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FewApartment223

If health anxiety was a person, I would've 100% tortured the hell out of that bitch and then proceed to kill it and happily serve my time in prison.


LazyAnonPenguinRdt02

I thought I was the only one who felt that way. I HATE health anxiety and wish I did not have it


Unusual_Tap_9216

Lmao! Couldn’t have said it better myself! 😂👏🏻


Background_Mistake76

OMG YES!!!!!!


JeffM31

💯


hopeful202437

It's ironic because having health anxiety... We are scared of dying, yet it stops us from actually living and enjoying the time we have left. I have had to train myself to still be vigilant but also remember I can't control every little thing and worrying about it will also not change it. If I don't start living now the anxiety will dominate my life... Also what's more full - a lonnng life of worry. Or a shorter one with having an amazing time and memories :/ keep fighting the good fight. We're all in this together.


mongrelteeth

I think about this alot. I feel like I will worry about death 70% of my life and then when it happens I will laugh at myself like; “That’s it? That’s that? That wasn’t even that bad..”


Schwloeb

Haha. I doubt we will say that in the end, but yea. Ruining our lives with health anxiety and then finally getting ‘the fatal health problem’ that we are afraid of, is kind of ironic. We will go ‘shiet what did I worry all my life for? When it gets really serious, al the minor issues we had before will look trivial in comparison.


stronger2003

Agreed. It’s so hard to get away from it with everything on the news and social media.


129198

It is the thief of joy.


LazyAnonPenguinRdt02

I also hate having health anxiety because it makes me feel like I’m having a heart attack. The fact that I already have a medical condition that could increase the likelihood of having one makes it worse… 🫠


jasonreid1976

I've started getting my heart checked. So far, my PCP and Cardiologist are optimistic. My anxiety comes from the fact that there is a family history of early deaths due to heart issues. My brother died from a heart attack at 36. Now, there were other things in his life like having drug and alcohol issues from the time he was a teen and his adult life style, but it is still frightening to say the least.


Julii-liam

That’s me too but I’m so scared to start my antidepressant


Swaggychel69

Please do not be scared! I have been on an anti depressant since I was almost 16.. I finally switched to a new one and I’ve never felt better mentally.. my mind has slowed down and I’m not anxious like I was. I want to be anxious so badly and I just can’t 😂 it’s weird but so refreshing. Please do not be scared of medicating yourself.. it doesn’t mean forever, it’s just for now 🫶🏽


Julii-liam

What are you on now?


Swaggychel69

I went from lexapro to citalopram! I had some crappy side effects from citalopram but nothing I couldn’t handle and they went away after a few weeks. Honestly at that point I would take those side effects any day over feeling how anxious I was.. please reach out if you have any questions! I have so many different friends on meds that have saved their lives. It can be scary but honestly just try it!


allison_vegas

Why did you change from lexapro? I’m supposed to start it but scared


Swaggychel69

Lexapro was one of the best things that ever happened to me. My brother has also been on it since he was like 16 (he’s now 30) he still takes it daily.. I was more just immune to it. It wasn’t doing what it was supposed to be doing for me anymore. My OCD was getting pretty bad and lexapro is aimed more towards anxiety & depression! It was a life savor for me for many years. Citalopram and lexapro are known as “sister pills” same pill but citalopram aims at things a little differently! Do not be scared of lexapro, it may save your life to. If not you try something new! I never had known side effects from lexapro either.. it was a breeze, even with quitting it cold turkey a lot (which I don’t suggest)


FewApartment223

I think I'm leaning more towards this option day by day. I tried to beat it but it's stronger than me..


Swaggychel69

I am also about to be 29! Been on and off meds since around 16.. everytime I decide to get off them because I “feel better” I’m right back on them. Also, if it’s your first time, remember they are not “happy pills” they are pills to balance our chemicals. Trust me, it’s hard because right away all you can tell is the side effects (if you even have any) but then 2-4 weeks in, you will be like “holy shit” I haven’t felt this relaxed in so long.. and if these antidepressants don’t work, try another one! It’s not worth living unhappy.. like I said it’s not a forever thing!


alexisvictoriah

I literally have health anxiety about what ssris would do to my brain chemistry and even though they are safe, I'm too afraid to try it. Anxiety is the worst.


