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[ancient runner]

Weird thing is that I was exactly like this a year ago, and had been for a while. But I had a big health investigation last year - went on for months - and somehow I managed to keep on just putting it out of my mind. Just did the CBT thing of ignoring it. Amazingly it worked. I can't really offer any advice except to say that it does seem possible to stop being so anxious, although I totally agree that little things reported to the doc these days always seem to invite more of a barrage of tests than they used to.
Good luck all (and I am keeping fingers crossed that I can stay so calm!)

[CLKD]

How did you find that out 

My anxiety is physical - once the gut starts to tighten up ……. 

[Rebelyell]

Happy Birthday.  Hope you manage to enjoy it.    I have really battled this last year, and as I have already posted, I have no magic wand.   But think yourself through it - it is all in the mind, you are no more ill than the next man [or woman]
and last time you felt this bad you didn't die.  So you won't this time.   Little steps to start with.

[Bettyboo]

Happy Birthday Justjules!

Another one on the Health Anxiety train here - I wonder how many of us have got it? I've had it for three years, not managed to crack it yet though meditation (mindfulness app Headspace) is helping I think but I've only been using it three weeks.

Like you I sit in front of a computer all day and suffer from chest/ rib/ back pain - ribs hurt to touch, palpitations, etc. I work at home though and have no excuse for not moving around more, but I don't take my own advice.  I'm on my third desk in two years. I had a sit-stand desk for Christmas but I fear it has made it worse (daren't tell OH though). I suppose I don't do the standing up enough. Anyway, what I wanted to mention to you was costochondritis. I developed this three years ago when I had to work off a laptop all day on a flat table, it is on and off, but more on at the moment and lots of typing and bad posture make it worse. You mention hunching over your keyboard, so it may be worth asking Dr if it could be that.

Take care and try to enjoy your birthday, but don't feel guilty if you want a quiet time.
bb
x

[Justjules]

Aaaah thanks for the birthday wishes....yeh, had a rubbish day. Off to my son's for a takeaway but to be honest don't want to go. Had to stop myself from taking myself off to a&e as still convinced it's angina as got in car and chest ached again but then didn't really want to disappoint the family but I thought that at least when I was at the hospital I could just say 'sort this out, I can't stand it any more' but how dramatic does that sound!!! Then it eases off after 20 mins, makes me want to keep 'burping' to relieve it so that's another 'symptom'....it got me so anxious so now it's going to ruin my night  . 

Bettyboo, i read about costochrondortis but it doesn't fit with the pain I get and apparently it is 'sore to touch' which mine isn't.

I've had this for 3 winters now since I started this bloomin job so try to think that something would have got worse by now surely....then I think that I may have had this for years but but never noticed it because I used to park right outside work.  I walk okay at weekends! Daughter thinks it's psychological.

Sorry, I'm rambling now but v.anxious and scared. Hate myself for being like this, really do. There are people coping with much worse and I can't even bring myself to go for tests and see what's going on.

 

[CLKD]

Logic flies out the window when we are worried  !

It could be indigestion, which is a common symptom at 'our' age, however, if you have had this for 3 years it's unlikely to be serious - anything terminal will have 'developed' by now …..

How low is the car seat?  Getting in and out of a car can cause various aches and pains.  As can menopause - apparently as oestrogen levels drop so aches and pains develop    ……… have you tried pain relief or an anti-spasmodic to ease the various aches?  How about going to see a Pharmacist, they have private rooms for informal chats!

I"m still worrying that this anxiety will get worse and I'll need to take my emergency meds. ………..  when I don't feel anything physical I don't think about 'what if'. 

[Justjules]

Yes, definitely no logical thinking at any time from me. 

CLKD ...car seat is fine. I think breathing shallow might be a problem as I realise when I am typing, I tend to be holding my breath a lot for some strange reason.

Sparkle....do suffer digestive problems but this is different.

Have a Drs app after lunch...seeing a new one as I just can't get one with my normal one but surgery said she is lovely. Probably be about 23 and doesn't know what anxiety feels like but need to bite the bullet and put my cards on the table and face whatever this is.

Have a good day everyone...x

[limpy]

Have a Drs app after lunch...seeing a new one as I just can't get one with my normal one but surgery said she is lovely. Probably be about 23 and doesn't know what anxiety feels like but need to bite the bullet and put my cards on the table and face whatever this is.

JJ one of the first GPs I saw when it was established I was post menopausal was young, looked about 16, but she was brilliant. So, don't panic if you get a young one, they can be very very good.  Hope your appointment goes well.

[ancient runner]

Reading more of your posts JustJules, I had something not dissimilar last year - pain under ribs, on left, also in the middle (which started off an awful lot of health checks). Nothing was found. However, I now think this happens if I forget to take my morning omeprazole - think it's heartburn plus maybe posture?
Hope your appointment is helpful.

