Anxiety/health

Reassurance is definitely what you need , we all do at times I certainly know I do. I can fully understand how you feel ... but the doctor thinks it is a cyst, not saying he is right or wrong, but I am sure he wouldn't have said that if he thought it was anything else. Have your cyst/ lump checked out ... yes you are worried , no words can anyone say will stop you worrying. Like someone has already put, sometimes called back, but doesnt mean it is bad, I have been called back before, as sometimes things are not clear on the scan etc. Your doctor will understand how you feel, as no doubt had few patients with same anxieties.
Either make an appointment or phone appoinment to the surgery explain how you feel ... I know tablets or medication won't solve your problem , but may need that little bit extra help till you know ... reason I say that is because seems like affecting your everyday life at the moment ... which you need help with ... hope everything goes well

It's seems real to me! This is me before setting off to the local shops -
What if I faint, fall, have a nose bleed, get run over, get dizzy, feel or be sick, get stabbed, mugged. Note: It's all about me. Ridiculous.

Another Mrs Whatif here, from trivial things like the weather (too hot or raining?) to major stuff, like will we be taken ill or mugged or victims of a terrorist attack? Seems laughable while I’m writing it here but real enough during the night!

Oh Grandyma. It's awful isn't it? I'm sure Pollyj is reassured that it's not just her. My husband calls me 'Mrs Whatif'.

I completely understand what you’re saying. I’ve suffered from anxiety and depression since I was a little girl. Now I’m approaching 70 and it just doesn’t get any easier. I’ve had every form of therapy, treatment & counselling available over the years. It’s crippling!! My health anxiety is the worst but not my only form of anxiety. My mind is forever asking “what if”? I catastrophise every possible scenario. I’m going on a family holiday in the summer and in my head I shall be too unwell to go/be taken ill whilst away etc. etc. I have several very real health issues and several more imagined but terrifying ones. I’m sending you hugs ?

It helps to know we are not the only ones and nowadays it’s easier with the various health forums on the net. Men in general don’t seem to panic like we do assuming the worst every time.

Yup. And we want it NOW! Which we can’t, of course.

Wish there was a ‘like’ button for each post. I do appreciate all your responses.

What we need is reassurance isn't it?

Kate1949

*Pollyj*. I could have written your post. You are not alone. My childhood was frightening and the fear has never left me. It has now manifested into health anxiety so severe that if I even get a spot on my face I am Googling to see if it could be fatal.
My husband like yours, has had health issues. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer 8 years ago. I asked if he was scared. He said he wasn't and that he would be scared if they told him he had something to be scared about, which they didn't. I am ashamed of myself when there are people who are really ill
With regards to your lump, by way of some reassurance, I had one a few years ago. My GP said he thought it was a cyst. It turned out he was right. The days waiting for my hospital appointment were torture. Someone who had had a similar experience told me to be careful how I crossed the road as my mind would be elsewhere. I wish you luck.

Thank you. Helps to know.

Oh PollyJ.

My heart goes out to you. I can so relate. I had a breast scare a few years ago and I was terrified... couldn't eat or sleep on the days between the letter telling me I needed to go back for further examination and the actual recall date. It was about a week. It was the most horrendous week.. I was so scared I was literally leaving my body with tension!

I was fine as it happened. They reassured me in the letter that most recalls are negative but they need to check if the X-ray wasn't clear enough. This may well be the case for you too. Most cysts are just that.

I too can get anxious very easily. It originated with my mother being a perfectionist and a bully.

Many years ago I learned some breathing techniques and I also meditate and those do really help. If I feel anxious I immediately do the deep breathing exercise and feel a lot of relief. I also found acupuncture helped me to be more relaxed.

As you say, it's a very difficult thing to live with. Try and get some help if you can. PM me if you would like to.

Pollyj. I could have written your post. You are not alone. My childhood was frightening and the fear has never left me. It has now manifested into health anxiety so severe that if I even get a spot on my face I am Googling to see if it could be fatal.
My husband like yours, has had health issues. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer 8 years ago. I asked if he was scared. He said he wasn't and that he would be scared if they told him he had something to be scared about, which they didn't. I am ashamed of myself when there are people who are really ill
With regards to your lump, by way of some reassurance, I had one a few years ago. My GP said he thought it was a cyst. It turned out he was right. The days waiting for my hospital appointment were torture. Someone who had had a similar experience told me to be careful how I crossed the road as my mind would be elsewhere. I wish you luck.

I’m sorry you have found a lump Polly and anyone would be anxious about that while waiting for the result. ?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is very effective at helping you to re-train your thoughts but you have to be open to it.
You do need to want to do it. If for instance you start a course telling yourself it is not going to work for you then it probably won’t.
I wish you Good Luck with the lab results and managing your anxiety. It can be crippling.

There are several ways to change your negative thinking.

Here’s just one.

www.veenaugargolyogatherapy.com/post/michael-mosley-changes-his-brain-with-mindfulness

Pollyj

Yes. Same. Spent mist of my life panicking over safety, unable to deal with uncertainty, unable to relax until I know it’s ‘safe’ and terrified of the anxiety if it wasn’t. Must be a way to retrain the brain?

There is. Cognitive behavioural therapy does exactly that.

Yes. Same. Spent mist of my life panicking over safety, unable to deal with uncertainty, unable to relax until I know it’s ‘safe’ and terrified of the anxiety if it wasn’t. Must be a way to retrain the brain?

Polly Same here it's been a lifelong battle. I used to worry myself sick about the children, then the grandchildren, not forgetting myself and DH. I’ve no answer, when I mentioned it to the GP they suggested CBT, which I declined. I just need to be reassured every time there’s a health scare. That’s all. So it’s never ending.