View Full Version : I know I have cancer
I am really feeling hopeless right now.
I had posted on here before about possibly having blood in my stool. Well, I went to the doctor's office on January 25th, and they did blood work to see how everything was. And to my surprise, it was all completely fine. But, I made a follow up appointment for February 20th, and they took blood again. Well, the blood work changed quite a bit and now I'm freaking out. Here are the main numbers:
1/25:
WBC - 5.6
RBC - 4.7
Platelet Count - 265
Hemoglobin - 13.6
2/20:
WBC - 4.6
RBC - 4.5
Platelet Count - 193
Hemoglobin - 13.3
I'm devastated right now because that means that I probably have either colon cancer and it's slowly bleeding, or I have leukemia now. :weep:
The fact that every single one of those numbers dropped so fast in a short amount of time proves that I most likely have cancer. I honestly can say that I am not surprised - I have been fearing getting cancer for the past 6 years of my life, and I now finally have it. I have been feeling tired the past 5 days, and I'm beyond anxious.
Also, when I went to my doctor's appointments both times I had a fever - another sign.
It proves no such thing.
However your overreaction DOES prove that your anxious over thinking is playing a number on you.
ServerError
23-02-17, 22:40
I don't know what any of those numbers mean, but if you really do have cancer, what are the doctors doing? Have you been referred anywhere?
Sorry, the numbers just show what my actual counts are, when compared to the normal range. My main point was that they all dropped - my WBC and platelet count in particular.
My doctor did say she wanted a follow up appointment in 2 months to take more blood, but I don't want to wait that long. I mean, what if I really do have cancer? I understand that being anxious is completely normal for me (although it's unhealthy to be), but this is my blood work. It's not like I can say "oh, it's all in my head, I'll be fine."
I am really feeling hopeless right now.
I had posted on here before about possibly having blood in my stool. Well, I went to the doctor's office on January 25th, and they did blood work to see how everything was. And to my surprise, it was all completely fine. But, I made a follow up appointment for February 20th, and they took blood again. Well, the blood work changed quite a bit and now I'm freaking out. Here are the main numbers:
1/25:
WBC - 5.6
RBC - 4.7
Platelet Count - 265
Hemoglobin - 13.6
2/20:
WBC - 4.6
RBC - 4.5
Platelet Count - 193
Hemoglobin - 13.3
I'm devastated right now because that means that I probably have either colon cancer and it's slowly bleeding, or I have leukemia now. :weep:
The fact that every single one of those numbers dropped so fast in a short amount of time proves that I most likely have cancer. I honestly can say that I am not surprised - I have been fearing getting cancer for the past 6 years of my life, and I now finally have it. I have been feeling tired the past 5 days, and I'm beyond anxious.
Also, when I went to my doctor's appointments both times I had a fever - another sign.
That's not how it works. Blood counts that suggest cancers have varying levels of high and low counts, and it takes a trained professional to recognise exactly what's going on by comparing blood counts to symptoms, history etc.
According to Mayo, those are normal :huh:
Positive thoughts
That's not how it works. Blood counts that suggest cancers have varying levels of high and low counts, and it takes a trained professional to recognise exactly what's going on by comparing blood counts to symptoms, history etc.
Exactly. And as long as the numbers are in normal range, I'm willing to bet a doc won't even consider questioning it. You can't expect all those numbers to remain the same over time. The body is always changing and always fighting off things.
You are drawing conclusions that make no sense. You are allowing your anxious mind to create cancer where there is no evidence. And your bloodwork results are not evidence of cancer.
My doctor did say that the blood counts were borderline low, so she wants to retest in 2 months to see if any more blood loss is occurring.
I guess my biggest concern is my hemoglobin and my RBC counts both dropped - that would have to mean I'm bleeding somewhere, like my digestive tract. That's why I'm so paranoid right now - and plus I'm tired and I feel warmer than normal.
Also this whole fiasco started 46 days ago...yes, I keep track.
My doctor did say that the blood counts were borderline low
= N.O.R.M.A.L.
Positive thoughts
MyNameIsTerry
24-02-17, 03:55
If your doctor suspected cancer, why would they wait another two months to perform a follow up routine check?
They wouldn't. They would follow up with any tests they need on an urgent basis because they know they may need treatment to start as soon as possible.
You've given two possibilities. Did the doctor give these or did you decide on them? Are you aware of every potential issue that can cause this fluctuation? If not, which I suspect it's the case, this is anxiety latching onto your long term fears with Confirmation Bias.
