View Full Version : Liver lesion so confused and anxious
Hello posted a few weeks back and now my anxiety is sky - currently feeling really stressed. I suffer with health anxiety and this is making things worse. I had an ultra sound scan last week due to ? Gallstones due to IBS being bad.
I then got a letter through the post saying in needed a liver ct scan with contrast which panicked me. I spoke to my GP who said not to worry - if it was something "nasty" like cancer they would have seen me sooner rather than wait for a scan.
Anyway this was over phone.
I had a follow up appointment with her yesterday and she showed me the report to try and reassure me - this has had opposite effect - the report said everything was normal other than
"An isoechoic irregular lesion in the left lobe measuring 5.1X 5.8x 5.6 cm" the report then went on to say at the end
Impression " the appearance of suspicious of a left lobe of liver mass lesion which requires urgent ct scan with contast in 2-3 weeks time"
When I read this. Freaked out and she still reassured me I shouldn't worry as if it was cancerous they would,have seen me sooner - she went through blood tests and other than slightly raised gamma gt (which I have had on and off for years) all was fine
I went to see another doctor in the practice today as I couldn't sleep and again he told me to calm down and try not to worry but he then said it was quite big and if it was cancer then I would be seen urgently
I have managed to get appointment for ct scan brought forward to 9th October - it was 15th but am struggling to relax and stop worrying can anybody help advise?
---------- Post added at 15:19 ---------- Previous post was at 15:17 ----------
I wish I hadn't gone the doctor now in first place :( I can't bear the thought that I'm going to be diagnosed with worst sort of cancer and it must have spread from breast or pancreas
I'm worried about who will look after my puppy if I die
Hi there Sam. i think they don't mess about at all if they think it's cancerous. My grandmother found a lump in her breast that they suspected to be cancer and they gave removed her breast pretty much immediately, within a couple of days I think.
I know it's very difficult to think it could be something else but the majority of lumps and bumps aren't cancer - I certainly didn't think leisons were and they will have seen similar things before, so they'll have a good idea of what they're looking at. Your reaction is totally normal - even in people who don't panic - the worst does go through your head - but that doesn't mean that's what it is. I hope you find something to take your mind off it.
Thank you suki300 - they said it was suspicious mass which is what panicked me - I'm trying very hard to take doctors advice and not to worry but I'm struggling
I hope your grandmother is ok now x
nomorepanic
26-09-13, 15:45
I have a lesion on my adrenal gland but they have never done anything about it so I don't think lesions are serious as such.
Well sadly she died a few years ago, but of old age - she survived the breast cancer and lived to the age of 90, so she didn't do bad.
I think a lot of the times things sound worse than they are - but terminology like that does sound a bit scary, although it probably just means "it shouldn't be there" rather than we think it's cancer. I think leisons can be quite troublesome if they not treated.
Keep coming on here, there are some lovely people I've found.
almamatters
26-09-13, 17:51
Hi Sam, I know with liver masses they move very quickly if they think something is cancer. I was diagnosed with a 'echogenic lesion' on my liver last year and became convinced I had cancer. I know the specialist based the urgency of my appointment on the results of my blood tests and as they were normal did not rush my follow up appointment through. I was eventually diagnosed with a hemingioma which is a benign lesion and they just do occasional follow up scans to check it is not growing. I just wanted to send you some support , please let us know how you get on.
Hi Sam, I know with liver masses they move very quickly if they think something is cancer. I was diagnosed with a 'echogenic lesion' on my liver last year and became convinced I had cancer. I know the specialist based the urgency of my appointment on the results of my blood tests and as they were normal did not rush my follow up appointment through. I was eventually diagnosed with a hemingioma which is a benign lesion and they just do occasional follow up scans to check it is not growing. I just wanted to send you some support , please let us know how you get on.
