Health anxiety-always worrying!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
Health anxiety-always worrying!
8
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 10:02pm
I am always worrying about my health-I always think the worst case scenario even though I have good health and I usually just look it up on the internet alot and worry all day. I have good days where I do not worry at all but in the back of my head I am waiting for the good to end. Anyways, if I have an upset stomach I think it is an ulcer. I worry about breast cancer if I have a sore arm...that kind of uneccesary worrying. Today I was opening a blow pop for my daughter with my teeth and a piece of the wrapper went in the wrong tube and I felt it immediately and freaked and then coughed and it never came out but I felt better and drank a lot of water and I am fine I think but now I am so worried tht it is in my lungs and I do not know it? I am sure it just went down my stomach after coughing but in my head it is in my lungs and I am going to develop an infection in a few weeks and have to have surgery. Is this crazy to think this way? Would I know if it is in my lung and be choking still after this happened? My husband just laughs at me..like I am the boy who cried wolf since every other day I have a new health worry-so now nobody takes me seriously. I know you are all not Dr.s but I have been posting a lot and have found great comfort here.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 11:04pm

I am sorry to hear about the health worries. This is a difficult part of anxiety for so many of us.


The technical term for breathing a foreign body into your lungs is aspiration. In my days of working in the operating room, kids & occasionally adults would aspirate something. Food, small toys, you name it! Peas, hot dogs & balloons come to mind. The reaction would be immediate difficulty breathing. Alot of wheezing & strange noises would come from the chest, as the body tries to get rid of the object. Depending upon the size, the patients would be blue to purplish in color. Loss of consciousness is possible. If you're having these symptoms, then go to the hospital ASAP. The fact that you're able to type out a post makes me confident that you did swallow the paper.


Focus on positive things. Keep your mind busy so you will be distracted from the health issues. I know how hard that is, but it takes practice. Soon it will be easy to dismiss these fears. Make sure you're getting enough sleep & exercise to reduce stress & anxiety. You will be fine. Good luck. I am so glad you feel comfortable here. (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2003
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 11:52pm
It's strange because I am sort of opposite ... I do worry about similar things, health and things being wrong with me ... but it's almost as if I'd rather be in denial about it and NOT know the truth because I never go to the dr. I figure, if something is wrong with me, then it will eventually be BAD enough that I will HAVE to go to the dr. I know that may sound weird, I'm like the opposite of a hypochondriac?? I always worry and think something is wrong but I never DO anything about it ... anyway, just thought I'd share my thoughts!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-08-2005
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 1:44am
I don't know if i can offer any kind of help. But i just wanted to tell you that I am exactly the same way. I am always worried about my health. If even the smallest feeling or sensation happens i immediately begin to worry that its some horrible health problem. like the other day when i got the pops in my head *which btw, i have found out what it was, and will be going to a chiropractor soon* i automatically thought i was going to die! my heart worries take precedence, i'm so hypersensitive to what little things it does. even the common cold scares the daylights out of me. sometimes i get feelings where i feel like i can't get enough air (hyperventilating), and i absolutely FREAK OUT! i mean to the point of passing out. everything scares me, im so obsessed with my health..i can't take it. growing up i know what you mean about the feeling like the little girl who cried wolf. i always felt that my parents were annoyed with me when i went to them for comfort or to ask questions. i have a similiar fear. i often dream that i have swallowed something or i am choking on something. then randomly during the day i'll suddenly get this thought and image in my head that i had swallowed some object. I just wanted to let you know that, I know exactly how you feel. Just try to stay busy and keep your mind busy and away from those thoughts.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2003
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 7:35am

That is very much a symptom of anxiety disorder! You are so not alone! I tell myself to remember to be realistic. This kind of worry and anxiety is not realistic. I have to remind myself that I worry way way way too much and to let it go. If it is still bothering me in a day or two, then I can worry and go to the doctor. 9 times out of 10 my problem is gone quickly. And remember, worrying about the what ifs does no good so tell yourself that! Believe me, I've had to learn to do that! It takes time and at first it may not seem to work but keep it up. Just talk to yourself and remember it is part of the whole AP thing and try to relax and let it go. Sorry you are feeling this way! It is no fun I know! Hang in there!

Hugs,

Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2003
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 9:44am
I am the same way, too. Here is an example...About 2 months ago, I was mowing the yard right next to a fence. Well, the deck on the mower hit a board on the fence & caused it to hit me in the head. It started bleeding & I immediately thought I was bleeding to death. I went to the ER and had 2 stitches. It even stopped bleeding by the time I got there. Well, 2 weeks later I was really dizzy & thought that I may have had serious damage where I got hit in the head. So, I went to urgent care & then had a CAT scan on my head. It turned out fine but still from time to time if my head hurts, I fear that I have damaged something and maybe there is bleeding on my brain & they missed it on the CAT scan! OH, and I also got a tetnas (sp?) shot because I thought for sure I had it. I looked up the symptons on the internet & of course I had them all! Even my jaws were getting really tight. It had been about 8 years since the last one, so I figured I'd better be safe than sorry! Well, I just wanted to share, so you would know you aren't the only one!!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2004
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 11:38am

I am the same way. Every little ache I am researching and convincing myself I have that illness I read about. I have especially become obsessed with me having breast cancer because of pain under the arm even after a normal mammogram. I spoke with my grandmother who has an anxiety disorder and she said she is the same way with her health. I really, really hate worrying about my health all the time but am coming to see that this is normal.


Tina

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 3:39pm

I'm sorry to hear you are having such a hard time with the fear of medical issues affecting you.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 7:15pm
Yes thanks for the reassurance. I am fine but I do think I feel A weird sensation in my throat. almost like I need to burp. It is probably from the plastic scratching my throat. because I am only aware of it when I thnk about it. Otherwise I have no other problem. Mt Dr. told me what you told me told me, that I'd be coughing a lot. It has ruined my day today because I was feeling fine for a few days and then any health symptom gets me worried and down. Also, my parents are going through a breakup and my mom is a wreck and calls me all day and puts me in the middle and I told her not to because I can't handle the stress and it triggers anxiety -I think. I guess I am going to go exercise and trey to read a magazine on the treadmill because that helps get my mood better. I just find it so hard to accept how debilitating anxiety is. Why, because it is all in my head and created by me and I can't control it. It is awful to wish to think normal and you feel so guilty for acting this way over life and and over nothing at all.I do not want to be crippled by this. I am trying to forgive myself and take it easy and not feel like a bad mom if I feel too "weird" to drive the kids and let my husband take over. That is the hardest part because I used to be so confident and run tons of errands and have no problem. Now I think about myself all day and try to act normal. This board is very helpful . It is nice to know I am not alone.