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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Random letter from doctor - worried

69 replies

tacosplease · 14/09/2019 13:51

I moved house about 10 months ago and only just got round to registering with my new doctor’s surgery last week.

Today I got an email from the person who bought my old place stating that they had a letter for me from the “radiology department” at my previous doctor/hospital and that they would send it on in the post.

I haven’t had a doctor’s appointment for several years, but I did have some blood tests done (for a general health check) at my then local hospital about a year and a half ago. The doctor called me a week or so afterwards, said everything was fine and that was that.

AIBU to be concerned that I’ve now been sent a letter marked from the radiology department? I don’t think I’ll be able to relax until it arrives next week.

It did cross my mind that the old doctor could have written to me regarding changing to a new surgery, but then I realised that of course they wouldn’t send anything to my old address after my new doctor got in touch with them to request my records... Confused

OP posts:
Hadalifeonce · 14/09/2019 13:53

Mammogram?

ShippingNews · 14/09/2019 13:54

I also thought ? mammogram. That would come from the radiology department.

YeOldeTrout · 14/09/2019 13:55

I don't think you should get anxious about this.

Original poster
tacosplease · 14/09/2019 13:56

I’m in my mid 30s - isn’t that too young for mammogram screenings?

OP posts:
Original poster
tacosplease · 14/09/2019 13:57

I just can’t for the life of me think what it could be!

OP posts:
81Byerley · 14/09/2019 14:07

Please make sure you come back and tell us!

Tonnerre · 14/09/2019 14:08

Phone the radiology department on Monday and ask them.

Chouetted · 14/09/2019 14:08

If you're that worried, ask them to open it and send a photo to you?

Original poster
tacosplease · 14/09/2019 14:11

I think it might be too late as they said they were posting it this afternoon. I'm worried they might have missed something in my blood test - but surely not after that length of time?!

OP posts:
UniversalAunt · 14/09/2019 14:13

If they missed something in the blood tests, they would ring you.

Original poster
tacosplease · 14/09/2019 14:14

Thanks - I definitely haven't had any voicemails from the doctor (and they do normally ring rather than write as well). Just bizarre!

OP posts:
Wereonabearhunt · 14/09/2019 14:22

Are you due a smear? When id not registered at a dr between house moves I got a smear invite headed "radiology and photoscreening department" at my previous hospital because i wasnt registered with a gp.

Livebythecoast · 14/09/2019 14:23

It's odd the envelope says 'radiology department ' normally hospital letters just have NHS on envelope?.
Are you due a smear?

Livebythecoast · 14/09/2019 14:24

X post!

Original poster
tacosplease · 14/09/2019 14:26

I can't remember when exactly my last smear test was, although I'm fairly certain it was about two to three years ago, so I'm not sure I'm due another one yet?

I'm just getting anxious that it's something terrible - but how could it be, when I haven't even seen the doctor for such a long time?

OP posts:
Livebythecoast · 14/09/2019 14:32

If you're 25 + a smear is every 3 years

tealandteal · 14/09/2019 14:38

Mammograms usually begin at 50 but it could be a smear test invitation. These are every three years between 25 and 64.

kateandme · 14/09/2019 14:43

i know it no use me saying dont worry becasue you will.but in this case you really cant do anything about what it says.will this worry and story telling of what ifs/worse cases change whats written in that letter.nope.but it will turn you in bits until then.and by that tie if its bad youll flip because your already flipping.so try keep yourself as looked after and calm as possible.then youll be much better faced to see whatever it is.
every time that fear comes,breathe it in,let it wash back over you and refocus.
right now all you can do is wait.give yourself the easiest time of that possible.

Original poster
tacosplease · 14/09/2019 14:44

Thank you! Perhaps I had my smear test a bit longer ago than I thought. Let’s hope that’s what it is anyway!

OP posts:
Yabbers · 14/09/2019 15:05

Do hospitals send letters marked on the outside with the department? All ours come in plain envelopes.

Original poster
tacosplease · 14/09/2019 15:07

I suppose they must do, as he seemed to know the department. Unless he could see some of the letter through the little plastic window thing on the front?

Does anyone think it could be anything serious? I'm trying to think back to when my last smear test was and I'm sure it was spring 2017, which means I wouldn't be due for a while.

Sorry to come across so anxious - this sort of thing really unnerves me!

OP posts:
1FineDane · 14/09/2019 15:12

A smear test wouldn't come from radiology, it would probably come from something called Cervical Check or something like that.

Are you under any consultancy where you're under periodic scans or anything?

Original poster
tacosplease · 14/09/2019 15:13

Are you under any consultancy where you're under periodic scans or anything?

No, nothing at all!

OP posts:
1FineDane · 14/09/2019 15:20

Seems a bit random then.

IsobelRae23 · 14/09/2019 15:26

My smear letters come from something like Cervical Smear Screening Wales.

I had a letter from radiology, asking me to make an appointment and I too was worried, for me I’m under an orthopaedic consultant about my back and when I’d last seen him 18 previous he requested an MRI scan- that’s how long the waiting list was. Of course 18 months later a) I didn’t know he’d requested it b) I could hardly remember seeing him!

So I know how you feel, and I know how easy it is to say, but please try not to worry yourself. If it was something bad they would have been in touch sooner.