Your bloods are totally normal. I would be delighted to have such a good haemoglobin level particularly if I was worried I had colon cancer. Levels can fluctuate even due to the time of day the blood was drawn. I would question whether you need repeat blood tests at all in view of having 2 totally normal sets of bloods done so recently
Carrie8484
24-02-17, 11:15
Why do the American folk on here always post these blood tests stats? Why is the doc giving this data to them? I've never seen mine and I've had about 100 blood tests in my life.
The doctors here just say the results are normal or satisfactory. I must admit I do ask for some specific levels but most non-HA people wouldn't bother.
I think Caribou's doctor is fuelling his HA.
The doctors here just say the results are normal or satisfactory. I must admit I do ask for some specific levels but most non-HA people wouldn't bother.
I think Caribou's doctor is fuelling his HA.
In my opinion the worst thing you can do is look at your blood test results in detail - I have access to my records online with everything that gets done at my GP's surgery and have to admit it is dangerous i.e.fuels the mind checking and googling......what the different levels mean...
In my opinion the worst thing you can do is look at your blood test results in detail - I have access to my records online with everything that gets done at my GP's surgery and have to admit it is dangerous i.e.fuels the mind checking and googling......what the different levels mean...
Agreed, I know there's very good arguments for us having access to our own data, but having access a load of numbers I'm not qualified to understand doesn't appeal to me. The summary of "you're fine" will do me!
Only a haematologist can accurately interpret some of the less common levels. Otherwise, as Kay says, you can dredge up some grisly misinformation from the internet..
Hi there, sorry to hear about this stress but do try not to worry overly, as others have said, borderline does still mean normal, and if you really had a raging malignancy I am sure your counts would be positively abnormal. No doctor who even suspects such a thing is going to suggest waiting for 2 months, they would send you for urgent follow-up. I would honestly do something to try to treat your anxiety, which as we all know warps and deforms reality, and forget about this as much as you can.
In my opinion the worst thing you can do is look at your blood test results in detail - I have access to my records online with everything that gets done at my GP's surgery and have to admit it is dangerous i.e.fuels the mind checking and googling......what the different levels mean...
Made me think twice this, ive just had a text from my doctors after going in concerned about a swollen lymph node in neck, text said all bloods are satisfactory and no concerns. I was thinking of going in and asking for the levels of them all so i can compare to the ones i had done 14 months ago. Maybe i wont. :unsure:
Made me think twice this, ive just had a text from my doctors after going in concerned about a swollen lymph node in neck, text said all bloods are satisfactory and no concerns. I was thinking of going in and asking for the levels of them all so i can compare to the ones i had done 14 months ago. Maybe i wont. :unsure:
I wouldn't. If a qualified doctor's looked at the results and has no concerns, what could you possibly see in them that they haven't?
Capercrohnj
24-02-17, 12:35
I have a disease that causes GI bleeding (not cancer) and my hemoglobin was nowhere near the normal range.
Why do the American folk on here always post these blood tests stats? Why is the doc giving this data to them? I've never seen mine and I've had about 100 blood tests in my life.
For me as well as most Americans, we can log into a portal typically called "MyChart". It's a general record of your medical history that shows appointments, tests and results as well as doctor's notes etc. I can look at all my blood test results for the last 10 years if I want to.
When I have blood work done, and I have it every 6 months due to my medical conditions, I have an appointment to go in and discuss the results and make any changes that may need to be made in my medications and or diet. In fact, I'm off to get blood drawn this morning. I see my GP in two weeks for a follow up to go over the results. This kind of thing just doesn't faze me in the least. My blood work has been "off" as long as I can remember as I have hypercholesterolemia and high triglycerides. My numbers would freak most of you out! ~lol~
Positive thoughts
Made me think twice this, ive just had a text from my doctors after going in concerned about a swollen lymph node in neck, text said all bloods are satisfactory and no concerns. I was thinking of going in and asking for the levels of them all so i can compare to the ones i had done 14 months ago. Maybe i wont. :unsure:
Nope - dont - its not worth the anxiety - you will be comparing and going over and over it. I compared my last results done end Dec with the ones done last year in Aug and Mar and they freaked me out a little how they lowered and increased but you will be on the internet forever and a day comparing levels and stressing out (like I did)
Carrie8484
24-02-17, 13:07
I agree that knowing all this info if you have health anxiety is no good for you at all.
There's a saying we have in optics that a patient who knows a bit of clinical information from researching or requesting it is a dangerous thing.
