Has this disease turned you into a hypochondriac ?

[dry2010]

  Just wondering  how many people have become hypochondriacs since diagnosis ? I am not really one but the label us that way because I never know anymore is sjogrens?

Dry2010w

[Billydude]

I think many of us get that label from OTHERS.     I feel that way sometimes when I go to the doctor and then there is yet another unexplained symptom.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I was labelled that by doctors for a number of years and i think my family tended to side with the medics.

Since diagnoses there has been no more mention of hypochondria.

I do try to see my doc as little as possible but obviously there are times when I have to go. I no longer have the GP who gave me the label and the one I have now knows that I went for so long without any treatment and just sort of 'got on with things' that she certainly doesn't think hypochndria is a part of my make-up.

I do think that some people worry far too much about what may happen - before it does happen - or doesn't as is often the case. We all cope with things differently though and life would be very dull if we were all the same.

Take care - Scottie 

[Lily]

No - but new Sjogren's-related things do crop up.  We know there are a lot of things that MIGHT happen due to Sjogren's, and if we mention thinking we might have a new twist to this disease it doesn't mean we're hypochondriacs.  But I don't think that every little thing that comes down the pike is because of having Sjogren's.  Other stuff happens.

Lily

[Carolina]

WOW~

Interesting topic.

My son the shrink has another term:  Somatic hypervigilence.

Which  means:  paying very very close attention to your body.  What is going on, etc.

I don't think I'm a hypochondriac or have somatic hypervigilence, BUT I am and have always been physically very very sensitive, and also I am very verbal.

As an extrovert I mention what is going on with me, and when it changes or gets worse or whatever!

I also try to 'suppress' pain and discomfort and then I'm surprised when it pops up again.  "Oh, my head still hurts!"  That sort of thing.

All my immediate family around me are introverts and do NOT WANT TO HEAR my extroversion on any topic.

Certainly not my health.

And I don't even show up sero positive for ANY auto immune diseases.

For those of you with full blown Sjogren's and other diseases, the possibilities are enormous for just about every system to go haywire.

And so many systems ARE haywire.

No wonder you monitor stuff constantly.

Don't beat yourselves up about it.

Just dump stuff here.

This is the best place.

Kisses

Elaine

[kelene]

I was labeled that by a nuerologist .. even with a Sjogrens DX... because my biggest problem(proximal muscle weakness) is apparently not related to Sjogrens...  he went on to even recommend a shrink.. and is still sticking to his conversion disorder theroy.. even thou he knows none of my other drs buy it... it has caused me some grief... he works in the the clinic that has the best assess to care and tests.. and I can't go there..he works in the same group of hospitals of my other doctors ... I have been thinking about changing hospitals.... I did have to change Immunoligst as a result of this because that dr was male and didn't want to rock the boat for me...
I know this problem is not in my head.. I do not  have somatic hypervigilence .. I have gotten to the point where I tend to ingore symptoms.. don't mention them. or the extent of them..because I am afaird no one will really take me too seriously..

SUCKS

[Kerrikins]

I think hypochondriac is a word people use when they aren't interested and don't want to hear it. There are a few people who think I'm one, I'm sure. Whatever, is all I say. I have stopped talking about how I feel to everyone except my husband though. It's sad but the truth is most people, even those that ask how you feel, really don't want to know!
Kerrikins

[aussie mum]

This is an interesting thread... I know many of you have been called a hypochondriac, but I feel that has more to do with Doctors who don't know the answers, rather than the patient actually wanting to have SJS.

It is my daughter (now 20) has SJS, not me, and I know her diagnosis has changed the way I react to any symptoms she, or anyone else in the family gets. I suppose you could say I've become more vigilant, others might say more paranoid.
Dr Google can be both a help or a hindrance.

Carolina, I think your son is right - I'm sure many of the people on this board can relate to your description of the term - Somatic hypervigilence. That is not a negative... everyone should be aware of what's going on with their bodies and be proactive with their health care.

Wishing you all a safe, happy and healthy Christmas

Aussie Mum

[deeindiana]

Somatic hypervigilence. I like that term. I've always told my husband that I'm not a true a hypochondriac because a true hypochondriac doesn't know they are hypochondriac. And since I know  that I'm a hypochondriac then I'm not really one.  Did ya follow all that?! 

But in truth, I have always been very paranoid about my health. I've always kept it deep inside, but my husband sees it. I can handle almost any kind of stress/pain/fear that occurs outside of my body, but an illness or injury on the inside scares me silly. As I've gotten older, I make jokes about it and it's gotten easier. But it's not a nice way to live.

Being diagnosis with Sjogren's has been very difficult for me and made my hypochondria "flare". Having a chronic disease with an unpredictable future is frightening. I wish there was a cure for the fear.
Deb

[Patze]

Hi Dry2010,

I love the term "hypochondriac", as that one has been used in my family...that is until one night. 

Okay, let me lay this one out for you; nothing is simple in my family, never has been.   Anyway, a while back, the parental units and a sibling where "comparing notes" and decided that I must be just a hypochondriac and there was nothing really wrong with me; okay, if you say so.  They just would not let up, and y'all know, got my dander up, and I wasn't letting it go (you see where this is going, right? ).

I drove home, got all of my meds together and drove all the way back, and plopped down the bag with all of them in it.  As I took them out one at a time, I could see their eyes opening wider and wider (yes, they also checked to "make sure" that they were actual prescriptions and not something OTC - kidlet was having the hardest time trying not to laugh out loud to the point tears were rolling). 

When the "dust" settled I "proved" that yes indeed I have some medical issues and that I was not exaggerating them.  They don't refer to me as a hypochondriac anymore, but I still see their eyes go glassy whenever I talk about SJS, Hashimoto's, pretty much anything medical (some days you just can't win as they are a tough crowd; silly people ).

It's funny though I've been called a hypochondriac, but I don't see doctors all that much.  I avoid them other than the check ups from the various specialists, and an occasional visit to the Internist.

Thanks much for a great topic!

Take care of yourself -

Patze

[Sandisue]

Hey,

Its funny you should post this, because I was just thinking today that maybe I was...Then I realized that I am really watching every little thing about my body because I don't know what I'm going to do next...I was just given the news today that my lip biopsy was positive, so this stuff is really new to me. But it seems like something new pops up every day....I know my family thinks I'm crazy.  But I think the worst thing so far for me is, I feel like I'm alone. Weird....

Sandisue

[Patze]

Hi Sandisue,

When you're here, you're never alone.  There are scads of wonderful members that are happy to help if they can.

Post away when you have any questions there is usually someone about that might be able to answer you.

Take care of yourself -

Patze

[Mudpup]

I have been diagnosed with so many Chronic Conditions and now an Enlarged Heart. I don't know what that would be called but a hypochondriac is someone who thinks they have stuff wrong is that right? LOL. I know people think I am one, but I worry sick all the time wondering what they will find next. so yeah I'm always worried about my health and every twinge etc I am thinking oh do I have this or that.. because it seems every time I go to the Docs they find something else. not quite every time, but a lot of times.  If I put a list of everything it wouldn't look real but just looking at the tags at the bottom of this post will tell you what I'm talking about lol.

[gphx]

kelene, myopathy (muscle weakness) is clearly associated with Sjogren's. What was your quack of a doctor thinking, or rather not thinking. Makes me wonder whether doctors can be sued for defamation in addition to incompetence.

http://www.sjogrensworld.org/mandel.htm