Oh that's sad. Other names on the thread I haven't seen before or recently. These old threads are always a bit sad.
Gransnet forums
Health
Do you worry about your health?
(155 Posts)I’m interested to know how much other Gransnetters are concerned about their health. I’m 63 and as far as I know reasonably fit and healthy but have very severe health anxiety. Every blemish or mark on my skin, every unusual pain is the harbinger of some awful illness (usually cancer). It’s getting worse as I get older and realise that I’m at the age when things start going wrong. I marvel at how other people get on with things and don’t let the fear of serious illness blight their lives. They have the attitude that they’re ok at that moment and if they something wrong they’ll deal with it then. And not catastrophise over every little symptom, which is what I do. I have a season ticket to the doctors!
Please tell me how you manage your health concerns and cope with getting older. I feel utterly defeated by this and it would help so much to know that I don’t have to live like this.
HelterSkelter1
Another very old thread. I wonder how the OP is now?
I believe the OP is no longer with us
No, I don't give my health a moments thought.
I eat well, exercise, walk, have 2 TKR, fit and slim. No worries.
I recommend finding a good yoga teacher and joining a gentle class. Most include a section on guided physical and emotional relaxation, using breathing and visualisation excercises.
Breathing and visualisation to calm the mind, can be practised anywhere at any time , invisibly in public. Or at night in the small hours.
I always do it at the dentist, and during invasive medical procedures etc. Practice makes it possible to slip into a different mind-place where other thoughts do not intrude.
Yes, I do. I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating balanced meals, staying active, and getting regular checkups. Taking care of health is important for long-term well-being.
I understand that your health anxiety causes you great stress , however...........
Please get a grip and be thankfull your anxiety is unfounded. A season ticket to the doctor is not a badge of honour !! It is something to avoid. I wish you well in every sense of the word.
Another very old thread. I wonder how the OP is now?
No, I have professional experience and not seen a doctor for over 30 years. I am always holistic and do what is necessary for my own and family health. Stay positive, live in the moment and look after your very precious microbiome
Not at all. I had breast cancer in 2016, at 51. Successful surgery and treatment. It’s left me incredibly sanguine. Nothing scares me now (about myself: do worry about my loved ones).
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Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.
I am another health anxiety sufferer. It is utterly debilitating. The sense of dread and panic and blind terror that washes over you in waves is hard to explain. I have had " the cough" for the last few weeks, but it has left my throat very dry and strange feeling. I tell myself I am just like hundreds of other people just now, but it doesn't help.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) might help you - the basic premise is that this therapy challenges negative thinking.
Oh, I am the exact same. It ruins most days for. E. As soon as I get over one thing, another comes along. A new fatal disease every week. I am so tired of it robbing my days of joy. So scared of dying you fail to properly live. You have my sympathy, but I’m not much good on advice I’m afraid. X
Im glad I found this thread. I too suffer dreadful anxiety. Sometimes I have been in a right state. I often think it harks back to my past, plus my dear mum was a very anxious person. I have an autoimmune condition, I am convinced this affects my thought processes. I thank every one on here for their stories and their thoughts. As Maggie says, very humbling. I very rarely visit the doctors, if it is something that needs a doctor's attention of course I will go. One thing that did happen was I was pooh poohed over certain symptoms, but when I was eventually sent for investigation, it turned out I had 3 different conditions. One I manage with diet, the other I manage with meds. Ive got to be honest, the manner of some doctors/ consultants, does not help people with health anxiety. They make it worse. Having said this, some others are really lovely and I do appreciate their time and service. Thank you to all on here for your posts, they really help.
I look on health issues ( which I have ) as it is what it is so crack on.
I don't worry about the future, YES I think about how I will be in the future and I am determined not to be a burden on my daughter but I dont loose sleep over it, like I say I am a big believer in, it is what it is and I tackle each and everything as it cones along.
I definitely have the worry gene, mostly about dementia. But I try to enjoy my life despite having a couple of medical conditions. As someone said, we'll all die one day whether we worry about it or not.
I don't worry unduly about my health. I just get the odd headache and a bit of hayfever but don't fret that they are harbingers of anything more serious.
I came through chemo for lymphoma, antibiotics for pneumonia - they were the worst. I take painkillers when necessary and try to get on with things. I consider myself a survivor.
I can relate to this having battles with intrusive thoughts daily. Am on meds and am getting support from my doc. I am ever hopeful of feeling better soon but it is hard. I blame my poor mum who was terrified of illness.
I am 68 and suffer with migraines, high blood pressure, gout, dodgy knees, blepharitis, arthritis, diverticulitis, no gall bladder, and in 2017 was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am on so many tablets that I rattle! But, I sort of poodle along. Except I was chatting to a friend last night who has suffered from cancer and said as an aside that cancer always comes back and it gets you in the end. My confidence shrivelled a bit at that.
I'll always try to be physically engaged and eat healthy food. Also, do light exercises to be healthy
I have enough to worry about at the moment so health is something i won`t be adding to the list.
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Ellet
My mother in law worried constantly, about her health, her husband’s health, mainly though about not having anything to worry about!!! She nearly drove us mad. She died last month at 100. She was always miserable and for the last few years kept telling me how awful it is to get old. I found this really offensive as I was diagnosed with incurable cancer at the age of 60 and would like the opportunity to get a little bit older.
I am sure that (as a friend once said) 'some people enjoy bad health'
My MIL is never away from the doctors but her 'ailments' don't stop her from being a social butterfly. She has a better social life than me!
It's hard not to worry about new aches and pains etc.
I think it is much harder if you spend a lot of time alone. It gives you time to dwell and it looms larger in your mind than it would if you were occupied doing something else.
My ex MIL had three jobs at the same time. I asked her once how she coped with the menopause (not an illness, I know). She said she didn't have time to worry about it as she was so busy.
Saying that, I do worry about my health as I get older. My mum had dementia for around eight years before she died. I just hope that it doesn't happen to me. It was horrendous seeing her deteriorate and become dependant. She would have hated it.
Thank you *Esspee"
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