Madsmom
22-02-14, 15:51
Hi,
I am Tara. I originally posted this "Introduce Yourself", but thought I would post here too. I just got done reading the information on Health Anxiety and am literally crying because I feel like I have finally found answers! I could see myself in everything that it said and the explanation on why was on point.
I am 36 years and until a few months was happily living life until I got a severe sinus infection that would not go away. I had it for 3 months and was on several different antibiotics that never worked. I immediately started to worry about my health, could it be a tumor, could I have a brain infection, etc. I had my first ever full blown panic attack in November that landed me in the ER. Several tests later my heart, thyroid, blood work were all normal. CT scan which did diagnose me with PAN sinusitis, but it is cleared up now. However, since then it has been a roller coaster ride and I have felt miserable ever since. Daily I have some sort of symptoms that last for hours palpitations, neck pain, strangle feeling, shoulder and chest pain. Of course, I think that I have meningitis, or there is something wrong with my carotid artery, or throat cancer!!! I have been to several doctors and they all say panic/anxiety disorder and want to put me on meds. I have been in denial about panic/anxiety disorder because I feel like I am an intelligent, strong, and happy person and for me to have anxiety does not make sense to me. I mean why did I not have panic attacks when I went through my divorce 13 years ago and was a single mom living pay check to pay check, or when my mom was diagnosed with cancer??? That was stressful! I mean why NOW? I am happily married, have a wonderful daughter and a good job, my life is good. Therefore I doubt my doctors and believe they are missing something very important and we are wasting valuable time!!! I am also scared to go on meds because I am afraid that I could get the most horrible side effects that they warn you about!!! lol
But, right now, I am trying to face the fact that I do have an anxiety disorder! My name is Tara and I have Health Anxiety! lol Just saying it already feels like a weight has been lifted. Reading this site makes me feel normal. Because I have a lot of pride and it's hard for me to admit that I have this because I feel like it somehow makes me less than I once was. That I'm now a certified "crazy" person! Reading all of your posts and information is helping me understand that is not true and that I am not alone. Thank you so much for that!
I look forward to getting to know some of you. I need the support. I am really tired of burdening my family and friends with my health issues. I mean they are very supportive, but I want to be the fun, outgoing wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend that I once was before all this happened. My mom and daughter just told me the other day that they miss the old me, so do I! That breaks my heart!
I am Tara. I originally posted this "Introduce Yourself", but thought I would post here too. I just got done reading the information on Health Anxiety and am literally crying because I feel like I have finally found answers! I could see myself in everything that it said and the explanation on why was on point.
I am 36 years and until a few months was happily living life until I got a severe sinus infection that would not go away. I had it for 3 months and was on several different antibiotics that never worked. I immediately started to worry about my health, could it be a tumor, could I have a brain infection, etc. I had my first ever full blown panic attack in November that landed me in the ER. Several tests later my heart, thyroid, blood work were all normal. CT scan which did diagnose me with PAN sinusitis, but it is cleared up now. However, since then it has been a roller coaster ride and I have felt miserable ever since. Daily I have some sort of symptoms that last for hours palpitations, neck pain, strangle feeling, shoulder and chest pain. Of course, I think that I have meningitis, or there is something wrong with my carotid artery, or throat cancer!!! I have been to several doctors and they all say panic/anxiety disorder and want to put me on meds. I have been in denial about panic/anxiety disorder because I feel like I am an intelligent, strong, and happy person and for me to have anxiety does not make sense to me. I mean why did I not have panic attacks when I went through my divorce 13 years ago and was a single mom living pay check to pay check, or when my mom was diagnosed with cancer??? That was stressful! I mean why NOW? I am happily married, have a wonderful daughter and a good job, my life is good. Therefore I doubt my doctors and believe they are missing something very important and we are wasting valuable time!!! I am also scared to go on meds because I am afraid that I could get the most horrible side effects that they warn you about!!! lol
But, right now, I am trying to face the fact that I do have an anxiety disorder! My name is Tara and I have Health Anxiety! lol Just saying it already feels like a weight has been lifted. Reading this site makes me feel normal. Because I have a lot of pride and it's hard for me to admit that I have this because I feel like it somehow makes me less than I once was. That I'm now a certified "crazy" person! Reading all of your posts and information is helping me understand that is not true and that I am not alone. Thank you so much for that!
I look forward to getting to know some of you. I need the support. I am really tired of burdening my family and friends with my health issues. I mean they are very supportive, but I want to be the fun, outgoing wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend that I once was before all this happened. My mom and daughter just told me the other day that they miss the old me, so do I! That breaks my heart!