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For the past few months I have been in my worst battle with health anxiety..I can't begin to express my thanks for the kind words and advice I have received from complete strangers on this forum...all the words and advice helped get me through these months...I got my Brain MRI and Bloodwork results this morning..They were perfectly normal...It only took about half hour for me to start wondering if I have something they missed or something they couldn't see...I have made two promises to myself..The first is I will absolutely not GOOGLE symptoms ever again...That has caused me nothing but worry and stress...and secondly I will give my mind and body time to recover from all of this stress and anxiety and I will seek out anxiety meds for the first time in my 37 yrs...This recent episode has made me realise that I can't control this demon on my own..I've done pretty good...but its the pain and worry and fear on the inside that noone sees that does the most damage..I'm still continually amazed that I can hide this from everyone...I have been ashamed...My father is bipolar and schizophrenic and institutionalized and I've never been ashamed of him...why should I be ashamed of myself..Anxiety is real...a real illness... I can't be afraid anymore...
Hi Worry,
I too have MAJOR health anxiety. Started two years ago with a bad gallbladder that was incorrectly diagnosed as gastroparesis for 5 months. Anyhow, that's all taken care of but I admit I had severe anxiety for a year while dealing with that and thinking that (and being told by my doctor) that I had gastroparesis.
Fast forward to March 2010 and I started having tingling/numbness under my left eye, followed by twitching EVERYWHERE, leg vibrations in my left leg (this is everyday....mostly at night while I'm tring to relax), vibrations in my body, you name it. Today, I have numbness in my left big toe and some numbness in my left calf area (this is new today). I am convinced that I have MS. When symptoms started, went to two neuros and they all said "anxiety" without doing any MRI's. Finally, went to UCSF MS center, MRI revealed 20 lesions but NOT typical for MS. Also, a ton of other tests...all normal but my story fits MS. I am going to my FOURTH neuro next week.
Worrysdsk...what were the symptoms you were having to make you seek out an MRI? If you could share with me, I would appreciate it.
The internet has been to me what a crack cocaine addition is to an addict only it's worse because it's free and at my fingertips 24/7. I know it's bad for me, but I keep plugging away and getting myself in more and more fear and anxiety.
I saw my doc this morning and started taking Cymbalta today. My life is being ruined by all of this...it's all I think about. I can't work, can't sleep, can't enjoy my life. I also can't wait for my friggin appt next week.
Please write back anyone.
I too have MAJOR health anxiety. Started two years ago with a bad gallbladder that was incorrectly diagnosed as gastroparesis for 5 months. Anyhow, that's all taken care of but I admit I had severe anxiety for a year while dealing with that and thinking that (and being told by my doctor) that I had gastroparesis.
Fast forward to March 2010 and I started having tingling/numbness under my left eye, followed by twitching EVERYWHERE, leg vibrations in my left leg (this is everyday....mostly at night while I'm tring to relax), vibrations in my body, you name it. Today, I have numbness in my left big toe and some numbness in my left calf area (this is new today). I am convinced that I have MS. When symptoms started, went to two neuros and they all said "anxiety" without doing any MRI's. Finally, went to UCSF MS center, MRI revealed 20 lesions but NOT typical for MS. Also, a ton of other tests...all normal but my story fits MS. I am going to my FOURTH neuro next week.
Worrysdsk...what were the symptoms you were having to make you seek out an MRI? If you could share with me, I would appreciate it.
The internet has been to me what a crack cocaine addition is to an addict only it's worse because it's free and at my fingertips 24/7. I know it's bad for me, but I keep plugging away and getting myself in more and more fear and anxiety.
I saw my doc this morning and started taking Cymbalta today. My life is being ruined by all of this...it's all I think about. I can't work, can't sleep, can't enjoy my life. I also can't wait for my friggin appt next week.
Please write back anyone.
aannnddd to look at the time that you say is wasted, i do this too, is looking backward and pointless, we always have a choice, back forward or straight ahead, after a few weeks of this it is actually taking hold, we can do this!!!!
2 reccomendations, the Susan Jeffers above and Eckhardt Tolle, his power of now stuff is fantastic!
YAY!!!! You did it and the wait is over, finally! Even better it was good news. Now you can take some time to concentrate on you and helping your anxiety etc. I think taking some books out is a great idea. Stick around here and ask questions etc. My husband tells me everyday "why worry, worrying wont change anything. It just wastes time in your life" I try and live by that and when I need it he reminds me.
Thanks...its funny I always think of my anxiety as a weakness..never realized how strong I am to walk through the fear and have the tests and actually go for the results...I'm proud of myself..I have read a lot of your posts about being in the moment...I love them and its what I need to work on..I'm always worrying about tomorrow or next year or 5 years from now...I just want to learn to be present in the NOW...I need to go to the library and take out some anxiety books...when I think of all the time I waste worrying it saddens me....and it has emotionally exhausted my mind and my body..
Bless your heart you did it!! you got thru some scary procedures, a disturbing waiting game, faced the results, you are powerful!!! I am listening to a CD called teel the fear and do it anyway by Susan Jeffers. One thing I noted that I didn't know is that you don't have to believe positive affirmations for them to work. I am going to try it and maybe you can to. Powerful positive statements taped written repeated in your head. Whats to lose? I'm gonna give it a shot :) and am so glad the tests came out ok. Accept that you are physically well and enjoy it!
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