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Original poster

Very worried

28 replies

fantasmasgoria1 · 02/09/2018 12:32

I have suffered with back pain since 2011 when I slipped a disc and had sciatica. I have never stopped having back, neck and rib pain. I have health anxiety very badly and often visit the doctor if I am worrying. I’m convinced I have lung cancer now. I have mid back and rib pain. I went to a&e a couple of months ago with bad stomach pain and thourough bloods were done and came back normal aside from low b12. I had another blood test done a month ago to test b12 levels and needed injections. All other tests normal. I’m really worried about this pain in my mid back and rib pain, it’s not constant just on and off. I am just very worried and am contemplating going to the doctor tomorrow morning as I’m panicking. I have no other symptoms.

OP posts:
Original poster
fantasmasgoria1 · 02/09/2018 12:36

A month ago we moved house and foolishly did some of the moving of things and recently helped mil move her bedroom furniture so that a carpet could be laid. Also I’m sitting at a table often instead of the sofa so I’m sitting differently. I am walking around normally, eating well etc

OP posts:
Original poster
fantasmasgoria1 · 02/09/2018 13:02

Bump

OP posts:
Original poster
fantasmasgoria1 · 02/09/2018 13:29

Anyone? I’m feeling desperate and contemplating going a&e

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PauciloquentBumfuzzle · 02/09/2018 13:41

It sounds as though A&E is not appropriate for the pain you describe. It doesn't seem to need urgent treatment and it isn't an emergency situation. Could you visit out of hours or walk in services? Is there someone you can talk to about how anxious you are feeling? I hope you manage to find the right type of care you need.

HollowTalk · 02/09/2018 13:45

These are the symptoms on the NHS site. None of your symptoms match these.

a cough that doesn’t go away after two or three weeks
a long-standing cough that gets worse
persistent chest infections
coughing up blood
an ache or pain when breathing or coughing
persistent breathlessness
persistent tiredness or lack of energy
loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

Original poster
fantasmasgoria1 · 02/09/2018 13:50

Yes I know I looked! I’m just worried all the time. My appetite is fine, I walk around and sometimes really long walks with no trouble aside from aching legs and sciatica. My anxiety is so high right now! The doctor said my blood tests are normal no signs of infection within my body at all.

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Original poster
fantasmasgoria1 · 02/09/2018 13:51

And I have lost no weight at all despite trying I’m a 12 trying to get down to a ten again!

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HollowTalk · 02/09/2018 14:17

I think this is your health anxiety, OP. Your fears are quite groundless here.

Are you/have you been a heavy smoker?

Original poster
fantasmasgoria1 · 02/09/2018 14:22

I smoke but not heavily, not smoked all my life. I have degenerative disc disease so and although I had a disc removed others have prolapsed so it could be that. My posture has been different since moving sitting on a dining chair slouching more. I do have psychiatric support and was told because my parents died of cancer that makes me paranoid that I will get it.

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Thymeout · 02/09/2018 14:29

No - you don't need to go to A&E, but there is something the matter with you. Health anxiety is seriously affecting your life. Your GP must know about this, since you say you often go to see him. Book a non-urgent appointment and ask to be treated. A low dose of anti-depressant might help with the anxiety until you can see someone who can help you get to the bottom of it and show you strategies to help you manage it.

Best of luck! This really isn't normal and it's miserable to feel like this.

Original poster
fantasmasgoria1 · 02/09/2018 14:32

I already take psychiatric medications! I see the psychiatrist Wednesday so I’ll ask to have a medication increase. Im so sorry if I have been a pain with this thread I’m just panicking so much.

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Thymeout · 02/09/2018 14:35

Sorry - cross-posted. Has your psychiatric support suggested medication?

My mil was in the same position as you - both parents died of cancer. (She ended up dying of old age at 94.) Her worries about her health were always proxy worries for some other stress in her life.

Original poster
fantasmasgoria1 · 02/09/2018 14:39

You are probably right! I have suffered back pain for years now and this rib pain on and off for a couple of years. As I said when I went to a&e they did every blood test you can have and nothing wrong was found, no infection nothing! My gp said anything serious would have been found. I just can’t seem to accept this.

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Oliversmumsarmy · 02/09/2018 14:43

I smoke but not heavily

If you have health anxiety why are you then smoking.

