Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Bomber on January 25, 2015, 09:08:25 PM
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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.
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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!
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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
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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
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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. ;D
X
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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
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Karenja
Have you had appointment through yet for excercise test? You not feeling any better off HRT then?
X
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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 thà t are now scaring me two nights following back of my head - excercise ECG is Monday followed by appt with cardiologist Wednesday xx
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I hope it all goes well for you. Headaches maybe the stress of the way you are feeling? X
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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
x
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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
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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
x
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Hi Libby,
I'm so relieved I'm not alone!.... :) I think my GP is sick of looking at me these days! ;D
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
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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.
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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
x
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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.
Welcome!
I was on Citalopram for anxiety 5 years ago. I had horrific side effects from it for Tue first few weeks. What dose are you on?
I had health anxiety a few months ago, when my hormones were kicking off but I hadn't realised. I lost a friend to breast cancer, and then my GP ran tests for ovarian cancer and the receptionist mistakenly told me the results were being monitored - it made me anxious, even when I was then told the results were fine.
Strangely, my health anxiety has subsided recently, even though I've had to have heart tests for palpitations.
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I am only on 10mg and only six weeks in. Horrendous side effects to start with and still have issues with stomach but feel a bit calmer. But, still get anxious. All it has done is to stop full blown panic attacks. Can't help thinking I would be as well off trying natural route.
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It could be that you need to move up to a higher dose. My GP always insisted 10mg was "sub therapeutic - we give that dose to little old ladies!", but she'd given me 20mg as a starting dose and it nearly killed me! I went straight down to 10mg and stayed there for a while, before moving up to 20mg and eventually 30mg.
It did take away the anxiety, but I felt it took away any good feelings too - I just felt a bit flat all the time.
Are you in perimenopause? Has your GP discussed HRT?
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So glad I found this post and that I'm not alone got upset in work today as so the girls are calling me hypocondriac as I'm
Forever at doctors and there is nothing wrong with me - I do
Feel the doctor is loosing patience - hoping all be ok with excercise ECG and I can tick that off my worry list. - had four headaches this week maybe it is tension x
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I am so bad that almost everyday I think I am ill and it'll only be a matter of time!! :'(
My husband isn't really getting that I cant control these feelings and its causing so much friction!! Just feel awful with the anxiety! I tried Citalopram but I felt so spaced out and they didn't really help with the anxiety.
Only thing that does help is wine! Few glasses and I forget and feel like I used to before all this meno stuff! ;)
Angela.x
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So glad that I came across this! I have been 'having' a heart attack for the last week, pains in chest, left arm, right arm etc etc.... I know that it is anxiety, I had tests including ecg last year and all was fine. I have been having these symptoms for the last 5 years and each time I convince myself that this is the real thing, it's strange it always happens around something happening in the family, first time nephew died, then change of job and this time it might just be that Mum is going into hospital for a cancer op on Monday....... I do know the reasons and the signs for it but every time I always think the worse and end up worrying myself silly, why do we do this to ourselves?... It is a big help to see that it's not just me and others go through it too, I have a fantastic hubby and family who are used to my 'funny' ways. This menopause thing has a lot to answer for!!!
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sweelittlemaiden (love the name), I know it doesn't stop it but your lucky to have your family around, I live on my own and its ten times worst as you have more thinking time and the additional panic that if something were to happen there would be nobody there to help its horrible xx
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Karenja won't be long till you have your test
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Sweetlittlemaiden
I've been having the "heart attack" for the past week too. Had test last year all ok, but that was last year! Lol I just hate when I get these episodes
X
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these posts started by bomber are so reassuring that I am not alone, health anxiety is really awful, despite cardiologist tests saying my hearts fine even though I just walked up a hill my chest was tight (so unfit now that's why) and I found it scary, when will this end, I don't think I will ever truly feel like my old self again x
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I am so happy I saw this post as I have developed health anxiety over the past two years and I would say I also have General Anxiety as well, I just turned 46 - I have had several tests including MRI of brain, treadmill test, blood work, etc. I have even forced them to do a CT scan when I thought I had pancreatic cancer symptoms... it is terrible - I wake up nervous and trembling inside every day especially around my period. The fact that I am afraid to see how I feel when I wake up makes me more nervous. I just want to feel myself again instead of shake, achey, foggy, nervous, anxious, reaching for ativan! Doctors think I am nuts and they say my blood work is fine! I am so over feeling this way!
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Well here I am again ::) this time I 'really' am poorly, I have a water infection and a very heavy flu type cold but strangely enough this doesn't seem to worry me???? Lol. Next week when I feel better I will be back to chest pains, headaches, neck aches etc etc. :o
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I am actually better than I was when I was in my 20s and 30s was obssessed that I had heart disease and other horrible things and now that I am 50 plus I do still get anxious currently convinced I have colon issues but by tomorrow, will prob be something else lol...at least nowadays I can laugh @ myself, just so annoyed that I wasted so many years worrying about health issues.
