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[Bomber]

Having read a lot of the posts on this forum, it seems to me that 'health anxiety' is really quite common and a very serious symptom of the menopause and that we mustn't be afraid or ashamed to talk about it to our loved ones and our doctors.
I had so many physical symptoms before HRT, I was convinced I was dying of something awful, but I scared to talk about it in case people or even my doctor thought I was a Hypochndriac (not unreasonable since he kept offering anti depressants). I was so afraid I wanted to ask my doctor if he could send me for a complete body scan (and I would pay for it as I was so desperate) to find out what was wrong with me. Even though I had already had lots of invasive tests, I just couldn't accept there was nothing wrong because I felt so ill and the pills they were giving me weren't making me better.
Hard to imagine that a simple regular dose of oestrogen could resolve an issue seemingly so complicated, but for me it has. 


 

[CLKD]

A GP can only treat with the symptoms they are told.  They usually begin with testing for 'obvious' causations to rule out problems and to aid treatment.

I think that GPs do need a menopause course  ……. with a list of expected symptoms!

[Amandajane46]

I had health anxiety even paid for privet MRI n camera down my throat and also cat scan blood test  I was convinced I had some thing deadly all theses symptoms and every time I visited the doctors deciding which one to tell as they only deal with 2 at a time after a few months my doctor didn't both getting out her seat made me feel I was wasting her time so I changed doctors after 14 months suffering

[Spadger]

Bomber I know exactly where you're coming from with this - in fact I am going through a really bad patch...I'm 2 yrs post meno, never taken HRT, and feel like I am dying of...something.  I have anxiety, sleeplessness, hot flushes (for 4 years now), night sweats among other things.  Today I feel so weird 'inside' that I've convinced myself I have cancer of the womb or cervix - I have talked myself into giving it another few days and then trying to get an appointment with the GP if I haven't got a grip!  Every little ache/pain/strange feeling is over-analysed these days - headaches become brain tumours for example...
It does help to know I'm not alone in this though, and although I've always said I want to do this 'cold turkey' I'm wondering if HRT would help me?
Hope you're ok - love Spadger x

[Millykin]

The old health anxiety isn't it just great, like others this is my big issue. One day I'm ok rational thinking on an even keel the next I have some strange form of cancer or some incurable diesese. Even tho I've had heart checks, bloods, chest X-ray it dosent help I convince myself they missed it. 
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[karenja]

Hi I get this too, Im currently awaiting a exercise ecg as because of palpatations, chest tightness symptoms Im convinced this has had an effect on my heart, also for the past two days Ive had headaches which are really really concerning me, Ive come off hrt three weeks ago xx

[Millykin]

Karenja
Have you had appointment through yet for excercise test? You not feeling any better off HRT then?
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[karenja]

Hi milykin to be honest on the whole I haven't been too bad yes I've had anxiety but not like when I came off it before and I've had hearburn prob no connection - it's these headaches thàt are now scaring me two nights following back of my head - excercise ECG is Monday followed by appt with cardiologist Wednesday xx

[Millykin]

I hope it all goes well for you. Headaches maybe the stress of the way you are feeling? X

[libby1]

The problem with health anxiety is this. You get a pain/discomfort/strange feeling and anyone else would think 'oh that's a bit annoying' and then forget about it. With us lot we never stop thinking about it to the point that you can wake up in the morning and it's gone but as soon as you think 'oh it's gone', it comes back again. We can almost magically make it come back. Are we all magicians? Or just going mad? It's been my worst meno symptom by a long way (so far). I hate it and I hate the fact that I have become like this.

Libby
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[Angela68]

Hi Everyone,

I am so glad I saw this tonight! Been suffering so bad lately, what with headaches, joint pain and well, the list is endless! I'm 47 almost (on Monday) and have suffered horrendous health anxiety for the last year. I haven't taken HRT either as I have Endometriosis, my GP has only offered me AD's as he feels its really all in my head!  I know that maybe the case but it affects all of my life, I worry constantly that I'm dying, I feel so bad at times with new pains coming every week!!     Can this really be normal??

Anyway I feel so much more settled now to know that there are other women feeling this way and I'm not going slowly mad!!     

Angela.x 

[libby1]

Hi Angela
I'm 47 too and I've felt like this for the past 3 years    I go through patches of it, but it's always there and obviously normal for us perimeno lot 

Libby
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[Angela68]

Hi Libby,

I'm so relieved I'm not alone!....  I think my GP is sick of looking at me these days!

Lets hope it eventually goes away and we can get on with life without the worry at every pain!.. No-one prepares you for all of this I think that's why it seems so overwhelming and scary!

Angela.x

[rebelyell]

This is my first post on here, although have lurked for a couple of months now.  Health anxiety is my BIGGEST problem by far.  I have an issue with my teeth - gums receded and infections have caused bone loss - although have gone to dentist every six months and only just been told this!  Am now convinced teeth are loose, going to fall out, have moved, etc, etc.  Am paranoid that I might have to have them all removed, although am religiously following hygienist instructions.   When this worry recedes I then have time to worry about heart attack/stroke/bowel cancer or whatever health scare is on the news that day!

Am driving my husband round the bend - he says if I am going to die soon, or lose my teeth, I am now wasting what little time I have by worrying about it!!

Has anybody found ADs help?  Am on citalopram for hot flushes and progynova, but still get very anxious. 

[libby1]

I tried Kalms for a while and found that they helped but they're for short term use only so I stopped taking them because that made me worry too 

Libby
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