Aa
This is so ridiculous!...Why me?
As soon as I take a couple steps forward in dealing with my anxiety, something happens and I'm back where I started. While I mainly have social anxiety, I developed tons of health anxiety after having gallbladder surgery in December. I''ve been taking Lexapro for almost a month now but haven't noticed much of a difference. Also been speaking with a counselor almost weekly. Well, in our last session, due to my health anxiety, she advised me - actually it's my homework - to avoid looking up symptoms on medical websites. She gave me that assignment on Tuesday and I had managed to make it until today without doing so. However, I've now developed a rash over pretty much my entire body. It is totally freaking me out! Why can't I just have one day where I don't obsess over my health? Nothing can go right for me, I swear! I'm so unbelievably frustrated!
Best Answer
We can have setbacks, but don't beat yourself up for this. Staying off the web researching symptoms is the best thing you can do ( I know that you know this) because symptoms are sometimes so broad that we could all fit into them. This is why we must leave it to the doctors and accept when they tell us that we're okay. Rashes aren't serious just annoying and are usually do to a new soap, detergent, something that our bodies don't agree with. BUT a rash can also be a side effect of Lexapro, so you need to contact your doctor immediately to let him know about this rash, and follow his instructions on what to do. I know you're frustrated, and I know you've been battling this a long time, but you are making progress and this is what you need to concentrate on. Medications are often trial and error with all of us, and it can take a few attempts before we find the one that works best for us, and then you will get relief. You're moving in the right direction, and I'm so sorry you're enduring this rash. But contact your doctor right away and take care.
Thank you so much! You've made me feel a lot better. Every time I have any little ache or pain I start thinking something is seriously wrong with me. Now, I end up with a rash, covering my entire body, and was sure something bad was going to happen last night. Even when I did manage to sleep I only dreamed about my medical issues. I'll be sure to let my doctor know what has been going on. Usually, I have a tough time making phone calls due to my anxiety. I, however, was able to call the pharmacist which did make me feel better. Baby steps, right? I'm so scared that I'm never going to be able to do/accomplish all the things I want out of life due to something that seems to be entirely out of my control. Hopefully the Lexapro helps and soon and I plan on continuing with the counseling. Mammo, I really appreciate you taking time to reassure me that things are going to be okay. Hoping that you are right! One minute I'm alright then the next I think I've messed everything up and that there is no use in trying. It's confusing!
Ramble all you want! I can see why you're so frustrated, when it's one thing after another. But look at all you've survived, you're still able to fight! Your blood pressure can drop from the allergic reaction, and it's not able to rise as it should when you stand up, causing the vision problem. Let your doctor know about this when you call him, but I suspect it will improve once you recover from the allegic reaction, still he needs to know. I know 26 seems old to you, but you have lots of time for dating, lets get you better so you can get out of that rut and into a happier place in your life. Then you can think about dating, and it will happen. You're tough, you will get thru this! It's wise to stay off the websites, and not to be obcessing over your BP, but this time it paid off for you because it is low and you can tell your doctor about it. The more info he can get over the phone, the less likely he will need to see you. Let me know what the doctor has to say, I'm always here for you. Stay strong and take care.
I called the pharmacist this evening and she seems to think I'm having an allergic reaction to an antibiotic that I'm taking. Today was supposed to be my last day on it and she said to stop taking it and contact my doctor. Honestly, I don't think I'm ever going to feel good again. It's been almost a year of different health worries for me when I hadn't been to a doctor in 6 years prior to all of this. I had my gallbladder removed (gallstone), an upper endoscopy (acid reflux), and continuing issues with my throat/ears/sinuses for 3-4 months now. Also my blood pressure has been running low, which I haven't told my doctor about, averages 95/45 or less and that has me paranoid. Especially the last couple weeks because every other time I stand up my vision goes really dark, almost black, for several seconds. My counselor advised me to stay off medical websites and stop taking my blood pressure as well. This is all in addition to the social anxiety that I have already. How many other 26 year olds do you all know that have NEVER been on a date? I'm stuck in such a rut in my life. While part of me thinks I'm doing the right things, medication and therapy, the anxiety makes me question every thought/decision to the point I don't know what I think or feel. Sorry for rambling on and on. Hope you all have a good day!
Try calling your doctor first, if he feels it's the medication, he may be able to handle this over the phone. I do hope you start to feel better, you deserve to catch a break!
It is so much worse as it is a lot more obviously visible today. I couldn't sleep last night because I was obsessing over it. When I did manage to fall asleep, I ended up dreaming about the rash all night. I guess I'll have to go to the doctor tomorrow, which causes me a ton of anxiety. I had to get on medical websites because I couldn't stand not possibly knowing what was going on. Guess I failed my homework assignment for the week! It seems as though I can't just have one day where I feel good, starting to think that's never going to be possible again. Mammo, thanks for your support and advice!
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