I have posted here before but under the name Rebelyell - my computer crashed and I couldn't get back on under old name as I couldn't even access my email account! - and most posts were around the issue of healthy anxiety or anxiety in general.
I totally feel your pain. Since I had my first panic attack three years ago I have suffered to varying degrees. The panic attacks have largely stopped but I go from one health 'scare' to another. My rational brain is able to compartmentalise or de-catastrophise but when my HA brain kicks in I am a shivering, paranoid, anxious wreck. I have had major episodes about: bowels/ovarian cancer/losing teeth/stoke/skin cancer/heart attack/low blood pressure and now it is my tongue as I have a strange white bit on the underside, not on the surface but it is as if I have something white under the surface. I know that if I was somebody 'normal' inside my head I would be shocked, horrified and probably call for the men in white coats. I would also tell me to buck my ideas up and enjoy life, as each 'episode' takes away precious days/weeks.
Things that make it flare up are - tiredness, too much alcohol [I can't handle more than half a shandy now], stress, physical issues or symptoms. I then obsess about one particular issue, resort to googling, panic even more, catastrophise, stop eating, etc. The major thing for me is if I am not out and about I tend to have time to get obsessive - I work from home a lot which gives me time to brood and then it spirals out of control.
Things that help - exercise & yoga, eating healthily [although try not to add this to your list of obsessions, I have to a degree, which isn't helpful when you're away and can't stick to routines!], not GOOGLING, walking, being with people. Being busy.
Every time I am over one issue I think 'That's it - I'm cured!'. But then another health issue raises its head and WHAM, I'm back at square one. I've tried citalopram but hated the dead feeling and found the side effects just added to my health anxiety. I'm on oestrogen only HRT [I've had a hysterectomy] and that seems to help. I've tied CBT and hypnotherapy and read loads of books on the subject. Trouble is I'm looking for a quick fix or a cure and there isn't one, you just have to learn to cope with it.
There is another thread on here about low self esteem and I think that plays a large part in anxiety at this time of life. My husband has no issues but had a very loving mother. Mine was/is not at all loving and I was made to feel a real black sheep when I was younger.
Anyway - I have no answers, only enormous sympathy for fellow sufferers. This forum is a godsend if only because I would never, ever have the nerve to admit to 'real' people the stuff I admit to on here, and it helps to write it down. When I read it back I sound like a total nutter, and that helps!