Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Justjules on January 06, 2016, 11:47:36 AM
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Hi ladies, I'm a newbie - posted on the intro section but thought I'd give posting a go as I'm at my wit's end with myself.
Forgive the bit of a ramble - have read some of the other posts on health anxiety which have made me feel less of a nutcase, but I think I am now really going too far with all this. I've always been a bit prone to hypochondria from being a child and was actually seriously ill in my twenties when I nearly died with peritonitis (long story) so that hasn't helped. Over the last few years I have had:
breast cancer scare - recall from mammogram which was okay in the end;
water infection/blood in urine which led to investigations and convinced I had kidney cancer
then another breast cancer scare - again okay
always have heart worries as used to get really bad palpitations and am on betablockers but they don't bother me now
last December had to have bowel tests and was so convinced that I had bowel cancer - got myself in such a state that I even 'ran away' as I couldn't face it - what sane person does that sort of thing???? The tests proved negative, even though the symptoms were so real.
So, latest problem has been chest pain; mainly since I started a new job 2 years ago (I am a secretary but find it hard now typing and being hunched all day over a desk and am shattered when I get out of work).Have taken myself to a&e twice over them - once about 12 months ago and then again recently. ECG clear but then read that ECGs aren't reliable and don't show 'blocked arteries' which of course, I think I have. Now I am getting myself in a right state, which I know won't help, thinking about bypass surgery and angiograms and stents!!! I had such bad upper shoulder and upper back ache through to my chest when I got back to the car last night - which is only a short walk - that I was convinced it was a full-blown angina attack and wanted to rush to a&e but when I got home, it passed off (another sign of angina....) and my son convinced me to just wait and get a Drs appointment and go and get all this nonsense checked out. This is the very thing that I find so hard to do as of course, I am already envisioning myself being whipped straight onto the operating table in a bad way! I am waking up in the night with 'pains' and panicky. I've also had wrist pain, not muscular type, so of course, googled and that is also a symptom of heart problems in the arteries!!!
I just want to act like 'normal' people do in this situation - make an appointment and face the worst and just get on with whatever it is.....I can't live like this anymore. I try to carry on at work as if I'm okay so that's a strain. I try not to tell my poor Mum but ended up really upsetting her last night on the phone as I told her what was happening and she said "oh no, not again please" which made me feel an absolute selfish little 'b' as I know she won't have slept for worrying now.
Sorry, just needed to ramble and get off my 'chest' - forgive the length. It just helps to vent.
Thanks.
Jules x
I promised myself that 2016 was going to be different but sadly, I'm still not putting into place my 'positive' mindset at all.
as I drive them all made with my medical problems!
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Thanks Sparkle - it's so hard to sit here at work isn't it and put on the 'normal' face??!! I am convinced I am now in need of some serious psychiatric help as the thought of living like this for much longer makes me seriously depressed on top of it all. I've had loads of counselling too - so I know it all in my head but can't put any of it into practice as I'm too pre-occupied with the symptoms catatrophising it all. It's my 59th birthday tomorrow and I'm too depressed to want to even go out for a meal to celebrate it. The way my stupid mind works is that I'll soon be off work recuperating from open heart surgery - well, that's if I survive the op of course! It's not funny really but I have to try and laugh at myself or cry!
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You sound about 'normal for your age' ::). I think we reach a stage in our lives where every ache and niggle is something serious! However, it rarely is and when faced with a diagnosis that leads to treatment, most people deal well with it. I had breast disease treatment in the 1990s and survived.
Firstly - get your work station comfortable. If you are working at a screen you are allowed a certain amount of time away from the desk every 2 hours. Your Company is obliged to to make sure that you have a chair suitable for your job. Your Company is obliged to provide free eye tests for long-term screen workers. A few stretching exercises during the day as well as a walk is advice I was given as a typist.
How's your mattress? How do you sit at night when watching TV?
Your GP could refer you to a Conselloer, someone to vent with rather than telling your family. Actaully my family are the last people on Earth I would tell anything to ::)
My bowel kit test arrived the day before my birthday ;D thanks NHS ::). I will have it done, as I will continue having my eyes tested and smear tests. What's the worst that can happen?
