My Story. Can Anxiety really do this?

Hi All,

I am in a couple of other groups as I have Ulcerative Colitis and GERD. Man this anxiety thing has really done a number on me. I am now worried about if I will ever get out of this funk. I feel scattered, anxious and finding it increasingly difficult to be excited about anything anymore. I will try to start from the beginning.

I have had health anxiety for the last 10 years are so. I am not sure how it developed but I have been scared of Cancer or getting HIV or other chronic illnesses illogically for at least the past decade. Well within that time frame some real things have occurred that have added to my fear. First one of my good buddies passed away young from Brian Cancer. That was tough and I had a phobia of even looking at his picture thinking somehow I would get cancer as well. Then when having a sinus infection I had a severe reaction to amoxicillin where my throat begin to close and my now wife then girlfriend had to rush me to the hospital for them to administrate an epipen and some IV medicine I can't recall. Ever since that moment 6 years ago I am now afraid of taking new medications or in some cases eating new things. I have had an allergy test in 2013 that confirmed I am not allergic to anything but still irrationally I worry about not being able to breath and my throat closing. I have even went to the hospital and sat in the parking lot in case a reaction occurred. Sometimes I have done this late at night.

Then almost 2 years ago I was having bloody stools, which at the time I was convinced was colon cancer. Turned out it was Ulcerative Colitis. Within a year I am now in remission, however recently I have been feeling a tingling sensation down my left leg along with brain fog, dry mouth and not being able to concentrate as well as I use too. I am convinced now it's MS and this time I have been panicking for so long I have now truly started to loose interest in everyday things I love for the first time in my life. This really scares me. I feel like I am trapped in a funk I cannot get out of. These sensations are also scaring me particularly the brain fog in which I feel like my memory and concentration has been greatly affected.

I am now in my 30's and it just seems perpetual worry has finally taken it's toll on my mind. I am worried that I have worried myself into a serious neurological chronic illness. I have booked an appointment with a therapist next Thursday to discuss some of these issues but I am worried the damage has already been done. Anyone else out there been through this? Has anyone ever had the sensations I describe? How did you get through it?

Sincerely.

YSC

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I can relate to what you are going through health anxiety is a tough one to live with and is hard to keep under control. The main thing to remember is to not google your symptoms as that will only make your anxiety a lot worse.

The good news is lots can be done to help and your first port of call should be with your GP as they will be able to talk through your options. I'm pleased to hear you have made an appointment with a therapist as that will be really beneficial.

Have a look at our resources section for some good links to self help sites on the web especially the health anxiety links.

Keep us posted we are here for you.

Hibee

Hi,
I can completely relate. I also have health anxiety and I am always afraid of a heart attack. I have been checked before and the doctor tells me I am fine. And I do believe her most of the time. I also have GERD so I get the chest discomfort from anxiety and chest pains from GERD. The pain freaks me out and increases my anxiety.

I will say that some periods are better than others and I have times when I feel mostly calm and enjoy things. I do go to therapy and have a klonopin to take as needed. I force myself to go to the gym to do yoga. So Hopefully the good times will be more frequent. Try to stay positive.Best of luck.