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Really do not know what to do.....

Posted , 6 users are following.

kay19801
kay19801

Hi all

Will keep this very brief.....I suffer from severe Health Anxiety, as from January this year I have been checked for lung cancer, throat cancer, stomach cancer, FBC's (all normal thank goodness) however now I am afraid I have colon cancer.......

I have lost 7lbs in nearly 7 weeks, have had a change in bowel habit for the last 7 weeks and my anxiety is at the point where I really just do not want to wake up anymore. Been to the GP about 3 weeks ago, he ordered another set of FBC and they were normal including celiac.

I am a big girl and used to snack most of the days including after my dinner late at night from ice cream to chocolates to candy, this I do not do anymore.

The GP has arranged for me to see a Gastro Specialist and I see him on Sep 22nd he has also ordered a colonoscopy to see what is going on. I have had a stool sample check too for parasites etc which came back normal.

Within the so called 7 weeks my partner started with the same stomach cramps, change in bowel habits but he does not weigh himself like I do so not sure if he has lost weight.

I am at the stage now where I do not want to eat so that there is an excuse in my head for the weight loss other than colon cancer.

I just need someone to talk to as my anxiety is so bad I am shaking and literally so scared of life.

Thank you in advance.

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

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  • youngatheart1
    youngatheart1 kay19801

    Posted

    Hi Sorry no one has replied to you, but I am the same, I am have severe health anxiety and like you am convinced I have cancer somewhere. I have lost 7lbs in one month, I had a DVT early December and was told to come off HRT which I think has caused the weight loss. No one seems able to tell you whether you lose weight just that you put in on when you start HRT.  The problem is that the hospital said a DVT can be caused by cancer so that has not helped.  I have made a appointment with GP but not for 3 weeks, am scared to weight myself in case I have lost more.  I am overweight anyway but seems to be strinking around the middle.  Have you seen a GP or anyone since posting. Take care
    • kay19801
      kay19801 youngatheart1

      Posted

      Hey there

      Thanks for your reply..

      I eventually had a colonoscopy and thank goodness it was normal. I started to gain weight since October but its strange that you have messaged as it seems I have been losing some weight again even though I have been eating like a darn pig!

      I have ben have re-occuring colds after colds and coughing alot, I am a smoker but now convinced I have lung cancer!

      I had a DVT also and clots in my lungs years ago, am on life long thinners.

      Let me know how you holding up?

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 kay19801

      Posted

      Hi hope you are well, my weight loss has stopped now which is great, it tells me that it was coming of HRT, I am also having a lot of colds lately and just think I am run down.  I have upped my fruits/veg/nuts etc to see I can help myself feel better.  I am going to see GP on Thursday to discuss my cancer fears as I still find it hard to just accept that HRT caused DVT. Will keep you posted.
  • Boweler
    Boweler kay19801

    Posted

    The easiest way to know if you're losing weight is to write down your diet , also weight loss does not happen in early stages of cancer ,most cancers have other symptoms before weight loss

    Rare types of gastrointestinal cancers , some pancreatic and liver cancers,may cause weight loss with no other symptoms at their last stages

    Hope you'll get rid of your phobia

    • kay19801
      kay19801 Boweler

      Posted

      Hi

      Havent lost weight as initially thought but ive been coughing for weeks on end driving me insane, thinking the worst, lung cancer!!

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 Boweler

      Posted

      Hi, I am just like Kay and get worried over every little pain, stupid and irrational I know but when GP say DVT could be cancer your mind goes into overdrive.  I am seeing her this week to ask for help for anxiety
  • Boweler
    Boweler kay19801

    Posted

    OK guys here is what you will face at the end:

    1.your hypochondriasis becomes worse the more you learn , like student's disease

    2.you will probably develop anxiety problems such as benign fasciculation syndrome, then you will think of brain tumor , parkinsonism , multiple sclerosis, multiple system athropy etc.

    3.high cortisol and instant adrenaline secretion leads to sleep problems , higher metabolism and more sweating .hence you will probably have trouble gaining weight and cold hands and feet.

    4.after doing all the test and getting normal results you will probably be depressed.

    So you have got two choices , you can either go in the sequence I told you and be depressed or stop waisting your time and energy.

    Puzzles, crosswords, games, music and internet chat rooms may help get you distracted of your perfectly healthy body

    Good luck

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 Boweler

      Posted

      You are right, we need to stop googling and accept that we are fine.  I am trying hard to do this and so far winning, I am 57 heart great, blood pressure great, no diabetes, no cholesterol, bloods good for age, so must just accept that these niggles and pains are all part of getting older and get on with it.  DVT was just one of those things and actually feel better off HRT so maybe a good thing. 
  • kay19801
    kay19801

    Posted

    Agreed - I went to the GP yesterday - she listened to my lungs she said it sounded fine and clear, looked at my throat and said it looked fine too. I then broke down and said I think I have lung cancer - she asked me more about myself and I was actually calm after she was probing me for more symptoms without me realizing - I suffer with LPR (the acid comes right to my voicebox at times), she has given me PPI's to try and see if this aleveates this cough and tight throat & prescribed me an anti anxiety to start taking, she has herself made an appointment for me in 4 weeks to have a follow up.

    She mentioned that I have a very slim chance of lung cancer, it is rare in my age group, she showed me stats that 2004-2014 there out of 100 000 patients aged 31-40 there was 6 diagnosed now that does not give me the permission to continue to smoke as the stats rise significantly after the age of 43.....

    I am going to try these tablets and try and stop this anxiety, its crazy stuff!!!!

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 kay19801

      Posted

      Glad you are feeling a bit more upbeat, as am I.  I suffer with acid reflux and currently have the throat and cough thing, I am upping my PPI and hopefully it will go, it usually does.  PPI's are good for me, some people do not like them but I have been taking them for 10 years now and would not be without them.  Good luck and let us know how your next appointment goes. 

    • kay19801
      kay19801 youngatheart1

      Posted

      Thanks for your message - what does your cough feel like? Mine is so annoying just tickles all day....no matter what I do I just cant get rid of it....
    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 kay19801

      Posted

      Hi, it is a constant tickle and top of chest sore, like I have had a really bad chest infection, which I haven't.  My throat also irrated so having to clear throat a lot which is embarrasing.  I am going to start eating less acidic foods, will come off tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, coffee, wine etc for a few days and see if it helps.  It you are in UK, go to mail online there is an article about silent reflux today which is where I got my idea from, worth a try.  Take care

    • kay19801
      kay19801 youngatheart1

      Posted

      Mine tickles all day too....I am petrified I have lung cancer you know!
    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 kay19801

      Posted

      Hi Kay, my mum died from lung cancer, she had the most horrendous hacking cough, not the sort you would get from a tickle.  Then lost a couple of stones in weeks and went bright yellow.  She went from size 18 to wearing my size 10's in a few weeks. She was diagnosed and died within 4 months.  So I would try not to worry, if GP say's lungs are clear then accept that. Not trying to scare you but I think you would notice other things as well,  also if you have only just started PPI then you should give it a go.  I upped mine from 20mg to 40mg on Tuesday and already irritation gone.  Cough hardly noticable either.  Take care

    • kay19801
      kay19801 youngatheart1

      Posted

      HI 

      Thanks for this, I started the PPI yesterday - 30mg each day, tickle is still very much there, anxiety is sky high as thinking if the PPI dont work what else could it be?

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