I can't cope with this any more

[Confused&scared]

I am so anxious at the moment, several swollen glands on my neck and round my collar bone. Also have one swollen tonsil, all on the same side. Over 2 weeks now. Can't help but think the worst just been crying to my mum.

Also my husband has a large lump on his ribs under his left nipple. It's worrying me sick. The doctor said they think it's a cyst but sending him for an ultrasound, this was a week ago and still no appointment through. He's also had diarrhoea for over a week which is worrying me too.

All I keep thinking is we've both got cancer and going to leave our children without any parents :weep:

[Welshlou]

Hi there,

I've been in your boat. Worried sick about swollen glands. I had what I thought were swollen glands in my neck and groin area and spend weeks prodding them and worrying like mad. I went to the doctors about 3 times, then also went to a private doctor (because I was embarrassed about going to see my local doc again!). I also went to see a specialist at Bupa, about something different and he said he could not feel any swollen glands to be worried about.In fact, I'm not sure they are glands, one doctor said they were glands, but two others said they were probably just bits of fatty tissue. Despite my efforts, all doctors/specialists told me they were nothing to worry about, but why should I believe them right, especially when Dr Google is telling me different!! I was convinced I had cancer, even when my blood tests came back clear.

Anyway, 5 months down the line, the 'glands' are still there and have not gotten any bigger. In the meantime I shifted focus from that onto throat cancer and now I am on neurological disorders, for which I have had a bunch of tests from specialists - all of which have told me there is nothing wrong with me. However, I am still having trouble believing them.

I guess my advice would be to stay off the internet, go to the doc and have your glands checked out. If you are still not happy, go again and ask to be referred to a specialist. Same for your husband. Basically, only rely on the opinions of medical experts that are looking at your body and your specific concerns. There could be a million explanations for what you both have and only the experts can diagnose you properly, so try not to worry (easy I know!!) in the meantime.

I would also recommend getting some professional advice. I have had a few sessions with a counsellor and it seems a lot of my health anxiety stems from other issues I have, such as OCD and the need for reassurance. I never knew any of this until I started exploring why I started obsessing about my health. So I'd recommend doing the same.

Take care and let us all know how you get on.

cheers,

Rich.

[Confused&scared]

Thanks,
It really helps to speak to people who understand just how scary health anxiety can be. I think what has worried me is that I saw the doctor last week who said she thought I'd had tonsillitis while on holiday and my glands are up because of that, she said she could feel several on the left side of my neck, then told me if they hadn't gone down in 3 weeks to go back as she said 'we don't like glands that stick around longer than that' :-/

I had a similar thing back in February and ended up with blood tests but they came back normal.

I know I need some help with my HA but my worry is if I tell my doctor I have HA they will dismiss all my worries like the boy who cried wolf kind of thing. I also think I have OCD, had a terrible time over Christmas obsessing over intrusive thoughts etc.

I hope you're doing ok and counselling continues to help you xx

[skippy66]

You're actually a long way ahead of many HA sufferers in that you've come to the realisation that you have HA and that you're caught in the vicious cycle.

I wouldn't mention HA to your doctor as its their job to diagnose you. The dilemma for them is that they can't really not send you for tests these days due to fear of lawsuits etc in the event of the remote possibility that you actually do have physical disease.

If I were you I would be happy that you've identified your problem and my next step would be to try and stop looking for reassurance about your symptoms.

[Welshlou]

I agree. Don't go to your doctor and tell them you think you have health anxiety. I think you already know that, so I would just go on line and pick a counsellor that specialises in CBT and pay them a visit. After all, that's all the doctor will say to you, as well as maybe prescribing you tablets (which is not what I wanted to do). I also didn't really want it on my medical records.

Also, if you are worrying, then go back to the doctor now. Don't wait three weeks. It is your life and your struggle, so don't take things lying down. Go back now and insist that you want to have the necessary tests to rule out anything sinister. After all, it was probably the doctors fault that you are feeling like this, by making such an ill-considered comment in the first place!

[curly63uk]

Hi there.. First i would like to reassure you a bit. I had the throat thing for 4 weeks and finally went to the doctors about it this week. Yes my glands where all swollen. Tonsils swollen . Pain around my neck and collar bone. I was terrible and as normal i was thinking the worse. The c word again. Well after coming out of the doctors i felt like a weight had been lifted. It is called Globus Hystericus and is caused by anxiety.I think there is a forum on here for it. Also my husband has loads of lumps that are cysts and are quite common. But do go and get all these things checked out to so you know things are all ok..... If you dont hear from them . Ring them again to move things along.