Polyp found, full blown panic attack

[hopeful927]

So I felt what I thought was a hemmeroid. It it just felt different and I felt I needed to get it checked out. I went to the emergency department in a full blown panic attack and was just hoping I would be sent on my way with my anxieties alievated. As soon as he felt it he said no this is not a hemmeroid, it is an anal polyp and it needs to be taken out. I just had a colonoscopies a year and a help ago, so he thinks it is pretty new. I am panicking. My husband is lost for how to help me. I don't know what to do. Please no more panic community, I really need your help.

[GlassPinata]

I don't know much about this, but I think I've read that colon polyps are common (almost universal, in older people) and usually benign? And that most have no malignant potential.
I could be wrong, but maybe look into it & do some research.
Even if it does have malignant potential, I believe it takes them a long time to turn dangerous. Lucky you found it early.
Best wishes.

[hopeful927]

I'm only 41 though.

[GlassPinata]

I'm only 41 though.

Yeah, I could've sworn I once read an article that said tons of people have polyps, and most are benign. And only a certain type has the potential to become malignant.
I don't want to google it, because i'm afraid I'll get triggered myself.
But you should. I mean, it's your body, it's your condition.
Look into it.
I could've sworn I read something to that effect years ago, when my dad had a colonoscopy and I was worried about him.

[Catherine S]

Hi, in view of the replies you've already had, you're now thinking that you have the type of polyps that just might turn cancerous right? I'm not nervous to Google as my h/a is more or less non existant these days, and statistically the chances of this happening is practically zero. As with other parts of the body, tumours are tumours and polyps are polyps and never the two shall meet!

My brother unfortunately gets these polyps and has them removed every now and again. I say unfortunately because they are a nuisance rather than anything sinister.

ISB x

[GlassPinata]

I had both cervical and endometrial polyps, and none were cancerous.
I mean, it's not the same, but I believe the poster above has a point. polyps usually aren't cancer, and don't have much malignant potential.
Still it's a good thing you're on top of it.

[hopeful927]

But how can I trust that the doctor knows it is a polyp and not a tumour or something else?

[Catherine S]

Why would you not trust the hospital doctor? They see this every day. He wouldn't have said it's a polyp if it was a tumour, they ought to know the difference between the two.

ISB x

[hopeful927]

You are right. The problem is that I don't trust the doctor. I just always so
Pessimistic about thinking he must have missed something, it is probably cancer. I get so tired of this I just don't feel like continuing on sometimes. My eyes are puffy, I've ignored my husband and kids today, I haven't eaten anything and all I've been doing is taking my lorazepams and sitting in front of the tv crying.

[GlassPinata]

Well, they will take it out and biopsy it. They'll send it to a lab for evaluation. And then they'll know. It is someone's job to evaluate this specific thing.
Trust the doctors. They see a lot of this, and they know what they are doing.
You will be okay. :hugs:

[hopeful927]

I just don't known how I am going to cope with all the waiting. Seems impossible for me

[PanickyGuy]

But how can I trust that the doctor knows it is a polyp and not a tumour or something else?

Sometimes two opinions are better than one. Maybe you should consider going to another doctor or specifically a specialist in this, if you don't trust the other doctor's judgment.

I've done that myself on rare occasions, but usually the other doctor confirmed what the other doctor said. And this could give you peace of mind at least. I mean if you got two docs saying the same thing then it's only logical to accept their both right. Right? :)

[hopeful927]

Yah you are right. I had an appointment already scheduled for Monday. Just have to make it through to tomorrow. I'm finding it so hard. Just want to take more lorazepam and lay on the couch crying.

---------- Post added at 23:36 ---------- Previous post was at 23:19 ----------

Has anyone else had a rectal polyp, one that is not too far up there? Tmi I know.

[hopeful927]

Just having a really hard day. Panicking that the doctor may be wrong and it could be cancer. Keep closing my eyes seeing me in the chemo world. Envisioning my funeral. Any other thoughts to help me process this?

[PanickyGuy]

Yah you are right. I had an appointment already scheduled for Monday. Just have to make it through to tomorrow. I'm finding it so hard. Just want to take more lorazepam and lay on the couch crying.


I feel for ya. I know the waiting and not being really sure about it has got to be tough mentally. I'll tell you this though, doctors do make mistakes as I found out at least once in my own experience, but keep in mind it's not that often they do make mistakes, but they do.


