I’m New Here.

Hi! My name is Melissa. I suppose it is very safe to say that I suffer with health anxiety.

In my googling of health anxiety (is it just me, or when you reach the point where you can’t possibly google any more symptoms, you google “health anxiety” because you realize that’s what you really should be researching), I’ve come across resources in this forum before. I’ve thought about joining a lot. Tonight seemed to be the night where I needed someone on earth to understand me. I feel that my friends, my mother, and most of my doctors have reached the point where they’re done being sympathetic and done listening to me “mention” my symptoms.

It’s the day before Christmas Eve, and even while shopping and having a nice day, I was fighting a feeling that “something is off with my rib.” Then suddenly, a weird feeling all night in my jaw/possibly the glands by my ear. And I ask myself “what does that even mean?” I can’t walk into the doctor’s office with these vague descriptions. I should know that if something is so vague that I can’t even describe it, odds are it is not REAL. Right?? I should know that.

I’ve looked over the resource post (and there’s definitely good stuff). I think what I am here for is the hope and need for someone else to say “it’s not just you.” I have never met or spoken to anyone who has had experience with these same irrational fears that consume almost every waking (and sometimes sleeping..) minute. I am so exhausted. I know I’m healthy, but I can’t shake the feeling that something is constantly wrong within my body.

I would love to hear similar stories and journeys if anyone can relate.