M 28 here. I struggle with hypochondria ever since 2020. Started after my appendectomy and it took me getting a lot of tests done, getting on zoloft, getting behavioral therapy once a month otp, and giving it time (4 months after surgery) until I felt mostly normal. Had one flare up in January this year because I got covid, but other than that I was health anxiety free until recently.

Fast forward to Oct 20th and boom, I got gallbladder surgery and my hypochondria has been bad again. It was at its worst the first 2 weeks after surgery and it went down to a somewhat manageable level for a couple weeks until recently (6 weeks in). Unfortunately I got an anal fissure around 3 weeks ago and that's made my hypochondria worse, and thankfully it's felt better lately but of course I got hit with something new recently. I've been battling the flu recently and it's caused stuff like being lightheaded, GI issues (frustrating as I was dealing with this post op and it was settling down), and aches and pains over my body. Main things I'm tripping about lately are a haital hernia, gerd, and gastritits. Pretty much just worried about my digestive system and tell myself I need an endoscopy and colonoscopy to give me the all clear.

Don't know whether to go back on Zoloft tbh, I really want to try and manage it with good practices at home and going back to talking to a mental health professional once a month. The side effects while on it weren't too bad but still, that plus how rough getting off of it was for me makes me hesitant to get back on it.

I guess this is just a vent post, it seems like it's always one thing right after another, like I can't catch a break. I know a lot of people here can relate and I just wanna say that ik it will get better, it's just tough rn. I've gotten past this before and I'm sure I will again, any advice or comments are welcome!