Am I just paranoid about being paranoid??

[knieriem]

Ever since I was diagnosed 4 years ago with Type 1 diabetes I get paranoid about every little thing that happens to me. For example: I have a slight pain in my side...it's appendicitis....I get a slight tightening in my chest...it's a heart attack....and the list goes on.

Do any of you all ever feel this way? Even at Disney I get paranoid about riding the roller coasters some times because of people that have died from a blood clot to the brain afterwards.

Is this normal or am I just paranoid about being paranoid?

 

[bouncy54]

Ever since I was diagnosed 4 years ago with Type 1 diabetes I get paranoid about every little thing that happens to me. For example: I have a slight pain in my side...it's appendicitis....I get a slight tightening in my chest...it's a heart attack....and the list goes on.

Do any of you all ever feel this way? Even at Disney I get paranoid about riding the roller coasters some times because of people that have died from a blood clot to the brain afterwards.

Is this normal or am I just paranoid about being paranoid?

I was diagnosed with Cardio Vascular Disease about 13 years ago and is something I've had to learn to deal with on a daily basis. I never know what's going to cause angina or when I'll have a episode of Arrhythmia which causes my heart to beat very rapidly at times. I get scared when it takes a long time for it to slow down, but I just carry on with life because there's isn't anything they can do about it anyway. I take medications that are supposed to help, but don't really. Surgery is not an option for me either. I just live each day as it comes and try to not let anxiety or the "what ifs" control me. That's not living, that's just surviving.

My daughter is a type 1 Diabetic too. She's learned to deal with it but still hates having to monitor her blood sugars so closely. Nothing slows her down though. She lives life to the fullest every day.

As for Disney and my health issues. I don't do anything stupid like ride the "intense" version of Mission Space with all the G forces, but I love TOT and CA Screamin' at DCA and ride them all the time. Laughter is great for releasing stress and I constantly laugh when I'm on those attractions.

 

[POOHsie]

Ever since I was diagnosed 4 years ago with Type 1 diabetes I get paranoid about every little thing that happens to me. For example: I have a slight pain in my side...it's appendicitis....I get a slight tightening in my chest...it's a heart attack....and the list goes on. ... Is this normal or am I just paranoid about being paranoid?

I was like that in my 20s. I went along naive as anything, then when something did happen, "oh my," I thought, "was I going to be one of those poor victims like from a TV soap?" The answer to that is best measured in time. For me, over time, nothing calamitous actually did happen versus my worry, and life moved on. Marriage, child, house, cars, Disney trips. Looking back, it seems the years flew by.

Then in my late 40s, I got really sick and by age 50 I was totally disabled. Bad arteries, just like dad and grandma. I lost a leg and have had many artery bypass surgeries, plus 4 stents to my heart arteries. I am 56 now. My child is grown and married. My husband, 10 years my senior, died in September. He was a Viet Nam veteran and he had chronic pain from combat duty. Since I had experienced so much life before my calamity, I was able to have a more philosophical approach to a potential life-ending problem. I feel I have done all there is to do in life, and every new day is a gift to me. I am ready to go, if that is my fate (would like God to let me squeeze in a last trip to Disney before I have to go, ha ha).

You will embrace this philosophy, I believe, just by living your life and seeing the beauty of each day and each tiny flower.

 

[knieriem]

So I think it's safe to say I'm not crazy? When I talk to my husband or my parents about it they don't get it because they are all perfectly healthy.

Hopefully I will grow out of this the more life I get to live....if I'm paranoid now I can't wait to see what I"ll be like when I'm pregnant!!

 

[POOHsie]

...if I'm paranoid now I can't wait to see what I"ll be like when I'm pregnant!!

You reminded me again. In 1985, I was pregnant with my one and only child. Everything was OK, but boy did I worry about everything. I got in the habit of chewing ice cubes, the big ones from the ice cube trays. I chewed them constantly all day and night. I made trays of them at work and at home. Then, the day came my daughter was born. As soon as she arrived, I just KNEW in my heart that there was nothing to worry about, and everything was going to be all right. I came home from the hospital and went to the kitchen and filled a big glass with ice cubes, as usual. I started on the first one and put it back in the cup. I had absolutely no desire to chew an ice cube. And haven't done that since!

 

[Schmeck]

You reminded me again. In 1985, I was pregnant with my one and only child. Everything was OK, but boy did I worry about everything. I got in the habit of chewing ice cubes, the big ones from the ice cube trays. I chewed them constantly all day and night. I made trays of them at work and at home. Then, the day came my daughter was born. As soon as she arrived, I just KNEW in my heart that there was nothing to worry about, and everything was going to be all right. I came home from the hospital and went to the kitchen and filled a big glass with ice cubes, as usual. I started on the first one and put it back in the cup. I had absolutely no desire to chew an ice cube. And haven't done that since!

There's a name for that ice-chewing syndrome, and it is caused by a deficiency in the diet, I believe. Can't remember the name of it right now though, but there was a thread on it in the community forum a ways back.

 

[Schmeck]

Ever since I was diagnosed 4 years ago with Type 1 diabetes I get paranoid about every little thing that happens to me. For example: I have a slight pain in my side...it's appendicitis....I get a slight tightening in my chest...it's a heart attack....and the list goes on.

