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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To worry I have cancer :(

29 replies

Breastfeedingworries · 20/02/2020 02:22

It might be a case of things are their darkest at night but I’m really worried.

I’ve had moving back ache since the summer months, but it’s only hurting in the early hours and morning. It stops hurting completely in the day. (Tonight I’ve googled and this is a sign)

I’ve been given exercises by a physiotherapist and I will be honest I’m not always doing them as the pain completely stops after about 10am...and with a young dd I just don’t think about it again. Sometimes have evening pain but it’s mainly in the morning.

I am a social smoker and have been since I was 17 I’m 31 now. I also drink very regularly.

Sad I’m feeling quite scared. Please be kind posting for traffic as I need some quick responses. Don’t think I’ll sleep tonight.

OP posts:
brightonroc · 20/02/2020 02:32

Sounds like you have something musculoskeletal that eases as you move.

From your description your chances of cancer are very, very low.

Why don’t you make a positive decision to give up the fags and booze and go to sleep knowing that right now, all is well with the world.

Nandocushion · 20/02/2020 02:35

Hi, OP. Really only a doctor can help you with this, but what I will say is that I had bad back pain for nearly a year that woke me at night and then went away later on in the morning...in my case it was sciatica, and it was fixed by a lot of stretching exercises, and by taking up an exercise class that strengthened my core (and did more stretching). It's natural to be worried that it's the worst-case scenario, but it's much more likely to be something fairly common like sciatica. Please stick with the exercises for a bit and try to do them regularly.

FET2020 · 20/02/2020 02:39

Don’t google, google will always tell you that you have cancer.

Smoking tends to cause issues in later life so you’re generally too young for smoking related issues.

The good news is that if you stop smoking now chances are you will be fine in later life.

Back ache is almost always just that - back ache.

Health anxiety is a real thing so it might be worth you speaking to your GP about this. Speak to them about your back too for reassurance.

I have health anxiety and it’s very scary, esp in the middle of the night.

Take some positive practical steps to make yourself feel better. Stop smoking and cut down on the booze. Speak to your GP. Read books. Go for walks. And do your exercises given to you by the physiotherapist!

Get some sleep, there’s no point you worrying about bad things that might happen in the future - you’re basically punishing yourself twice.

Xxx

Original poster
Breastfeedingworries · 20/02/2020 02:40

I’m going to call one in the morning. I met a lady yesterday (as it’s 2am ish) got talking about her daughters lovely thick hair. Turns out she was in remission from leukaemia. The mother said you just don’t know. I felt so sad for them but then wondered if I’m living with it and not knowing. It’s so much more common than you think.

My back pain seemingly started with no injury, only hurts morning and some evenings. Reguardless of whether I’ve had busy day or quiet day. Think I’m just freaked out. Thanks both.

OP posts:
Doyoumind · 20/02/2020 02:49

Back pain is one of the most common conditions people suffer from and visit their GP about. Jumping to the conclusion it is cancer suggests you are suffering from anxiety.

It's not uncommon to have pain when you have been immobile overnight which then eases during the day.

Aridane · 20/02/2020 02:51

It’s so much more common than you think

But not as common as muscoskeletalmpain!

butwhateverfor · 20/02/2020 02:53

Either you have a crap mattress or your child is still of a 'picking up' age. Or both.

Stop googling, though. It will always be cancer, Ebola or some exotic tropical thing.

Knobblybobbly · 20/02/2020 02:58

This is a very common scenario for mechanical back pain. Most cases start with no trigger, are aggravated by static positions and eased by moving. Your physio will not be concerned about cancer based on these symptoms alone because they are just so typical of back pain.

However, it is human nature to worry about pain and what it might mean. We are actually hard wired to do this. Have a chat with your GP.

NewName54321 · 20/02/2020 03:17

What is your daily posture like? Are you wearing the wrong size bra, sitting on the wrong size office furniture?

