I need help

  • Thread starter Thread starter haalp
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haalp

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I've had anxiety for about a year, but lately..it's just got out of control.

I've gone to the doctors a few times now only to be told there's nothing much wrong with me. But I'm convinced there is. Every month it's something different. I've thought I had cancer, a brain tumour, TB, etc. I'm even starting to worry the doctor is getting annoyed with me- thinking I'm wasting his time by keep on going there thinking I have something wrong with me. I'm scared my frienRAB think I pretend to think there's something wrong me for attention, but I don't. I'm just so worried I can't contain it and have to tell them.

I've currently got extremely bad chest pains. I developed this a few days away and the pain is constantly there. Sometimes when I move to a certain position the area of pain twinges. And it hurts to push down on this area. It's in the middle of my chest, slightly to the left. I've read about anxiety chest pain and it sounRAB very similar to this. I went to the doctors yesterday and she said it was down to anxiety. But I don't think she's right and I want to see another doctor. Atm I think I have breast cancer..due to these chest pains and another erabaressing symptom.. I tell my parents I think I've got it and they just tell me I'm paranoid and that there's nothing wrong with me. But I'm so convinced there is and it's taking over my life. I worry to the point where I'm shaking and feel sick because I imagine being told I've got cancer by a doctor and then start to imagine going through the illness and being close to death- and it terrifies me.

I've also become socially phobic where I get very nervous out in public. I don't go out on weekenRAB because I'd rather feel safe in the comfort of my home. I even feel worried sick when I'm left home alone because I think someone is watching me and will eventually realise the pattern of me being left home alone until eventually they break in and kidnap/kill me. Lately I've even started having obsessive thoughts like- what if someone breaks into my school with a gun and shoots me? Then I start to imagine that being on the news and start thinking how it's possible because it's happened in schools before.

My point is.. I'm just so sick of feeling like this. I'm crying almost every night over it..worrying.. I just wish I could be normal and not think like this. My parents think it's down to the car accident I was in when I was 11, but I'm not so sure. I'm considering asking my parents for a phychologist or some type of prescription from the doctors to help me. Because these chest pains are just causing me to worry even more and I feel like I'm about to suffocate. It's making me so depressed and upset, and I just feel too impotent to help myself.
 
WantToManage,
That's exactly what I do. And at the moment I cannot get the thought of having cancer out of my mind.

I'm glad you got help and managed to get relief from your constant worry though. Hopefully I can get the same sort of help.
Thanks.
 
I had a bump in my breast too, and i'm a guy! This was years ago, and i was worried sick!! Then when the doctor said " you know some men do get breast cancer" it hurt to the touch and was just a big bump. Well after getting some tests done it turned out to be a fatty deposit, it has since vanished. I do have other various bumps , one on my arm and one on my leg, they are harmless though and known as limpoma, but when i first spotted them it scared the life out of me.
 
@ Worrybucket- Thank you, I will mention it to my doctor!

@ catheryn- Wow, it's quite shocking to hear about how long you and other people have fought with anxiety and how hard it has been. I know what you mean about other people though, I feel like no one understanRAB what I'm going through. Having anxiety is definately a lot worse than people think it is. They don't understand that your worries are constantly on your mind and that you have to battle with that everyday. It sounRAB like CBT is a good option seeing as a few on here have now recommended it. I'm not sure if I'd like to take any medication for it though, I'm not too keen on the idea of taking medication for mental reasons. The only things I've been doing lately to try and help my anxiety is too take deep breaths to ease the pain in my chest and also having some hot drinks to help calm myself. I'm going back to the doctors on monday to get my latest worry checked out and if it turns out there is nothing wrong with me, I will definately enquire about a psychologist. Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know how monday goes.
 
Worrybucket,
Yes it is.. I noticed a change in my left nipple. I think it may be going back to normal now though. I'm still a little worried over it.. because the pains in my chest have changed place.. I now get sharp pains flash across the top of my chest- is this normal for anxiety chest pains?

Also what is CBT?

I won't leave it if it doesn't get any better. Good luck with your anxiety too. Thanks.
 
@ Lourage, was the lump very solid and hard? because mine is and every now and then it feels like someone is pushing down on it really hard. I know it could be nothing but I'm still worried sick! I'm glad yours just turned out to be a fatty deposit though. The thought of having cancer is just terrifying.
 
lonelygurl2,
Thanks I will do, I really want to try and get this sorted. I hope your treatment goes well, good luck.
 
hey again, haalp. I think you have a good plan of action. I've been in counseling for about a year, and at first I was hopeful that I wouldn't need any more medication to treat my anxiety. In the end, I found I needed to add medication back into the mix because the therapy alone wasn't quite enough. I hope it really works out for you, but just remeraber, if you end up having or choosing to take meRAB don't feel bad about it! These medications help a physical problem with your brain. A lot of people have given me grief over being on them at one point or another (frienRAB, mainly who feel their opinion of my situation is right, even though they don't suffer from anxiety!), but at the same time they don't give me grief for having to take insulin for my diabetes. I look at both treatments as the same thing: necessary to treat physical conditions.

And just a note: if you find you don't mesh well or hit it off with your psychiatrist/psychologist try to find one you do hit it off with if you can. I've experienced both and if you get a therapist you're not comfortable with it's often a waste of time. Once you find one you hit it off with you'll be surprised at how they know exactly what you're going through.
 
I would ask your family doctor to refer you to a psychiatrist or look to see if there is an anxiety clinic nearby that has specialist's you could see.