Thank you so much - this sounds similar to a lot of the things I've been looking at on the Internet - and my GP has said that it may be that - I was fine till I read the report yesterday and again today - they said urgent ct scan in 2-3 weeks so obviously panicked
Thanks for your support - I think I'm going to struggle - I'm already imagining all sorts
---------- Post added at 18:08 ---------- Previous post was at 18:07 ----------
Well sadly she died a few years ago, but of old age - she survived the breast cancer and lived to the age of 90, so she didn't do bad.
I think a lot of the times things sound worse than they are - but terminology like that does sound a bit scary, although it probably just means "it shouldn't be there" rather than we think it's cancer. I think leisons can be quite troublesome if they not treated.
Keep coming on here, there are some lovely people I've found.
I'm sorry to hear about your nan x
Thank you for your help - people on here are very helpful and I really appreciate it x
almamatters
26-09-13, 18:24
I understand your fears about this Sam, I was a bag of nerves last year with it all, but your GP is not panicking it seems and they would move very quickly if they suspected something sinister. Keep in touch with us all. Take Care. x
I understand your fears about this Sam, I was a bag of nerves last year with it all, but your GP is not panicking it seems and they would move very quickly if they suspected something sinister. Keep in touch with us all. Take Care. x
I am really trying but it's hard - I've been coughing and feel a bit chesty so I'm thinking the mass on liver is mets spread either lung or bowel - my liver functions were slightly elevated but they have been like this off and on for years so that's worried me a lot too I just wish they never sent me for ultra sound :(
almamatters
26-09-13, 19:03
Sam I must admit I had symptoms of something seriously wrong with my liver, weight loss, feeling sick, loss of appetite so this along with the scan findings convinced me I was doomed (my symptoms were put down to severe IBS and acid reflux, so not remotely liver related) I paid for a private ultrasound as the GP was taking too long about it for my liking and then wished I had not gone when they found the lesion. I was convinced I had bowel cancer spread to liver etc etc, it really was a dark time for me. I used to post a lot about it on here and I am sure you could find some of the old threads. Feel free to PM me if you want to chat. xx
Sam I must admit I had symptoms of something seriously wrong with my liver, weight loss, feeling sick, loss of appetite so this along with the scan findings convinced me I was doomed (my symptoms were put down to severe IBS and acid reflux, so not remotely liver related) I paid for a private ultrasound as the GP was taking too long about it for my liking and then wished I had not gone when they found the lesion. I was convinced I had bowel cancer spread to liver etc etc, it really was a dark time for me. I used to post a lot about it on here and I am sure you could find some of the old threads. Feel free to PM me if you want to chat. xx
Thank you - to be honest your story sounds like mine my IBS flared up and hence the scan and blood tests
She thought I had gallstones and now this liver issue has come up x
Today is day of my CT scan - I am terrified :(
How did it go? Did you have it yet? Hugs x
Yes I have had it - thought I couldn't feel any more stressed but I do
When they scanned me one of the radiographers asked me if I had an appointment for results - he asked me what consultant I was under and when I said GP he said "oh ok"
He took me back to my cubicle to get changed and when I said to him "I hope there was nothing bad" he patted me on the back and said take care but was VERY quiet
They must have seen something bad on the scan :(
When we're very anxious we can try so hard to look for answers, we can easily misinterpret what we think others know. He may not have even been aware that you knew you has a lesion on your liver and that's why he acted as he did. They won't know all of your history so maybe he didn't know how to react.
When are you going for the results?
When we're very anxious we can try so hard to look for answers, we can easily misinterpret what we think others know. He may not have even been aware that you knew you has a lesion on your liver and that's why he acted as he did. They won't know all of your history so maybe he didn't know how to react.
When are you going for the results?
Thank you for reading and replying.. I'm in a bit of a mess right now
I get my results on Monday as the GP that I see isn't in till then (booked the appointment at her request 2 days after CT scan)
To be honest I was in tears at the start of the scan and told him that they found something but gp told me to try not to worry and he said how that can be very hard to do
He probably thought I was mad!