Do any of you all ever feel this way? Even at Disney I get paranoid about riding the roller coasters some times because of people that have died from a blood clot to the brain afterwards.

Is this normal or am I just paranoid about being paranoid?

4 years of worrying about every little ache and pain is a sign of anxiety disorder - I had that. Medication/therapy can help.

 

[kaytieeldr]

There's a name for that ice-chewing syndrome, and it is caused by a deficiency in the diet, I believe. Can't remember the name of it right now though, but there was a thread on it in the community forum a ways back.

I don't know the name, but it's an iron deficiency. Makes absolute sense POOHsie didn't have the craving after the baby was born!

OP: I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on the DIS, but you sound a bit like me. In my case, it's a lot 'being overly dramatic' combined with an admitted mild (maybe more than mild, but that's all I'll concede at the moment) self-diagnosed hypochondria.

Plus, the world's against me. I had to get up this early yesterday for school, and again today to move my *$(*#& car because they're bringing in a crane with materials to fix the roof. They say we can park "anywhere" but I bet when I go grab an 'office parking only' space, I'll go out to work this afternoon and find a ticket on my car :

 

[knieriem]

4 years of worrying about every little ache and pain is a sign of anxiety disorder - I had that. Medication/therapy can help.

I do have some medicine I take when I start getting really nervous and feel like my hearts going to beat out of my chest..those episodes only happen every few months though. Usually when I feel a pain and get a little panicky I can talk myself into calming down.

 

[bouncy54]

I was like that in my 20s. I went along naive as anything, then when something did happen, "oh my," I thought, "was I going to be one of those poor victims like from a TV soap?" The answer to that is best measured in time. For me, over time, nothing calamitous actually did happen versus my worry, and life moved on. Marriage, child, house, cars, Disney trips. Looking back, it seems the years flew by.

Then in my late 40s, I got really sick and by age 50 I was totally disabled. Bad arteries, just like dad and grandma. I lost a leg and have had many artery bypass surgeries, plus 4 stents to my heart arteries. I am 56 now. My child is grown and married. My husband, 10 years my senior, died in September. He was a Viet Nam veteran and he had chronic pain from combat duty. Since I had experienced so much life before my calamity, I was able to have a more philosophical approach to a potential life-ending problem. I feel I have done all there is to do in life, and every new day is a gift to me. I am ready to go, if that is my fate (would like God to let me squeeze in a last trip to Disney before I have to go, ha ha).

You will embrace this philosophy, I believe, just by living your life and seeing the beauty of each day and each tiny flower.

your reply... especially this part - (would like God to let me squeeze in a last trip to Disney before I have to go, ha ha)

That's exactly how I feel. "Please God, just allow me one more Disney vacation with my family". Not because of Disney itself, but because some of the happiest memories with my family have been of our trips to visit Mickey.

 

[blessedmom4]

some of the happiest memories with my family have been of our trips to visit Mickey.

I SO agree with this! My children's medical issues seem far less serious at Disney World!

In reference to the name for chewing on ice...Pica is a medical problem where a person has the strong urge or desire to chew on strange things such as rocks, clay, dirt, and yes, even ice, that have no nutritional value. Often chewing on ice is a sign of low iron, possibly because it soothes a sore mouth. Just be careful when chewing on ice to NOT fracture a tooth.

To the OP, I am happy you have sought out ways to soothe your worries. Life is short, it should be enjoyed if possible.

 

[Schmeck]

I do have some medicine I take when I start getting really nervous and feel like my hearts going to beat out of my chest..those episodes only happen every few months though. Usually when I feel a pain and get a little panicky I can talk myself into calming down.

That's what I do too - I give myself a little pep talk, kind of talk through what I should do (wait until morning, give the doctor a call, go for a walk and see if the symptoms go away, etc) and I feel much better. The two therapists I have seen in my life time think it's a great way to deal with anxiety!

Being in a state of heightened anxiety magnifies our normal body aches and pains, as the pain receptors are on high alert, thinking we are in danger. So, the 'paranoia' that you are experiencing could be due to your anxiety. I'd work on getting that under control in a more permanent way. I've found that I have to do a lot of walking, weight training, all kinds of physical stuff, to keep my anxiety completely away. I know I've been slacking off when I start to feel anxious about basic things like getting ready to go to work each morning.

 

[POOHsie]

I don't know the name, but it's an iron deficiency. Makes absolute sense POOHsie didn't have the craving after the baby was born!

Thanks. I never knew that; thought it was just nerves! I believe I did crack a few teeth which, in later years, broke and needed root canals & crowns.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Do you have a therapist you've worked with at all? It does sound to me like you're overreacting (and you seem to know this) and it's likely an anxiety thing. It might be good to find a therapist and talk about it and any other issues that may have come up with your diagnosis. At the very least, they'll be better equipped than we are to say whether you're overly paranoid or just being cautious. A therapist can also help you learn coping skills so you can maybe worry about things a little less.

I know how worrisome it can be after developing one medical condition (especially one that can have such wide-reaching effects) that other things could be signs of other problems, but if you're constantly worried that everything is the worst possible explanation then it's likely to start limiting your life unreasonably.

Good luck!

 

[Schmeck]

My dermatologist (I've had melanoma) once told me if I'm losing sleep because I'm worried about a health issue, then I need to have it addressed. Just having that validation from a doctor really helped me become less paranoid about my aches and pains.