[Justjules]

Just to update you all. Went to Drs. Saw nice new Dr. She gave me two options...come off the BBs, which would have to be very slowly as I have been on them for years for supposedly anxiety but I get a fast heart rate without them, and then can take Citalopram again or, she wants me to take Sertraline as she thinks that a lot of my symptoms will settle with those. I told her about the health anxiety being severe and taking over and that my worries were heart related and explained the chest aches, pains etc. but she said she wasn't concerned as I had had a few ecgs which were normal and I wasn't telling her anything that made her want to rush me to cardio for testing as she thinks that would only trigger further worry at this stage. My daughter came with me and she came out quite positive but of course, I have latched onto the fact that I think she didn't think chest stuff was serious enough but daughter says I put my own slant on things and don't listen to what Dr was saying and that if she was concerned she would have referred me.  She wants to see me in 3 weeks and will see if things are any better but I am really frightened of taking the Sertraline. I think if my OH were more supportive I might feel better as he just sent a text saying "so yet again, you aren't dying....what is it this time that you think you have....the Dr probably read your notes and it has a special code on that says she's just an nutter so give her some stuff to shut her up". If I take the tablets and get a bad reaction, he won't help or offer comfort so that makes me more anxious!!  Then my Mum was still really annoyed with me on the phone tonight and I know I have now made her ill with worry so that made me feel bad.  Gosh, do they all think I actually want to feel this bad for goodness sake??? I am so upset tonight.

[limpy]

Justjules if the Dr thought there was any chance of any sort of chest problem she would have referred you, that's what they do.

You say you are concerned about taking the Sertraline and don't think you will have your OHs support. Perhaps ask him directly for support when taking the tablets as you do want to get better but need to know you have his support.

If you don't take the Sertraline you won't know if it works.  As a matter of interest what did you want the Dr to do?

[coldethyl]

As others have said, you have to trust that your GP would act if they thought it necessary. Going for tests just to put your mind at rest would actually have the opposite effect as when we are suffering from health anxiety, we quickly find the one in a million chance that something has been missed or move onto something else to fret over. It might be that the sertraline will help in short term, but I do wonder if some psychological therapy might not also be in order to explore why you respond in this way. I've been working through some online workbooks for health anxiety today in preparation for my own CBT next week and looking at unhelpful ways of thinking seems a good way of nipping these sorts if anxieties in bud.
It might also be worth having a chat with your OH about this. It may be that he isn't trying to be cruel , but just feels frustrated by all of it... Anxiety is a terrible illness, not just for those with it but also for those around it as it consumes everything in its path. No one is to blame for feeling this way, but sometimes I know I need to remind myself that hubby's life has been screwed up by it all as well.

[wombat62]

It sucks big time! Going through it the last couple of days, jittery, anxious, nervy, feel sick...have a big day today and just wondering how I will get through it as hardly slept last night.

Hope you get sorted out and get some relief, our minds are dangerous things at times.

[CLKD]

Ditch the OH? Mine wouldn't even consider opening his Big Gob to make such comments …….  and I would be inclined to tell your OH that 'no, health anxiety won't improve because you don't support me or give me condifence!' …….

It would appear that your Mum is 'too old' to take on your problems.  I know mine has told me in recent years that she 'doesn't want anyone ill in her house as she can't cope as she did when we were growing up'.  That's a fair comment?

Ask your GP to refer you for counselling.  Or you could find a MIND group which would give you the chance to discuss the various worries that you have ….. they have been very supportive to me in recent days. 

I take BBs to stop the anxiety surges and they have worked since 2002.  As well as an emergency tablet for when the anxiety takes over. The AD helps the depression and I vary the dose as necessary with my GPs guidance.  Without him and my supportive DH I wouldn't be here ………

Ask your OH if he is afraid of what might happen if you had a serious illness or if he is 'fed up' with your worries?  If the latter then don't tell him, as far as I am concerned without support he loses the 'right to know'.  Tell him that you will discuss your worries with your GP etc..  I consider that the text is a form of abuse ………. HOW DARE HE!

If he's like this when you are worried 'in case' you have an illness that might need treatment I don't think he would be any more supportive should you have something serious.  Time to think about where he is in your relationship.  Do you know a good lock-smith? 

I know that if Himself even sneezes I go into panic mode but I wouldn't consider sending such a text!

[babyjane]

I agree with coldethyl

Men find it harder to cope when there isn't anything to see.  My husband has confessed to me that he doesn't really 'get it' but he acknowledges and recognises the problems I have. We also respect each other and would never be unkind. Your OH's comment shows neither kindness nor respect but might be because he just doesn't know what to do or what you want of him.  Perhaps you both need to communicate more but if he is just being unkind then he needs to be told.