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Posted 5/17/2016 12:48 PM (GMT -5)
I have severe panic/anxiety attacks regarding ANY health issue that comes up. Going for an annual mammogram becomes weeks long ordeal. Anticipating going, the actual procedure, waiting for results sends me right over the edge. After months of actually feeling better than I have in years, I had a regular checkup and everything seemed good (blood pressure controlled, A1c level good, all labs in normal range.....except for a hemoglobin level of 9.1 and a diagnoses of iron deficiency anemia. Now I am totally freaked out, have a colonoscopy and endoscopy scheduled for next week, can't eat, can't sleep, can't stop imagining all the dire possibilities, and have made one trip to the ER when blood pressure spiraled out of control and I went almost comatose. I am a 75 year old woman with hypertension, elevated cholesterol, (both controlled with meds) and Type II diabetes. I take Metformin which my research shows could contribute to the IDA. I'm ready to check into the funny farm at this point as the anxiety is getting worse by the hour. Any encouraging words to get me through the next weeks of testing and results?

Post Edited By Moderator (Scaredy Cat) : 5/17/2016 12:56:23 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/17/2016 1:53 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Dusty,

I feel you on this one. My biggest trigger are medical appointments/tests/fear of results...

The biggest thing that feeds our anxiety are negative thoughts...therefore, counteracting this thinking is beneficial in reducing our fears.

Here is a link for positive affirmations. These phrases, when repeated regularly, actually work to change the brain's chemistry...making it less susceptible to anxious thoughts!


Positive Mantra/Affirmations for Anxiety Management

anxietynetwork.com/content/coping-statements-anxiety


It also pays to have a strong support team to help you through these tough times. Do you have a loved one to go with you to these upcoming appointments?

...and you have us to keep you encouraged...so keep posting here anytime okay?

Use those mantras...and talk to you soon!

S.C.
Posted 5/17/2016 2:06 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Dusty,

Welcome. I am sorry you're experiencing this. I, too, have the same struggle.

I hope your upcoming appointments go well.

I agree with SC.. think positively.
Posted 5/17/2016 3:17 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Dusty,
Welcome to the forum. I am totally with you on the whole white coat syndrome. A lot of people find relief from doctor's, but I am the total opposite. A simple wellness check needs a good month of mental preparation. I've cancelled and rescheduled so many appointments out of sheer fear of the unknown.
But, I will say, there is something empowering about being proactive about your health. Telling that anxiety to take a back seat and shut up, so you can be confident that your health is under control.
SC provided you a great resource that should surely help. Positive mantras and even just simply repeating "no matter what happens, I am okay" does wonders.
Posted 5/17/2016 3:32 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks, Progress.   Hanging in there today, have not taken any anxiety meds so far.  Got the appointments set up for next week and am counting down the hours; I'm at 164 right now.  I claim to be a Christian but can't seem to reach the peace I need to overcome this debilitating anxiety.   I have several friends facing life-threatening situations, and I can't help but compare their strength to my lack of same.   My favorite Bible verse tells me "For I know the plans I have for you declareth the Lord....plans for you to prosper......"  Another favorite tells me that the Lord is my strength and shield.  So, I guess along with the panic and anxiety, I am also experiencing a crisis of faith.
Posted 5/17/2016 4:13 PM (GMT -5)
I'm really sorry.

I had a conversation with my mom a few weeks ago about how crippling my anxiety was. How it made me fear that by being anxious it was saying that I am not trusting in God. She said something that really helped me - she told me that was the devil whispering in my ear.

I hope you find peace.
Posted 5/17/2016 5:29 PM (GMT -5)
Dusty,

My husband is diabetic...and an elder in our church. Do you believe he having a crisis of faith?

Of course not!! ;p ;p ;p

...then why do you consider your illness a matter of lacking trust in God? How is a mental illness any different than a physical one?

Can you change it by force of will, or belief alone? Not at all.