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I still have health anxiety despite 10mg Citalopram. It has stopped the actual panic attacks but appears to have flattened all my feelings as don't seem to be able to just relax and feel happy. Have absolutely no family or money worries and other than gum disease due to receding gums I am fit and healthy. But I can spend hours convinced that I am going to lose all my teeth. Also have to avoid any health warnings or health news on TV! Feel a bit pathetic as I am wasting healthy days worrying about the future!
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I could write an essay on health anxiety!!
rebelyell, I was glad to see I'm not the only one avoiding health news on tv! There are certain posts on here i find i whizz past too! Also i see things at bus stops, in the paper, hear people talking about deaths or illness, they all send me into overdrive. I never used to be this way, I feel like a spineless wimp. I've had some serious illnesses over the years and managed them with a young family and full time job. I'd be floored if it happened now. I wish I'd enjoyed my younger 'carefree' youth more! xxx
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i suffer health anxiety and am having a bad day today with it. My kitchen isunder construction and I am afraid to go home due to the dust and what it might do to my nose/lungs, etc.
It is great to read that others suffer this and I am getting alot of fellowship from this website.
I was sitting outside at Starbucks today (live in California, it is warm here and I get nervous sitting inside due to germs/coughs./sick people, of which there are many right now.) I met two ladies in their mid 60s. Such nice women. Had a good chat. I said to one that she seemed very healthy and confident and a non fearful person.
Her response floored me: she said she wakes up every day afraid. I do not know what she is afraid of or why. She seems very well, walks miles each day. I never would have guessed.
I think there are many, many people out there just scared to death and I never knew it. All this became just terribly bad after I entered meno. Seriously, I am so anxious ofmy health that I think it is hurting my health and this makes me more anxious too. Sigh....
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Sammy all you other ladies I could have written some of these posts myself, your experience with the lady outside Starbucks just makes you realise your not alone, I didn't feel like this before meno, it would be nice to get back to being our oldselves or as near as we can, I worry about everything, aches pains etc, taking tablets even herbal remedies reading side effects, awful just awful x :'(
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me too...going to cbt therapy and mindfullness in the hope i might be able to kick it...it's a horrible thing and mine just started with meno as well..must be link to hormones..wish gps would realise it..
gina x
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I suffer with really bad panic attacks but normally when I am in my bed. I know they are brought on from constant worry because I just can't relax. If I get a pain in my chest I think ime having a heart attack, I can't stop researching on the Internet to make sure ime doing the right things, I worry about things I didn't use to like getting on an aeroplane or driving on a long journey. I am basically a nervous wreck where's I used to be a very laid back person. I am just shit scared I will die when I never even used to think of this word
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Hi does anybody get a lot of headaches something I am suffering from recently keep thinking it's something bad but already had heart checked and fibroids gp will think I'm mad if I mention this now :( x
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Hi Sparkle thanks for your reply glad to hear Im no alone, have had headache all day today and thinking all sorts as you do!, I didn't suffer from them in the past so has to be hormone linked, but will mention to my gp x
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Karenja keep a dairy of when they occur you might see a pattern I.e. middle of month or near end of cycle,then you could show gp and say they seem to be linked to hormones ,if that's what it shows. X
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yes I will definitely do that, there is always something menopause who wants it not me or lots of others :( x
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Hello - can anyone give me some rational thought please? I am getting really stressed about blood test results and seeing my GP.
I had blood tests in January to check FSH and thyroid as I had prolonged bleeding, FSH indicated menopause which actually made health anxiety sky rocket! My GP is handling this badly and adding to my anxiety, I am changing GP but it takes a few weeks and meanwhile I had the blood tests again as GP advised and have an appointment to see him next Monday.
He tested FSH and thyroid again and added a full blood count and electrolytes - this is what sent me into a spin, thinking he was looking for something else plus the general fear that 'something else' will arrive on my plate to deal with.
I had the blood tests last Tuesday and reception said I could phone for results on Thursday - rather than stay anxious, I managed to put it completely out of my mind and decided to wait to see the GP for results as he suggested.
Well, I've been doing well until today - I am an anxious mess. I realise it's partly my fear of seeing him again, so I wonder if I just call the surgery and if tests are all OK, cancel my appointment and wait for the new GP to be set up. Trouble is, I am also anxious about a vauge answer from reception and/or something being wrong with results!
Arrrrgh between a rock and a hard place.
My logic says, someone would call if there was something really wrong or abnormal with the results - can anyone advise if this thinking is reasonable? I think it would help me face the fear of my GP and results if I stopped assuming something awful is going to happen. To be honest, the shock of his phonecall telling me menopause was upon me was really awful, it came one day after the blood test and has now created a big fear of him AND the tests.
