Lung cancer or health anxiety?

[Buzzard78]

Hi there.

I would be really grateful for some advice.

I am aware that I have a bit of a history of health anxiety - I worried that I had a brain tumour 3 months ago, but this was found to be nothing but anxiety.
I am also been obsessing a bit over things like plastic kettles/not reboiling water and asbestos in artex.

For some reason, I seem to now be overly aware of my breathing. I sometimes feel that I am struggling for air and have to take a really deep breath.
I also have a slight pain on my left side.

I am 41, so I know that I am low risk for lung cancer (even for heavy smokers). I also have no cough at all.

Due to Covid-19, my GP is only doing appointments over the phone and I do not want to worry him again.

What should I do?

I cannot work out whether my symptoms are completely in my head (I know that anxiety can cause the sensation of breathlessness). Also, I cannot work out whether the slight pain on my side is that noticable - again, it is difficult to tell when you cannot stop yourslef focussing in on it.

Should I try and completely not think about it (which is going to be a real challenge for me) and see if I still have symptoms by the weekend?

As someone who has been a worrier over health, over the years, I am worried that I run the risk of missing a genuine issue.

 

[bin_tenn]

As someone who has been a worrier over health, over the years, I am worried that I run the risk of missing a genuine issue.

Believe it or not, despite anxiety, you will still know the difference between a perceived threat (anxiety) and a legitimate threat (some physical ailment). The two are vastly different, and the mind can tell the difference, even if it may not seem that way.

I occasionally feel symptoms similar to what you described. Sometimes I feel like I can't get a satisfying breath no matter what. Sometimes I feel like I get winded very easily, with even the lightest of activity. On the flip side, there are times when I pay no attention and I can do some strenuous exercise and feel great. Haha.

The one thing that always helps me the most is doing some deep breathing exercises. I'll feel rather short of breath, but as soon as I take some solid deep breaths I realize I can actually breathe, and it's just anxiety. Have you given that a try?

 

[Buzzard78]

Thank you for that - when you say deep breathing exercises, do you mean something like "4-7-8 breathing" or something else?

I do 30 minutes on an exercise bike (on the hardest setting) every day and, although I am pretty worn out by the end, it is definitely doable.

I guess if there was something generally wrong with me, I would not be able to do that?

 

[Belizz]

Hey Buzz,
I experienced shortness of breath for quite a while because of anxiety and I agree that it's very scary. One can't help but think that there is something wrong with the lungs.
Hyperventilation is the main reason for anxiety-related breathing problems. The more you focus on your breathing the worse it will get.
What I mean is that the only way to fix is to return back to your relaxed and calm breathing pace.
It only happens when you stop paying attention to it imo.

 

[Buzzard78]

Thank you - reassuring to hear that I am not alone with this.

It is really weird. I can do something and be completely unaware of my breathing (like exercising, working or walking to the shops), but as soon as I think about it again, I start to struggle.

I think I will just try to keep my mind focused on other things.

No idea if the ache in my left side is related or not (or even how much the ache is part of my imagination).

I think I shall just keep myself distracted for the next 3 or 4 days and re-evaluate how I am feeling.

 

[bin_tenn]

Thank you for that - when you say deep breathing exercises, do you mean something like "4-7-8 breathing" or something else?

I do 30 minutes on an exercise bike (on the hardest setting) every day and, although I am pretty worn out by the end, it is definitely doable.

I guess if there was something generally wrong with me, I would not be able to do that?

Yes, the 4-7-8 (or some variation) works for me, and that's what I recommend. Given that you can exercise on the bike for 30 minutes every day, I'd say it's certainly anxiety causing the sensation of being short of breath. I've learned over the years (re: I have a lot of heart related anxiety) that false dyspnea (false shortness of breath) is often corrected by breathing exercises, and is usually not exacerbated (and may even be corrected) by physical exertion.

Clinical shortness of breath due to an underlying ailment is most often the opposite - exacerbated with exertion, and relieved when at rest.