Health ocd or real health?

How do you know when to advocate for yourself at the dr VS when it’s just health OCD? I used to go to the hospital in college cause I’d get anxiety and think I was having a heart attack or once per month - I didn’t realize how much it was until I owed like 5k later. Earlier this week I went to urgent care cause I had a bad uti and they took a urine sample and sent it out. Feel better but now I have blood clots. The front desk told me I don’t have to worry about it since the culture was negative but I’m worried cause I’m still feel fatigued /lightheaded/dizzy and still peeing blood clots. They said to go to the ER if I’m nervous but not trying to pay thousands for them to tell me I’m fine. How do I know what’s real and what’s OCD? I also always almost pass out after a hot shower, working out (standing up too quickly ) and the dr told me I need to download a meditation app. Is that something I should try to see a diff dr for another opinion? Or is it ocd? Essentially, I can’t afford my compulsion of going to the ER lmao so maybe I’m just seeking reassurance now? Who knows lol

Somatic OCD

Lisa3

Date posted: 2d

My friend, if you are peeing out blood clots, I really really hope you go to the ER. Where are the blood clots coming from and do you want them to go to your lungs or your brain? I get this way too sometimes, but like my eyes are so dry. I have corneal thinning, so I’m pretty sure I need the special contacts and the special eye drops you know?

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@Lisa3 I had a UTI so that’s where it originated but they said if I’m healing that’s good - I still have 2 more days of antibiotics!!

Zelda#13

Date posted: 13h

Yay, so glad it was useful☺️ It is always shocking how many doctors will notice you have a history of anxiety and just dismiss very real physical symptoms. At least with POTS even if you can’t get a formal diagnosis right away (woohoo medical bills), the main treatment is lifestyle changes anyway; light exercise, lots of salt, and self compassion are the biggest. I would also recommend getting a shower stool; it’s life changing lol. At least it was for me. I’ll pray for you, and I hope you can find things that help!

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 12h

@Zelda#13 Dangit I have a bathtub!! But shower stool sounds amazing

Zelda#13

Date posted: 12h

Me too. I literally just got a cheap little stool from IKEA. 🤷‍♀️ A little on the ugly side, but it works.

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 11h

@Zelda#13 Oooh like a tiny one? Thats smart

Anonymous4445

Date posted: 2d

I think if you have physical symptoms it’s ok to go to the ER

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2d

@Anonymous4445 They’re always physical 😆that’s the hard part! My ocd makes every symptom way worse until I go to the ER

Zelda#13

Date posted: Yesterday

Have you been tested for POTS?

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@Zelda#13 Ya but just standing up and sitting down. And they said no you don’t have it lol

Zelda#13

Date posted: 17h

@Anonymous That’s weird. It’s supposed to be laying down to standing up (or a tilt table.) If you have a fitness tracker or anything that can check heart rate, you can use that to run a little test yourself. Just lay down for like 10 minutes, check your heart rate; then stand up at a normal speed (by normal I mean how fast you see other people stand up, since I’m guessing you usually take it slow. I do too!) Take your heart rate again. If it goes up by at least 30 bpm within the next 10 minutes, that’s a strong indicator of POTS. I know you were tested already, but so many women get misdiagnosed when they have POTS. I had symptoms for 20 years before finally getting a diagnosis.

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 16h

@Zelda#13 This is so helpful! I’ve been to a few drs

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