Health anxiety/support

asmkq
asmkq Online Community Member Posts: 31 Connected
edited April 25 in Everyday life

Hi everyone,

I have health anxiety, I caught some kind of throat infection that caused me to have pericarditis (fluid around the heart) which has made my health anxiety spiral in an extreme way. I unfortunately have been to a&e a number of times with this issue from having really bad panic attacks and seeing the mental health team twice. They have forwarded me onto a talking team but when that can be available who knows. I also have a swollen painful calf which I have had a blood test for but no one seems to want to scan it.

All of this has caused so much distress that everyday I am in a mess and I feel like no one is helping or can help me in the moment. I’ve called the crisis team twice, text shout, deep breathing exercises and staying hydrated. I also take Mirtazapine. Am I able to get home help with all of this? Just to talk to someone that’s there with me and maybe go out in the community? I don’t know what else to do.
How can I push for the scan on my leg?
Thank you

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Comments

  • Freesia123
    Freesia123 Online Community Member Posts: 55 Contributor

    @asmkq

    I'm so sorry to hear you are going through a difficult time 😪Has your Dr given you any indication of what it could be? As you said they did blood tests what were they looking for? If you are still having problems maybe you should go back to your GP and ask what it could be and then ask about having it scanned as it is still there.

    I too have had health anxiety for many years and this site (below) helped me enormously. Just reading the posts, it was good to see I wasn't alone & many other people were in the same situation. Maybe it will help you too.

    https://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?29-Health-Anxiety
  • Ostia
    Ostia Online Community Member Posts: 78 Empowering

    I am sorry to hear about your severe anxiety, I have been there and I really sympathise.

    The pericarditis sounds alarming, is it now resolved? Are you reassured that there is no further need for treatment there? If so I hope you can relax and put an unpleasant time behind you now.

    I'm puzzled about the swollen leg if it is only one leg…did you have an insect bite or something similar? If the GP says it doesnt need scanning ie it is not due to some internal structural problem, I hope they can reassure you that whatever it is will resolve itself. Scanning is not suitable for every health problem. But if you want to put your mind at rest and have the money or a credit card, you can organise an MRI privately at quite short notice for a few hundred pounds…but it sounds as if it will not reveal anything significant for you in this case as it may be a skin problem?

    There is a wonderful charity called Anxiety UK, it offers all sorts of support including access to low cost counselling which you may find helpful.

    Lastly, worry about our body can sometimes mask a worry about something else in our life , past or present. If you think on reflection this may be the case, please do approach Anxiety UK and other organisations for support to bring you some peace of mind. We are all living in very stressful times now so we need to take care of ourselves and reach out for support.

    Best wishes, A

  • mokki
    mokki Online Community Member Posts: 36 Contributor
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/133042/health-anxiety-support

    Hi there,

    Maybe ask for a second opinion.

    You can request another appointment with a different doctor,

    Sometimes this helps

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 4,040 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @asmkq you've clearly been through a lot. I'm really sorry to read about your health issues, but it looks like you've received some knowledgeable and supportive advice from members of the community.

    As you mentioned needing some support at home, and getting out in the community you may want to look at an NHS care needs assessment which will look at your needs, the link to their website is here - Getting a care needs assessment - Social care and support guide - NHS. You can read more about it, and book an assessment here.

    I'm also going to pop you an email shortly, so please keep an eye out for it. And most importantly, please be kind to yourself and make sure you do something each day that makes you feel good. It can really make a difference (I find anyway 🙂)

    Best wishes,

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