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Worried About Possible Leukemia...

Posted , 5 users are following.

alex1996
alex1996

Hello,

I am a 21 year old female who is going through a living nightmare.  A little over a year ago, I woke up in the middle of the night thinking I was having a heart attack. My heart began to race and it felt like I stopped breathing. Immediately after, I was dizzy and nauseated and was vomiting for a couple of hours. I then went to the ER and they said that it was probably anxiety. Since then, I have been to the ER 7 times as well as seen a neurologist, cardiologist, and my primary care doctor. I have done a countless number of blood tests, I've had a spinal tap, I've had an echo of my heart, I've had a chest X-ray, I've had an MRI, MRA, and a CT of my head, I've had the 30 day monitor, and the tilt table test. Everything came back normal. For the longest time, I've been thinking that maybe my heart is the problem, but more recently I've been thinking it could be leukemia. Here are all of my symptoms:

1. Heart palpitations

2. Dizziness 

3. Abdominal pain (also burning)

4. Sharp chest pain

5. Forgetfulness 

6. Soreness in body (by elbows and legs)

7. Nausea and vomiting 

8. Brusing 

9. Sudden pain in left side of neck (just started maybe an hour ago)

10. Weakness and fatigue 

11. Shortness of breath 

12.  Diarrhea

13. Abdominal fullness (mostly by sternum ) 

I have not mentioned the possibility of leukemia to my doctors yet as this is something I am starting to consider it might be. I know with all of the blood tests and the spinal tap maybe it would have shown up, but I know it doesn't always. 

I just can't get a diagnosis anywhere and I am more worried than I have ever been. I've been living this nightmare and have been planning details of my funeral because that's how bad it is, and I'm only 21. I don't know what to do and what to think anymore. All of my symptoms match that of leukemia and I'm worried that's what it is, so I was hoping to get some insight here. I've been told by a lot of people that this is anxiety, however I know my body and I honestly believe that this is not anxiety. I need help. I need advice. I need answers.

My latest blood work on October 26th, 2017 showed that my blood count was normal (didn't give me a specific number) and that my blood iron was in normal range (at 132). The only thing that was kind of low is my ferritin which is my iron storage, which is at 26. It actually has gone up this past year from 12 to 26. 

I have never been so scared before in my life. I would think by now something like leukemia would have been found, however I have read that it isn't easy to figure out. Someone please help me. Please....

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • kim27383
    kim27383 alex1996

    Posted

    I think the spinal tap would have shown if you had leukemia plus your white blood cells would be higher to be able to fight off the cancer in your body. The symptoms you have are consistent with a number of things. Also, I know from personal experience that your mind can start making you think you have specific diseases especially if you are obsessing over them. It sounds a lot like anxiety to me. Maybe there is something else too but that doesn't mean it's cancer. I have to tell myself to slow it down and let the doctors figure some of these things out.

    • alex1996
      alex1996 kim27383

      Posted

      Thank you so much. That brings me some peace of mind. I'm worried however, that they didn't specifically test for leukemia markers with the spinal tap because that wasn't a concern at the time...

    • kim27383
      kim27383 alex1996

      Posted

      You could always ask your doctor to review your medical history and see what exactly that test would show. It's worth a shot asking.

  • borderriever
    borderriever alex1996

    Posted

    Alex

    You are suffering from an Anxiety and your GP has had all the tests done to make you feel at piece with your self.

    You need to trust your GP and those who have performed your tests. For many of the test you have had it is not good  for your health so you really need to accept nothing is wrong. your health is good, stop worrying.

    To calm your mood try Mindfulness a relaxation Technique and Breathing Exercises. Both can be found here or on the web. There are also books on the Relaxation Technique on Google.

    Try taking deep Breaths through your nose deep down into your lungs, expel the air through pursed lips, steady and regular.

    You could also talk to your GP and explain how you are feeling and how your anxiety is effecting your live. Draw up a list of your concerns, He will have all your results and try and help you learn too cope

    BOB

     

  • liya33178
    liya33178 alex1996

    Posted

    Hi,

    Did you figure out what it was? how are you feeling now?

    • alex1996
      alex1996 liya33178

      Posted

      Unfortunately, I have not found an answer. Still very sick and in a lot of pain. Will keep everyone updated once I figure things out.
  • liya33178
    liya33178 alex1996

    Posted

    Well I hope you get better soon. I have not been feeling good myself, and I started scaring myself by thinking I have something scary going on with me. I even googled symptoms of leukemia and thats how i came across your post. I have been to the hospital numerous times myself and they did not find anything. I am hoping this will pass soon. But what I did try that helped me to calm my nerves is a steamer with lavendar oil in it. You can do the same with taking a warm bath.  
  • shadurshan53622
    shadurshan53622 alex1996

    Posted

    Hey Alex I'm a 19 year old guy I've been experiencing symptoms like bone and joint pain and not feeling hungry and I fear it could be leukemia. I'm seeking for help what do I do?

    • alex1996
      alex1996 shadurshan53622

      Posted

      So sorry to hear about how you have been feeling. It is awful when no one can give you answers to such a scary problem, believe me. All I can say is keep getting blood tests. I am getting one soon just to take another look at what could be going on. I also had a spinal tap as well. As always, I recommend you go to your doctor and describe to them what you are going through and be strong and firm on what you are experincing. Also, always remember to have hope. I struggle with this the most because most of the time I am in a lot of pain and tired, but without hope we do not have anything to live for. Hold on to that and make an appointment to check your white blood cell count! 

      Best wishes to you always!

  • alex1996
    alex1996

    Posted

    A new symptom has come about that is pretty awful and that is my heart rate. Sometimes it is fine, but it can drop to 48 and at that time I feel weird and tired. Almost if my heart isn’t beating anymore. I just feel very disconnected...
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