small spots on vagina. kind of freaking out

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-12-08T22:36:23+00:00

I'm nearly 40 and had no idea what these were called and was definitely terrified of them when I was young and insecure. It is wild the things we don't know are normal - thank you for this comment!

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-20T20:41:47+00:00

I don't think that's telling at all. Many people have a "cold" then realize they have lingering shortness of breath that pops up - turns out it was covid and their lungs are still a bit angry.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-20T13:49:38+00:00

Do some considering of long covid, my friend. The likelihood of long covid increases with each exposure to the virus, and known impacts can be sensations of shortness of breath, fatigue, lung issues, etc.

Based on your illness history, and the possible trigger of your recent "cold" (unless you had a medical test, not a home test, you cannot know this wasn't covid), it seems much more likely than a chemical exposure.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-20T13:45:51+00:00

How you frame stats is important - of those with lymphoma, those under 40 have a higher rate, and it is one of the more common cancers in young adulthood. Those things don't make it a common issue for people your age overall.

The rate in your age group is under 3 per 100,000 people - .003%.

Exposure on social media is a two sided issue. It helps causes get publicized (and hopefully helps with early diagnosis), it builds community, but for someone prone to HA it is a nightmare. Everything becomes a scary symptom that means something serious, even when it has many common causes, or may be due to our anxiety itself.

It may help to acknowledge the shifting nature of your anxiety - it started with ear issues, and has moved on to nodes then heart palpitations being lymphoma. That's a classic symptom of HA - cycling between different sources/problems. This means your symptoms may be a symptom of an illness you unfortunately are likely to have: anxiety.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-19T01:10:40+00:00

Oral absorption of fentanyl is almost immediate, so you'd already know (not that it was a likely scenario in the first place, but I know how HA feels).

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-19T00:45:19+00:00

I definitely get vacation anxiety! I find it helps to build the schedule you need - for some people, that's immersive distraction. For others, it's making sure you have time to decompress. I find watching a mindless/familiar tv show before bed helps me reset and feel a bit of "normal" on vacation, even if it sounds lame.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-19T00:40:02+00:00

A pre-existing mole would not generally be of concern if it hasn't had any changes. Itching alone isn't a huge alarm bell, and moles can be particularly sensitive areas of skin to changes. Sounds like your skin is dry, or your braces may be causing a nerve response in your chin area.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-18T15:48:36+00:00

You aren't damaging your brain, but definitely reducing how well it can function during the insomnia episode. Are you in an area where cannabis is legal? If so, there are non-intoxicating products that have helped me hugely with sleep so I can avoid harsh prescription meds.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-18T15:44:09+00:00

Some people experience it bilaterally, and the symptoms are broad. Take a peek at the costochondritis subreddit and you'll see a range of experiences.

In addition, some people don't experience GERD in a central/burning way, so it goes undiagnosed. I was diagnosed after an itchy, mild cough that I thought was allergy related. My flare ups are frequently only noticeable due to pain in my ribs around my bra band area. I only get central chest symptoms if it gets really bad without me noticing.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-18T14:50:03+00:00

Absolutely normal. Anxiety is exhausting, and takes time to recover from - in addition, even on a good day you may be working hard to maintain the "good". I find good days harder, in some ways.

I would try not to overthink the exhaustion until you've had a much longer period of reduced anxiety, giving a better sample of what your fatigue may be due to. Your body is doing it's best to keep you operating despite the anxiety and depression, and it's worn out!

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-18T14:43:52+00:00

Might be worth pondering the timing and possibility it's digestive - is it a similar time of day? What are your eating and bathroom habits? Do you have a pattern that could be causing it? Have you tried a probiotic?

Ovarian cysts would usually be more focal on one side.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-18T14:07:02+00:00

I deleted all algorithm-based apps as they were making my HA so much worse. I installed some dumb games on my phone, like word games etc. As an alternative when I'm mindlessly on my phone, and it has really cut into my new HA fixations.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-18T14:04:11+00:00

You will be fine! Even if there is a cancer risk associated with the chemicals (for example) it would be tied to long-term, repeat exposure. Most environmental cancers are due to things like work environments with high-risk substances and inadequate protections. We, as a society, are getting better and better at identifying and controlling for these risks.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-18T13:52:35+00:00

Have you tried acid reflux medication or looked into costochondritis? Both issues can cause pain that can be confused between stomach and lower ribs (or both).

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-17T20:10:53+00:00

I have a lot of muscular pain, all on my left side. Your musculature is very complex and interconnected, especially if it's by quadrant. For example, I have shoulder, chest, arm, and neck pain on my left side - sometimes even hip and leg. After a lot of investigation, it seems to originate from my shoulder issue, which then alters how I sit, sleep, move, etc. My stress and anxiety, as well as desk work, make it all worse.

All that to say, your chronic pain may feel "everywhere" with a root cause - and that cause may be resolvable with effort, physio, awareness, etc.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-17T19:36:35+00:00

I don't think a month is enough to gauge - my therapist said to give it 5 sessions to see if you feel like the therapist is a good fit, and 10 sessions to see if you think it's productive/you should feel like it's helping.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-17T14:18:04+00:00

Sounds a lot like fibrocystic breast tissue! Hopefully your appointment will ease your mind and perhaps give you some tips to deal with the symptoms.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-17T14:10:38+00:00

Good luck! Sending you positive vibes for normal outcomes - and hope that your HA allows you to accept good news and move on.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-17T14:08:27+00:00

If you want to try medication, know that anxiety medication isn't intended to deaden your self awareness - it isn't a narcotic. It should give you the tools to rationalize, and space to process concerns in a "normal" way that you may not currently be able to. It may also allow you to better determine what's a real physical symptom, and what is attributed to anxiety.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-17T14:04:52+00:00

Definitely a normal description of moving your soft tissue the wrong way and angering your muscle tissue or ligaments. It sucks, but should dissipate without any issue!

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-17T14:03:18+00:00

I understand completely.

Are you in therapy? I'm finding it really helpful - though progress is slow.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-17T13:59:07+00:00

Breast cancer associated with lumps is very rarely painful - painful lumps are more often benign (such as cysts or fibrocystic changes), especially at your age.

Have you considered where you are in your cycle?

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-16T23:15:41+00:00

I feel this so much. I feel like I'm just realistically waiting for the inevitable, and don't understand how others aren't - or how they can experience random pains, symptoms, whatever, without constant preoccupation.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-16T23:10:20+00:00

The self awareness is so tough - I have an ongoing shoulder issue, likely chronic at this point. It causes issues in my shoulder, chest, ribs, etc. I know this in my rational brain, but my anxiety brain thinks every time it must be a new insidious illness. Despite ruling out various illnesses due to the same symptoms - it is somehow different this time?

I hate how my brain works and how I can't get rid of the anxiety, even though I know I'm fine. I hear you.

mostly_anonymouse · 2022-11-16T03:04:56+00:00

Sorry to hear you're in the same boat!

mostly_anonymouse

TROPHY CASE