Anxiety of Heart Disease: A Story

[UncommonSense]

This is the craziest theory I've ever had and I dn't even believe it, but I thought I'd share my story.Ever since I was younger I remember being scared crazy of diseases, health issues, etc. My aunts grandfather died of a heart attack when I was in 3rd grade, and I was then scared to death I would have a heart attack. I began checking my pulse regularly to make sure my heart was still beating in my neck, constantly checked my chest, etc. for a couple years. Keep in mind this is elementary school. Finally one evening by the TV my heart skipped a beat when I was checking it. This would continue to happen for years, but I finally got used to it and dont notice it anymore.In high school/early college a friend of mine's friend died of prostate cancer. I was terifed at that thought. I began wondering what the prostate even was, but then my second year of college I started having prostate issues. I noticed twitching/bfs in that area down there First. pulsating feeling almost. But I've had those problems for the past 3 years. In my junior year of college I heard about a friend who found cancer lump in his leg, and I began experiencing cramping/stiffness in my right leg. I kinda felt like my cell phone could be causing the problems because that is my cell pocket (right side). Those issues are still going on/off.FInally, this past february I watched a documentry on stephen hawking. His condition and age really hit home with me. I cant remember which came first - the documentry or the tremors...but they got worse from there. I noticed my tremoring in my hands that same week - and started watching myself as I went down stairs and hills, because thats how hawking noticed. I then went on the internet and PANiCKED! From there it only got worse over the past few months, except a 2 week period where i barely noticed it. (also happened to be going to disney that week).Anyways, I've always haunted myself with these issues even thinking i had lung cancer, lymphoma, colon cancer, prostate cancer, nerve sheath neoplasm, testicular cancer...the list goes on im sure.Anyway, thoughts? Could BFS be our brain focusing on something and causing issues? I know this is far fetched, but I wondered what you guys thought. I'm still tremoring/twitching...and I hate it. 5 months strong. Thanks

 

[priorityhigh5]

Hi Thomas,That is classic health anxiety at its best. Health anxiety is a REAL, TRUE, DOCUMENTED condition. Have you spoken with your Doctor about this? There may be something that he can do to help you. I have in the past had small bouts with health anxiety. Alot of people have to make a conscience effort to NOT allow medical things that they hear or read about run through their minds over and over and over again thus starting a "wondering" process that leads to thinking they might have something like they saw, heard, or read about. That is EXACTLY how health anxiety works. Anyways...to answer your question. I think BFS and health anxiety can go hand in hand, and alot of the times I think they do because most of us seem to have some health anxiety issues, but I dont necessarily think that once causes the other, and I definitely dont think they are the same thing.Best Wishes,~*~Amy~*~

 

[Krackersones]

I think there is probably a wide spectrum of the type of symptoms people on this board have even though they may describe them using the same terms. If you can even think your symptoms are caused by anxiety (as oppossed to being made worse by them) I personally think they probably are caused by anxiety. I have had health anxiety, other real life related anxiety, and never had any of these symptoms that hit me bodywide over a week or so. Many of the symptoms are visible to others and they occur regularly not on and off every day or so. If tremors are your major problem and not twitching then I would definitely say anxiety is a very likely cause. Krackersones

 

[paucek.sheldon1]

I'll tell you something really ironic. I found this web site because of calf twitching. But I never noticed the buzzing in my leg. After reading about people having buzzing I started to have buzzing too.Either I never paid attention or I brought a symptom on myself.The mind is amazing... and weird.-43RichyThe43rd

 

[bfhopeful2]

Agreed. I came here for twitching as well and never had buzzing or vibrating and now I do. I think mine is 90% physchological.Although meds might have something to do with mine as well. Jury is still out on that one.

 

[Howyaboutylarry]

your symptoms are quite similar to mine...the more i focus on a particular thing (i.e. cheek, lips, legs...etc) the worse they get...I know that knowing about a lot of the diseases and having someone in your family pass away or suffer from anything generates great fear in ourselves. What Highpriority said about HEALTH ANXIETY is absolutely true and evidence based...and anxiety does manifest itself in various ways. Read the post about the swan...i forgot the title but another person had similar experiences to you for a longlasting period of time. You will find comfort in knowing that when your attention is diverted your bouts will diminish. Good LuckRaj.