Hypochondria Support Group
Hypochondria refers to excessive worry about having a serious illness. Hypochondria is often characterized by fears that minor bodily symptoms may indicate a serious illness, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis, and a preoccupation with one's body. Many individuals with hypochondriasis express doubt and disbelief in the doctors' diagnosis.
I've been severely anxious for months now - the worst I've ever been. Maybe it was the nearly cold-turkey stopping of Lexapro (escitalopram) back in July. Whatever prompted this increase - it's been so bad my usual talk therapy and journaling hasn't made a dent in it. Because both usually end up focusing on my rationalizing why the anxiety is warranted.
My main hang-up - heart attack.
So I have occasional palpitations. An EKG showed nothing. An echo in February nothing. A Holter for 24 hours. Nothing. But ... I have minor twinges of pain in my left breast area/left shoulder blade area. And my pulse can be 55 or 95 (on my phone ... so using the camera? yeh accurate my backside...). But since Go Red for Women stresses how women present very differently when having a heart attack - I'm convinced I'm building up to a massive heart attack. It's going to happen. Any. Day. Any. Second. It's absolutely terrifying. At my parents' house I take my BP constantly. Sure, it's usually about 130/85 the first time. Then I sit for 10 minutes and it's 120/74. My pulse usually hovers around 65 on that monitor. And my tests are good. But nope. Dr. Google says I'm showing all the signs of heart attack. Nevermind I walked 6.5 miles around NYC recently. Or that I hiked two miles up a mountain and climbed a 60-foot water tower. NO ... I'm in heart failure. I'm going to drop dead.
It's terrrrrible.
I can't keep functioning at this level of anxiety. I emailed my doctor's office and I've been waiting ALLL day for a response. I told them the health anxiety is ridiculously out of control and I don't think I can wait until my physical in April to deal with it. I need something to change NOW. I used to break vicious cycles with Ativan/lorazepam. Lemme have that? Something? It's interfering with work. My life. My ability to care for my kids (single parent, so all alone there).
I do have real medical issues. I have vascular stents (so increased risk of blot clots). They don't scare me. I have migraines. Increased risk of stroke from medications. That doesn't scare me. This seemingly uncalled for fear of heart attack. Scares me. I also have pseudotumor cerebri. Doesn't scare me.
So WHY the intense insane fear of heart attack? I don't know.
I just need it to stop.
I have a physical today, made because I cannot function under my own severe health anxiety. With me, (right now anyway lol it always changes) Its esophageal/Gastric Cancer. I have had so many new symptoms come up in the last month and a half... I have CONVINCED Myself that I am on deaths door.. to the point where I have wanted to AVOID going to the doctor, because I am convinced they are just going to confirm what I already "know".
As you can see... you are not alone in your struggles or pain or frustration or lack of finding adequate ways to cope. .. You are going to be okay though. I too have had palpitations since I was a little girl. Sometimes my heart just beats extremely fast for no reason. I do have a benign heart murmur, but other than that- EKG, Ultrasound, etc.. -they haven't found anything wrong. And (of course) no "skipped beats" ever happen when they are monitoring it, right?
I am confident that you are not about to have a heart attack, hun. Your mind is the only thing attacking you (us) right now. Always here if you ever want to talk.
Been stuck in a panic all day about tiny tiny aches that I am convinced mean heart attack. I'm numb with fear. It's overwhelming. My doc said go back on Lexapro. But it gave me a migraine this morning and that made my physical symptoms worse.
Yes..... Skipped beats never show up when you are having the tests done. And any ache or pain in my upper body must be signs of a heart attack...... Right????
Although I am really sorry that you guys are also feeling like this, it does make me feel like I am not going crazy
I think we all would benefit from some grounding coping methods, that take us out of that peak of extreme internal dread that occurs, once we are past the point of being consoled. I will try to research some , and share if i find anything that really helps.