Health anxiety from being constantly unwell

Fionne

I feel like I'm at the end of my tether. I'm 48, have spinal stenosis, sciatica, basically was told I have the spine of an old-age pensioner. That's been ongoing for over 10 years so I've kinda made my peace with it.

About 3 weeks ago to make a long story short I ended up in A&E and was told I have scarring on my lungs from Covid and long Covid, causing fatigue, racing pulse and feeling breathless faster. That knocked me for six, knowing I've scarring on my lungs that won't ever be repaired. Went through a week or so of panicking about getting Covid again and wondering if I should lock myself away in a bubble before realising I can't live like that.

Then, last week, I got a pain in my neck, along the left side of my shoulder, I put it down to a combination of having a handbag pulling against my neck and falling asleep on a train for about 10mins at an awkward angle.

I've been doing exercises to stretch it, it is improved from last week but I do hear a bit of a crunching noise when I move it a certain way. I have made a physio appointment for next week. I do have slight tingling in my left hand when I stand up so the neck thing may be pinching a nerve, although I don't have nerve pain (I know what that feels like from my lower back all too well)

My anxiety though is through the roof. I had myself all but convinced yesterday that somehow I'd broken my neck and that's why it's crunching/painful. I do worry that the issues I have with my back, all lower sections thus far, have spread to the higher regions.

I know I need to do more to control my own health. I'm very overweight and whatever fitness I did have has vastly diminished the past few months as I'm just so exhausted that I'm in bed asleep by 7.30pm of a night. How I'm managing to keep going with a full-time job is frankly amazing though I definitely struggle there too, I know I'm having to concentrate harder to not make mistakes when the tiredness hits.

I'm taking multivitamins because I'm also peri-menopausal and I really don't know what else to do. Lose the weight yes, I am trying to get on that. I suppose I'm struggling to know what's anxiety and what is actual genuine feeling unwell. I feel like I just get my head around one condition when another comes along. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Any tips on dealing with health anxiety?

I am always hearing from medics & physios that broadly speaking crunching sounds aren’t serious, but be guided by your own physio. My late Dad had spinal stenosis, but it didn’t really get worse and he had been offered an operation. Some of those things can be fixed.

There’s a lot of people with Long Covid, including effects in lungs & heart, maybe join a support group.

I have had a lot of health issues, so I know what health anxiety feels like. I’m now 62, but got Ulcerative Colitis in my 20s/30s and underwent removal of my colon and have an ileostomy. I used to dread the thought of “ending up with a bag” until I actually got there, now it’s not an issue!

Though I’ve had variable neurological symptoms on an off for decades, only this year was I diagnosed with secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis and having a lot of difficulties with it. I was absolutely through the roof with anxiety, and trying to get into a neurological clinic was the initial challenge.

I set very small simple goals and challenges and take joy in accomplishing them. Also I make a You Tube podcast about my MS, which helps me come to terms with it. Writing. Keeping a blog, posting here. All help.

Fionne

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121336652#Comment_121336652

I've got MS in my family too, an aunt and two cousins so that has definitely come into my head in the past when I first had issues with nerves from my back problems. I've had 2 surgeries so far, last one just 12 months ago. Hoping I don't have to go through that again as last time I was discharged while still half doped as they had no beds to keep me in overnight after surgery despite going private. I was told to maybe book into a hotel near the hospital "just in case" 😕

I hate the sound of the crunching, I can't even bear someone cracking their knuckles. Trying not to focus on it. Maybe I'll just do my neck stretches/exercises with loud music on if that helps.

I know I'm prone to always jumping to worst case scenario.

Thanks for replying.

Gremlinertia

It's very hard not to jump to conclusions, google makes anxiety far more accessible as if our minds weren't enough.. I've a list of issues from my hand to my lower back so I sound like rice crispies but try not to let the sound bug me.. It truly is the pits, if you find the anxiety interfering with your sleep or appetite do talk to gp