Original poster
fantasmasgoria1 · 02/09/2018 14:45

Because I struggle to stop ! I stopped before then had loads of stress and started again! I don’t want to smoke but I’m struggling with my mental health and I smoke when I’m stressed and struggling.

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Bombardier25966 · 02/09/2018 14:48

You know that you have health anxiety so your thoughts can be irrational.

Thinking about it rationally and just looking at your cancer concerns, why can't you accept that the tests have given you the all clear? Was the examination in some way flawed, have they missed any symptoms? What more do you feel that your GP should be doing that they have not already done?

Have you had psychotherapy?

Thymeout · 02/09/2018 14:48

No need to apologise. I've recently talked my daughter out of thinking she had bowel cancer. Before that it was ovarian. It's now a bit of a joke. 'How's the brain tumour today?' But it isn't really funny for you.

See what your psych says. Perhaps there's something in your lifestyle you can change. Doesn't have to be major. Or specific techniques for feeling panicky. Fresh air and exercise. Or - I know it sounds trite - doing something nice for someone else.

mikeTV · 02/09/2018 14:49

I agree with other posters, your health anxiety is the big problem here.

You say that you're under a psychiatrist- I think you'd benefit from some kind of therapy alongside meds. For example, you need to try to move your focus from worry about your health to putting plans in place to help improve it.

You say you smoke but you're worried about having lung cancer - can you see the mismatch there? I understand about disc issues/sciatica from personal experience- can you see physios/go to Pilates to improve/make your back stronger?

There are often knock on ailments from back issues and you need to find a way to focus your attention on taking ownership of your own health, but you may need help to do this.

ragged · 02/09/2018 14:59

I'm sorry you have a shitty back, OP. But it's just a crappy back. I got yelled at by a nurse 25 years ago to learn to live with mine. She was right.

I find the gentle stretching exercises on youtube very useful. Also keeping my posture good is the #1 thing I can do to self-manage.

Original poster
fantasmasgoria1 · 02/09/2018 15:06

I have therapy coming up soon which is good! It sounds silly I guess to worry over these things but I cannot help it. It’s been breast cancer, cervical cancer etc all of which have had rational explanations found for the symptoms. As I said I’m really sorry

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Le1890 · 02/09/2018 21:36

Hi Fanta

Just chiming in to say I understand. HA is a terrible thing especially when it is out of control and affects you day to day life.

I have HA although I’m in recovery. I’ve had it for over 8 years severely and the only thing that levels it out is medication. Talking therapy been good too but without the meds I can’t rationalise.

Here to talk if that would help x

Original poster
fantasmasgoria1 · 03/09/2018 08:22

Thanks le1890! I’m going to ask for a meds increase tomorrow and ask if there is anything more that she can do. I have never seen her before it’s always been her registrar so I hope she is good! I am totally sick of this , it began 20 years ago and will not go away!

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hannah1992 · 03/09/2018 08:34

One of my good friends has health anxiety. It is an awful thing to have. I've had her on the phone to me in the past scared that she has one illness or the other. What seems silly to everyone else is very real to you so you shouldn't feel stupid at all.

When you say mid back do you mean where your bra strap is? In between the shoulder blades? I get this quite alot. It's just muscular due to bad posture or if I've been doing something strenuous.

I have it now because had to drag 2 sofas out the house by myself on Friday as dh was at work and so was everyone else and the delivery company decided they were coming Friday instead of bloody Monday.

Anyway a massage usually helps me. Could you go and get yourself a nice deep tissue massage. It will help with any tense muscles you have and they can advise you how to improve them and strengthen them and it is also amazing and relaxing.

Original poster
fantasmasgoria1 · 03/09/2018 09:38

It’s lower than shoulder blades but a month ago we moved and I did move some stuff when I shouldn’t. I helped my mil with moving her bedroom furniture out and then back into her room whilst a carpet was fitted. Maybe it’s as a result of that. I wish I could accept what the doctor says. Like I said I had two recent blood tests both showed no infection etc in my body and the hospital and my gp said aside from the b12 nothing is wrong!

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hannah1992 · 03/09/2018 14:51

B12 deficiency can be the cause if all kinds of things from minor ailments like fatigue to more serious like loss of vision. Are you having supplements to keep your levels up? This is also most likely contributing to your anxiety too ad it can give symptoms of depression

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