Put your burden of guilt down, and rest in grace.:)

S.C.

p.s. As per forum rules, we need to keep our personal beliefs somewhat general here, in order to respect ALL forms of faith. We can make mention of prayer/faith...but will need to refrain from specific things such as scripture references. Our main objective here should remain anxiety support. Thanks! :)
Posted 5/17/2016 5:39 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Dusty 1,I know how you feel I freak out about the same things.I'm not sure how to get through this either,sorry I'm not much help just wanted you to know you're not alone :-)
Posted 5/18/2016 7:50 AM (GMT -5)
It does help to know that I'm not the only one. I sometimes feel like some kind of fool when I get this paranoid while others are fighting real health battles. Thanks for all the encouragement. So glad I found this site.
Posted 5/18/2016 9:49 AM (GMT -5)
I know Dusty I feel the same way and when you try to tell someone about it they just look at you funny,they don't understand.
Posted 5/18/2016 10:42 AM (GMT -5)
:-) turn smilewinkgrin This is why it is great to have each other!! We support one another and battle our common challenges together!

Keep posting family!

S.C.
Posted 5/19/2016 4:37 AM (GMT -5)
Dusty1 - I am just like you with one exception...I'm absolutely terrified and mistrusting of doctors, hospitals, treatments and medications; consequently I avoid them at all costs which I know is foolish and dangerous but I am paralyzed with fear. At least you are brave enough to get yourself checked out! I am 68 myself so it's good to find someone else in my age range on here. I have spent the better part of my life thinking I was dying of every disease imaginable but in fact have basically been pretty healthy (except for stomach issues probably due to stress and anxiety). Since you're 75, I have to assume you've been the same. My latest fixation is a pinched nerve in my shoulder blade (most likely from lifting furniture at my sons antique store) but I'm convinced it's either a blood clot or lung cancer! So I can definitely relate to how you are feeling and hope you'll keep turning to this great site for support and understanding. And the
Posted 5/19/2016 4:47 AM (GMT -5)
Cont from previous post...
And the truth is that I hate myself for wasting so many years fearing things that never materialized! I take Xanax for anxiety and panic as well as Toorol for BP but have turned lately to more natural remedies. I read on here recently that high doses of VitMin C helps to reduce cortisol in the brain (which my therapist says is one of my issues when waking in the morning and always make me panicky and anxious). I've been taking it for weeks now and it seems to have helped a lot. But I guess I will always have this severe hypochondria and just have to keep fighting it on a daily basis.
Posted 5/19/2016 9:26 AM (GMT -5)
Andwes, I understand fully what you are saying. I have had my issues over the years (gallbladder removed at 35, hysterectomy at 44, total hip replacement at 62 and right knee replacement at 71) and now I have moderately severe osteoarthritis in my spine. I can handle the truly physical situations, but the thoughts of what could be going on inside are making me into a basket case. My mother suffered from heart disease and COPD nearly all her life and my father died of prostate cancer and multiple myeloma. As an only child I was very involved with their care and so everything that comes up triggers my anxiety. I am almost paralyzed right now with the thought of colon or stomach cancer and the anemia invokes fear of myeloma or leukemia. I tell myself that it has been defined as iron deficiency anemia and can be treated with iron supplements, but then I jump to it has to be caused by something. I can barely function at this point. It is a waste of time and energy living with this kind of fear, but I am powerless to do anything about it. I will be praying for you and thanks so much for sharing your story.
Posted 5/19/2016 12:59 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Dusty, your post really made me think of myself. I know how your feeling and I get so anxious especially the waiting for test results. I have an upcoming simple work physical and I have them yearly, I get so scared. I don't know what to say to calm your nerves. My husband has recently had to have tons of tests to see why he is having problems with breathing. Tomorrow we find out if he might have cancer, I have a stomach ache and can't seem to move off the couch with fear of the unknown. My husband on the other hand can go about his day as nothing. Just know that you are not alone in your fears, and 9 times out of ten, all the worrying ends up for nothing.
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