Private scan scared of cancer

[Musshkina]

I’m so scared I have stomach cancer. I’m mid 30s. I paid for private ct which doctor has just said is normal but this is the report. AIBU to still be terrified that it could be stomach cancer?

You’re causing this yourself. You don’t have cancer. You have a mental illness and you need help.

I sent the GP a message with the screenshot of the results and I just got a reply saying "your scan is normal" do you think I should message again and ask for more clarification

No. Your GP is very busy.

They already told you that you didn't have cancer, before you wasted £600 on a scan you didn't actually need.

You've just described text book case of anxiety, NOT stomach cancer. Please get help for your anxiety as a priority.

I sent the GP a message with the screenshot of the results and I just got a reply saying "your scan is normal" do you think I should message again and ask for more clarification?

@Musshkina How can the GP expand on "your scan is normal"? What answer would you expect?

@FarmGirl78 just to explain what a collapsed stomach means, and what can cause the thickened stomach lining.

But it told you that in your scan report! All the GP can do it repeat what is says in the report.

I hope the crisis team can help you.

@FarmGirl78 told me what in the report? I hope so too. I'm just sat alone shaking waiting for them to come.

The GP told you that your scan report was normal.
That's because it was normal.

There is nothing more to say. The thickening was not significant.

Yes they are physical symptoms that can be caused by anxiety. Anxiety can tie your stomach in knots so you don't eat, so weightloss and no appetite. It can give you stress headaches. It can worsen the symptoms of chronic conditions like IBS. Nausea is a very common physical effect from anxiety. Chest pain, stomach pain, heart burn, feel like you can't breath, feel like you can't catch your breath. Racing heart from adrenaline. Heart that feels like it beating too fast. All fairly common physical effects from Anxiety. Anxiety can cause a wide range of physical symptoms and everything you're experiencing right now plus a lot of your previous issues can be from anxiety. Tests won't help you, even if you get the next test and finally feel reassured about your stomach. you will find another issue to fixate on as you have so far. You need treatment for your anxiety, not more tests for more cancers you don't have. It must be really hard living with these fears, anxiety is shit, but it is treatable with therapy and medication. The best thing you can do to have a long healthy and happy life is to deal with the actual problem, which is anxiety.

@Musshkina the human stomach is like a floppy bag - when it's empty it collapses down on itself

If the stomach wall is invaded by cancer cells it becomes less flexible and more 'rigid'
and doesn't collapse so easily

So collapsing down is another sign of being normal and healthy

@Efacsen that's reassuring to hear, thank you

You don't have cancer, you have IBS and health anxiety. My exH has health anxiety and it is crippling and debilitating. You need to see your GP for anti-anxiety meds, give them 2 weeks and you should start to feel more balanced.

If it helps my exH thought he had; heart attack, twice (both were panic attacks), skin cancer (was a mole), various bowel and stomach cancers (all IBS), advancing vision loss (his eyes are fine and he still doesn't need glasses). He also thought our DD had meningits (was migraine), leukaemia (was just skinny) and a whole host of other things. He is a lot better when he takes his anti-anxiety meds.

Ok, I actually do have cancer.

Best thing for you to do is be aware that your life is limited - because it is, for absolutely everyone - and grab what joy and pleasure and fulfilment you can out of life now, today, and every day, for ever.

If that means getting on top of your anxiety with medication, then do so.

It said it's collapsed because of its undistended state. That's what stomachs do.

If you don't understand the technical terms then that's what the summary of the report and the GPs comment are for. And both explained it's normal. You not understanding the report isn't reason to assume it's cancer.

Because it's anxiety that's causing them. You've somehow managed to convince yourself, that you have stomach cancer, when the most likely causes of the nausea and feeling full is digestive issues caused by stress. What about your diet? Before I eliminated wheat and gluten from mine. My stomach would bloat so bad. I could go days and days of either being constipated or having the runs and I would get the most horrendous heartburn. Since cutting those 2 things out I'm no where near as bloated. Yes I still bloat around the time of my period, and occasionally after too much dairy. My bowel movements are normal now and unlike before when I had heartburn every day I only get it occasionally now and that's mostly if I've eaten a heavy greasy meal, and it's usually gone within a few hours.

Let’s say you do have cancer. You’re stuck with the cancer and it’s beyond your control, but the anxiety you’re piling on top of it is something you’re choosing to do to yourself. You’re making yourself suffer twice - once with the cancer and a second time with the anxiety. So even if you do have cancer, then just have cancer. Don’t have cancer and anxiety as well.

In fact I think you will find that if you address the anxiety, the “cancer” will go away. Whereas if you don’t address the anxiety, you’re going to end up with other illnesses as well, because anxiety affects your heart and it can give you autoimmune diseases and all sorts. So if you don’t stop it now then you WILL have something to be scared about.

I hope the team you saw at midday has improved things for you.
Things will get better

If you don’t have a life apart from this would getting cancer give you something to do?

What a weird and unpleasant thing to say

They are putting me on some medication and coming back tomorrow. I just can't get it out of my head that it must be cancer. I'm not eating, when I sleep I dream I've got days left to live.. I just can't function at all at the moment.

Do you live alone, OP?

@TheShellBeach no I'm currently living with my parents and DS

Is your little boy at school?
Have you got a job?

@TheShellBeach Yeah he is at school. No im not working at the moment

I actually think there’s some truth in that original statement.