So since August I’ve had zero break from Health Anxiety from ALS for months to stomach/bowel cancer to now having swallowing issues fearing esophageal or throat tumor. I’ve been put on 4 different meds in the last 6 weeks to try and take the edge off, but all have brought side effects that are terrible. Currently on Cymbalta for two weeks, which coincides with my throat problems, but my dr says it’s not a side effect of Cymbalta, I don’t have a cold or strep, or the flu. I had a physical a week ago with full blood work up and all was good, But! I’m at the end of my rope, 5 months of back to back bouts with HA.
No break from Health Anxiety
- Thread starter Titus1229
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Hi Titus. Gosh you've been going through alot of mental anguish. Not that it helps you, but I'm going through an anxiety crisis myself right now but it has only been a few days vs. 5 long months. I sure hope that both of us can find some relief soon. Just another opinion, but you don't have anything seriously wrong with your throat although your HA makes you feel that you do.So since August I’ve had zero break from Health Anxiety from ALS for months to stomach/bowel cancer to now having swallowing issues fearing esophageal or throat tumor. I’ve been put on 4 different meds in the last 6 weeks to try and take the edge off, but all have brought side effects that are terrible. Currently on Cymbalta for two weeks, which coincides with my throat problems, but my dr says it’s not a side effect of Cymbalta, I don’t have a cold or strep, or the flu. I had a physical a week ago with full blood work up and all was good, But! I’m at the end of my rope, 5 months of back to back bouts with HA.
I appreciate you! My chiropractor even showed me my xrays of my neck yesterday to look for something, which there was nothing he could see. It just seems impossible these days to sort through things on my own like I used to. I used to just think about something for a couple hours then let it go. I guess because I’m getting older and in my mid 30s it’s now more of a reality. My wife, psych, and counselor are all pretty much forbidding me to go to the dr anymore unless I have the flu or a clear urgent condition. So that panics me because all I want to do is that to try and get relief.
When I was in my mid-30's I was on Xanax which allowed me to process and get rid of most of my unrealistic, very fearful thinking. By my mid-50's it was like I didn't have enough mental energy even with medication to realistically look at and get rid of most of that thinking. It became very disabling and I became agoraphobic. Luckily I had been very successful during my prime working years and was able to semi-retire early, working as a consultant just one day per week. Eventually I had to quit and completely retire and now in my mid-60's I'm holed up on my farm with my main responsibility taking care of our farm animals.I appreciate you! My chiropractor even showed me my xrays of my neck yesterday to look for something, which there was nothing he could see. It just seems impossible these days to sort through things on my own like I used to. I used to just think about something for a couple hours then let it go. I guess because I’m getting older and in my mid 30s it’s now more of a reality. My wife, psych, and counselor are all pretty much forbidding me to go to the dr anymore unless I have the flu or a clear urgent condition. So that panics me because all I want to do is that to try and get relief.
I think your new system of limited visits to the doctor, although very scary now, might provide all kinds of benefits if you can stick to it. Try to think about those benefits objectively and weigh them against the cycle of moving from one disease fear to the next that you're in now.
It’s crazy thinking about anxiety causing REAL symptoms. It’s like my brain won’t allow me to think that much less believe it. All I want to do is go to the dr, I’m convinced that’s the only way I’ll find relief. My counselor says that’s the worst thing I can do is keep getting tests. Compare it to a drug addiction and needing my next fix.
I certainly can relate to the addictive nature as you get temporary relief each time you get results. I have a very addictive personality and for years medicated my anxiety with alcohol forcing me to go to AA which I'll be going to shortly. I've been dry for 10 years but had to put every ounce of my self control to get to that point. You might have to do a similar effort to kick your test result addiction. I wish you the very best as I truly see the change as very beneficial to your HA and for your relationships with those around you.It’s crazy thinking about anxiety causing REAL symptoms. It’s like my brain won’t allow me to think that much less believe it. All I want to do is go to the dr, I’m convinced that’s the only way I’ll find relief. My counselor says that’s the worst thing I can do is keep getting tests. Compare it to a drug addiction and needing my next fix.
Hurt&Hopeful
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That sounds SO tough, @Titus1229 . I'm so sorry you're going through this - hope you can get some relief!
Titus, I’ve been seeing your posts on here the last few months and sounds like you’re really going through a rough time and I’m sorry to hear it. It’s so hard in the moment to realize it but anxiety causes so many crazy symptoms. And it can cause new symptoms you’ve never had before. It is unpredictable. I promise you though if you can find a way to treat and relieve the anxiety, the physical symptoms will clear up. It’s hard to explain but that’s just how the brain works.