I don't know how to deal

[pb]

 

I have anxiety problems for the past 4 years. I have had every medical test possible. 5 mris for tingling numbness, and weakness. Upper GI, echo, angiogram(I'm 28) stress test for chest pain. Every blood test possible and continue to doctor shop because I can't stop believing that there is nothing wrong with me. I went on an antidepressant for two weeks and felt suicidal for the first time. I don't know what to do. My husband can't stand me anymore because i am constantly looking for reassurance. I check my eyes in the mirror to see how my eyes are dialating, check my pulse and heart rate all the time. I am now even afraid to fly. I 'm a wreck if anyone else drives the car. My life is getting worse and worse by the day.

thanks for listening any advice will help

[countrygirl]

Please please dont take this the wrong way but have you tried going down the psychology route because all of us have a mental illness with this constant health anxiety. I find it very very hard to admit that fact but it is true.  cognitive behavioural therapy seems to help people the most.

I think we can all say on here that we know just how you feel and at times life hardly seems worth living with this constant terrible fear and the strain it puts on all of our relationships.

You have nothing to lose by trying every option to help your terrible health anxiety.  Maybe you can come on here to vent your fears and ask for reassurance rather than your husband???

[Reg]

I'd also suggest trying some kind of psychotherapy. I didn't know this until *I* started seeing a therapist, but there are a *lot* of people who do so. I'd bet that, if you walk down the street tonight and see 10 people, 4 will have gone to a therapist in their life.

Also, do you exercise regularly? It helps me, and judging by the comments here it helps a lot of people. In fact, at our first consultation, my neurologist actively encouraged me to take up weightlifting! He claimed it's very good therapy for all sorts of mental issues. Some days, when my anxiety is worst, it's really hard to believe I'm healthy enough to go to the gym. But then I go, and almost always feel better.

[Xalatimo]

Good advice

I would also like to add that the fact that you have had symptoms for 4 years and have gotten 5 MRI in that time span and have been assured by numerous doctors that there is nothing seriously wrong with you and yet you still feel that there is, actually pretty much proves that anxiety is the culprit.

Somebody without anxiety would be satisfied with just 1 MRI, if you are not satisfied with 5 MRIs then really, nothing is ever gona make you feel satisfied..so you need to start focusing on the reasons _why_ you arent convinced something is not wrong with you even though you have had 5 MRIs proving that there isnt.  Anxiety will do this..its the simplest explanation and its right in front of you..accept it and it will all make sense to you why you always feel there something wrong with you.  You say your life is getting worse and worse, I think its because you feel helpless...no matter how many MRI or blood tests you take, nothing is gona convince you that youre healthy, will a 6th MRI help ease the worry?  Doubt it.  Ive been there before, its almost like I wanted  some tests to come back abnormal just so I can say theres a cause for all of this..but every test I took came back normal, so eventually I just came to the conclusion that the most simplest answer was the 1 I was avoiding the whole time, anxiety.  Try taking control of your life and start believing in all the tests...they all cant be wrong.  Dont go on a mission to prove that theres something wrong, that would not be a good way to live life..we only get 1 life might as well enjoy it.