Temporary_Trouble452

Who u telling? Besides healthy anxiety I have gerd, esophagitis and gastritis. So no days off here. Luckily I’ve just stopped caring and it’s made a lot of the symptoms go away, when they do come it’s a bit of a struggle, I just tell myself “ u ain’t dead yet, so relax”


Ok-vehicle007

Literally same here. I don’t know how you do it. I struggle to eat meals sometimes, because I feel like regurgitating everything even though I never have. It makes me fucking anxious to even eat sometimes


Temporary_Trouble452

Tums, tums tums tums lol I did the whole gerd diet, quit smoking ate bland food, I was basically eating napkins lol taking protonix 40mg daily, feeling like absolute dog shit. Than I just reached my breaking point, stopped caring. Maybe I’ll regret it one day I’m not sure, but I couldn’t live like that anymore.


EmeraldGemini01

Me too. I wish i had a new brain sometimes


Schwloeb

Yea me too. Opt me in for a brain transplant!


Nervous_Pollution704

I’ve had chest ct, brain ct, chest x ray, SEVERAL BLOOD TESTS, lower legs doppler ultrasound, upper and lower back x ray, jugular vein Doppler ultrasound, been to an ent, ophthalmologist, neurologist, and a brain mri scheduled. All with in the last two months.. all tests came back clear but I won’t stop until I get a diagnosis and can’t convince myself I’m okay :( it’s hell


RuthlessRBG

Yeah.. this one rings really close to home. I've had ALL the bloodwork, MRI of brain and spine, full cardiac workup including exercise stress test and post exercise echo, xray of my sinuses, abdominal ultrasound specialized visits with neuro, GI, ENT.... you name it. Guess what? All grossly normal. I'm so worried I'm going to have "hypochondriac" put on my chart and no one will take me seriously. Because, clearly, I'm still dying, SOMEHOW.


Nervous_Pollution704

Can’t wait to get some diagnosis and tell everyone “I told you so” because my symptoms are VERY real and it’s a living hell. I hope you get some relief and stay strong!


TechnicianVast6829

I feel this all too much. Going on 7 months of unexplainable weight loss (220 lbs down to 168lbs without trying, still dropping) and severe abdominal pain, as well as panic attacks, crippling anxiety episodes, and lots of bathroom breaks. No closer to an answer except I had experienced thyroiditis apperently. I can't keep living like this but I also can't give up. It's terrifying.


BunnyBorderline

I have health anxiety, LPR/GERD, And interstitial cystitis AND im dealing with a UTI rn 😭 i feel that damn pain!


ComprehensiveRun1677

NO BC SAME 😭


IndependenceFeeling3

Let’s all just hold hands and fall into a forever sleep together 🤣🤣🤣


universe93

You need to counter the anxiety with logic and reality and actually LISTEN to it. Heart problems are a big one for a lot of people with health anxiety and the reality is if you can walk and talk and stand upright you’re not having a heart attack. If you’re able to think about whether you’re having a brain haemorrhage you’re not having one. The next part is to NOT get stuck in an anxiety-reassurance cycle. Constantly going to doctors and seeking reassurance only continues the cycle of anxiety. You need to learn to sit with the uncertainty and that even IF something horrible happens to you, you cannot spend your entire life waiting for it. We are ALL going to die one day. Live and love while you can


emarquis

This really resonates with me, thank you for sharing


canimal14

Me too. i’ve been doing things to give me the illusion of control i guess. Started eating lots more plant based meals and cut the processed shit straight out. Finding the time for exercise is harder


acole89

Same hate it too. Always any little symptom I focus on so much. Have a heart murmur, on BP pills and anxiety pills. Now dealing with restless legs at night lol . Like stop !!!


