GreyGoose,

Please forgive my ignorance about your history. I'm fairly new to these forums so I'm not up to speed with everyone.

Your story strikes a particular chord with me because I was in your same shoes several years ago. All of those symptoms you listed back there? I've had them. Also, you mention getting a symptom (like tingling) for no reason and then panicing. Same for me.

2 things I did.

1. Got a complete physical with bloodwork, etc. Even had an MRI (at the height of my MS scare). When I was given PROOF of my physical well being, when I could see my brain and be shown what diseased brains looked like, when I could see that all of my bloodwork was normal, I began to really accept my hypochondria as a mental problem. I think Ozzie mentioned it might be good if you got a total workup done. I think that's a great idea.

2. I addressed my depression as well as anxiety. I notice you put a lot of emphasis on anxiety. Just to discuss my experience with hypochondria, it was mainly DEPRESSION who was the real culprit. And indeed depression and anxiety go hand in hand most of the time.

So I wonder if you have ever thought that possibly depression may be playing a part with the hypochondria and not purely anxiety.

I'm sorry to read about your bad experiences with therapists, etc. That said, I have no doubt I would be in horrible shape right now had I not gone into therapy. I really think it's crucial. Of course that's easy for me to say since I have a good T. But I hope you revisit the option of therapy as I think medication alone cannot conquer hypochondria.