Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Fear of medical tests and going outside

carolk1955
carolk1955

Believe it or not, when I was younger I worked as a phlebotomist (person who draws blood for lab tests) and in a hospital lab for 9 years. I was good at my job and liked it. Now, at age 66, I have my own apartment and am afraid to go outside. In a month, I'm scheduled to have an annual doctor's appointment and before that, I have to have some medical tests. I'm really scared. Not of the tests so much. The blood tests have to be fasting. I have to take public transportation (although I might be able to spring for Lyft or Uber). It's the interference with my daily routine and the inconvenience I'm dreading. My doctor isn't really friendly; I wish I could find another one. I wake up in the morning feeling terrified that this experience is coming up. I don't have any friends who might possibly go with me for support. I wish I didn't have to do this. Unfortunately I'm diabetic and have a few other medical conditions so I know I shouldn't avoid these tests. Plus I have arthritis in my knee and it's painful to stand or walk. I think that's what I really dread. It's putting weight on my leg that makes it hurt. I have a PA who I'm supposed to go to for that, and I had my last cortisone shot in December. It didn't help. The oral meds used to help, but they don't anymore. My family doctor prescribes the meds, but says if I have pain I need to go to the ortho. I miss having my own car. I felt I had more control over my situation. 

maria718
maria718
Hi Carol,
I'm your age and I sure can relate!! I'm constantly worrying about my health and have a couple of problems and am always going to see my Primary Health Care dr.
It sucks getting older!!
I'm Pre-diabetic and was supposed to get my blood checked again this Wednesday, only to be told just today by my insurance company that my dr. has just gotten off my plan, so now I have to find a new primary dr.
And I'm always going for tests also that I dread. I'm beginning to think I've turned into a hypochondriac!! Do you feel that way???? I never was before, but as I get older I find I'm worrying about my health too much.
carolk1955
carolk1955
I know I'm not a hypochondriac. But today I was looking at the website the health care institution maintains for me. All my lab test results are recorded there. Along with a list of the tests I haven't had yet. It's a really long list! And most of the test results are pretty normal. For every diagnosis there has to be a test result to go with it, so the insurance will pay, I guess. Until I looked at that long list, I thought, I'm not THAT sick! Now I wonder. I do worry about my health alot more than I used to. I get emails every day about diabetes, arthritis, mental health, chronic pain. And I read them all. Is that obsessive, do you think?

You said you're my age. Couldn't you go with Medicare as your primary insurance? Wouldn't your dr. accept that?

Good luck to you! I hope you're able to either keep your dr. and find a new good one.
chuddle
chuddle
When you have an anxiety disorder it’s so important to stay on top of your health since we are prone to things like high blood pressure and other stress related issues. And then when things do pop up we tend to over worry and even catastrophize. Try to walk every day and avoid salty, fatty, sugary processed foods. It’s never too late to make a lifestyle change and you will feel a lot better for it!