Carol - your advice is so true. I've copied your message so I can read it regularly. I have had health anxiety for years and it literally has taken over my life. Any sensation immediately triggers catastrophic thoughts in my mind. I will go back to the sensation again and again to check it's still there and then feel full of anxiety. If ever I'm going on holiday or going away for a weekend or I'm looking forward to something it's worse than ever. I did see a psychotherapist and she did explain to me that some nerve in my neck that travels to my head has got so used to the fight and flight mode that my body just automatically goes to that. I do keep a diary and write my thoughts and feelings in there and sometimes it does help. I am going away this weekend for a friends birthday and all I can think about is the sensation in my tummy on the left side. It's a new sensation so not one I have had checked before. That makes it worse. If it's a sensation that has occurred before I can convince myself that it has been checked and everything is okay. It's a miserable existence. I feel so sorry for all you young ones – I am 61 but do know you are not alone. It helps knowing other people feel like I do. Tx again Carol for your contribution – very wise. X

Hi Nn

I am the opposite. Every time I get a sensation I want to go to the doctors and have it checked out. Until I have seen the doctor I cannot relax. I will wrestle with the symptoms for one or two weeks and if they don't go then I make an appointment to see the doctor and sometimes I am referred for ultrasound or scan and sometimes the doctor can reassure me. I'm not saying what I do is the right thing to do but I do get periods when I don't have to worry once I've had it checked out. Hope you're ok. 

Hi everyone and it's all so sad that you live your lives worrying about dying. So you do not see that ?  I truly struggle to sympathise as it's all such a waste and my life has been for living fully. Even four years into this cancer battle that my husband and I live daily we have always tried to get on with our lovely beautiful life. Family are here for the first time in ten months and we have filled every hour with laughter, food and journeys to the beach, the river and I'm just on my way out with hubby in tow to have coffee and cake before they go home. Please think of the good things in life and put others first. Trust me it works. Carol. X

Hi, it is sad most of us are worrying ourselves like this but it is an illness and needs treatment just like cancer does. I for one try every day to forget my fears but accessing therapy on the NHS is long winded and scarce so am going down the private route as I am lucky to be able to afford it.

It's encouraging to see it can be done. Xx

Bless you x

I'm exactly the same.. It's awful. My health anxiety is so bad I have had to start cbt again.. And also been prescribed mirtazapine for the anxiety.

I've not been diagnosed yet it's been going on for 6 weeks!!!! It's torturous so is the delay going to cause me more issues.

Thinking of you 

Dor06 is right, though.

I sympathise, but I must say, if you have health anxiety but have not been diagnosed with cancer, then posting on a cancer chat forum is probably not the best idea.

Most of the participants here are either living with cancer or caring for someone who is.  Therefore, a lot of the stories you will hear will be positive diagnoses, arduous treatments and yes, sometimes death.

Of course you should get your symptoms checked out by your GP and [@terrifiedtoo]‍ please don't skip the standard tests that are intended to protect you from your worst fears.  But if you've had the all-clear, then rejoice.

I'm not sure it's really helping you to read about cancer all the time.  I'm not entirely sure it's helping me and my cancer is confirmed.
You might like to have a look at this forum, if you haven't seen it already
www.anxietyuk.org.uk/.../

Hello I suffer from bad health anxiety but I would not post on a cancer forum unless I or someone close to me were currently being treated for it, which is the case. Thank you for your concern.

I really do sympathise and my comment was intended to be helpful and not in any way critical - I hope it didn't come across that way.  I was really addressing people who have been told they don't have cancer.   

Myself, I've been in a seemingly endless round of tests and waiting anxiously for results - currently waiting for PET scan results and gene tests on the cancer to see what sort of follow-up treatment I can have.  I am normally an optimistic person.  I've changed my approach somewhat over the past 6 months because I have so far always been on the "wrong side" of the statistics.  So now, I try to accept that it's likely bad news, and then I'm prepared and not crushed.  If it's good, I can be pleasantly surprised.  Is that weird?

I hope your treatment goes well and sorry you are having to go through this too.

Oh goodness this is me to the letter . Everything you say is exactly how I am on a daily basis even the dentist bit.  I can't stop googling , in the last 2 years I am convinced that I have breast, uterine, bowel, skin & lately bladder cancer because I have wet the bed a few times. It consumes my life sometimes I can rest or sleep . I have tried anti depressants but can't deal with the side effects. I feel that my life is passing me by at 62