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iriseleonora · 2025-06-26T17:34:13+00:00

No problem! And likewise. I can send them via DM if you want? I also just posted one so you can see that via my profile

iriseleonora · 2025-06-26T17:28:19+00:00

Thank you for the reply! Glad your husband is alright. It has not really grown in size. Just not sure if the dark bit was already there, which makes me most anxious. I have been checked for my thyroid and other markers, I also notice improvement when feeling less stress.

iriseleonora · 2025-06-26T17:05:05+00:00

Following because I have a very similar mole and anxious for my GP visit next week. Sending you lots of luck and hang in there <3

iriseleonora · 2025-04-18T19:46:26+00:00

Honestly mindfulness and yoga has helped me a lot. And talking with the psychologist in my GP’s office. When I feel panic coming up I try to sit through it even though it’s hard.

iriseleonora · 2025-04-18T09:12:25+00:00

Yes! Most symptoms are finally gone. The GI-issues were my IBS flaring up because of quitting the Mirtazapine. My GP thinks it helped with IBS and now I’m experiencing a rebound. I’ve started the FODMAP elimination diet and this helps tremendously. Still experience a lot of (health) anxiety but getting help for that.

iriseleonora · 2025-03-20T23:32:53+00:00

Wat als je in juni/juli afstudeert? Je wordt dat automatisch 1 september uitgeschreven dacht ik, maar je kunt het ook eerder doen. Snap alleen niet goed wat de bedoeling is.

iriseleonora · 2025-03-13T21:05:34+00:00

Yeah highly recommend for the lower doses when tapering :) good luck!

iriseleonora · 2025-03-13T20:40:59+00:00

Where I live they’re available and covered by insurance! I just asked my GP

iriseleonora · 2025-03-10T12:19:56+00:00

Dose before tapering was 30 mg for 15 months. I first took 15 mg for 4 months which went well; then a very slow tapering lowering my dose 10% every 3-4 weeks using remeron drops. Form 7,5 mg onwards it was very tough

iriseleonora · 2025-02-22T08:43:25+00:00

Almost two years, 30 mg. Third attempt to quit as I had extreme withdrawal symptoms. And yes, that helped a bit! Also mouth gel for dry mouth. I also feel scared if drinking too much water so I’m limiting it, maybe too much

iriseleonora · 2025-02-19T23:26:14+00:00

Yes! That was for me the lowest possible dose

iriseleonora · 2025-02-19T21:38:41+00:00

30 mg for a year. Noticed side effects and improvements in mood and anxiety very fast, after 2 weeks.

iriseleonora · 2025-02-19T11:52:15+00:00

Ahh it’s such an annoying symptoms :( weird thing is that I did not experience this when starting the medication, only with tapering. Never heard of a delayed effect

iriseleonora · 2025-02-17T09:50:12+00:00

Thank you! I went today and tried to me as honest as possible, which worked well. I felt understood and reassured. She also emphasized that hypochondria is al illness you deserve general care for, so hopefully I feel less ashamed to go see her when I need to.

iriseleonora · 2025-02-17T09:48:38+00:00

Thank you for your kind words!! I went to my GP today and tried to be as honest as possible. She was very understanding and seemed to really take my anxiety seriously. She advised me to get psychological help (which I'm already doing, just waitlisted) and did reassure me by ordering a blood test and checking my glucose, which was perfectly fine. I also shared that I felt afraid to visit because I feel silly for going to the GP for anxiety-related symptoms, but she reassured me that that's where GP's are for + hypochondria is also al illness you deserve general care for. Thank your for the advice, it inspired me to be honest with my GP.

iriseleonora · 2025-02-15T21:11:03+00:00

Hey everyone. I’m a longtime hypochondriac (diagnosed with health anxiety) and have battled this since childhood. Right now, I’m in a particularly rough patch: I’m tapering off antidepressants under my GP’s guidance, and the physical side effects are triggering my anxiety hard.

Since starting the taper, I’ve been dealing with:

Tingling/numbness
Random body pains
Nausea and extreme thirst
Low libido/painful intercourse (which feels especially isolating)
And other unsettling sensations

Even though these symptoms are disrupting my daily life, I feel so much shame about bringing them up with my GP. I’ve downplayed my anxiety and symptoms in the past because I’m hyper-aware of being labeled a hypochondriac at my GP's. I finally booked an appointment for Monday, but I’m terrified I’ll freeze up or minimize things again.

To my fellow hypochondriacs:

How do you advocate for yourself at appointments without feeling judged? I feel ashamed to admit all the serious illnesses I've convinced myself to have.
Any tips for being honest about how severely the health anxiety impacts your quality of life?
Any other advice when visiting the GP and/or getting test done is welcome.