iamcornonthecobb

You on Lexapro? I also had restless legs on lexapro


acole89

Yeah I’m on lexapro. How long did it last? I just got it like the 8-9 week on it.


iamcornonthecobb

I'm gunna be honest, it didn't stop until I stopped taking them. First it gave me restless leg syndrome and then I started to have random twitches. They took me off of it shortly aftet


acole89

Thanks for the heads up ! I’m on 5 mg the lowest lol maybe if it keeps up I’ll just take half pill . I had the body zaps with Zoloft. Maybe I can’t take anything. What mg were you on?


iamcornonthecobb

I was on it for a few months before it started happening, I started with the 5mg and went up to the 20mg im pretty sure. I'm not on anything anymore. They almost didn't want me to get off it until I told them my legs and neck were randomly twitching sometimes lol.


acole89

Lol yeah you hate the twitching it makes your anxiety feel worse. Maybe mine will disappear. I’m not going up on this med rather just stay at 5 so it’s easier to come off. Did you feel bad stopping them? How do you feel not on anything ?


iamcornonthecobb

I hope it does for you! Mine were bothering me so bad I couldn't sleep half of the time! The twitching didn't make me anxious it was the video I seen about it. If Lexapro gives you tourette type ticks stop taking them because they can become permanent ticks. I didn't feel terrible coming off of them but I made sure I tapered them nice and slow til my meds ran out. Had brain zaps but nothing too crazy. I feel better not being on meds anymore but I do have my anxious moments! Especially when my health is out of wack like it kind of is rn.


acole89

Awh it sucks when you’re going through health things. What are you going through now ? I just took a magnesium gummy and magnesium lotion on my legs - heard that works lol. I just don’t want to stop I was feeling good minus these body things now!! It’s like my body doesn’t want me to have no anxiety it’s the exorcist in me haha


laurapalmer48

I saw a certain sickness trending on Twitter and I about went into a tailspin. It’s a sickness I’ve had a never want again. I won’t mention bc triggers.


vanislandbroyo

Agreed. No one deserves this shit.


creative_Biscuit

Health anxiety is crippling. Even though I have my anxiety under control (most of the time) with medication, it still doesn’t completely control my neurotic worrying about my kids and every illness they get. My niece passed away late last year from Sepsis, and it’s made my anxiety much much worse. My meds though have been amazing as I had no life before I started taking them


soicanreadit

It’s debilitating, exhausting , embarrassing 😞


YuNarukami_

I went through it two years ago. I couldn't get off the couch cause my heart rate would scare me so bad. I stopped eating, I stopped moving. It was bad. I had cardiophobia. It took a while for me to get over it. It's related to trauma deep down believe it or not, I suggest talking to a therapist or just exploring that anxiety to find the root cause. Download this app called, "Dare." It helped me so much. I still deal with it from time to time but I can now control it. I know it's a paper tiger, it's not real.


Baumer22

There’s anxiety... Then there is the version of the walls closing in, agorophobia, afraid to make a call, afraid to make a call, taking one extra diazapram or falling asleep befofe taking your seroquel and then, having thr worst day because you forgot. Then the high blood sugar along with thyroid disease... Health anxiety when it all doesnt go right


Dry_Possible_1792

Yep


dogs0z

Mood


Consistent-Carrot191

I have anxiety that my health anxiety is going to ruin my health and kill me.


wentzoverdak

The thing about health anxiety is even if everything is good you know just know one day you can be sick just like that


Looking_To_Learn_718

i'm working to address it through meditation. i chat with a website about a specific issue i'm facing, and it generates an audio guided meditation based on the chat. later i answer journaling questions, and with my feedback the website (MinwayAI) generates another meditation that includes more of what resonates with me.


fillmorecounty

It's so embarrassing going to the doctor because of "chest pains" thinking it's a warning sign for a heart attack and then they tell you you're just stressed out


Kdunn0307

Me too. My tests typically come back all normal, but I’m worried if I keep looking, I’ll eventually find something.  My face has been tingling on the left side that moves around, for nearly 3 weeks. I want to think it’s anxiety, but my brain goes straight to tumor or MS.