Cdl84 · 20/02/2020 03:35

Muscular backache is very common. Cancers that cause backache in a 31 year old are extremely rare. Do you have any other symptoms that concern you such as significant unexplained weight loss ? If it's just the back ache please stick with the exercises but see your doctor for reassurance.

Durgasarrow · 20/02/2020 04:23

It could be some form of arthritis, but seriously back pain is very common for a number of reasons. It sounds as if your back gets stiff when it isn't moving (sleep) and better with movement. That does not sound like cancer.

Minxmumma · 20/02/2020 05:48

Good grief please don't Google! Dr Google will have you dead or dying in days from a runny nose if you click the right link.

I frequently get back pain, my dd is 3, we have an active life style and often it may be that I don't lift something properly or sit badly and end up with nagging back pain for no real reason.

It is probably a musculoskeletal thing, go to your gp again if you are worried and persist with the exercises. It may be that you have a weak area in your back that needs strengthening.

I understand being worried but googling won't help at all.

MeepyMupp · 20/02/2020 06:01

Agree with others. Don't google. Have a headache, brain cancer. Have a cough, lung cancer . I have your symptoms also , it's just a virus. I also suffer and have been diagnosed with acute anxiety, however mine is not health anxiety. Anxiety is a real thing and can really mess with your head to the point it is overwhelming and cancels all rational thought out. I understand how you have got to this point but you are not dying, it's a bug.

ragged · 20/02/2020 06:40

I've had on/off unclear reason back problems for 27 yrs. Not cancer.

FeedMeChoc · 20/02/2020 06:48

You might feel better if you quit smoking and drinking OP. Mentally I mean.

annie987 · 20/02/2020 07:42

I had this for about 12 months. Lower back pain that started in the early hours (enough to wake me) and eased a while after getting up.
I bought a new mattress and lost a stone and it’s completely gone.

AuntieStella · 20/02/2020 08:09

You need to do the exercises so that your body strengthens, and then the overnight pain will lessen. The exercises should make you stronger and balance your musculature

Also check if your mattress is OK (you don't have to replace every X years, but you should replace if it's starting to go lumpy), that you have the right number of pillows (get someone to see if your neck is in line in your typical sleeping position)

Megan2018 · 20/02/2020 08:13

How old is your mattress?

It’s much more likely to be your bed than cancer. Do the bloody physio!

Whyonearthdididothat · 20/02/2020 08:40

Just going off your username, if you are bending over feeding in the night. Or lying down feeding in one position for a while or bed sharing, any of these could cause those kinds of pains in the night time and they would ease during the day. Still see the gp but it could well be that.
As a fellow health anxiety sufferer you have my sympathy

CherryPavlova · 20/02/2020 08:43

You’ve been given treatment that you don’t follow so think it’s cancer? Really?

duffeldaisy · 20/02/2020 08:53

I don’t know if this is an official “thing”, but if you do have a young family, I had this and know a few friends who did - suddenly you have these children who need you, and you want to be around for them, and suddenly terror sets in that you won’t be? I certainly had that, it developed into full on health anxiety and I had to get some help (once I worked out the root of it - the new responsibility - it was possible to work through it, and it’s got better over the years, as the family have got older).

I don’t know if that might be something you’re worrying about deep down, but if you do need to find professional help, it can work.

I hope your back clears up soon!

MeepyMupp · 20/02/2020 10:55

please don't listen to cherry , she is full shit

Original poster
Breastfeedingworries · 20/02/2020 11:16

Thanks all! I’ve got a doctors appointment tomorrow morning. I properly am just being silly I just worry a lot and I’ve lost people close to me to cancer Sad

OP posts:
formerbabe · 20/02/2020 11:20

I've managed through the power of the internet to diagnose myself with every cancer and illness known to man.

See your gp.

MeepyMupp · 20/02/2020 11:33

You are not being silly , you are scared and worried . You will be fine, it's just health anxiety,.