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Sparkle, I think it's an age thing as I used to be able to go to the Drs and think I could get something sorted straight away and a nice easy answer and now I know that it's going to be tests this and tests that and it all freaks me out as I can't see that it will be positive and something that can be sorted/cured.
Gosh, my OH and I would kill each other if we worked together.... ::) He just doesn't 'get' anxiety, especially health anxiety and is sick of me :'(
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Is he 'sick of you' or is that your interpretation because you feel guilty. Has he put your fears into words?
Don't project!
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You have my every sympathy. My HA started about 18 months ago and I have gone from tooth out fears [one out but rest saved!],bowel issues, ovarian cancer scare, heart issues, etc, etc. Any little symptom and I am off and running.
But - I have tried to attack it rather than live with it. I took up yoga and go twice a week. I keep busy - adult colouring books are my latest craze, and keep going out to be with people. Being with others takes my mind away from my anxiety and that helps as I realise that my symptoms are psychosomatic as they aren't there unless I think about them. For me CBT hasn't really helped as it involved a lot of paperwork that actually made me spend too much time analysing my 'symptoms', but for some it does help.
Personally, I think my anxiety is chemically caused, or chemically enhanced. Some days I can handle health issues, on others I go into complete meltdown. This causes panic attack symptoms, which feeds the anxiety and so it goes on.
I have started running - which has proved to me that I don't have breathing problems or heart beat issues. And I feel really heroic when I get back.
So -keep busy, laugh at yourself, be with people, get fit. I gave up caffeine aswell but am not convinced that was really necessary. It really does all come from the mind.
And you are not mad. You at least have the guts to admit to being a sufferer - many don't!
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Hi Justjules as Sparkle says, unfortunately many of us seem to have this issue and I am one of them. It's so very hard sometimes. I completely understand what you say about losing that 'faith' that things can be sorted and straightforward. Perhaps it is just that the medical profession choose to investigate things when you past a certain age whereas beforehand they took the line that things would sort themselves out. So with that thinking, I guess it's best to go through these exploratory things to be proactive and switch thinking it MUST mean something is wrong to thinking it's great they are taking a look! Easier said than done and I have not mastered this in the slightest, but I am trying.
Things are sometimes out of our control and the unknowns are many - when I was younger I don't think I took much notice of all the unknowns in life, I was busier and focused and in saying that, distraction tactics and keeping busy does help. Apart from when very uncomfortable with symptoms (which I have been the past two days) and then the anxiety gets a hold.
Hope you feel a bit better for venting x
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Thanks ladies - it really does seem there are people like me out there - I just don't know anybody that I've met other than on-line! Maybe it's a secret society we belong to!
CKLD - my OH is totally unsympathetic - once when I was lying on the floor in the bathroom saying I needed an ambulance - he just got really mad and said I was pathetic and left me there. Just because I managed to get myself back into bed and calm down a bit he said that just proved that I was ridiculous and there was nothing wrong with me. I worry now though that if it is 'real' he will just leave me to die and won't help me which just makes me panic more!!!
I have been bought colouring books for Christmas but was sat there filling one in crying my eyes out, which is not really helpful is it?!
I have just spoken to my Mum and she is really cross with me - she said she hoped I wasn't going to land on her last night as I have done in the past and that's not like her, she is my rock but even she is fed up with me. She copes with all sorts and takes her illnesses in her stride at 84 so I feel ashamed to be heaping my worries on her. She was like this when she was in her 40's but 'got herself out of it' because she said she had nobody to turn to. I just can't wait until I'm 84!!! If I make it till then.
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Hello, it's horrible feeling like that. My father had his first heart attack at 58, the age I am now and I was convinced I would go the same way as I am very like him. Now I will be 59 in March and am beginning to relax a little. There is no reason why I should have a heart attack at 58 just because he did and I am like him but it is illogical when you get these worries.
My anxiety has been with me all my life and I am now on medication for it, which has helped, and I am waiting for therapy for childhood trauma. I do think some of this anxiety is chemical based, some hormone based and some has a deeper root and needs professional help. the difficulty comes with sorting out which is which.
That said, my husband is wonderful, he doesn't 'get it' at all but he does his best and is very patient and helpful.
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Hello Justjules.
My trusty menopause book talks about anxiety being a big part of the menopause and I think worrying about our health is a manifestation of that. I certainly recognise the 'ill at ease ' feelings the book mentions and add in all the physical changes, disturbed sleep etc and naturally we worry!
