Has Anyone Ever thought they a Hypochondriac?

[Stephanie]

Over the past year and a half, I've been to my doctor for several different issues and they generally turn out to be nothing serious - which I AM thankful for . I've rarely gone to the doctor's (Primary) annually in the past, but now it seems like every few months I'm calling him about something. Last year it was my stomach which I then had a colonoscopy which was negative, then chest pains which turned out to be GERD (not a nothing), my hair started to thin and now I have what he is saying is a pulled muscle in my lower back that has flared up over the past year or so but now is an everyday occurance. I'm embarrassed to even call. My friend, Rita, tells me never to feel silly about calling your doctor if you don't feel well, but this is ridiculous!!

[streetsoldier]

Could you be suffering from anxiety attacks? Something to consider.

[Stephanie]

That's what is confusing to me. My psychiatrist had prescribed me Valium because he thought that I maybe anxious, even though I don't emotionally feel that way. I haven't taken one pill yet. I know what it feels like to be anxious but I haven't had an anxiety attack in years. My lifestyle now is the way I like it with a job that's perfect for me as compared to a few years ago and now I'm having these problems. I wonder if my body is playing catchup. My doctor had said that even though I may not feel anxious, my body is still reacting in it's own way.

Maybe the Prozac has numbed me enough that I don't "feel" anxious though ever other part of my body is.

[streetsoldier]

Valium and Prozac are NOT the Rx of choice for anxiety, Steph; check your PDR for "Serzone" (nefazodone), or have your pharmacist do it for ya.

[Stephanie]

Thanks Bill. Prozac was always for my depression though. I'll check into that!

[streetsoldier]

Serzone works for both, Steph...you might also ask about doxepin.

Valium and Prozac? "Bad news", from my experience. Megadittos for Xanax (does the opposite of its intent on me).

[Stephanie]

I've always been afraid of getting off of Prozac because I had one bad experience before when I tried. I'll have to talk to him about it some more, I guess.

[StormChasr]

I've taken Xanax for short periods--like last year's hurricane season.

[Stephanie]

I've taken Xanax for short periods--like last year's hurricane season.

I'm sure that there were alot of you in Florida that took that!

[StormChasr]

They needed a dispenser on the street corner--like a gum ball machine, giving the choice of Valium, Tranxene, or Xanax.

[R-Dub]

I have battled panic attacks and anxiety for most of my life (28yrs) and even though I have had hundreds of panic attacks, I still think I am having a heart attack everytime I have a panic attack, due to the rapid heartbeat and chest pain and numbness. I have had every heart test known to man, and I am told that my heart is just fine, but during the attack I am still convinced that my heart is going to explode Also when I have a bad headache, I figure I am dying of a brain tumor, or a stroke. Its crazy what your mind can do to cause physical symptoms

Stephine, never feel embarrassed about going to the doctor, or talking about what is going on, and I hope you are feeling better!!

[Dee Bee]

Hey, Stephanie -- I sent you a pm so I didn't take up too much space here! ((((HUGS))))

[GalvestonDuck]

Regarding the thinning hair -- try Centrum Silver. It worked for a coworker whose hair was starting to thin. It's really not just for "old-timers."

As far as anti-anxiety medicines, I couldn't really suggest anything. That seems to be a trial-and-error kind of thing that depends upon your own brain chemistry.

As for being a hypochondriac, I'm the opposite. I let things go and just assume they'll go away. My best friend has to remind me that I really don't have to suffer through a minor headache, backache, or even sunburn -- there is such a thing as ibuprofen and it takes a mere five seconds to get out the bottle and take a couple.

[Stephanie]

Thanks R-Dub, Dee Bee & Duckie!

My dermatologist suggested Rogaine and Biotin which is a B-vitamin that's good for hair and skin. It has spread, but the original area that started to thin seems to be under control.

[george_r_1961]

I have battled panic attacks and anxiety for most of my life (28yrs) and even though I have had hundreds of panic attacks, I still think I am having a heart attack everytime I have a panic attack, due to the rapid heartbeat and chest pain and numbness. I have had every heart test known to man, and I am told that my heart is just fine, but during the attack I am still convinced that my heart is going to explode Also when I have a bad headache, I figure I am dying of a brain tumor, or a stroke. Its crazy what your mind can do to cause physical symptoms

Stephine, never feel embarrassed about going to the doctor, or talking about what is going on, and I hope you are feeling better!!

These panic attacks you describe can lead to more serious health issues in later life. As far as stopping them i dont know what to tell you. I have a slight arrythmia( irregular heartbeat every now and then) and as first it was wrote off as an anxiety attack Twenty four hours on the Holter monitor proved different.

[streetsoldier]

george has a good point; I spent YEARS being mishandled, misdiagnosed (everything from bi-polar to "latent homosexuality" to deeply ingrained psychosis ) and given Rx that did nothing but (a) make me sick, or (b) induce rapid weight loss (40 lbs in 6 weeks) due to acting on my thyroid functions.

None of the above had any merit other than the prejudices or ignorance of the testing personnel.

[azskyman]

In both 1984 and again in 1988, at some great times in my life, I had anxiety attacks that were almost crippling. Moreso the first time because by 1988 I knew what I was dealing with.

In 1984 I came to the conclusion I was dying. Not could die. Not maybe sick. But I was dying.

The problem was that I trusted no one to tell me otherwise. I went to my doctor and had the routine physical, but I was sure he just missed something. So I went to specialists and had an EKG and Xrays and more. Still nothing. I wore the heart monitor for 24 hours...and I'll be darned if it didn't show I was ok.

Still, I was convinced I was a dead man walking.

The anxiety and panic that goes along with the uncontrolled fear brought about some very real symptoms from pain to night sweats to shaking to dizziness. It was crippling.

You may not have any of that Stephanie, but in my experience the mind is a powerful trick-puller in those situations. You can neither talk yourself out of it nor believe the word of others. As a result you have symptoms that are very very real.

I know it when I see it now and have come across dozens upon dozens of others who suffer from anxiety or panic attacks. They are amazed that I know in detail what they are going through.

Perhaps it could be something like that...and not real symptoms after all. And the most common symptom with other people is the simple fact that they all were like me. They didn't think they were dying; they knew it and there was no stopping it.

Powerful stuff.

The fear of not being in control is a powerful one. I will not forget that.

[Stephanie]

The fear of not being in control is a powerful one. I will not forget that.

Yes it is.

As various things begin to crop up it kind of starts the whole process over again in your mind. It's a vicious circle. Perhaps the best thing to do is to realize that I AM getting older unfortunately and with it can come new pains and aches. As you said Steve, that fear of not being control, especially of getting older can be powerful and very stressful.

Thanks for sharing everyone!