I say that because several years ago, I had one doc tell me that I probably had a hiatal hernia after I told him all the symptoms I was having. Now to be fair, this one did say to me that we couldn't be sure without X-rays and other tests, but he was almost positive I had one from the way I described my symptoms and told me to stay away from eating certain foods that might irritate it. And unfortunately, at that time I couldn't afford X-rays or to see a specialist about it to really find out to be sure.

But I pretty much believed him at that point, that it was probably a hiatal hernia, because his judgments about what was going on with my health in the past was never wrong before or so I thought, until about two years later I went to another doctor complaining of the same symptoms and well, guess what? This other doctor's medical judgment was GERD right off the bat and he was right, because the next day they did a X-ray and didn't find a hiatal hernia, which it was obvious it was just plain ol' GERD after that. And it all clicked and made sense too, when he said that, because I was diagnosed with PTSD, GAD and Panic Disorder before that; because those disorders go hand in hand with GERD.

Now I'm not looking down on doctors here, but as patients we got to watch them sometimes, because they're human too and get stressed out, tired and see many, many patients and can easily make mistakes too; not often mind you, but they do.

So good hear you're going for second opinion, at least you will know for sure one way or the other. BTW I wouldn't tell the other doctor what the other doctor said, until you hear this second doc's medical judgment first. :winks:

---------- Post added at 14:51 ---------- Previous post was at 14:34 ----------


Just having a really hard day. Panicking that the doctor may be wrong and it could be cancer. Keep closing my eyes seeing me in the chemo world. Envisioning my funeral. Any other thoughts to help me process this?


Yeah but has it been growing since the first time you detected it? When did you first find out about this? Because for one thing, cancer doesn't stop growing, it doesn't stay the same, it grows and grows and gets worse in a short amount of time without treatment. It's like a mutation. You haven't said anything about the anal polyp getting bigger so don't assume the worse. It's not cancer until you hear at least one doctor tell you it is otherwise.

Seriously, don't drive yourself crazy like this. Because you could see the other doctor tomorrow and he could turn around and tell you that it's just a hemorrhoid like you thought at first. I'm not saying he will, but you never know and may not be as bad as you think it is.

[hopeful927]

I only detected it yesterday so I am not sure how long it has been there. Ok

[wabbit1]

I'm 33 and had rectal polyps removed 3 years ago, during the same situation thinking I had haemorrhoids. The chances of it being anything serious are slim to none.

[hopeful927]

How did you find them? Did they cause any bleeding?

[hopeful927]

So I saw my dr this morning and she is not sure. She thinks it also could be a thrombized hemmeroid. She said even if it was a polyp that they would be concerned about it would be new and it would just have to be removed. I felt better when I left but the more I sit here the more worried I get. I got into a gastri dr tomorrow at 1:15 so that is answer to prayer. I just keep looking things up on google and I know it shouldn't but it gets me so worried.

[Fishmanpa]

I just keep looking things up on google and I know it shouldn't but it gets me so worried.

Self inflicted anxiety wounds. Nothing anyone can do about that expect you!

Getting my "Told ya so" ready ;)

Positive thoughts

[hopeful927]

Yes, almost need to give my phone to someone else. What do you do to resist the urge?

[PanickyGuy]

So I saw my dr this morning and she is not sure. She thinks it also could be a thrombized hemmeroid. She said even if it was a polyp that they would be concerned about it would be new and it would just have to be removed. I felt better when I left but the more I sit here the more worried I get. I got into a gastri dr tomorrow at 1:15 so that is answer to prayer.

:winks: Yep! And see, you've been worrying yourself over nothing. Like I said before, the next doc could turn around and tell you the opposite, that it was a hemorrhoid. Although she's not 100% sure, but the point is - she's not telling you it's frigin' cancer. That's what I was trying to convey to you. That it could be a lesser problem then what you thought.


I just keep looking things up on google and I know it shouldn't but it gets me so worried.

:lac: Please stop doing that for your own sanity, Hopeful. Your just going to drive yourself into another all day anxiety\panic attack frenzy again and then when you find out from the next doctor, that it's not as serious as you thought, yet again, you'll be kicking yourself for getting all worked up over nothing. Seriously, I've done that to myself too many times and I'm telling you, it's not worth the mental anguish.