Many people don't understand what we are going through but everyone on the forum can sympathise without judgement. I've found that talking to the ladies here means I rely less on my nearest and dearest for support and I therefore cope a lot better.
I hope you feel better soon and sending hugs. You are not alone.
K.
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Maybe your OH is afraid when you cave in? My Dad could deal with anyone's problems but if my Mum was ill he would disappear. It wasn't something we ever discussed so it gave Mum plenty to moan about ……..
Fortunately, my DH has always been supportive - OR ELSE!
I have been rigid with panic attacks or shaking so badly that the bed we had then moved! :o - I don't think that the 6 x 7 ft bed we now sleep in would move ………..
Oh - some of the C.mas hats have gone, others remain ???
Sorry, side-lined …….. another meno symptom.
I have found in the past: Rescue Remedy helps; relaxation therapy; soothing music; some people find walking briskly kicks in endorphins which can help.
Have you talked about your health anxiety with your GP or Practice Nurse? Maybe if your GP explained the statistics about your main worries …….. those could be put to 1 side.
You are not alone, it's finding coping skills that are important.
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CLKD...yes, have talked to GP and she knows me well but only really can offer ADs or CBT. CBT was useless.
Thanks ladies. I can't explain how bad I feel. After putting the brave face on at work every day I feel like I am running on empty when I get home....I couldn't even think of doing anything remotely physical as I feel I would collapse....even watching someone on the TV doing exercise makes me feel anxious and bad because I couldn't do it. Hard to convince myself that a heart attack isn't imminent as I feel that weary. A friend called round before and just talking to her gave me an achey chest and I just wanted her to go home. I think I need some meds now to be honest. Just had half a diazepam but have only two left and Dr won't give me any more.
I know that i need to find some coping mechanism but can't when these bloomin symptoms and fear take over.
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Just jules you have my sympathy, it's awful. I had serious surgical complications last year ( forum has been amazing ) and I have terrible anxiety now. I worry about everything and my whole life is governed by these damned holes in my stomach. I seem to need constant reassurance which just isn't possible. I am better than I was, little steps ( thanks CLKD ) plus meditation. I am in anti depressants which help a bit I think.
I am better when I'm distracted so I try and do things but it's not easy and you have my utmost sympathy. Please keep posting as I found it really helps to write things down xx
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Sparkle - I have read so many books on the value of meditation but I just need to put it all into practice! I have even attended a class at my local Bhuddist centre. I dip in and out of things but probably don't stick at them long enough to get any benefit. I had a 'word with myself' in the car on the way to work this morning and said that all these things I know would help me try to relax but you haven't done them - reading about them won't change anything!
Groundhog - gosh, you really have been through the mill. I had similar problems after surgery 20 odd years ago, which have obviously led to a lot of my HA problems. I admire that you are helping yourself as much as you can, as it must be very hard.
Thanks ladies. This site is so good. Hopefully, my posts will get a bit more positive when I get myself sorted a bit.
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Reading the book and putting into practice ::) - how many times did DH mouth across the room 'Pity you don't take your own advice' when I was advising people :P
This morning I feel crap. After a night of no sleep …… worrying that the anxiety will never go, that it will take over again and that the depression will increase. I thought of you all whilst my brain was whirring ……….
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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!)
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How did you find that out ???
My anxiety is physical - once the gut starts to tighten up ……. :'(
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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.
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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
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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.
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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'.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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. :(
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Ditch the OH? Mine wouldn't even consider opening his Big Gob to make such comments ……. :bang: :bang: 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!
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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.
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Sparkle, a lot of my recent depression is actually to do with my daughter. Her and my OH are generally on the same 'side' as she doesn't 'get' anxiety or depression either. She was with her OH from when they were 17 until 3 years ago when out of the blue, they split up and although amicable, was obviously hard. We were there obviously to pick up the pieces but she has someone new and is completely besotted and happy, which I am really pleased about but she has gone very, very selfish to the point that we are not really involved her or the grandchildren's lives a lot now and although they live close to us, her time is spent with new man and his kids. I know we were lucky to have had family holidays with them and spent most weekends with them but not now so I have found it hurtful and hard to come to terms with.
