Hello - I am new here but have been suffering from health anxiety since I was a teenager. I am 44 now. Male, married, 3 kids. I have had so many phantom diseases that my friends all make fun of me and call me a walking medical miracle because I have lived to be 44 despite having diagnosed myself with several forms of cancer the past 20 years - Testicular, Pancreatic, Esophogeal, colon....
My latest symptoms have me convinced I have some type of liver disease. I had been a heavy drinker for many years to help me cope with my anxiety (I suffered severe panic attacks after my dad passed away when I was 20) and health worries, and now I am convinced it has caught up with me. I have been to the doctor many times complaining of stomach issues --- ultrasounds, colonoscopies, yearly blood tests....only diagnosis has been Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia. Never had an abnormal liver enzyme test.
Yet I am convinced that they are missing something because my stomach symptoms are getting worse. Gnawing pain, constant gurgling, bloated, constipated...you name it.
The kicker is I saw a acupuncturist a year and a half ago and he told me my liver was bad just by looking at me. Since then I had an ultrasound and blood tests --- all normal and my GP sort of discounted the acupuncturist. My friends say I should listen to real medical tests and not a guy who just looks at your tongue and sticks needles in your body.
Anyway - these stomach issues have me scared. My friends say it's IBS....that it's all in my head and by brain is causing my stomach issues. My wife is getting tired of my constant self-diagnosis and just wants me to enjoy life. I have read that your mind can play tricks on your body. But I am convinced the doctor is going to tell me that I have severe issues....
Sorry for the long post....but it is controlling my LIFE! Is it in my head or is the damage done??!!
My latest symptoms have me convinced I have some type of liver disease. I had been a heavy drinker for many years to help me cope with my anxiety (I suffered severe panic attacks after my dad passed away when I was 20) and health worries, and now I am convinced it has caught up with me. I have been to the doctor many times complaining of stomach issues --- ultrasounds, colonoscopies, yearly blood tests....only diagnosis has been Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia. Never had an abnormal liver enzyme test.
Yet I am convinced that they are missing something because my stomach symptoms are getting worse. Gnawing pain, constant gurgling, bloated, constipated...you name it.
The kicker is I saw a acupuncturist a year and a half ago and he told me my liver was bad just by looking at me. Since then I had an ultrasound and blood tests --- all normal and my GP sort of discounted the acupuncturist. My friends say I should listen to real medical tests and not a guy who just looks at your tongue and sticks needles in your body.
Anyway - these stomach issues have me scared. My friends say it's IBS....that it's all in my head and by brain is causing my stomach issues. My wife is getting tired of my constant self-diagnosis and just wants me to enjoy life. I have read that your mind can play tricks on your body. But I am convinced the doctor is going to tell me that I have severe issues....
Sorry for the long post....but it is controlling my LIFE! Is it in my head or is the damage done??!!