor in order to feel your best!

Keep up with your therapist...adding some self help in to supplement what you are learning. Sometimes we hit plateaus with therapy, but pushing through will bring about eventual new growth and benefits.

Post with us as needed if you find it helpful...support is a key part of recovery!

S.C.