Resist Dr. Google for godsakes! He's bad for you! He's no good, I tellya'! Trust in your doctors. :D

[hopeful927]

Your words are like gold to me. No more google for today. You seem to be ahead of any anxiety that you may have faced in the past. What were your strategies?

[PanickyGuy]

Your words are like gold to me. No more google for today. You seem to be ahead of any anxiety that you may have faced in the past. What were your strategies?


Good for you! :hugs: You just made your first step and that is one of my/our strategies right there. :winks: No googling health issues, always see a doctor(s) instead. Nothing beats an up close and personal examination by a real live doctor. Dr. Google is not there with you personally on the other side of your screen and so he don't know diddly squat about you. He's just guessing for the most part without actually examining you.

Now I wouldn't say I'm ahead of my anxiety and panic disorder, because I still believe I've got a long way to go, but I feel I am doing better - I will say that.

But my other strategies; beside taking anit-anxiety meds when one needs to during a major panic attack, is to see a CB therapist. It really, really, really helps to be able to talk to someone about your fears, worries and so on. It helps you to release all those negative vibes or get it all out and have someone to reflect back to you their logical thinking about your problems, so that you can see the way you are thinking is the cause of most of your problems. So if you're not in CBT therapy yet, I highly recommend that.

Another thing I do is stay away from caffeine or limit it as best I can. That's fuel for anxiety because it increases your heart rate, which can trigger anxiety or worse...a panic attack. With most non-anxiety people it doesn't bother them and they can handle it, but for us individuals with anxiety\panic disorders that's bad mojo for our brains. I rather be somewhat sleepy and relaxed all day, then running around looking like my avi, Fry from Futurama. Trust me, the cartoon avi pic sayz it all about me.

Another tip is, when you get an actual ailment or you think you have a ailment, but really can't tell if it is a ailment, don't assume the worse of worse, okay? Because most often it's simple common ailments and not the dire dread thing you might think it is. I don't know how many times I went to the doc thinking I was about to frigin' die, just to be told it was something simple and they were right. So keep that in mind. Because that's the doctor's job to tell you what is really going on. Self-diagnosing doesn't really help, even if you might be right. Because how do you know %100 for sure though? You don't, not until a doc runs tests and tells you otherwise.

And the most important strategy of all, is to read threads and hang out in the No More Panic website. This is the best place to be, because you're likely to find others with the same problems as you and come to the realization through logic, that your similar problem is not as bad as you think it is or what you think it may turn out to be, because of their same past experiences. This is a safe place to be with caring people who know what you're going through, because they've been there too; which you've already experienced yourself for a while now. Because you'll get consoled, related to, cheered up and sometimes a "Told you so" by Fishmanpa and others. Lol. This website is really the biggest help of all, it has been for me at least. :yesyes:

That's about it or all of what I can think of for now. Hope that helps. :)

[Kathryn313]

If you are up to it, find some activities to engage your logical brain.

Adult coloring books, crossword puzzles, jigsaws, jenga type games are all good for this. Don't worry if you struggle to concentrate at first but the belief is that it helps your irrational threat brain go off line for a bit and give you some respite. Worth a go.x

Best wishes

[hopeful927]

I can't begin to tell you how much all of tournament words help. Thank you so much. I will relax tonight with hopes that tomorrow's dr appt will let me relax even more.
If we all lived in the same city I'd invite you over for a coffee- decaf of course!

[GlassPinata]

If you are up to it, find some activities to engage your logical brain.

Adult coloring books, crossword puzzles, jigsaws, jenga type games are all good for this. Don't worry if you struggle to concentrate at first but the belief is that it helps your irrational threat brain go off line for a bit and give you some respite. Worth a go.x

Best wishes

Yes! Adult coloring books are the best!
I find coloring just as good as meditation, if not better.

[PanickyGuy]

If you are up to it, find some activities to engage your logical brain.

Adult coloring books..


Yes! Adult coloring books are the best!
I find coloring just as good as meditation, if not better.

I swear to god I'm going to get one of those coloring books! Man you guys are tempting me with that. Sounds like fun. Lol the artist in me is screaming for one now.:blush:


@Hopeful - glad I could help and same gesture in return, but yeah..only with decaf. :winks:

[hopeful927]

Thanks everyone! I see the gastric doctor who did my colonoscopy at 1:15 tomorrow. I'm praying for peace and relief after the appointment. I'll let you know how it goes!

