My anxiety cannot cope!

[Foreverboymumma]

I’ve had what I was told was a sebaceous cyst around 6 months ago, I had antibiotics and it cleared up.
its came back, (I think) it’s sore to touch, slightly I have just been to the GP who also thinks it’s an infected sebaceous cyst and has given me some different antibiotics from last time but said if it doesn’t go, go back.
it’s made me really worry, I struggle terribly with anxiety 😥 I’m making myself sick with worry.
the first picture is today; second pic a few days ago.

Anyone?😭

If it's something sinister like cancer I highly doubt it would've responded at all with antibiotics.

Perhaps you should be looking into treatment for your anxiety? If you are not already getting any treatment. If you are getting treatment get in touch with your doctor and tell him how poorly you are mentally.
You shouldn’t be so worried about a cyst.

I get these on my ears all the time. Like once a year. They go eventually (or burst 🤢)

What are you anxious about?

I think I’m more worried because last time I think it had a head on it and the nurse was dead certain it was a cyst.
This time the doctor gave me no reassurance, wide spec antibiotics because of a slight rattling chest and to clear up any infection.
she said it looks infected.

my anxiety is through the roof recently maybe it’s because 2 people have passed away from cancer in the space of 4 months of cancer in my family one being my mum x

I'm sorry for your losses. Losing someone can send your fear responses into overdrive and (worse) into imaging worst case scenarios as being hard facts rather than just one of a whole range of possibilities. If your doctor isn't concerned it's anything suspicious then try to accept their highly trained advice.

Please don't worry, Sebaceous cysts are very common. l've previously had several removed from my my scalp and have another currently which needs removing. I've also had one that mysteriously reduced and disappeared, to my delight!
They can get infected ( l have also experienced this) and mine needed antibiotics before being removed. Sebaceous cysts don't have a head on them but stay as swellings under the skin as the matter inside is encased in a capsule.

@Seaoftroubles could I just ask you if it looks like a cyst? X

Yeah it does, have a look on google

I did I didn’t see any that looked like mine.
I can’t believe my anxiety is actually this bad. I’m making myself really ill 🤒

@Foreverboymumma Yes ,especially if that's what the GP said. Its common to get them behind your ears or on your scalp. It certainly doesnt look like anything to worry about, so please try not to feel anxious. It is very small and should be easy to remove or it might reduce or drain on its own. The sebaceous cysts l've had are quite firm to touch but mobile when touched.

@Foreverboymumma sometimes google makes it even worse because you compare yourself to them online but try to remember all bodies and ears are different! I know how debilitating it is.

Are you panicking that it's something more sinister like a tumour? Ear cancers are vanishingly rare. I know it's no good saying try not to panic, but sometimes you just have to trust the medical professionals.

I had a cyst behind my ear lobe and it looked very similar to this, but a bit more angry looking!

I’m making myself really ill

Yes, you are and that will achieve nothing. Have a look at this thought guide form and try filling in to balance our the way you look at problems.

https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/ThoughtRecordSheet7.pdf

My son went to the gp with pain and swelling behind his ear and he was sent immediately to hospital where he was admitted with an infection of the bone behind his ear. It can be dangerous as it’s so near to your brain. He ended up being kept in for a few hours then released with antibiotics when his infection markers started to go down. Is it worth checking out whether it could be this. It was called mastoiditis.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastoiditis

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mastoiditis/