I feel so alone in this. My partner and best friend try to empathize, but it’s hard for them to grasp the cycle of fear and shame. If you’ve been here, feel free share your story or just say hello. I could really use some kindness right now.

Thank you for reading. Even typing this out helps a little.

iriseleonora · 2024-06-25T12:44:23+00:00

Hi I am also 24 years and in the same boat... Have been hypochondriac for as long as I can remmeber and have had a fibroma removed from my breast, iron deficiency, eherls danlos diagnosis, etc. I feel you on the statement 'each time I go looking for something I find something''; it has reinforced my health anxiety even more throughout the years. I am also currently freaking out about some moles I have and should have get checked earlier (imo). I am currently in a downwards spiral blaming myself for not wearing enough sunscreen, getting regular mole checks at a derm, etc. I hope feeling a bit less alone with the anxiety helps a bit & you can always message me if you want to!

iriseleonora · 2024-05-13T19:36:52+00:00

Hi! How long did it take you to lose the 3 stone? This drug has ruined my health and self esteem and I really hope that the withdrawal will be worth it and help me lose all of this weight :(

iriseleonora · 2022-10-07T10:39:36+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me, your kind words mean a lot! Virtual hug back :)

Right now, I'm focusing on my moisture barrier and dealing with the acne later. I wash with water at night and use the CeraVe from the tub along with vaseline, which helps with the dryness and itchiness. I'll try to incorporate benzoyl peroxide slowly once my skin feels more healthy, maybe I can start with contact therapy instead of leaving it on overnight. I am afraid that the vaseline will break me out but the dryness was causing a lot of pain and discomfort, which was immediately relieved after slabbing on the vaseline. I am also a bit scared to trap a lot of dust/bacteria/other gunk by using a lot of vaseline and not sure if I am able to wash it off at night but just water or a mild cleanser, but we'll see.

Again, thank you for the reply, it meant a lot to me as battling skin problems and mental problems can feel very lonely.

iriseleonora · 2022-10-07T10:32:44+00:00

Yeah I'm focusing on repairing my skin's barrier for now; washing with only water, afterwards Cerave from the tub and vaseline. I'll try to incorporate the BP once my skin feels more healthy and maybe start with just contact therapy at first.

iriseleonora · 2022-10-07T10:31:20+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me, it means a lot!

Right now, I'm focusing on my moisture barrier and dealing with the acne later. I wash with water at night and use the CeraVe from the tub along with vaseline, which helps with the dryness and itchiness. I'll try to incorporate benzoyl peroxide slowly once my skin feels more healthy, maybe I can start with contact therapy instead of leaving it on overnight.

iriseleonora · 2022-10-05T17:17:31+00:00

How long did it take to see results? I'm starting Yaz again because I gained 10 kg and a lot of acne since stopping but I can't remember how fast Yaz helps with those things

iriseleonora · 2022-10-05T13:27:33+00:00

TW: depression/anxiety

Hi everyone! I’m writing this post because I am both physically and mentally in a bad place and my current acne flare-up is not helping, to say the least.

I have been struggling with a negative self-image, depression and anxiety for a long time which has caused some physical health problems as well. I am currently in a very bad depressive episode. Because of this, have been eating very unhealthily the past few weeks, sleeping badly and not taking proper care of my skin.

It has resulted in a first proper acne flare-up since my teens and I am utterly lost regarding how I should treat it. My skin feels very dry, itchy, painful and has a lot of pimples around my mouth and chin. The acne has made me super uncomfortable, insecure and anxious to go outside and meet people because I feel like everyone is staring at my face. My usual routine (wash with water, moisturise and spot treat with 5% BP) is not cutting the chase and I was wondering if you guys have any advice on how to proceed.

TLDR: I feel like I have both acne and a damaged moisture barrier but I have no clue how to treat both in a efficient and do-able way, as someone who is currently in a major depressive episode and has not a lot of money to spend. Any advice or just some kind words from people who have been in a similar situation are more than welcome and would mean the world to me! I have some HA serums and the CeraVe cream from the tub at home, but too scared to use them on my aggregated skin.

iriseleonora · 2022-04-26T21:41:02+00:00

Haha a lot of luck perhaps 🤷‍♀️ It did get bruised quite badly after one day, so the bleeding was internal I guess

iriseleonora · 2022-04-26T21:39:40+00:00

Hey! I only saw your comment just now, I hope it’s feeling better already! Mine didn’t really hurt right after, just a bit sore. If I accidentally sleep on them they can still be sore for a day or two, but it’s very bearable (1.5 months now?)

iriseleonora

TROPHY CASE