In panic mode

[EverKi 0]

So ther other night I was sitting on the couch watching a movie after getting kids all tucked into bed and felt a pressure/pain in my ribs.. Not uncommon with the way I was sitting, so I stretched and kinda massages my ribs to get the kink out... And I felt a bump, right below my ribs on the left hand side I moved and poked and felt from different angles and compared the right side to the left.. Now I am convinced I have lymphoma or spleen c****r. I have had issues getting to sleep since and am exhausted but here it is 2am here and I still can't sleep. I keep playing all the what if's in my head and my brain just won't shut off. I'm gonna call the drs monday and hope they can get me into see the other Dr in the office since my new doctor doesn't come until May.... But until than I'm one tired person

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi Everki. Background anxiety hovers waiting to pounce. We have only to feel a bit 'off' for it to take over, if you let it. It is hard to say and I am not being funny, but where did you get your medical degree to begin to diagnose? We are not doctors so jump to all sorts of conclusions without any knowledge whatsoever. You are right to seek medical advice if only for reassurance. Of course you are tired; who wouldn't be with the way you are flogging yourself. Try to calm yourself as much as possible. I know only too well what worry can do, but I have learned to accept how I feel; but at times I still get a touch of the 'what ifs'. Get some reassurance, but I am sure you will be back to tell us all is well.       Jon.

[EverKi 0]

I can normally get my mind away from the what ifs, I've gotten much better at that but sometimes it will work it's way in when I am alone so night time it the worst. I sure hope I'm back to say all is well, I always seem to jump to the worst thing possible and having a family history of c****r it's a major one, and last year in the months of December and January I had 3 family members and 2 family friends pass away from c****r so it has been on my mind a lot. I keep trying to tell myself that no matter what it is, there is nothing I can do until I know and nothing I i do, no matter how much I worry and play the what ifs it's not going to change the outcome.... I was able to get to sleep after I posted, I am truly glad I found this place it's nice and helps to know there are people I can hate with that understand how I feel.

[Dany 10]

Sorry to hear about your sleeping problems because of anxiety. We all know how that feels like. There are some effective techniques you can try to help you fall asleep faster without medication.

 

Here are some great ways for falling asleep easier that I use with success:

 

1. Force your worries. If worrying kicks in just after you close your eyes, schedule a daily "worry time" well before you go to sleep. Choose a 15 minute period at the same time every day when you try to think of every possible worry, and then tell them to a trusted confidant or write them out in a journal.

 

2. Get out in the sunlight soon after waking up in the morning. When you wake up, don't lounge around in bed. Don't even stay inside. Get out in the morning sun soon after getting up. The bright sunlight tells your body's natural biological clock that it's time to wake up, and that same clock will then be set to tell your body it's time to go to sleep about 14 to 16 hours later.

 

3. Avoid taking a hot bath. There is a lot of advice that says to take a hot bath to relax yourself, but since the body needs to lower its temperature in order to fall asleep, a hot bath will actually keep you up. If you enjoy a soak in a hot bath, just be sure to finish your bath at least 2 hours before bedtime so that your body has enough time to cool down.

 

4. Make your room colder. Your body needs to cool down in order to fall asleep and stay asleep, so do what you can to make your room cool. For me, a cool bedroom has the added benefit of allowing me to nestle into a heavy comforter, and I find the heavy warmth very soothing.

 

5. Keep a pen and notebook next to your bed. Often when I'm lying in bed, or even while I'm sleeping, I'll think of a new idea for work. Or I'll remember something important that I forgot to do during the day. Rather than try to remember it, which causes anxiety (which is stimulating), I write it down so it exists on paper and doesn't have to stay in my head. And, if I keep a notebook for these things right next to my bed, I find I'm more likely to write it down.

 

I hope this helps. Take care and stay positive!

[EverKi 0]

Dany those are some good ideas. I will for sure give them a try. I was keeping a journal for a while because the only person I feel comfortable enough to talk to is my mom and I know I drive her crazy with some of my thoughts and she feels like she needs to help or offer advice but doesn't know what to do when all I need her to do is listen. The cold room I try to do anyways because I love snuggling up under a heavy blanket but lately I've had it warmer in the house with kids being sick so that may be having an effect on me that I never would have thought of.

[EverKi 0]

Well like everyone kept telling me all is fine, doctor checked me out and said there's nothing abnormal... But he gave me a knowing look the minute I brought up that I have health anxiety and told me not to hesitate to see him again if I need to, I guess we'll find out if he has the same attitude as my old doctor and get sick of seeing me lol

[jonathan123 2368]

Good. So you are OK. Consolidate that by trying to settle your mind and don't go looking for every sign of trouble. Whatever is 'in the family' they are not you. It by no means follows that you have to have the same as them, not at all. Imagine the effect on your nerves if you go on worrying for the rest of your life about something you will never have. Try and live in the present, the now. Take it one day or even one hour at a time. So glad to hear you are fine. Keep it up.     Jon. 

[EverKi 0]

Thanks Jon, it's a work in progress.. I'm getting back on to medication along with therapy and putting all the suggestions I get on here to use I will get this under control and someday I will be able to do it on my own without medication but for now I think I need it.