Stress Center Peer Support

Hi guys,

I just need to share, and it seems there aren't too many to share with here. So here goes.

I'm a bit of a hypochondriac, but still, I sometimes have 'real' health problems. I'm scared to an extreme of ending up in the emergency room, so my strategy has become to go to the doctor if my health issue is getting overly concerning. I can't tell whether to go in or not, so I err on the safe side. Beats getting scared late at night and going to the er. I have been having some problems with 'allergies'. Last year I went through a workup, was tested for a lot of allergens, and came up very weak positive to cats and some type of tree pollen (only one) The doc said I was in the clear for allergies. I was checked for asthma, and thankfully tested negative for that. At the time I was feeling tight in the chest. He told me I probably had gastric reflux, and put me on meds for that. I gradually improved.

I went in to my regular doc last month because I had throat drainage and it was affecting my sleep. She said I had allergies. Gave me a nasal spray (steroid) and told me to take claratin. I asked when to recheck, she said I didn't need to come back. I felt intimidated and rushed, so didn't mention the allergy testing. I didn't take the meds, because it really bugs me to be put on meds for allergies, if I'm not convinced that's what I have. Am I supposed to take this crap indefinitely?

My symptoms improved for a few weeks, now in the last week I'm having ringing in my right ear(has been an issue for years) my nasal canals feel swollen, but I'm not stuffy. The throat drainage is back and can be pretty uncomfortable. Can't swallow it and can't always cough anything up. So last night I caved and took the steroid spray and some benadryl, and noticed a slight tightness in my chest again. (Like last year) So I tried to get an appointment with my doc. The nurse is nice, but then says 'let me read this note (the doc) put in the computer) She puts me on hold a second, then comes back on trying to get me NOT to come in. I feel like a 5 year old. My doctor keeps things from me, and it seems, is trying to keep me out of her office. I think I should find a new clinic and start fresh. Once you're labeled a hypochondriac, its the first thing they seem to think is the matter.

So anyone with allergies out there...I've never had seasonal allergies that I was aware of. I moved to my apartment two years ago, and last year was the first time I had any mention of allergies by doctors. Is it possible to develop allergies at 33? Maybe some plant pollen that's common here and nowhere else? Or maybe its just the polution? Its very muggy and hot and you can see the smog out there. The other thing I was wondering is that the catbox is close to my computer (not a lot of space) and it can get pretty smelly fast in this heat. I use my computer a lot . so I moved it. I know I'm asking a lot of questions,I just want to know whats going on.

I left a message for my allergist, and hopefully he can put this to rest for me.

Thanks for reading (if you made it this far:-)

Deb

Hi Deb,
I have also had hypochondriac issues. I now see that it is connected to my anxiety. I am so hypersensitive to every little thing happening to my body that I think there is something bad going on.
I have allergy issues as well as asthma. It took me a couple of years to finally take the sinus spray prescribed for me because I also had the fear of having to take it forever. I was having so many sinus infections that I finally needed to so something, so I tried the sinus spray and got some relief. My sinues are not perfect, but they are definitely better. I have had allergy tests and have come back with positives for dust, mold, and several pollens. I have also been blood tested for food allergies and came back positive for several foods I had no idea I was allergic to. Once I stopped eating teh food my acid reflux went away and my sinus felt a lot better.
Wheat can cause sinus issues. It might be a good idea to cut wheat products out of your diet for a couple of days and see how you feel. I also know what it feels like for a doctor to label you because of your anxiety problems. I had to switch my gyno because she never treated with my respect after I had a panic attack during a visit because of something scary someone told be about iuds after I got one put it and demanded it to be taken out. I would worry more about your anxiety right now and controlling that and then go back to your allergies. That is only my advice and you should always go to a doctor if you feel your health is in jeopardy. Just know you are not the only person who ever felt the way you are now. Take care.

Hi. I too developed allergies and asthma as an adult. Yes, seasonal allergy problems are very common here. The spring and fall are worse.
I've been to a gung-ho doc that put me on shots. Didn't need all that for twice a year allergy problems. I tested allergic to every single thing. I keep a bottle of Allegra here and will just buy OTC Claritan when I run out.
I just found a new doc and explained everything to him. My other doc had referred "authority" over to my psychiatrist who wasn't overseeing all of my care and I needed a family doc that would. Anyway, he said I was a lot healthier than I imagined and that my anxiety was manifesting itself into physical symptoms- headaches, muscle pain, stomach problems. So he was straight with me, yet comforting, and we know what we want to deal with first.
Find a doc were you are comfortable and say that you suffer from anxiety and worry about your physical health and that you feel better to have something checked out rather than not.
You just need the right person to help you. Take care!

