Severe health anxiety

I am a cancer survivor still under treatment starting at 32years old. I am now 71 and have severe health anxiety. I’ve tried medication, acupuncture, mindfulness etc. just seem stuck in this mess. There doesn’t seem to be an easy fix. I go to the worst scenario of every situation. It’s ruining my life. Even when my health is on track I’m a mess mentally. All the medications I take have side effects that scare me.
Thank you for listening and for any thoughts.

I don't know? I'm not a clinician, so I cannot speculate. I just know that it's worth digging a litter deeper which is why I've decided to go to the Functional Health to hopefully get a different prospective.
I do know that my anxiety stems from childhood trauma. I can suggest that working through that possibility might be an option.
Shelley

Hello Anna,
There IS a relationship between gut and depression and anxiety.
I wont spend the time here about telling you what I sent thru, but I will share things that you might want to consider that did help me.
1) SD Sympathetic Dominance. It can trigger your symptoms.
2) Vagus nerve exercises. Look online. Gargling, singing and humming are excellent. There are many others.
3) Good farm milk yogurt. Painted Sisters is good. 7 g’s of sugar or find the Too Good brand.
4) Walk with smooth jazz for about 30 minutes to start, walk up to an hour.
Be mindful of the beauty around you.
Or get a small rebounder in Amazon. I have one called one step.
5) Be good to yourself. Look for the book SWITCH ON YIUR BRAIN EVERY
DAY. Caroline Leaf is excellent. Watch her on youtube.
6) Mindful of self talk. Look at TELLING YOURSELF THE TRUTH Marie Chapian.
7) Eat clean. All natural foods.
8) Listen to inspirational podcasts.
9)Get into a women's book club or have a womens game night
10) Consider an endoscopy ultrasound.
11) Vit D abd ir 20 minutes sunshine every day
12) consider redlight therapy… if your place has a Planet Fitness see if they offer FULL BODY RL there. Well worth your health and the upgraded membership.
Blessings to you, Anna!
🌺🌷❤️

Hi there

I know what you going through I have been going through the same thing. I have been having weird health issues for a long time. I google my symptoms go to doctors for reassurance drive everyone around me crazy. Had nerve pain bought on from going to the beach. I panicked thinking the worst but anxiety was the main trigger.
I also had stomach issues similar to what you had. It felt like a painful stitch then the pain gets worse for a few minutes. Felt like an attack I think it was anxiety related went for a scan they suspect it was acid reflux but anxiety does nasty things to you.
Sorry to hear about your dad. Prozac might help. You not alone I know what it’s like to feel there is something wrong and no one believes you.

Send me a message if you want to chat🦋

It looks you got so much helpful info that you might already be on your way to feeling a lot better -- Yes, one reason is that human are social beings and therefore if we do not have CLOSE social connections, we wither, even feel scared and ashamed because we feel as if everyone knows I have no friends. Strange, right? But humans are clever to deceive Ourselves. So we have people all around in densely populated areas -- and they are Lonely. Go figure. No wonder, not just anxiety, depression are on the rise, we have Physical health problems going up, too: diabetes Type 2 and obesity in tandem going up, even as we know up to 80% of heart and stroke issues cud be prevented with Lifestyle Choices. Think about it. We can get so much our health back simply by adjusting our eating and physical activity habits.

Now I, too had an anxiety/panic attack that stopped my breathing in early dawn making me jump out of bed, and ending up in seeing emergency, who said what I'm saying is looks like you're worrying too much about something ... even as I said I'm retired, what worry? Anyway I was offered CBT, to which I said I know what it is and can do myself. She said 'it's not the same' to which I said let ME try first. That was ten years ago.

I am a firm believer -- and follower -- of basic healthy lifestyle, which seems to have saved me not having to see my doctor for ten years now and with no medications, surgeries (tho I cud use cataract) or tests, supplements with some old age infirmities and joint pains still able to live quite independently.
I sleep soundly because I am tired after using my time in activities that I believe give me a sense of having spent my time Purposefully. This is crucial. Indeed now in early eighties, it has become more urgent. It seems I'll attract health issues when MY purpose-in-life disappears, in an adrift aimless existence.

I truly wish you get to have the life you cherish -- and it seems, as many have said, it mostly what is in OUR control.
It'll be good to know your progress
(And u thought only goddesses write book-length comments, Haha)

There can definitely be a relationship between the medication and anxiety. If your mother’s anxiety started at the same time she started to take the med it would definitely be worthwhile to check it out. Functional medicine docs or Naturopaths are trained to look at the underlying cause and will order more tests than a general doctor would. Best of luck.

Hi, I didn’t have anxiety or mild depression until I experienced a major medical episode around a year and a half ago. Since that day, I haven’t been able to sleep without taking Ativan or Ambien and interestingly I haven’t been able to cry either. The sleep and anxiety I can understand because my body is stuck in the fight or flight mode due to a very difficult four month period. But I don’t understand why I can’t shed a tear. I didn’t suffer a loss of a loved one but I did suffer a loss of myself. I most likely won’t ever be the person I was before. You’re probably right. No one can ever understand what experiencing high anxiety or depression is like unless they experience it themselves. It’s wonderful that you’re in this group to get the support you were hoping to get from your friends or family. Best of luck.

Anxiety has dogged me all my adult life. I take Cymbalta (60 Mg) each day for it. In this year of modern medicine, I frequently wonder if there’s something better than Cymbalta. I sleep by occasionally taking an Ambien. Perhaps that is one time per week. Please let me know of your recommendations so that I can discuss such with my doctor. Thanks for your help.

@sjholden
Hey Shelley,
Thank you so much for sharing your story — it really means a lot. I can totally relate to what you said about the “trembling at night.” The same thing happens to me — just when I’m about to fall asleep, I suddenly wake up with that weird jolt or shaking feeling. It’s honestly one of the scariest parts for me.

Reading your post made me feel less alone. It’s comforting to know that someone else understands what it’s like to live with health anxiety and all those physical symptoms that make us doubt ourselves. I really appreciate you sharing what’s helped you — I’ll definitely check out more about the vagus nerve and that book you mentioned.

Thank you again for your kindness and encouragement. Wishing you continued healing and calm nights ahead 💜

@roseann4z Thank you for opening up and sharing your story. You’ve already been through so much, and the strength it takes to keep going — even while dealing with health anxiety — is incredible. I can really relate to what you said about going to the worst-case scenario; I struggle with the same thing.

Even when the doctors say everything looks fine, my mind keeps finding new “what ifs.” It’s exhausting. So please know, you’re definitely not alone in this.

I truly admire your resilience after everything you’ve faced since such a young age. You’re a fighter — even if it doesn’t always feel like it. Sending you calm thoughts and hoping you find a bit more peace each day 💜