[hopeful927]

So I saw the gastric dr. He examined me and said it is a thrombized hemmeroid. He is still going to do another colonoscopy to see if he can remove it. I felt great yesterday but now I feel my anxiety creeping up again. Another test. What if they find something. Rational thoughts would tell me that because I just had a colonoscopy a year ago that there should be nothing to worry about but anxiety takes over all rational thoughts. My colonoscopie is in 2 weeks. I just don't want the anxiety to take over, and then if they do remove it even if he sees it is a thrombized hemmeroid he still has to send it away. So sick of feeling like this.

[Fishmanpa]

So I saw the gastric dr. He examined me and said it is a thrombized hemmeroid.

I'm offering you my previously predicted "Told ya so!" ;) Hemmies aren't fun but they're not serious. I know your anxiety will spin an evil web of doubt but all that's left is finalization and resolution. You may worry, but I sure ain't! All will be well :) Glad to hear it!

Positive thoughts

[GlassPinata]

"So I saw the gastric dr. He examined me and said it is a thrombized hemmeroid. "


Yay! Never thought I'd be cheering for a hemmorhoid, but: YAY! :yesyes:

You know, even if it had been a polyp, it probably would've been okay.
Nearly everyone I know who has a colonoscopy says, "Yeah, they removed 2 polyps. Whatever."
And it turns out, those polyps were benign.
Benign colon polyps are common- cancer isn't.
Hemmorhoids are SUPER common- practically universal.
You will be okay.
Best wishes! :)

[PanickyGuy]

So I saw the gastric dr. He examined me and said it is a thrombized hemmeroid. He is still going to do another colonoscopy to see if he can remove it. I felt great yesterday but now I feel my anxiety creeping up again. Another test. What if they find something. Rational thoughts would tell me that because I just had a colonoscopy a year ago that there should be nothing to worry about but anxiety takes over all rational thoughts. My colonoscopie is in 2 weeks. I just don't want the anxiety to take over, and then if they do remove it even if he sees it is a thrombized hemmeroid he still has to send it away. So sick of feeling like this.

There you go again, assuming the worse of the worse or predicting the worse of the worse to happen. That's your anxiety looking for something else to worry with you about, over nothing with the "What if's". Your focusing too much with the "What if's". Tell it to shut up. :D

Don't listen to it. You'll have to kick yourself, again, later on when you find out that you had nothing to worry about after the next appointment. :doh:

[hopeful927]

So I just have a general question. Do some of you have diarrhea or loose stools often? Not strung together but I feel like in the course of a month I could have 5 loose stools. Do I need to worry about this?

[PanickyGuy]

Not unless it's constant or every time you go, Hopeful. We all get it from time to time, whether it's from medication, bad food, IBS, GERD, gas, or even from anxiety\panic attacks.

I mean if your having diarrhea several days in a row, will then yeah...you might want to consult a doc about it. But 5 loose stools spread out over the course of a month, doesn't sound like something sinister. Sounds like what I get sometimes from my panic attacks, GERD and IBS, that go hand in hand with each other, which can cause that every once in a while; especially as a side effect from going to the bathroom a lot from the panic attacks. It seems the body wants to make you light as possible and quickly, so you can run when you get (all) the crap scared out of you. :D Pun intended.

[hopeful927]

I have a repeat colonoscopy (I had one a year ago that was all clear) because I have a small moveable lump in rectum. I've seen 3 doctors and they said it is probably a thrombized hemmeroid but I am so worried about them finding cancer. I can't eat, sleep. Just feels like a constant panic attack.

[Elen]

merged with your previous thread

[Capercrohnj]

I have a repeat colonoscopy (I had one a year ago that was all clear) because I have a small moveable lump in rectum. I've seen 3 doctors and they said it is probably a thrombized hemmeroid but I am so worried about them finding cancer. I can't eat, sleep. Just feels like a constant panic attack.

Colorectal cancer is a slow moving disease so if you were clear a year ago they aren't going to find a tumour now.

[SLA]

thrombized hemmeroid

Great band. Second album was a classic.

[Panic sufferer]

Great band. Second album was a classic.

I prefer their earlier stuff before they sold out, man...