Health problems do tend to increase anxiety levels, it's 3:40am where I am at the moment. I wish I were asleep, but I'm not. Have been up for about an hour. I too, have to wait til 10-13 to start figuring out what's going on with me. [Have lots of health problems, some of which require me to see a GI doc, I'm really anxious about the upcoming appt.] I'm afraid he won't be able to fix the problems and I'll be stuck dealing with it on my own=irritable bowel, acid reflux, fatty liver disease which has transformed into cirrhosis, etc. I'm glad you have/had spare medicine lying around to help you through this hard time. I recently was taken off all anti-anxiety meds by my psych doc, am really struggling right now. [Weaned off Klonopin, was placed on Ativan, but as didn't need more than 6 Ativan in 3 months, psych doc decided that I should be taken off, I'm stuck with almost constant worry til some time in November.] I hope your health condition clears up and you return to good health soon.

My anxiety problems are health related. It is very tough when there is an actual health problem or even potential problem. Recently I went to the ER and they did a CT scan. They found a tiny lung nodule. I have to wait an entire YEAR for a follow up scan to see if it's growing. I have to put my fears on the back burner because I can't allow myself to be in a state of panic for a year.

There's nothing you can do between now and 10/13. try to put it away for now, and wait for your test results before you allow yourself to worry about what ifs. There are too many what ifs. And nothing can be done until the results are in.

I know, easier said than done. It's something to strive for. But taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do right now. I hope all goes well!

Monael: we are in the same boat, I suffered from Health Anxiety and I feel you, These past months, I had a couple of health scare that all the text came back negative Thanks to our Lord and I understart but my mind keep thinking the what if, The way, I try to cope is with my faith, theraphy and the just switch medication because my old one wasnt working, crossing my finger that this one works, I will keep you in my prayers that everything turn out ok

Sending supportive prayers and hugs.

I freaked out about this time last year when they learned my prolactin was high which can be indicative of a brain tumor. They had me scared to death. Come to find out, they could do a CT instead of the MRI which terrified me and that even if I DID have a brain tumor, it's benign and often doesn't even need to be treated. All that worry for nothing.

Doctors tend to mention the worst case scenario and if you have anxiety, you run with it. I did too. And this past year it's been one thing after another - a uterine cancer scare, the brain tumor thing, heart disease, high blood pressure and more.

What has saved me is to remind myself it is almost NEVER what is the most serious. And even if it is, things have changed drastically in terms of treatment.

Two weeks ago, my eye doctor told me she thinks I'm starting to develop glaucoma. My first thought - "I'm going blind!" Well, I made an incorrect assumption. If I do have it, they put me on eye drops and I'll be fine.

When I heard my friend had lung cancer, I immediately thought he would pass away, but he started on a new treatment and is now completely clear. The treatment caused no side effects or sickness.

We attach so much to what a doctor says but even if a doctor tells us we have a specific diagnosis and "there is no hope" it really means, "I don't have the answer." That doesn't mean no one does. Alternative medicine has a TON of answers for everything from chronic pain to cancer to heart disease.

You may also want to read some of Wayne Dyer's books. He has some terrific insights and was very comfortable with illness and even dying. His writings have helped me a lot.

Thank you all for the kind words and support!