Scaredy_Cat
16-12-13, 16:01
Hello,
Thanks for reading (what has turned out to be) my really long post. I was just wondering what people's opinions are about my recent worries. Having suffered with health anxiety for years, I find it difficult, (as I suspect many (or most?!) people who also suffer with it do) to tell whether my worry is valid, but I really do think it is this time.
So I'll try to sum up everything. I was diagnosed with IBS 6 years ago and have had problems on/off with my stomach ever since. For the past 2 and a half months, however, I've had this pain just to the right of my belly button. It hurts to touch and when I run, even when I've just started to run, it feels like I have a stitch. I've also had (sorry to go into detail) but darker stools, which I know can be a sign of blood. Although all of this is worrying, the thing that has affected me on a daily basis is my extreme fatigue, especially after eating. It's not just like feeling a little sleepy, it's just that as soon as I've eaten my heart starts to pound and I need to lie down. Even sitting up is tiring!
I have mentioned it to the doctor a few times when going about other things, but they don't seem concerned. Regarding my tiredness after eating, the advice I received was "eat less sugary foods" . When I mentioned the pain, the doctor felt my abdomen, and when they did, it didn't hurt anymore. I realised afterwards, however, that it only hurts to press when I'm standing/sitting up. When I lie down and press, the pain disappears.
I'm now getting worried and, as I do, assuming the worst (bowel cancer). I'm only 24, but have been reading stories online (I know, I know, BIG mistake!), of people who have been diagnosed with bowel cancer in their 20s. They had similar symptoms to mine, and the doctors think anything of it, until it was too late. I know it's rare, but it does happen. I also think I've done things which increase my risk. I've had a poor diet ever since being a child (apart from the very occasional orange juice or milkshake, he ONLY things I drank from the ages of 6 years-13 years were fizzy drinks). My meals were usually something like burgers, chips and beans (every night). Never ate fruit (still don't really), never ate veg, never drank water. I've also had problems with my spine since the age of 10, which means I've had a ton of x rays, and also a ct scan, which I think may increase my risk. ALSO, and I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I started binge drinking at weekends when I was 14 and did this almost every weekend until I was about 18. I have drank between now and the age of 18, just not every weekend.
So with all of this, I'm now thinking that my worries about it being bowel cancer are not completely unjustified. I do have another appointment, but I'm thinking that they're just going to tell me it's nothing again. What should I do if they do? Trust them, or push for tests? I don't want to push if I'm just panicking for nothing, but don't want to miss anything either. Would really appreciate some advice! Thank you
Thanks for reading (what has turned out to be) my really long post. I was just wondering what people's opinions are about my recent worries. Having suffered with health anxiety for years, I find it difficult, (as I suspect many (or most?!) people who also suffer with it do) to tell whether my worry is valid, but I really do think it is this time.
So I'll try to sum up everything. I was diagnosed with IBS 6 years ago and have had problems on/off with my stomach ever since. For the past 2 and a half months, however, I've had this pain just to the right of my belly button. It hurts to touch and when I run, even when I've just started to run, it feels like I have a stitch. I've also had (sorry to go into detail) but darker stools, which I know can be a sign of blood. Although all of this is worrying, the thing that has affected me on a daily basis is my extreme fatigue, especially after eating. It's not just like feeling a little sleepy, it's just that as soon as I've eaten my heart starts to pound and I need to lie down. Even sitting up is tiring!
I have mentioned it to the doctor a few times when going about other things, but they don't seem concerned. Regarding my tiredness after eating, the advice I received was "eat less sugary foods" . When I mentioned the pain, the doctor felt my abdomen, and when they did, it didn't hurt anymore. I realised afterwards, however, that it only hurts to press when I'm standing/sitting up. When I lie down and press, the pain disappears.
I'm now getting worried and, as I do, assuming the worst (bowel cancer). I'm only 24, but have been reading stories online (I know, I know, BIG mistake!), of people who have been diagnosed with bowel cancer in their 20s. They had similar symptoms to mine, and the doctors think anything of it, until it was too late. I know it's rare, but it does happen. I also think I've done things which increase my risk. I've had a poor diet ever since being a child (apart from the very occasional orange juice or milkshake, he ONLY things I drank from the ages of 6 years-13 years were fizzy drinks). My meals were usually something like burgers, chips and beans (every night). Never ate fruit (still don't really), never ate veg, never drank water. I've also had problems with my spine since the age of 10, which means I've had a ton of x rays, and also a ct scan, which I think may increase my risk. ALSO, and I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I started binge drinking at weekends when I was 14 and did this almost every weekend until I was about 18. I have drank between now and the age of 18, just not every weekend.
So with all of this, I'm now thinking that my worries about it being bowel cancer are not completely unjustified. I do have another appointment, but I'm thinking that they're just going to tell me it's nothing again. What should I do if they do? Trust them, or push for tests? I don't want to push if I'm just panicking for nothing, but don't want to miss anything either. Would really appreciate some advice! Thank you