I do this as well. For years, it was my heart (dad passed from heart failure). Now I'm stuck on stomach cancer. I'm with you on the doc but part but it's because I feel crazy. A lot of things I've read say that stress and anxiety can manifest in so many weird symptoms that for criteria for other illnesses (cancer, heart issues) and it can be scary/confusing to deal with. I think that telling yourself you're OK can go a long way. Talking about it has helped me a bit too. I really hope things get better for you soon.

If anyone wishes to talk about health anxiety ,i am your man .I have gone through awful times with this illness,i have in my mind had every cancer and disease in the medical book.I see a shrink and drive her mad,had cbt acupuncture foot massage you name it,and i am also on meds.Still i do not have an idea how to cure it,but i do try to eat good foods,look up benefits of selenium and also vitamin d.If you decide to take them ,get advice i am NOT a doctor,but they may help a little.They are supposed to be good for us if you are low on these nutrients.I also eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.Best wishes all geezer46.

I Have come A LONG LONG way in my battle with hypochondria the day I made a promise to myself that I would not google my symptoms, its been 7 years. I'm not cured, but I am not driving myself completely insane every single day. I absolutely avoid the Dr because I am afraid that he is going to confirm my own diagnosis. Which makes no sense at all, but its how out minds work I guess. I am open and honest to all my friends and family about my conditions and ask them to not talk about diseases and symptoms when I am around. And for the most part they honor my request. It does slip out once in a while but its to be expected.

Your definitely not alone. There is lots of us, which gives Mr mixed emotions, happy that I'm not alone, but sad that so many other people are suffering just like me or more. If ever you need to talk I'm not real far away.

Hi emet, i will talk to you i am a really bad hypo,but i am glad that you have made some progress in beating it.I too tell friends that i am a hypo, i do not try to hide it because my worry shows through anyway.Just knowing there are other people out there like me helps,because i do not know anyone to talk to about it ,most just do not understand what we suffer everyday.I would like to join a local group but there are non so if you wish to chat to me on here i would be most grateful emet.I live in mansfield England so the time zones may differ best wishes geezer46

Thanks geezer :)

Hi emet, thanks for your reply i am not too bad today i saw my shrink yesterday and she calms me down for a day or two until my mind kicks in again. Thankyou for the hugs and i hope today finds you ok,being a hypo can be a lonely place even though there are so many of us.How do you cope from day to day? Hugs and all my best to you geezer

I feel the same way but I want to constantly go to the doctor to make sure I am ok. Within the past year I have convinced myself that I had problems with my colon, brain, neck, thyroid, lungs, blood clots, appendix (multiple times), legs, heart, kidney, and more. I can't seem to shake these thoughts. It's really hard.

Hello, I can def. relate with you, and sorry for the loss of your Father. My thoughts go out to you. My Father passed away last year from lung cancer and I diagnose myself with a new type of cancer weekly. In the same month he passed my child's Father and my Grandfather also passed away and I also diagnose myself with similar illnesses that they had. I know how debilitating it can be. Every swollen lymph node, sore muscle, or pain always leads me to google which in turn makes me think I have a terminal illness. I just joined also and am hoping I can learn some ways to cope with this as it is extremely frustrating. The best advice I can give is distracting yourself. That is what I have found helps me to avoid the health anxiety thoughts. I'm the opposite and run to the doctor every time I think I have something and they end up running a bunch of tests and I sit in agony waiting on the results. I hope things get better for you, I know how difficult it can be!

I am new here and reading your posts and I experience the exact same things! In the last 2 years, it had quadrupled in intensity. I HAVE to go to the doctor if I find any symptom. I'm terrified they'll confirm my own diagnoses. Some days, I think I have at least 5 different cancers. It so hard on my family. I have expressed in many ways that I am doing all I can to beat this. I have hypothyroid and if I didn't need the meds, I'd avoid the doctors at all costs. But then you get that voice that scares you into going at times. I am on medication - pristiq and Ativan. I take a host of supplements - all the ones mentioned above and then some, but I still have it. I pray for the Lord to heal me, but somehow what I am going through, God is going to use for his glory. I'm so humbled that I'm not alone. Thank you !