I just felt scared that what he saw on the scan confirmed something bad or worse there is more that he has seen hence the tap on back
My Ha is awful at the moment worst it has been in ages and I'm all over the place
How about getting an apt sooner than Monday? Maybe tomorrow, I'm sure your doctor will understand your need to be seen more quickly.
Try to do some relaxation stuff, keeping calm is easy for me to say but difficult for you to do I know.
You know nothing yet, only that you have a lesion on your liver (scary I know)
It may be something that you've had for a long time and is harmless. I very much doubt that your fears are real regarding secondary cancer, the doctor told you that if it appeared to be a cancer they would have seen you sooner xxx
Hi,
this is a slightly different situation to yours but a few years ago I was being scanned for something else entirely and the technician went very quiet and said, "Can you roll over please?" and scanned my liver.
I was terrified. He told me there was a cyst. And when I asked him what would happen he said, "Oh, you've probably had it since you were born'.
I was pooing myself until I saw the doctor who said the same and that it was nothing to worry about.
Hope yours is something similar. Try to talk to someone tomorrow - they will be able to ring the hospital if needed. xxx
How about getting an apt sooner than Monday? Maybe tomorrow, I'm sure your doctor will understand your need to be seen more quickly.
Try to do some relaxation stuff, keeping calm is easy for me to say but difficult for you to do I know.
You know nothing yet, only that you have a lesion on your liver (scary I know)
It may be something that you've had for a long time and is harmless. I very much doubt that your fears are real regarding secondary cancer, the doctor told you that if it appeared to be a cancer they would have seen you sooner xxx
Thanks for your advice - I will see if I can get an appointment Friday as they said at least 24 hours for result I just won't be able to see my regular doctor
In the meantime I will just try and relax and do something to distract myself :)
---------- Post added at 18:23 ---------- Previous post was at 18:20 ----------
Hi,
this is a slightly different situation to yours but a few years ago I was being scanned for something else entirely and the technician went very quiet and said, "Can you roll over please?" and scanned my liver.
I was terrified. He told me there was a cyst. And when I asked him what would happen he said, "Oh, you've probably had it since you were born'.
I was pooing myself until I saw the doctor who said the same and that it was nothing to worry about.
Hope yours is something similar. Try to talk to someone tomorrow - they will be able to ring the hospital if needed. xxx
Wow that must have given you a fright! hope mine is the same as yours. It will take at least 24 hours they said for results so it might be Friday for results at earliest but my regular GP doesn't work Fridays so I might need to see another one but will try and see if I can go Friday xx
Thank you for your advice
How are you feeling today?
How are you feeling today?
Hi there
to be honest I have been anxious and on edge all day I rang the doctor and another doctor spoke to me she said that they found a few things on the scan - they think they are cysts and she said they said they think I have a ?hemangioma
Because they could'nt see one of them clearly they now want me to have an MRI scan :scared15:
I asked her outright did they look like liver metastasies or are they thinking it is something that is very sinister but she said they are not red flagging it and to try not not worry - very much easier said than done
It sounds like they know it isn't cancer so try to remember that. They have to totally rule it out though which i'm sure the MRI will do for you. Keep things in perspective, they wouldn't be reassuring you if they had major doubts, they'd be saying nothing or trying to prepare you.
It sounds like they know it isn't cancer so try to remember that. They have to totally rule it out though which i'm sure the MRI will do for you. Keep things in perspective, they wouldn't be reassuring you if they had major doubts, they'd be saying nothing or trying to prepare you.
thanks for your replying - Yes- trying to keep it all in perspective - I am trying to do that - she did say to not worry and marked it down as routine follow up in practice - not urgent
I just want it all sorted out :(
hangingbasket
10-10-13, 21:55
i am currently watching my mother suffer from secondary breast cancer in the liver and believe me, she is SICK!! there is no maybe, no wondering if something is wrong. She went into hospital KNOWING something was wrong, so did the doctors and so did everyone around her. There is no way you could have this and be functioning enough to be posting on here, let alone trips back and for to doctors appointments. My mum cant even sit up in bed.