Deb 45

You will probably get alot of different and confusing information from everyone about this b/c a lot of people have allergies and these kinds of symptoms. And yes, I know of the frustration of doctors labeling you a hypochodriac and not taking everything as serious as you want them to. I found out (the hard way) years ago that I CANNOT take those nasal (steroid) sprays. After some continuous use, I develop severe panic attacks and an all around weirdness. On top of that, over the counter medications I can't take either because of the senephrine or almost everything ending in 'ine" making me anxious too.

After getting allergy testing (food and environmental), I found out I am allergic to dairy. No, I won't die if I have it, but I eliminated it totally and feel sooooo much better. Of course, I wasn't that much of a dairy person any way. But, I have slight cat, mold and fungus allergy and I take care of that with a product called "Sinufix". You can get it at the Vitamin Shoppe, or a health food store. You probably can look it up on the computer. My life has been saved by this product. You can use it as often as you want, it's safe and most important....it works. (at least for me!).
They have a capsule form...but I use the nasal mist. Check it out.

Relax, calm down, you will feel better soon. Try not to do or change to many things at once (I've done that before), b/c you will not know what is working and what isn't. I wish you luck and hope you feel better soon.

Karla

I forgot to mention that Sinufix is made by "Natural Care".

Thanks for the replies and the info. I feel a lot better about it today. I decided to get out of the clinic that I have been using so that I didn't feel like I was listed a hypochondriac. Its nice to feel like I have a say in my care, and that I don't just have to go back to this clinic because it seems like I don't have a choice. I do. I can take my business elsewhere.

So I went in to urgent care and got a doctor that gave me what I needed. He answered my questions, listened, and gave me a plan to follow.

He said that this is the usual treatment for allergies. That it takes the nasal spray two weeks to work. If it doesn't work by then, recheck with an ear nose and throat specialist or allergist. If it does work, taper off. If it comes back, it might be chronic rhinitis of unknown cause. Back to the ear nose and throat specialist or allergist. If it doesn't return, I'm likely sensitive to some unknown allergen. Although when I told him I was tested last year around the same time, he thought they would have caught the offending allergen.

I like having a 'real' answer. So I'm investigating things. My problem seems to be mostly seasonal in the fall. It seems to coincide with hot, muggy and hazy days. I'm wondering about ozone and polution, both indoor and outdoor. I looked on the EPA website and the symtoms of ozone pollution are similar to allergies. Including tightening of your chest, which I also experience, and it scares the bejeebers out of me. I got tested for asthma, and don't have that. Great!

The other thing is when its really hot, things in my apartment get smelly faster. Like the litter box, the garbage can, the garbage disposal. It can be pretty gross if I slack for a couple days. And I spend a lot of time in here. I work from home.

So I'm going to follow up with the allergist, because he's happy to see me. (unlike my primary doctor) And I'd like to see what he suggests and ask some questions.

I'm just glad I have good insurance so I can do this. It really bothers me to get the rubber stamp answer of allergies and get put on steroids. They give me a headache and make my face feel hot.

Thanks again for your encouragement!

Deb

Hi! Wondering if you got tested for an allergy to dust mites. They are nasty buggers that are everywhere and very common for sinus issues, congestion and asthma. We have this problem in our home. Heat seems to kill them, yet muggy weather or humity seems to intensify the problem. I wash our bedding in hot water once a wk and have are pillows and mattress wrapped in pretective covers. Anything that is [[stuffed]] such as pillows that are not washable or couch pillows, are put in the dryer on high heat for short periods of time as to kill them off. They are very common and sadly enough, are in the cleanest of homes. Just a thought. Hope all works out.

Tullip

Well I went back to a different doctor, and this time I told him about the difficulty swallowing, which is new. He thinks it might be GERD, which others have mentioned, but no tests done to confirm it. He gave me antibiotics for a sinus infection, which already seem to be kicking in. I felt intimidated in his office, so called back asking for a referal to a gastroenterologist which he wouldn't do. It just makes me angry that I get prescribed these meds without confirmation of what I really have. I feel so small in the doctors office. At least now I might sleep easier without the post nasal drip. But I have to wait a few days to eat my usual solid foods. I just hope this works. All I want is to be out of the doctors office for at least a year, and to feel healthy again! If I'm not eating normally in a week, I'll refer myself in. Oh, and I guess rhinitis can be caused by GERD. I didn't know that.

Thanks,

DEB