I have been unaware of all my blood results apart from last year when I was told my liver function was off And needed repeat tests. Despite having HA I still don't know what it all meant to be honest
GlassPinata
24-02-17, 13:08
Once my son has a bad cold that dragged on and on, so the doctor did a blood test, and the bloodwork came back abnormal. Specifically, his blood sedimentation level (I think that's what it was called) was abnormal.
I was very scared, but the doctor did not seem too concerned.
I remained scared about it for about a year, and finally demanded the bloodwork be repeated. It was completely normal the second time, and has been ever since.
The moral, I think, is that we as non-medical professionals can't interpret blood results. We hear "abnormal" and freak out, thinking it signifies cancer or something serious. But doctors know that some abnormal results do not indicate anything serious. The abnormality is probably temporary and will self-correct. A doctor knows which blood results are worrisome and which are not.
When my son had the abnormal bloodwork result, the doctor told me it was most likely due to the virus he had, and that it was an expected result in a child who had been suffering from a respiratory virus.
I think it is better if doctors don't tell us the results, unless they are worrisome and require further action.
Why do the American folk on here always post these blood tests stats? Why is the doc giving this data to them? I've never seen mine and I've had about 100 blood tests in my life.
In the US we have access to all of our bloodwork and test results online. I have it for my gyn and primary. I could set up access to my retina doctor and my daughter's neuro if I wanted to. Our doctors actually encourage us to look them up via email saying: "your most recent tests results are now patient portal" or "there is a new message on patient portal"..... This is actually a good thing for most people. Not for those with runaway HA, however. I will add that my primary calls within 48hrs telling me my results.
---------- Post added at 08:14 ---------- Previous post was at 08:09 ----------
For me as well as most Americans, we can log into a portal typically called "MyChart". It's a general record of your medical history that shows appointments, tests and results as well as doctor's notes etc. I can look at all my blood test results for the last 10 years if I want to.
When I have blood work done, and I have it every 6 months due to my medical conditions, I have an appointment to go in and discuss the results and make any changes that may need to be made in my medications and or diet. In fact, I'm off to get blood drawn this morning. I see my GP in two weeks for a follow up to go over the results. This kind of thing just doesn't faze me in the least. My blood work has been "off" as long as I can remember as I have hypercholesterolemia and high triglycerides. My numbers would freak most of you out! ~lol~
Positive thoughts
Hahaha. I see that fish posted basically my American response. That is what I get for not reading all responses before posting my own
---------- Post added at 08:21 ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 ----------
Once my son has a bad cold that dragged on and on, so the doctor did a blood test, and the bloodwork came back abnormal. Specifically, his blood sedimentation level (I think that's what it was called) was abnormal.
I was very scared, but the doctor did not seem too concerned.
I remained scared about it for about a year, and finally demanded the bloodwork be repeated. It was completely normal the second time, and has been ever since.
The moral, I think, is that we as non-medical professionals can't interpret blood results. We hear "abnormal" and freak out, thinking it signifies cancer or something serious. But doctors know that some abnormal results do not indicate anything serious. The abnormality is probably temporary and will self-correct. A doctor knows which blood results are worrisome and which are not.
When my son had the abnormal bloodwork result, the doctor told me it was most likely due to the virus he had, and that it was an expected result in a child who had been suffering from a respiratory virus.
I think it is better if doctors don't tell us the results, unless they are worrisome and require further action.
That is all. Correct..
Several years back my daughter---then in 4th grade--- began having severe joint pain. I took her to the Ped. The Ped was concerned and ordered tons of blood work. several came back ABNORMAL. She told me something is wrong and she needs to see a rheumatologist. The rheumy saw the first set of bloodwork and she told me that in her 20+ years experience she had never seen numbers like this And not have something be wrong. She ended up having Lyme disease and was treated. She is now a healthy--and sometimes mouthy --13 yr old.
Soooo moral---doctors KNOW when something is wrong and KNOW when something is normal. Listen to the doctor.
My doctor did say that the blood counts were borderline low, so she wants to retest in 2 months to see if any more blood loss is occurring.
I guess my biggest concern is my hemoglobin and my RBC counts both dropped - that would have to mean I'm bleeding somewhere, like my digestive tract. That's why I'm so paranoid right now - and plus I'm tired and I feel warmer than normal.
Also this whole fiasco started 46 days ago...yes, I keep track.
There is no blood loss occurring. Your tests are not borderline low at all. They are perfectly normal and in the UK there would be no clinical need to repeat them in 2 months.