Thank you
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I'm sure the surgery would have called you if anything was flagged up as abnormal . When you have bloods done they are sent back to the GPS with red flagged warnings on so they can't be missed if there is any further investigation,treatments to do ,my nephew works in the labs and he told me this,I also saw this on my own tests when I asked for them to be printed off so I could take them with me to the specialist,so please don't get worked up...no news in this case is good news ;)
Probably you are more anxious about seeing him again if he wasn't very empathetic ! Hope you soon get sorted,try to relax ,easier said than done I know ! X
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I totally understand your anxiety,BrightLight.
I never had a problem with seeing a doctor until my own made such a mess of things. Now, I get very worked up about seeing anyone medical or having to ask for test results etc.
With regards a full blood count and electrolytes, I think these are considered entirely routine - not so much looking for anything as just ticking boxes. Electrolytes include things like potassium and magnesium, a deficiency of either being a possible cause of anxiety/palpitations. Blood count would presumably look for anaemia.
I would call for your result (make sure you ask what the reference range is, and what your actual result is - not just "it's normal".) If all ok, cancel your appointment and start afresh once you've changed surgery.
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Dazned and Honorsmum
Thank you both for your understanding. No news is good news - that's great. I did think they were routine and had them years ago and never batted an eye. Isn't age meant to give you wisdom and serenity ;)
Yes, I think I will phone for results and cancel the appointment if results are all OK (if the receptionist will tell me) - like you Honorsmum, I have never lost this much confidence with doctors, not ever. It's really not a nice feeling but the only way to change that is bite the bullet and begin a new relationship with a new surgery and hopefully get a better experience.
Health anxiety is not a useful or very nice mindset. I built an Ikea flatpack desk today in the hope of distraction, it worked just a little bit :)
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You 're not alone ,I have no faith anymore in gps, it shouldn't be that way but we know all the constraints they are under,unfortunately as menopause is seen by many as a "natural" thing it's way down the list of priorities. So we look to each other and support ,encourage and hopefully inform and take it from there. X
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Yes, we need to support each other. On the plus side, the new GP surgery has a practise nurse you can visit and a well woman service - it actually says on the website you can speak to the practise nurse about menopause issues. Hooray! Someone to just chat too. This service and talking here is spurring me onwards :)
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I had a full blood screen done recently. I called for results....we have a dedicated results line ...and was told everything was within acceptable limits. I then had a follow up appointment with my GP who went through the results with me. I could have waited till my appointement but I wanted to know.
I do know from my hubby's health history if there is anything wrong you get a call from the doctor.
Try not to worry too much, it's probably all just standard tests and will be fine.
Honeybun
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Brightlight..
This may reassure you, i also had a full blood screen last Thursday.
On Sunday ..yes a Sunday!.,my GP phoned me with results and to discuss them, so I think if anything was amiss your GP would have been in touch by now.
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Thanks Honeybun
Another problem with my surgery, it isn't clear whether results are available before or after a Dr has seen them, my partner has experienced various scenarios, being telephoned, calling himself and waiting for an appointment.
With all these comments, I feel more confident there is nothing a miss. Thank you
Milly! I expect a call on a Sunday was a surprise - my GP rang me the day after my blood test last time, with news of high high FSH and I guess it's made me think another call is coming. I hope you are OK?
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Brightlight, I would say that ordering a CBC is a truly routine request. Having had a lot of tests myself, I can say that if they thought something really dreadful was happening you would see a lot of unique and exotic looking tests in addition to the CBC.
In fact that he only ordered a CBC kind of means to me that he expects the results to roughly speaking be normal. Because if he thought there was something specific or seriously wrong with you he would've ordered additional tests.
All medical things are basically huge stress inducing events. The best we can do is wait to get them over with trying not to think about them in the meanwhile.
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I just called the surgery and the note from the Dr on my results said "No further Action required - normal ranges" - my FSH and LH were also in normal range, but I will start another thread for that.
My anxiety has hit the roof over all this and I am relieved my results indicate all is well in general terms, my mind can't quite let go of the idea things are not OK, but I'm sure that will sink in soon enough.
Thank you for your support, it means a lot to me.
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Hi I too have health anxiety as well as anxiety about most things, I get a very tight chest a lot, had all tests on my heart and its fine, does anybody else get this??x
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Yes many of us here get it you are not alone or imaging it ;) It can be a classic symptom of peri/ menopause issues or it could be general stress. Try keeping a diary to see if it happens to you at certain times of your cycle ,does a pattern emerge ? If so you could tell dr it appears to be hormonal,if not may explore other avenues related to stress . Hope you find some relief soon as I know it can be horrendously debilitating.
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thanks dazned Ive included his in another post Ive sent tonight, I don't get periods anymore, it is really horrible x