Health anxiety

[Shoegal0305]

I'm hoping someone can help?

I've got health anxiety. Quite bad health anxiety. In fact, quite severe health anxiety. I'm peri menopausal, just getting over the loss of my beautiful elderly cat and I'm on my own. Recipe for more anxieties!!!

I'm due a pelvic scan this afternoon. I'm going on my own as my close friends are at work. I've had a lot of really heavy bleeding, pain, the works. Previously I've had an ovarian cyst but was discharged from gynae after a few scans as it turned out to be nothing to worry about. I think I also remember the scan lady telling me I had a fibroid? So I've had bloods done which show I'm anaemic. Not desperately but levels were slightly low. GP put me on the mini pill, with a view to maybe the coil depending on scan results. So all good so far. Except I'm on the verge of cancelling the scan. I'm petrified they tell me something bad. I'm sat here feeling sick, I really need someone to tell me to man the hell up!! I've had such an emotional week, plus if my hormones are all I've the place that's not helping......... what if there's something seriously wrong???

If there's something seriously wrong, which there probably isn't, then you will start a proper course of treatment. Not going will not change the fact that something might be wrong, if it is, so obviously it's better to know. There is never an instance when ignoring a health problem leads to it magically resolving itself. You will be just fine.

Ok so I've been. Scan lady was lovely. She said I have a cyst on my left ovary, I knew this from 3 years ago but as I've said I was discharged from gynae. It was 3.5cm and is now 5cm. She is making me an apt for a vaginal scan but didn't seem too worried? I asked about fibroids and she said the front of my uterus looked 'bulky' and she could properly see my right ovary due to wind!!! Nice! I am quite windy and I have often thought I maybe have IBS which duplicate a lot of symptoms of other things?!

Thoughts????

COULDNT see my right ovary

Anyone??

Hi. I had a pelvic scan once and they couldn't see everything properly because of the position of my uterus. It's tilted or some thing but many people are referred for a vaginal scan as the normal pelvic scan sometimes just isn't clear enough. It doesn't mean there is something seriously wrong but the vaginal scan will give a clearer view.

I have health anxiety too and know the agony of the uncertainty and waiting for test results. It's probably nothing but you are doing the right thing and getting checked out and then whatever it is can be dealt with.

Thank you. The sonographer said I had a 5cm cyst on left ovary, a bulky uterus (whatever that is?) and couldn't see my right ovary due to wind!! Nice!

So now my anxieties are running wild! Awaiting an apt fir the vaginal scan.

I'm so sorry shoegal you are going through this. The peri menopause makes it so much worse because it comes with so many changes in our bodies. Ive been there a few times now, first for lump in beast, then heavy periods that was concerning my gp so had to go for ultrasound, then an mri of head. Each time my anxiety was over the roof going through every imaginable scenario.

All I can say is going through this makes you much more appreciative of life and make you consider things with a very different outlook.

Crossing fingers you'll get results soon and all will be fine. If the unlikely event it doesn't, at least you'll know you've given yourself all the chances to get early treatment.

I totally understand what you are going through. I'm exactly the same and over think everything.
Could just be fibroids causing your issues but the scan will reveal more and the results should be with your gp in a few days. Mine only took 2 days.

The main thing is you are getting checked and as Aquamarine said, if its anything, then you are on the right track to get it sorted.
Let us know how you get on.

Swing and it'sonly5 thank you for your replies. I honestly do feel if I had more support in real life I would feel better. Being on my own amplifies all my anxieties, when my son was little he had bad asthma and there was nothing as terrifying and lonely as being on my own with him when he was poorly, especially in the middle of the night.

I will contact my gp this week firstly to discuss my scan and also I'll mention my anxieties. I've had a cyst before 4 years ago and it required no treatment. I was on the ceiling worrying about that! I keep feeling this time I won't be as lucky?

I was told I had a bulky uterus once in similar circumstances. I found it very offensive!

Most cysts turn out to be nothing to worry about. Can you do something to keep yourself busy in the meantime?

I'm trying to keep busy but like I say I'm on my own a lot, I work shifts which means a lot of the time I am alone during the day and friends are working. It's quite exhausting trying to keep busy haha!!

Like I say I've had a cyst before, this one is slightly bigger than last. I'm trying to take comfort in the fact that the sonographer didn't seem too eager to get me back ASAP plus my GP didn't get word of my scan yesterday so sure if something was seriously amiss they would've? X

Hi. Hope you are doing ok today.

I also suffer with health anxiety, as well as just worrying about everything in general, so know how you are feeling.

When I last had a scan, my gp rang me with the results, well the secretary did, and it took about 3 days. Maybe you could ring tomorrow and see if they are back.

All the waiting around and imagining is awful and you have my sympathies. I’m worse when I’m on my own and have time to wallow. I’m much better when I’m at work and distracted. Is there anyone you can talk to?

Hi Olive. I'm ok thanks, busy today so pre occupied. 😀😀.

It's a horrible feeling. I have the online app for my gp surgery so can view my medical records myself. As of yet no even results come thru which is good I guess as if it was something serious surely it wouldn't be left? X

You're so right shoegal, being on your own does make it all the scarier. Crossing my fingers all will turn fine and you can get on with life pushing the anxiety aside.

Yes it's horrible being alone and as I've said that's when the anxieties hit the hardest x

Thinking of you Shoegal....from another health anxiety sufferer. I expect it will be fine.

Thank you viking.

I KNOW I have a cyst, awaiting a vaginal scan to tell me more. HA is telling me it's a dodgy cyst or ovarian cancer but I'm trying to allow my sensible side to take control!!!! X

Thoughts? Got apt today for follow up vaginal scan and it's for near end of October. If something sinister was suspected they would get me in sooner wouldn't they?

Yes I'm sure they would get you in earlier if they suspected anything sinister.
Can you speak to your gp's tomorrow about the last scan results? That might put your mind at rest.
Also you've had a blood test which would have indicated something.

OP - I'm guessing cancer is your big worry. If your GP/sonographer suspected you had that then you'd be on the two week pathway and not be given an appt at the end of October.

(And if you ever are put on the two week pathway, it usually turns out not to be cancer)

Whilst waiting for you appt look into mindfulness (Ruby Wax does great YouTube videos about this and I found her book Sane New Word - Taming the Mind very helpful)

I'd cancel the GP app btw - not a good idea for those of us who suffer from health anxiety

Sorry to hear about your cat. Are you going to give another cat a loving home?

Olive and hurricane thank you.

Looked again I thought my apt was 28th it's actually 18th! Still not within 2 weeks tho? But it come thru quick? Christ I'm worrying about that now!!

I had bloods was CA125 wasn't tested as it was initially thought I had peri menopausal symptoms. So I'll need them doing again.

I have the online app so I can read my scan results and any comments my go adds. As of yes they aren't there.

Regarding my cat thank you. I'm not sure if I'll get another? When I get chance I'm going to volunteer to do some cat cuddling at the local rescue. I miss my cat so much, she was company. I do like solitude but my god it sure increases health anxiety!!!!

Did you get an letter informing you of your appointment?

Hurricane yes I did x

does it mention "urgent referral" or "two week pathway/referral"?

No nothing. Would it say that? I'm at work at min so can't check it but sure I'd have noticed that! Lol