Anyone dealing with health anxiety?

There are SSRI’s that can be very effective at treating anxiety along with depression. Some are actually more effective at treating anxiety. I suggest you talk with your PCP and she can help you or refer you to someone who is better equipped to help you.
Good luck to you.

Thank you, I am hoping that CBT can give me some relief and if needed, move to medication.

I find that it helps to distract my brain. For me it’s doing crafts and reading, but it differs for everyone. Anything you have to focus on, helps with my anxiety levels. I’ve undergone 26 surgeries, so am familiar with anxiety issues, and know that having a venting buddy also helps - for me it’s my son. Just talking it out helps relieve some of the stress.

Thank you for those suggestions! I agree that the more I talk openly about what I am experiencing, it seems to be helping me.

fudge08,
This post may sound abrupt and bossy, sorry, I'm short on time, but I want to help, if I can.
Ask your therapist about "catastrophizing."
Autoimmune disease is NOT the end of the world. It can be nasty but it's not the end. I've got at least one of them.
The blood tests for autoimmune disease are notoriously unreliable. They are only PART of how the doctor makes a diagnosis. If your doc ain't worried yet, you shouldn't be worried.
As my mom used to say, "Don't borrow trouble." and
"No news is good news."
Try this (from my therapist): Set aside a specific time of day to worry. 1/2 hour, say, from 9 to 10. When you start to worry outside of your set time, yell "STOP" at yourself. You do things all day at specific times and places. You sleep at night. You eat breakfast at X time. Now you have a worry time And you will only worry at that time, no other time, EVER! This technique really, really worked well for me.
Good luck!

Your post does not sound abrupt at all and I appreciate your advice. My first therapy session is tomorrow and I look forward to getting started. Your advice to out time limit on when I allow myself to worry is helpful. And don’t worry about what has not happened.

@fudge08 I will be anxious to hear about how your first session goes today! As you may realize, it may take time to "feel" a difference.

You have been going through a lot with renovating a house, then overdoing it physically. In my mind, feeling anxious is a given as you wait for test results! That's human nature. Please be gentle on yourself. As you commented, it is way too easy to "go down a rabbit hole" looking up symptoms and attributing certain conditions to yourself. Let the experts on your medical team do that for you, helping you get to conclusions!

For today, deep breaths. You got this!
Ginger

I needed to hear that so much! Thank you. I just finished up my therapy session which is teaching me to notice the first signs that my body is ramping up the anxiety, and how to breathe, put my focus on something positive and reassuring, breathing rather than ramping up. Next session I believe I will move into how to release the anxiety rather than “storing” it in my body.

An additional small but useful technique. Find a rubberband that is a bit wide and that fits securely but not tightly on your non dominant wrist. As you go through the day simply flick it lightly when you become aware of a "worry" thought. Low tech but surprisingly effective. Also, developing a mindfulness meditation practice is useful.