Sam
I know it is easier said than done but try not to worry.
I have a haemangioma on my liver. And a cyst. They could only see the cyst and not very clearly by ultrasound.
I too had to have an MRI to look closer at the cyst. That's when they also found the haemangioma.
These things are common inside out bodies and it's just that the average person does nt have scans so they never know about them. Mine were found three years ago and I had a follow up 6 months later and was just the same measuring 1cm.
I was told by two specialists they believe I have had them since birth.
i am currently watching my mother suffer from secondary breast cancer in the liver and believe me, she is SICK!! there is no maybe, no wondering if something is wrong. She went into hospital KNOWING something was wrong, so did the doctors and so did everyone around her. There is no way you could have this and be functioning enough to be posting on here, let alone trips back and for to doctors appointments. My mum cant even sit up in bed.
I am sorry to hear about your mum x I watched my mum go through the same thing and I know how hard it is which is why I think I suffer from health anxiety
---------- Post added at 08:43 ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 ----------
Sam
I know it is easier said than done but try not to worry.
I have a haemangioma on my liver. And a cyst. They could only see the cyst and not very clearly by ultrasound.
I too had to have an MRI to look closer at the cyst. That's when they also found the haemangioma.
These things are common inside out bodies and it's just that the average person does nt have scans so they never know about them. Mine were found three years ago and I had a follow up 6 months later and was just the same measuring 1cm.
I was told by two specialists they believe I have had them since birth.
Thank you for posting what you have said helps - I was just a bit shocked because I have had an ultra sound and a CT scan and now they want to do an MRI so it is all just a lot going on and it's just really stressing me out - it's sort of spiralling my health anxiety out of control as this just all seems very "real" if you understand what I mean
You will be ok Sam. It's not URGENT, that's what the doctors have said. They are highly experienced people and if they say it's not serious please believe them.
After this is all sorted and you can relax about it all would you think about having some therapy?
MRI is apparently the best for liver. Not sure why they did ct scan.
Sounds exactly like what they found in mine too. Fifty years ago we had no idea what was in our bodies! One of my daughters was born with only one kidney - we didn't know until she was 11 and had a scan for something else.
As I said to her, for all we know it runs in the family - no previous generation has ever been scanned!
I hope you are reassured to hear that a few of us here have the same thing. Believe me, they DO know what cancer looks like on a scan. You would be in hospital already if they thought it was that.
Hi, I understand your worry. A US showed up an incidental large polyp on my gallbladder yesterday. The radiologist marked it as 'likely benign', but I'm afraid I consulted Doctor Google and found single lesions of my size (+ 1cm) have a higher chance of malignancy. I have now convinced myself of the worst and, as well at citalopram for anxiety, I have been given diazepam to try and calm me down before I see the surgeon I was referred to.
It’s so hard to switch the mind off and I can’t seem to listen to others reassurances that it really might just be big and benign. Oh dear.
Well I just wanted to say that you’re not alone and I wish you all the best for you scan and most of all peace.
x
You will be ok Sam. It's not URGENT, that's what the doctors have said. They are highly experienced people and if they say it's not serious please believe them.
After this is all sorted and you can relax about it all would you think about having some therapy?
Hi Pacer
Thanks for your post - I'm currently having refresher CBT which is helping a bit - four years ago I went off the rails with health anxiety and I am better than I was but still a long way off - I think I may have to extend the sessions
---------- Post added at 19:23 ---------- Previous post was at 19:22 ----------
Sam
I know it is easier said than done but try not to worry.
I have a haemangioma on my liver. And a cyst. They could only see the cyst and not very clearly by ultrasound.
