please help...extreme fear

I have been battling hypochondriasis for many years now.  I think I'm headed in the right direction of beating it.  For 4 years I had the fear of HIV,  It took 5 tests for me to finally realize that I did not have the disease.  Then I went on to worrying that I had lyme disease.  A doctor confirmed that it was just a cyst on my leg.  Now I have the fear of skin cancer.  I can't take this anymore.  I recently had 2 skin biopsies, both of them were benign.  I have a fear now that the right diagnostic test was performed on the lesion on my lower leg.  I had a shave biopsy on a blue/black lesion on my leg.  The lesion was deep and hard for the dermatologist to get to.  Now I read on the internet that a shave biopsy is not recommended on suspected melanomas.  I am not going back for another test.  The test showed that it was benign.  I'm so tired of the same horrible routine...fearing a disease then checking the internet then going to the doctor for testing then another test then another test.  My goal is to break that routine.  Any words of wisdom or support to help me do it...I could use some support right now.  Thank you!

[daffysoundz]

i feel your pain because im in the same boat, and i think its getting worst so any advice im with you on this

[AnxiousGurl]

Stop looking this stuff up online!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I recently received that same advice on this forum, I was worried about lymes....and it was making me more anxious and worried that theres something else wrong. Thats about the worst thing you can do is to look it up ...because the internet will tell you theres something wrong with you every time you research any symptom. Your stressing your self out which makes things worse. Please try to think positive...get the test done once..know that your clear of it and be done with it.....if your feeling worried about it you'll have the documents to look back on and remind u that your ok. Just keep a positive outlook, and it might help to have a supportive friend to help reassure you and keep you on the right track. Hope this helps. Best wishes

[xchief]

My son has been going throught the same thing for years. Hospital, after hospital, after hospital, Doctor, doctor, doctor. If they tell you it is in your mind that doesn't make you feel better. The physical aspect of what you feel are real but it isn't the disease or any disease that you suspect. It is the fear of dieing period. I can tell you that everyone goes through that fear in their life, however it is overwhelming to you and you need peace from that fear. Talking and reasuring from a doctor or hospital calms those fears for that moment but as soon as you walk out you suddenly feel that there is something terribly wrong if your heart beats a little fast or you feel a  little dizzy. A hospital is your comfort zone because you feel that if something is wrong you are in the place where they can fix it immediately and you will be saved. We all will die of something at some time that the doctors and hospitals cannot fix. The anxiety becomes too much. Find comfort in your faith and learn to calm yourself. Slow down before it starts to overwhelm you and the fear over takes your thoughts. I am a paramedic I know the signs of disease of just about any  and my son still feels better to go to the hospital so they can tell him he is fine. Search your heart for the thing that you fear the most but take a look in the mirror when you get up in the morning and tell yourself that today is a beautiful day and I feel great. Don't look for something to get alarmed about. It is ok if you have a lesion or a bump that needs to be check by a doctor to go and do that. Try not to jump ahead a convince yourself that you have ailments that you do not have because your mind can make them very real to you without confirmation. Our minds are really tricky. They can convince us we have a horrible disease that we indeed do not have but we can also use our minds to turn that around and undo the negative fear by continuously telling ourselves that we are healthy and happy. I don't know if this helps in any way but you can also seek counseling to help you get through each day. My prayers are with you. Ask God for the peace of mind that you desire in your life.

[distressed29]

Thank you both for your words of wisdom! It helps to talk to people who do not get frustrated with you.  I once read courage means to live in the moment....do not look back with regret or fear the future.  Anxiety is a disease...I guess we can subscribe to it or enjoy life and connect with the world around us.  Thanks again!!!