Limpy, just afraid that as soon as you say you have anxiety, the magic pills come out and all the symptoms get ignored so even though I didn't want to go for tests, now I am thinking in my warped way that I do, that she is just giving me the tablets to calm me down so that she can send me for the tests!!!
CLKD, son is having a word with OH about support. He is brilliant with me thank goodness, so I have somebody on side. OH is a bit Aspergers we joke! He doesn't do 'empathy' or 'sympathy' so yes, I often wonder how he would cope with serious stuff. He is practical but makes my stress much worse.
Sorry, this thread has turned into more anxiety related than meno but Dr dismissed suggestion of meno problems and concentrated on my usual anxiety and depression. She wasn't my usual GP so that didn't help.
Thanks again all, it really means a lot to have you all listen to me whinging on. CLKD, are MIND good? I am going to pay to go and see my lovely therapist again but it's not cheap. Drs just dish out the tablets and u less you want to wait 12 weeks for CBT, which I didn't find helpful, you're on your own.
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I sent an e-mail to ask what services are provided locally and was made very welcome by e-mail …….. services listed, times available sent, no pressure to attend.
How much do you love your OH? Can you 'put up' with his outbursts ………..
Maybe print off the 'advice for husbands' on here and hand over? or get him to go along to your GP with you so that he can gain an insight? As for your daughter, well she's in love ;) which is selfish. Different set of hormones going on there ::)
Do you keep in touch with the grandchildren by letter/e-mail etc.? I assume that they are your daughter's?
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Limpy, just afraid that as soon as you say you have anxiety, the magic pills come out and all the symptoms get ignored so even though I didn't want to go for tests, now I am thinking in my warped way that I do, that she is just giving me the tablets to calm me down so that she can send me for the tests!!!
Not certain that "symptoms were ignored", the doctor did refer to past ECGs, no heart problems were found then. The symptoms she saw yesterday she felt would be best treated by Sertraline. Perhaps she felt it would calm you down enough so as not to trigger more episodes of chest pain/discomfort that have upset you so much.
Don't think "she is just giving me the tablets to calm me down so that she can send me for the tests" If she felt tests would help, at any stage, you would have been referred there and then.
GPs haven't got much they can offer, sadly tablets are prescribed as that is the main tool in their armoury.
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CLKD....I'll look up that advice and see what it says. Can't bear to go into long winded tale of how hard my marriage has been. Yes, I see the kids in the car daily as we car share to work and we drop them off at school.
Limpy, I panic because I believe ecgs aren't reliable and don't diagnose blocked arteries without further testing.
I made myself go to the park with OH and my son's dog this morning but it was like walking through treacle and I couldn't do longer than 20 mins then it upsets me that there were OAPs in there walking further than me so I automatically assume it's a heart problem and then heard somebody older talking about a Zumba class and that also depressed me as I get shattered when I did Pilates.
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Also, sat here just watching TV...got really horrible pains in both lower forearms and felt a bit off, heart beating quicker and went flushed so then panicking it was the start of a heart attack....then passes off.....can't cope with this. There are so many true stories on Google about women's heart attacks being different than men's and people just having random arm pains....I'm having smelt down now. Supposed to be seeing friends tonight and going to fret all night now thinking about my imminent demise :'(
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That sounds like an adrenaline rush to me - starts with me like hot water through my veins and when it first happened to me I thought I had something really serious :o - still here!
Did you go out?
Marriage or partnership? If it's hard work for you both maybe some frank discussions about how to cope - make a list of commitments you all have, we use a 'his and hers' calendar; sort out housework chores perhaps to lessen the stressors …… have you tried the Wooden Spoon method?
""Wooden spoon" therapy - i.e. each person holds the spoon and speaks for 10 mins .......... others jot down responses then get the chance to discuss. " no one is allowed to speak unless they have the spoon ;)
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Yes, I did go out but didn't enjoy it, as I don't enjoy anything nowadays. I was on alert all night and I know our friends thought I was miserable. The wife is one of my best friends and I told her the other day how bad I was so she understood. She is coping with her elderly father dying at the mo, and that makes me really upset too...it's all sadness and gloom. Off to my mums to take her for her shopping so she will no doubt be telling me off after worrying her so not looking forward to that. Woke up again with a dull ache in my chest so trying to convince myself that I can't be having a heart problem EVERY bloomin day for so long.....then I'm fretting about blood test tomorrow and possible bad result...arrrrrrrghhhhh!!!!!! Never ends.
