Anyone else had it up to here?

[tschock]

Anyone else tired of being "labelled?"
Ever since the first doctor told me that I suffered from anxiety, anything that I "complain" about is "just anxiety".

You go in to talk about the chest pains you're having and they tell you it's just anxiety.
You go in for stomach problems and it's just your anxiety.
Broken bones must be a symptom of anxiety too then huh?
Yes, I know that SOME things ARE anxiety related, but this is getting ridiculous...
I went in a few days ago because I need something stronger for my arthritis than aspirin...I have IBS, so I shouldn't be taking aspirin anyway...hurts the stomach lining.
Doc sent me to see someone about my anxiety instead...like that's going to make my hand feel any better?
The link between my IBS and anxiety I can see...but for osteoarthritis?
IBS causes anxiety, anxiety causes IBS...does anxiety also cause my ADD?  YES! In fact it does they told me...uh huh...I know that having ADD can add to anxiety because everyone around you bashes you because you can't pay attention...but does it really cause it?
Before I was diagnosed with IBS the doctor I had at that time just kept telling me that the labor type pains that I was feeling when I had diarrhea where just anxiety attacks...uh huh...
This is driving me insane...and THAT only compounds to the anxiety.
How do I get off of the anxiety train?
I want to be un-diagnosed as having ever had anxiety. I wish I could take it all back...go back in time and NOT walk into the doctor's office to complain...ugh.

[JGF25]

I agree with everything said.  We are our best advocates and nobody knows our bodies like we do.  After having anxiety for so long, we know what causes it and what its symptoms are.  For instance I get a headache everyday now.  I know it is from the wellbutrin.  I'm not going to run to the doctor and demand a scan of my head.  However, should I have something "funky" show up like a cough that does not go away, you better believe I would be in there demanding a chest xray at the least.  I'm glad you pursued it and I hope your daughter is better now.  

[Julie359]

I'm sorry to say that this has been my experience for the vast majority too.  It is a label and even effected my children as well.  My daughter started having breathing problems so we made a couple of trips to see the doc, he told us that she was suffering the same as me, anxiety, and gave her a whole lecture about how it can be passed down in families.  Then she developed a nasty cough and they said asthma, cause I told them her dad has asthma.  Then after the asthma meds didn't work they sent her for a chest x-ray and then a CT scan which shows she has a tumour in her lung.... As u can imagine I was fuming cause these doctors 'labelled' her and didn't do the tests sooner.  It took several GP appointments and nearly 4 months later to dignose.  As a mother I knew straight away it wasn't anxiety, but they don't listen to me.

I don't know how you can now stop being labelled at ur usual doctor.  My only advice would be go somewhere where they don't know u and don't mention that u have anxiety, keep that part of ur medical history to urself. Maybe a emergency clinic or a hosptial...unfortunally once u are given a label it is extremely hard to get rid of it.

[mammo]

I'm sorry you're feeling so bad, but unfortunately many of us have endured this, so at least your not alone.  When a doctor blames something rediculous on anxiety....find another doctor.  Anxiety is very hard on our digestive tract and makes our IBS worse as you are very aware of.  For the arthritis, there are products that are over-the-counter which work very well.  The link below will tell you what they are and how they work.  Aspirin is mentioned but you know to avoid that.  I have used over the counter meds for arthritis in my hand with great results. ADD and anxiety do go hand-in-hand. When you go to the doctor ask them to do whatever tests are available to rule out other causes for your symtpoms.  We have to be very proactive with our health and nobody knows our bodies like us.  So, when you feel there is more to something than anxiety....force the issue.  Sadly it's come to this.  If you haven't tried therapy, I feel this would really benefit you and break this cycle of worry and anxiety.  Address your anxiety so you can break this cycle and get on with your life.  See a psychiatrist to determine what course of treatment would be best, and he can refer you to the proper tharapist.  You can break this cycle!  Best wishes.

http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/tc/osteoarthritis-medications