I too had to have an MRI to look closer at the cyst. That's when they also found the haemangioma.
These things are common inside out bodies and it's just that the average person does nt have scans so they never know about them. Mine were found three years ago and I had a follow up 6 months later and was just the same measuring 1cm.
I was told by two specialists they believe I have had them since birth.
I'm hoping that mine turn out like yours - I wish they had done an MRI instead of CT scan as it is just more anxiety waiting x
---------- Post added at 19:24 ---------- Previous post was at 19:23 ----------
Sounds exactly like what they found in mine too. Fifty years ago we had no idea what was in our bodies! One of my daughters was born with only one kidney - we didn't know until she was 11 and had a scan for something else.
As I said to her, for all we know it runs in the family - no previous generation has ever been scanned!
I hope you are reassured to hear that a few of us here have the same thing. Believe me, they DO know what cancer looks like on a scan. You would be in hospital already if they thought it was that.
Thank you :)
---------- Post added at 19:26 ---------- Previous post was at 19:24 ----------
Hi, I understand your worry. A US showed up an incidental large polyp on my gallbladder yesterday. The radiologist marked it as 'likely benign', but I'm afraid I consulted Doctor Google and found single lesions of my size (+ 1cm) have a higher chance of malignancy. I have now convinced myself of the worst and, as well at citalopram for anxiety, I have been given diazepam to try and calm me down before I see the surgeon I was referred to.
It’s so hard to switch the mind off and I can’t seem to listen to others reassurances that it really might just be big and benign. Oh dear.
Well I just wanted to say that you’re not alone and I wish you all the best for you scan and most of all peace.
x
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your scan too let me know how get on - btw DR Google isn't a very good doctor - I try hard not to go on him anymore - hard I know but I find he makes everything worse :hugs:
Yup, Dr Google has been officially sacked. Thanks for your wishes, I'll let you know how the scan goes
So here is a bit of an update - last week I had my date through for my MRI scan which is 12/11 I had managed to calm myself down as I have been having CBT and my doctor advised that it really wasn't urgent
Now fast forward to Saturday ... realised I was late with my period and took a pregnancy test and it turns out that I am pregnant :unsure: I have had an ectopic pregnancy in past and a miscarriage that was horrendous - at 41 I thought there was no chance
Anxiety returned big time - I am having a scan tomorrow due to my history of ectopic pregnancy but they don't expect to see a baby as it is too early so need to do blood tests .... I'm exhausted with all the last few months have thrown at me. The registrar said that MRI is safe but not advised till after three months unless they think the scan cannot wait - lucky I am only just pregnant so I was not preg when I had ct scan
So this morning woke up stressed and anxious again worried about the ectopic pregnancy scan - I feel like it is never ending worry x
So after my last post back in October I ended up finding out that baby was in the right place but they would scan me until they found baby heartbeat. This meant that my GP put off my MRI until January as MRI not safe in first 12 weeks and so I'm still waiting an appointment for this
The pregnancy put my mind off the entire thing but two weeks ago we were told that they didn't think the pregnancy was viable and at my last scan last Thursday was told baby passed away and so needed an operation. I'm feeling very low and sad at loosing our third baby and tonight feeling very low at thought of ringing up and re-arranging scan
I'm off work at the moment but feel the past few months have been a nightmare
I'm even wondering if the liver issue caused me to loose baby?
I'm so very sorry to hear this :( Sending positive thoughts and prayers to you and yours....
I meant to say I've had the op now so at least that's over with as it was very upsetting -'I also ended up in hospital end of October as they thought when I initially had the scan that it was ectopic so my health anxiety went sky high
I've carried on going to CBT all through this but it's been a struggle :(
Sorry for Moaning I need somewhere to vent
---------- Post added at 22:51 ---------- Previous post was at 22:50 ----------
I'm so very sorry to hear this :( Sending positive thoughts and prayers to you and yours....
Thank you
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