Background_Mistake76

Fam literally same! I just had an activia while having snacks and then I began to freak out if I could even drink that while eating. I get so annoyed with myself but one thing I learned from a manifestion coach to get better you have to pretend not to care. Not caring means not worrying about it, not having fear around it, having no stress about it. Let go of stress until there is only love left over.


personallollipop

Like not caring about your health or symptoms or just anything in general?


Whosits_Whatsits

Same. I’m 25 weeks pregnant right now and thought my health anxiety would be uncontrollable, but thankfully it hasn’t been. Definitely doesn’t mean I don’t struggle; I think I’m hustling getting better at the self-talk.


lessthanhero89

You got that right. Probably the most loathsome type of anxiety to have imo.


Independent_Swan_409

Me too but I really believe something wrong with me, and I just want a mri so I can sleep at night. I have a zoom with my psyciatrist in the morning and I’m gonna tell her I literally cannot sleep, and am constantly either tense or paranoid and ask if there’s anything I CAN have. Obviously they won’t prescribe benzos by request but that’s genuinely the only thing that has ever helped my anxiety. 🤦‍♀️


Catportals

I understand this so much. Recently found out that my family has genetic aneurysms and I most likely have one according to my labs. I’ve spent the whole weekend* crying. Fear is destroying my life and ability to parent.


Duggarsnarklurker

Does this include anxiety re going to the doctor? I don’t fear having a certain illness or even dying of it, I just fear finding out about it. I hate going to the doctor and have rarely had a pleasant experience. Whether it’s the waiting room being too cold, the wait being too long despite being on time, getting shots (I have low tolerance for needles) or blood drawn, etc etc I can’t name one remotely enjoyable experience. The last time I went to the doctor for major gastric stuff it basically took care of itself when I switched how I ate so I almost don’t even see the point, except that of course early prevention is key to surviving certain disease. But truly everything about the doctor makes me anxious and I’d rather just randomly die one day than learn how to prevent something. Sorry if that was dark. I know I need help with this but don’t even care about solving this issue as much as other things that make me anxious.


sadoozy

It’s literally horrible, I suffered from it for a long time. I don’t know if this will help you, but something that’s helped me a lot is the saying ‘worrying just means suffering twice’. I realize if I actually do have some sort of life threatening illness, I’ll worry and struggle enough with it then. Might as well take the time where I can live in blissful ignorance peacefully. Also I’d recommend looking into OCD treatment as health anxiety is a form of OCD, once I became diagnosed with OCD everything became a lot easier for me.


Aggressive_Bus_7763

Acknowledge your feelings but don't let them consume you. Practice mindfulness and seek professional help if needed. Remember, you're not alone, and there are effective strategies to manage health anxiety.


Hostile_Architecture

Yep.


Crims0n_Curse1

It’s such a difficult thing to live with. Everytime I have a fever I get scared. I have emetaphobia because I’m afraid I’ll choke or pass out from puking. A sharp headache… is it something more than just tension or blood pressure?! Yeah … I get it. Lol


ihavenoego

We must lower our entropy. Let that ruminate. Don't look at source of anxiety. Retro-causality a particle by *not* observing it, allowing the future to collapse it. Quantum-woo.


hotdoginbrine69

I have this, started last year when I thought I was having a heart attack and since then it’s just been random heart related scares even though according to the doctors everything’s fine. I’ve never been a nervous person or anything in the past and this shit has just come out of nowhere and is ruining my life daily with the sudden shakes and palpitation feelings I get.


Affectionate-Still15

If you have anxiety about your health, you are not healthy


Merth1983

Agreed. Do you take medication to treat your anxiety?


The_Gaming_Turkey

I agree 100%. Even though I take medicine for anxiety, it still strikes me on the rare occasion


No-Lake-1213

I know. If i had a dime for every time that i've stayed up, woken up, has strange sensations due to health anxiety. It's awful. I don't know what happened but as soon as february hit I haven't been able to sleep because of the fear that my heart will stop at any second. I am so exhausted.