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It can, and does end Jules. You just haven't found the right way of coping/dealing/treating it yet.
For me it is a combination of menopause, hormonal upheaval and psychological issues and it is a long road, no overnight cure. But I am better than I was a year ago.
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Hi, just wanted to say that I know how you feel. This HA has really got a grip on me the past couple of years (55yrs) It is debilitating and all consuming. Gp put me on fluoxetine 20mg. After a horrendous couple of months of side effects I think it is helping. I still get attacks and am at the moment terrified of having Interstitial Cystitis as I have had 4 days of symptoms! I catastrophise every symptom, not helped by the fact I am a nurse.
I too had chest pains a couple of years ago but was reassured it was stress and sure enough when I relaxed about it the pain left. Easier said than done. Our mind is a powerful organ and can tell us we are experiencing pain when there is no cause.
I hope and pray you / we find some peace with this. The first step is to share because knowing we are not alone in itself is powerful
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Susan, thanks for that. Sorry to hear you are struggling yourself. I can't believe just how many of us are and yet I look around and everybody seems to be behaving normally?!!! Mind you, so am I - sat here at work will full face paint on as usual, just acting normal and getting on with work but silently sobbing with the frustration of it all. :'(
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I am sorry that you are suffering so much at the moment. HA is (or appears to be ) quite common at our stage of life. I just wish we heard more about it on tv, social media etc so there was a wider understanding & help available.
For what its worth -you are not alone. At the moment i am right in the middle of HA because im in pain. The pain is very real, the cause is less certain :-\
I understand the doubt you feel, but i hope you feel better soon.
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HUGS Justjules
know exactly how you feel
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Thanks BooBoo. Just want to be normal with normal responses to fears.
Sorry Lostheplot, didn't see your kind post the other day. Hope you are feeling better yourself.
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Oh ladies, I came on here in the hope someone would be feeling the same as me, and I'm not going round the twist, I have such health anxiety, I can go along feeling fine, then a pain somewhere send me into a spin, and I'm even getting on my own nerves lol, I went to the theatre on Friday evening with my daughter (I work in the box office there) and I spoilt the 1st half for myself by thinking I was having a stroke, I did'nt say anything to her, but it spoils going out grrrrr. I won't go to the doc's as last time she told me my BP was up, which it always is when I go, but now any kind of pain in my head must be high bp lol, and last night I had a pain in the centre of my tummy, which I convinced myself was an aortic anyurism, I don't tell my hubby much, he's very supportive, but we have only been married a couple of years, and I don't want him to think he's married an old crock :P xx
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What symptoms did you have though :-\ ……. you've seen the advert shown last year? FACE? I think it was headed. The worst time for me is if I get a sudden sharp pain in the side of my head, then I wait to see if it's a stroke …….. and when I get heart burn into my lower chin, jaws and back of my ears, then it's probably a heart attack. So far though, the symptoms have gone and I've woken up alive each morning. But for a while I am worried, so much so that I can't summon the words to wake Himself. It is always at night!
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I keep getting either a tingle type thing in my face, as if the nerves are on the outside, and a feeling of pressure in my face, the same as you get when you have a head cold and blocked sinus's, ,y heart worries usually happen at night, and, like you, I don't want to wake hubby (not that i'm sure I could, he sleeps so soundly lucky sod) I end up going down and lying on the setee, play a game on my phone or something to try and distract myself, and then when I'm still alive after about 30 mins I tell myself how stupid i am :P, this is fine when I've either not got work the next day, or i'm on a late, but if I'm in early it sometimes means I've only had about 3 hours sleep, and that's another thing that put's pressure on me (or should I say "I" put pressure on myself) thinking if I don't get to sleep soon i'll only have x amount of hours lol, omg reading this back I feel such a whus xx
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Yep - we can soon feel like a woos but the anxiety is real! For years I was in a busy job and didn't sleep well, 1 night I woke and thought 'I haven't died yet through lack of sleep' and have had little problem since! If I do get a night when I don't drop off I read until tired, sometimes I wake in the early hours because my brain is racing: I get up for a cuppa ::)!