[StrongerMan]

I feel terrible. The past few weeks I have developed progressive neurological symptoms that have me fearing the worst, ie a fatal disease. I have noted about a dozen profound symptoms. I don't have regular health insurance at the time (lost job due to workers comp injury) so have been trying to self treat. Nutrient deficiencies like vit. D, magnesium, etc... Things have only gotten worse. I am working on coverage in my state but it may take a few weeks to get approved and all that. My back injury precludes individual plans but the state I live in has an option that isn't subject to pre-existing conditions, called fair care. Applied but must wait for approval. I won't go into all the details but this situation is torture and forcing me to resort to sleep aids and drinking alcohol just to get through some nights. One symptom keeps me from enjoying eating, a love of mine. Today I went out and bought some boost nutritional drink because that is all I can swallow (liquid). This kills me. I will probably see a doctor tomorrow as I can't continue like this. I have even called the crisis/suicide hotline on 2 separate nights including tonight to talk things out with an unbiased person, just to distract my mind. I am not suicidal, but there is no other crisis line to call. I guess it helps. I just felt I needed to get this off my chest via another outlet. Has anyone else gone through this that can offer up some ways to cope? Is it all anxiety related? All in my head? I have never felt this way in my life. I have never had anxiety like this.

[Raindropvampire]

I don't know how things work where you are but here if you go to the ER they have to see you regardless of insurance. Also most of the hospitals here (indianapolis) will look at your income and write off a portion or all of the bill.

And I realize this isn't the way to go about things but a friend's mom thought she had a serious health issue. She's always had mild depression but she way exaggerated it. So she presented at the ER as suicidal (she wasn't) got admitted that way. She threw a fit until they did a full physical as well as mental workup on her. Found out she had ovarian cancer and they chalked her "depression" up to chemical changes in her body as a side affect of the cancer. And yes I realize that's a horrible thing to do (fake being suicidal) but she did what she had to just to get care she needed. I'm not gonna lie the bills that resulted from the cancer made her have to declare bankruptcy but at least she's alive and after a full hysterectomy healthy.

Do whatever you have to so that you get seen. Yes it could just be anxiety but not knowing is just going to make the anxiety worse. Good luck to you.

[cluelesscher]

Meditation, breathing exercises, or talking yourself down/grounding yourself by using logic can help. When you feel yourself taking off to "What if?" land, try diverting your attention to something engaging. A game on Facebook, a phone conversation, writing here on the forum, taking a shower, cleaning, anything to try and occupy your mind as best you can until the approval comes through. Do you have any idea how long the wait will be for approval? I would go on to the ER if you don't know and are unable to employ "healthy" coping skills, because you can't go on not eating, taking sleep medicine, and drinking to cope for very long without possibly introducing new issues that you will have to deal with. (hug)

[StrongerMan]

Thanks for the replies. I have seen a doctor and am getting numerous blood tests. Mineral and electrolytes are good. Waiting on thyroid, Lyme etc... Relief just to have some direction toward an answer. Now on antibiotic for what could be infection causing swollen lymph node? on left side of neck. Valium to help me sleep. And I cut off any drinking. Still have twitching bad. The swallowing difficulty has me most concerned due to cranial nerve involvement.. vagus to be exact. Tongue, mouth gets tired/cramping, pressure in left side of head and still get cramping, fatigued right arm. They seem to come in tandem. So many things it could be so I have sworn off researching it. Just nothing good can come from that. Back to doc in a week for swallowing test. Neurologist visit probably next. I hope the insurance will come through and cover my costs so far retroactively. But I had to take action no matter what and luckily I have some money saved up to cover it. Just sad that a few weeks ago I felt I was in the healthiest, best shape of my 43 years, eating so healthfully, and now I feel like my days could be numbered. Thanks again for all the words of encouragement.

[sallyjoseph]

The most common health anxieties tend to centre on conditions such as cancer, HIV, AIDs, etc. However, the person experiencing health anxiety or illness phobia may fixate on any type of illness. For that madication is required.