How do you not worry when you are waiting for blood test results?

[C1239]

Had some blood tests done the last day or two and I keep worrying about getting the results back - how do you not worry about it during the days you are waiting?

I don't know, but keen to see if anyone does know! Got the same thing myself.

I'm in the same position - it sucks

Horrible. I try to compartmentalise and find some distraction. I have lots of interests, some of them quite ridiculous, but I never let people make me feel bad for them because they help to take my mind of these things.

I recently had this, GP decided that since I was 45 and hadn't been near them for close to a decade I was due a MOT.
I didnt worry because I assumed that they were just checking me out, which they were, so I just kept telling myself that they weren't looking for anything in particular and to cool my jets.

Bloods all came back fine, but with slightly elevated white blood cells which they thought were probably because id been fighting something off or my body was fixing something.
Now I have to go back in a month for a re-test and im chanting the "partner and kids all had colds, probably body working to stave one off, plus I have inflammation from a frozen shoulder which may account for it"

If I dont tell myself that id be likely to go straight into overreaction mode and self diagnose something fatal. So for me, it's a case of repeating the mantra and refusing to welcome any intrusive thoughts.

Hope youre ok.

Mine came back the next day! All normal so god knows what's wrong with me

Im finding it really hard not to let my mind think it’s going to be bad results

I just assume everything will be fine because it always has been before.

if you generally suffer with anxiety then that’s something you need to get treated.
if this is a one off then you do distraction, spend some time outside, exercise, do things that make you feel good. And remember. Even if it isn’t the result you want then you have modern medicine on your side to sort it!

I don't see the point in expending energy over something that hasn't happened yet so I don't think about it. With my history, chances are it'll be nothing - even when I've thought it could be 'something'.

Bring yourself back to the present moment. There’s usually very little that’s wrong in the present moment.

Every time your mind races ahead to the future, just gently note the distraction and bring yourself back to what you’re doing in the present.

Grounding techniques can help

https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-article/grounding-techniques-article

Worry or not won't change the result, so I just go with that thinking

I always say there is no need to worry unless you've got something to worry about.

Im sorry you're so worried, I know it's awful. For me, distraction sometimes works. I have regular blood tests for a few health issues, and there is always the potential that the results will be terrifying. So I read, go for a walk on the beach (when I'm physically able to), chat to my husband, Mum, and sisters. Go to the local museum with my Dad. Which I know is a shit answer because I'm sure you've tried distraction, but if you keep trying it, it helps.

The big thing for me though, was accepting that I might be unwell. I got a pretty life changing diagnosis a few years ago, and what really helped was reminding myself that I'd already had the disease I was diagnosed with. I was already living with it. But now I had support, advice, Doctors to monitor me, and medication to help me.

It seems to me that you would have heard by now if there was anything very worrying. I would become less worried as time goes on.

What are they looking for, OP?

In general:

• test could be inconclusive or get lost
• most tests produce no evidence of a real problem
• results could be quick or take weeks
• most times when "they" find something worrying, further investigation reveals there was no real problem, or no problem that can't be managed
• "they" are too risk averse and raise false alarms constantly, ridiculous waste of everyone's resources
• worrying about it doesn't change the results
• worrying about it doesn't make you a better person
• thinking about the situation may be helpful if it helps you feel confident in decisions you would take next in response to the results; if thinking about it doesn't help you take decisions, then thinking about it is a waste of time
• wasting your time and energy is a bad habit : you don't want to do it
• there are always better things to think about or be doing
• you could get hit by a bus instead today and then that worry will have been especially a waste of your time and energy
• IF there is a problem, it may be much more manageable than you thought
• If there is a problem, worrying makes you suffer twice

There are so many reasons not to worry.

If all those logical reasons don't work then I don't know what to say. One idea: You may wish to figure out if there is a reason why you think you SHOULD be worrying, that it would be wrong / bad person if you didn't worry. You can't directly change feelings, but you can do a lot to change beliefs.

Do you have a history of health anxiety op ?
What were the tests for ?

I'm currently waiting for results of a CT scan, so I know how you feel. I'm just trying not to think about it!

Blood tests wise, I had some recently and was told ten days to two weeks for the results and I got a phonecall within a week because something 'bad' (not very, but needed treatment) showed up. So Im taking the view that no news is good news.

Some of my results were visible on the NHS app later that day 3p.m.test). The rest were there the next day. Some days before the surgery made contact.

Im really frustrated, called up to see if my results were back and they have said they need to repeat them, due to an issue at the lab end, they are going through a change period or something and they are having to get some tests repeated due to faults. They said a few times it isn’t due to my sample but at the lab end but I’m still worried! Now got to wait 2 weeks until they have an available appointment to get them repeated!

@lljkk your response is great and so true, I need to repeat this to myself I think to help change my way of thinking with worrying.

The fact that they are happy for you to wait 2 weeks to get the bloods repeated is a good sign.

Sounds like they simply messed up the sample somehow rather than there is a problem they need to investigate. That’s ok. PITA to have to wait but clearly they don’t expect to find anything wrong or they would whisk you in ASAP.

I think if the news is worrying they tend to contact you pretty quickly. No news is good news when it comes to blood test results.

I have bloods done routinely every 6 months and I don’t worry at all , what’s the point it won’t change the outcome . If you are actually ill and having blood tests then surely it’s better for something to show up as then it can be treated and you can hopefully get better .

Has anyone else had to have them repeated because of a lab issue?