Referral to breast clinic, health anxiety.

[Rbeka1]

I suffer with health anxiety really badly, over the years I've had my breasts checked by different GPs, I've also got children my youngest being a toddler.
I've always had quite sensitive boobs last time I visited my GP I asked her to check as my one breast seemed to be more tender than the other she had a really good feel and as she was feeling it was a bit sore, she said she didn't feel anything concerning but that I have a lot of glandy tissue which she said felt quite ropey and is normal.
She said she would do a referral to breast clinic routinely just to put my mind at Ease as I'm anxious but if I wished to cancel the appointment when it arrives that choice is mine as she isn't concerned at all.
I'm waiting for the appointment and I've been absolutely awful my anxiety has been so bad I feel sick, I've examined my boobs that much I've made them more tender than before 🙈 has anyone else experienced similar?

It sounds as though your GP has referred you more to put your mind at rest rather than because they have concerns. It’s very difficult to be logical when you suffer from anxiety but the chances of this being something to worry about is low as the GP isn’t concerned and you haven’t found a lump/have nipple discharge etc. it’s difficult to stop examining yourself but when I found a lump (which turned out to be fine) the consultant said he could tell I hadn’t left it alone as I had bruised the area poking about! You probably are adding to its tenderness by touching it a lot. Your health anxiety will be making you spiral which I completely understand and I imagine you want to go to the apt to get the all clear but the thought of going terrifies you as you worry they will find something. Please stop googling as no good will
come of it- I speak from experience! I hope your apt comes through soon and it goes smoothly X

In my rational mind I know if my GP had felt anything concerning she would of told me and wouldn't of given me a choice regarding breast clinic, but in my anxious mind .. I'm going out of it, I've prodded so much I think I have made it worse, because I keep concentrating on any little ache I've catrastophised it.
I have got doctors again this evening as I'm due a review of my medication, I don't want to ask her to check me again 🙃

Op, not wanting to be blunt but, you have an anxiety problem not a breast problem so focus on that for the time being unless you are told otherwise.

I suppose the medication review is for the anxiety issue, but if it is not, you may like to talk to the GP about possible medications to ease your anxiety levels a bit.

Counselling may help with anxiety but waiting lists are long. I tried acupuncture while waiting for counselling, it worked wonderfully but becomes a bit expensive as you need regular sessions, however, I heard the acupuncturist say several times that when it comes to anxiety, it was all about reducing the “heat” in the body and.. I am happy to report that a tepid shower when you are feeling very anxious lowers the level of anxiety beautifully, won’t take it off completely if you are thinking about the issue constantly, but it will bring it down to a more manageable level🙂

I had pain about a year ago and the breast specialist (private consultant) told me breast cancer doesn’t usually present with pain in the early stages. He said it was hormonal pain, which usually comes and goes over the month, but sometimes for no apparent reason it persists for a while. My pain lasted six weeks then vanished, still no explanation.

I had a discharge too - or what the dopey GP thought was a discharge - which turned out to be breast milk.

You have no lumps or discharge or redness. There’s nothing wrong with you other than a bit of soreness that you’re making worse through worrying and poking. You’ve been referred for mental health reasons not because the GP thinks you have cancer. What you really need to ask for help with is your anxiety.

I do have anxiety it's awful and mainly surrounding my health or my kids health.
I started antidepressents about 3 weeks ago but haven't found they have really done much.
It's horrible having health anxiety because any rational thought gets overtaken by anxious thoughts, I'm absolutely bricking it for the breast clinic appointment x

You aren't alone in worrying about these type of things. I'm currently awaiting the results of a mammogram and I'm dreading a referral to the breast clinic. Even though, I realise not everyone referred turns out to have breast cancer, I'm still terrified. I completely sympathise with you.