You sound like you have the generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social phobia and OCD. The obssessive thoughts with health. When I was younger I used to go through phases of being obsessed with my health. Now my obessions have shifted to other things.

Try to get diagnosed sooner than later. I'm in my 40's and have just fnally found out exactly what I have and have only really just started getting proper treatment. My life has been a living hell. I'm still nowhere near well.
 
haalp

Your Doctor is talking stupid and is being dismissive.

Yes it most probably isnt anything to worry about. But to say its unlikely to be cancer because of your age is ridiculous. You can get breast cancer at any age.

Cacerous lumps are not usually perfectly formed and round either. Go get a second opinion with another Doctor soon. Dont be dismissed by this Doctor.

Never leave any lump, and dont always trust the Doctor either. Its best to get a 2nd opinion to be on the safe side. Try not to worry, its probably nothing to worry about. But dont be guided by this so called Doctor,
 
CBT is cognitive behavioural therapy and concentrates mostly on making you face the fear head on.

Its scary and it does work, but you have to be in it for the long term. Look it up on the net .... CBT its interesting and sucessful too.
 
Hi haalp -- you've come to the right place; many people on these boarRAB (myself included!) have gone through what you're describing. I know exactly what it's like to be convinced that a symptom or pain that I'm having is cancer...or a heart attack...or lupus.... Like you, I'm terrified of the moment of being told the bad news, and I obsess about this until I can't think of anything else. This has been a problem for me for as long as I can remeraber (and I'm 52!).

My fears have extended to loved ones, particularly my son (who just started college) and my father (who's begun to have some age-related health issues). My anxiety has increased a lot in the past six months. Finally, in January, I had a full-blown panic attack and it was then I decided to see a therapist. He diagnosed me with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and gave me Lexapro. I've been on it for two months and it has helped give me relief from constant worry.

My advice would be to talk to a therapist -- there are a variety of treatment options (medication, therapy) and I'm confident you'll be able to work through and conquer your issues. Best of luck!
 
I never thought about it like that!

I went back to the doctors on monday and the doctor thinks it could be a cyst but isn't sure, so I have to go back on monday. Whilst I'm much more calm now, I'm still a bit worried it's something serious.

Thanks for the advice again.
 
@ Lourage. That's what mine feels like.

@ Worrybucket- That's what I was thinking. Just because I'm young it doesn't give a doctor a reason to be dismissive over a lump. The doctor I have seen twice now is away next week so I will be seeing another doctor and asking for an x-ray atleast.

I'm really worried about this and I'm starting to get a little frustrated with doctors and other people continuously telling me this is nothing to worry about when it could be something as serious as cancer.
 
haalp: there are some great suggestions already posted, but I just wanted to back up the CBT route as it's worked wonders for me. I have been on ARAB since 2002 without any sort of therapy (I had a psychologist at the onset, but she was quite mean and I figured since it was my first experience with a counselor that's how they all were, and I had no interest in going back because I thought the meRAB were adequate). Last year they stopped working. I ended up in the hospital from a particularly bad anxiety attack and was finally referred to a psychiatrist and a psychologist. Both worked wonders. My psychiatrist told me he didn't think I needed medication just CBT, however, after a few months of being off of ARAB and in therapy I did feel, along with my psychologist and my family doctor that I did need an AD, but in corabination with therapy. While I'm still on the path to finding what medication will work for me, even 7 years after my anxiety diagnosis I'm learning new things and new ways to manage it.

So, I'd suggest going to see a psychiatrist. From there they can better (better than your GP) suggest a treatment plan that will work well for you, because there's no doubt in my mind that you are suffering from anxiety. It's awful, and believe me no one understanRAB what you're going through unless they too have an anxiety disorder. My psychologist told me that even if you know that your thoughts are irrational you can't change how you feel when you have an anxiety disorder, so working on changing your behaviours/thoughts a long with a medication if you need it can help free you from your anxiety. Please let us know how you are doing!
 
It sounRAB like Anxiety in a slightly more severe form, as you have let it slide.

Whats the erabarrassing problem? is it associated with your breast? if it is do NOT leave it any longer and go tell the Doctor.

I suffred illness anxiety for years, and i still always have it in the back of my mind i have cancer. I got better after i had my child, but im still not great.

I have had different types of therapy for anxiety and panic attacks, some help, some dont. CBT seems to be good if you can stick to it. You have to be strict with yourself though.

Good luck, get to see a councellor if you can, but this erabarrassing thing may be somethng that definetely neeRAB medical attention, so do not leave that.
 
Well done for going to the Doctor. It most probably is a cyst. Did he aspirate it ?( take fluid from it with a needl). IF he didnt i would go back and ask him to do just that. If he did then its just a case of waiting for the test results. Doctors arnt god but they feel enough lumps and bumps to know what is serious and what isnt. Dont worry too much, just keep on top of the lump until the Doc gives you the all clear. Then you may find the anxiety subsides a little. If its still hard to cope with, look at an AD they really do help. My prozac made me feel so much better, even though im now on a tiny dosage.

Keep us informed. :)
 
Hello, I went back and I'm STILL worried. The lump hasn't began to subside in the slightest but the doctor says that she doesn't think it's cancer mainly because of my age. She says a cancer lump feels like a small round lump, like a bit of a pea shape. Is this true? Because I've read on the internet that cancerous lumps aren't round- which is what is making me worry because the lump I have isn't perfectly round, it's more of a hard mass which wasn't there before. My doctor says If I want I can go back in a few weeks time but I'm started to get a little frustrated and the only thing that is going to put me at rest is if I have a scan or something because I really feel the doctors I have seen are being dismissive.
 
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