When does the paranoia abate?

Shellies,

I have all the same issues as you (save for the miscarriage) did have 2 but many years ago now.

I am asking the same questions (dx Feb2012) awaiting recon,

When does it get better? or is this it now forever?  BC following from a previous misdiagnosed illness for 10yrs too.

I am so sick of cataloging every ache, pain, strain, sprain,twinge,, redness, lumps, bumps, aches, cramps, niggles etc 

fredntan, how much time??? 

I know i am doing everything that I can to stop this bitch coming back. I recently started back to gym and also went vegan. I feel so great. The exercise has made all the difference

A trick that helps me - if I have an ache or twinge or some other symptom, I decide that I will wait 10 days to 2 weeks.  If I still have it after that time, I'll get it checked out.  That way, I acknowledge the ache and respond to it, but give myself permission to relax about it.  Of course, by the time the 10 days to 2 weeks comes up, most of the time the ache is long gone and I've forgotten all about it.  In the few cases where it hasn't gone away, I've called my doctor for an appointment and eased my mind by getting it checked out.

Obviously this isn't for severe pain or anything like that - you'd want to call a doctor right away for that.  But when I have one of those occasional and vague aches or pains that I wouldn't have given a second thought to prior to dx, this trick helps me calm down and not panic.  It also gives me a definite timeline to call the doctor if it persists so I don't feel anxious and upset about it indefinitely.

I'm 5 years out now, and as others have said, it does get better.   You've had a tumultuous year or so, and not just with cancer - it's no wonder that you're not able to roll with the punches right now.  If you find that the anxiety continues (for more than 10 days or 2 weeks, of course ) why not check with your doctor about some anti-anxiety meds?  That may be exactly what you need for a while till things settle down for you. 

Also, the fact that you're exercising is great - it's good for you physically, but also mentally it's a way for you to take control.  If you want a supportive exercise group, check out the "Let's Post Our Daily Exercise" thread in the Fitness section here on BCO - it's a great group of women at all phases of treatment - some are newly-dx, some in chemo, some in rads, and some of us are several years out.  What we all have in common is that we want to exercise, and we support and encourage each other.  Some who are in active treatment can only manage a walk around the block, while others are training for marathons, but what we're doing isn't nearly as important as the fact that we're all doing something. 

Hang in there!