Hi deedee.

I can feel your pain...i am in the same situation...i am also filled with terror because i just turned 20 and i feel like the world is falling down...if you want to talk to support each other feel free to reply to my post..

Hi, 

I am recently new to this forum and I came across your above post. Like you I have took vinyl floor tiles up that contain asbestos. I did the works with my girlfriend unknowingly so no PPE was worn and no safety measures in place and I feel so guilty and ashamed that I have put both of us at risk. I have been literally going out of my mind with worry and scouring the internet for information but by doing this it isn't helping ease my mind and ressure me at all. 
 

I have read your above post and I just want to say thank you as it is going some way in reassuring me that hopefully I haven't caused me and my girlfriend long lasting health issues. If it would be too much trouble could you please send me the link to the information you found regarding stats and facts so that I can read through them.  
 

I hope to back from you, thank you again 

beet wishes 

C2020Green

Hi [@Danieluk37]‍ 

I hope you can help me. I've sent you a friend request in hopes you can send me the information you've gathered.

To all who are struggling, sending you loads of love and understanding.

My fears of asbestos have ruined my life. I've lost track of how much I have spent over the years getting things tested for asbestos. 2 things began the spiral..

Firstly, I lived somewhere when I left home that had suspected and damaged AIB under the boiler that I had to fiddle with every day to turn on the water/heating for 3 months (until a surveyor friend pointed it out when they visited... huge rows with my landlord ensued and I made the decision to move out).

Secondly, my grandad died from asbestos related disease.

Since then I'm convinced that I have continued to be exposed in a range of ways... artex ceilings falling down, old asbestos tiles being ripped up in my childhood home while I lived here.. etc etc...

To me, it seems it is following me. I'm convinced I am going to contract mesothelioma and it will be all my fault.

My anxiety is so bad I've had years of therapy, several high dose antidepressants and even valium. My doctor referred me for an x ray I was so convinced I was full of asbestos. 

Most recently I essentially 'fled' my own home because I was worried there were asbestos materials in an old shed. I have thrown away all of my worldly possessions because I am convinced they are contaminated with fibres.

I have very severe OCD. I just cannot get a grip on this. 

I'm currently doing EMDR therapy for my phobia.  I would recommend this although it is still early days for me.

If anyone can send me any advice I would be so grateful.

I too have read all there is to read on this stuff... dose/response data, low exposure outcomes.. but I can't seem to apply this info to my own situation and discern any comfort from what I've read.

Any help much appreciated :cry: 

Best wishes 

Al x

If you look at the facts, officially 1.3 million trades people coming into contact with asbestos 100 times in every year.

unofficially the estimate is over 4 million exposures in the uk every year and the asbestos awareness is improving.

Therefore why aren't there millions of people dying from asbestos related diseases in the uk if small exposures like what you have experienced will lead to cancer? There are approx 5000 deaths per year in the uk from people exposed on average 40 years ago when they were still sawing and breaking asbestos without PPE on a daily basis.

Please help me, I can stop panicking. My Mother has just informed me that she has been diagnosed with Asbestosis and we have no idea where she has got this from. I started thinking about the home improvements that my husband and I have done in the house and was thankful that we had a survey done, however my thoughtful husband just reminded me of the old council flooring that we scrabbled up 10 year ago in our old home, and now I'm freaking out. How can my Mother get Asbestosis without doing any DIY or building work etc but I am 'fine' with years of home improvements. Please advise me, I can't stop crying

Hi I'm very sorry to hear about your mother. I think she probably would have been exposed more than 10 years ago if she has it now as it normally takes 30+ years to develop. Please do not look to blame yourself for this. She might have come into contact with it in many different ways.  What did she do for work or her partner do for work? 

Thankyou for your reply, my mum  worked in a hospital cleaning operational equipment, in a sandwich shop and as a school T.A. Her husband worked for a building company driving stuff about. He's still going strong. How has she got this, I thought it was super rare? If she was exposed 30yrs ago, then I was a child, so was I exposed? I'm sorry to sound selfish, I'm panicking. I can't get a grip. I keeping thinking about those bloody tiles. Have I given my children a death sentence? 

its very easy to get into a panic about this stuff as you can see here on the chats. I have been in a state recently after doing a renovation then realising we may have disturbed asbestos. I have been seeing white curly fibres everywhere and my mental health has been terribly affected. However recently I have just turned a corner with the help of my gp so defo book an appointment and go through your worries. We all come into contact with asbestos in our lives and this disease is still rare. There are so many ways she could have been exposed and it's unlikely to be through one single event like bringing up your tiles. It's like certain cancers, we don't know why they target certain people even if they have a healthier lifestyle etc.. you can't spend your life worrying about it though. I understand your feelings about the kids as I've been throgh it all too. Every little cough can trigger me but then I have to take a step back, breath and realise they are ok right now. I'm so sorry about your poor mum but don't let this ruin your lives as well. My advice would be stop googling it,see your gp and Don't beat yourself up. keep living and enjoying life as difficult as it is right now. We all have a limited time on this earth and something like this really reminds us of it. I promise it will get easier but get the help and keep talking to people. 

Thank you so much, I'm feeling a little better this morning.I'm going to make a doctors appointment today and try to keep myself busy. I haven't had a panic like that it a long time and it scared me. I need to pull myself together. I'm sorry for being dramatic and I need to put things in perspective. X x