Health anxiety - pancreatic cancer
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hello,
I am hoping for some advice/reassurance. I am 38 years old and female. Last year, for the first time, I began to suffer from health anxiety. I was suffering from abdominal pain and small amounts of bleeding after pooing. Despite reassurances from the doctors i became convinced i had bowel cancer. My doctors were very sympathetic and eventually at the beginning of the year (jan-feb) I had a colonoscopy, mri of abdomen and upper gastroscopy. All results came back clear, but I was diagnosed with GORD and prescribed omeprazole. I had CBT for my anxiety and have generally been feeling much better. I think I will always be a worrier, but was no longer convinced every ache or pain was a sympton of an awful illness /disease. Over the last month or so however my anxiety has come back. My new worry is pancreatic cancer based on the following symptons:
Intermittent pain under ribs (particularly left) and esp after eating.
Floating stools (they are brown and flush)
Eyes appear yellowish near base when I pull eyelids down.
A blood test has confirmed I am not suffering from malaborpstion (although I am low in ferritin due to heavy periods) and my gp suspects the pain is related to GORD. In my rational moments I believe this and reassure myself I had a clear mri 8 months ago. In my anxious moments however i tell myself my mri was months ago and something could have developed since and be presenting with symptons. My gp has said this is very unlikely, but I guess I'm looking for more reassurance on here. Any advice /experiences greatly received. Thank you in advance.
0 likes, 8 replies
ro77360 Anxiety38
Posted
Do you have GERD or GORD? I never heard of the former while the latter is quite common.
Anxiety38 ro77360
Posted
I believe they are became thing and the two terms are interchangeable.
MrFrisky ro77360
Posted
Presumably it depends on how you acronymise Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
sam90321 Anxiety38
Posted
have it had them check your liver and a full count iron test? ask them to run a full blood test on you i know anything that has to do with eyes can be a sign of iron or liver problem or vitamin deficiency, but also know that anxiety can cause alot of health problems too as well because of stress hormones and what not.
sam90321 Anxiety38
Edited
i too struggle with health anxiety, anxiety causes digestive problems too, IBS, acid reflux, gerd etc, just know your not alone i go through these but now i know why they are so i try not to pay no mind to them
carlaburgos sam90321
Posted
I can relate you are not alone, anxiety can mimic a lot things. The gut has so many changes with anxiety.
jan34534 Anxiety38
Edited
your GP is correct. It is very unlikely that anything developed during those months. your anxiety is causing negative thoughts which it does frequently. You were thinking worst-case.
relax. most likely its gerd which is very common. I get the same symptoms and I get bouts of gastritis. Watch what you eat and stay away from acid foods . eat mostly alkaline foods such as vegetables, apples, bananas, raisins. You can find a list online .
listen to some great meditations on YouTube for anxiety. I do this all the time. And example is one called detachment from overthinking. I like to lay down before sleep and listen to this. Take care of yourself and you’re going to be fine! ❤
Leadfrost Anxiety38
Posted
Dear Anxiety,
Get out of my life, you're ruining everything... 😆😆😆
I'm kidding, I had to do it.. Seriously though, I'm hypermanic, which in turn means I have a few panic attacks on an daily basis. There for a while, I too had medical anxiety for a spell. I can attest to the crazy things our own mind can make is feel physically. I still struggle with it every day.
You're gonna be okay. I'm 38 too and feel that my body is falling apart, but doctors can find nothing wrong with me. Now, your situation May be different, but remember. You're gonna be okay. If it's really is something, you'll get through it. Focus on what you need to do to be healthy and take some reassurance in the positive feedback you're getting from your doctors and don't let this fear stop you from living your life.
Everything is gonna be okay. Best to you.🙂