Um, you do realize that with leukemia the WBC is severely elevated (yours is not) and RBC is very low (anemic levels). Your hemoglobin is within the normal range (12-15.5) and your platelets aren't low; if you had leukemia they would be.
Your results aren't even borderline low. Everything is within normal range.
brandybuck
24-02-17, 15:44
Isn't it normal for them to change over time? I also had 2 blood tests almost 2 months away from each other and my counts had also dropped. Last one was done in December and so far I'm okay. :d
I've also "knew" I had cancer a few months ago.
Guess what? Still fine :)
its anxiety
---------- Post added at 16:21 ---------- Previous post was at 16:19 ----------
Made me think twice this, ive just had a text from my doctors after going in concerned about a swollen lymph node in neck, text said all bloods are satisfactory and no concerns. I was thinking of going in and asking for the levels of them all so i can compare to the ones i had done 14 months ago. Maybe i wont. :unsure:
:lac:
Bloods fine. Your fine. Trust your doctor.
MyNameIsTerry
24-02-17, 16:56
Only a haematologist can accurately interpret some of the less common levels. Otherwise, as Kay says, you can dredge up some grisly misinformation from the internet..
Exactly.
There are some things you are encouraged to self check e.g. asthma for those who have it worse, diabetics, etc but these are simply tests with instructions and a "see your doctor if..."
You can send off for tests against your DNA now for various things. I'm the disclaimer it says they just send you all the numbers and you need a medical professional to interpret them. Imagine showing DNA testing results to a GP? They can't even get antidepressant prescribing right let alone interpret something that only a specialist should summarise for them first, and that's multiple fields in the DNA testing example.
A guy I worked with years ago left our sector to work in public health. He spent 4 years learning to become a radiologist and then another couple in placements. His job isn't just to take a snap of the bit the doctor wants, he is better trained to interpret the results to then go to the doctor to determine the rest about what has been found.
I mean I totally understand that they can and will change over time.
But, it's just that they dropped that much in such a short amount of time - less than one month. My platelet count went from 265 down to 193...isn't that quite a bit?
But honestly, if my RBC and hemoglobin levels stayed the same, I don't think I'd be nearly as paranoid. Because at least then I'd have some comfort knowing that if it is staying the same, then there would for sure be no blood loss.
If anyone doesn't mind me asking, how long would it be for someone to become so ill from something like colon cancer before it either killed them, or sent them to the hospital because something really serious was going on? I know that everyone is different, but if anyone has an idea I'd really appreciate it. And also, thank you to everyone who has been posting and replying to my story - it's nice knowing there's other people who can help me.
Caribou, I don't think we have helped you at all judging by your post.
brandybuck
25-02-17, 13:08
Well, mine also dropped quite a bit. Should I start getting worried as well? :)
Your haemaglobin is great. If you were loosing blood no easy would it be that good.
My gran was sitting with a haemaglobin level of 7 which is abnormal or something. She had every test under the sun done and they still found no evidence of loss of blood.
Also agree that these things can fluctuate for day to day. They are normal xx
PASchoolSyndrome
25-02-17, 13:56
Unless you're medically trained to analyze your blood values and the million different causes of each shift and pattern, definitely do not check your blood and do not worry about it unless your doctor is.
MyNameIsTerry
25-02-17, 14:18
Unless you're medically trained to analyze your blood values and the million different causes of each shift and pattern, definitely do not check your blood and do not worry about it unless your doctor is.
Agreed. It's not just about the readings and what they mean, it's what they don't mean. Doctors not only spend many years training but then spend even more observing through experience which is where they hone their skills greatly.
HA sufferers look with tunnel vision at their feared condition. They fail to consider every possible condition and rule out via contradicting symptoms, which a doctor is trained to do.
As for low platelet, again something for a doctor to answer. I had pneumonia many years ago which put me in hospital for a week. I then experienced a low platelet count which kept me at home for another month. When it hit me I had to drag myself upstairs to bed on my arse!
Not sure about adults but I was talking to a doctor friend of mine the other day and he said something that floored me. The survival rate for children with leukemia is over 90%. That's incredible. People are definitely living longer with cancer now. Thank goodness. A friend of mine's wife had leukemia and she beat it.
But it is highly likely you don't have it as your doctor would not be waiting 2 months for followup.
N.
GlassPinata
25-02-17, 18:58
Not sure about adults but I was talking to a doctor friend of mine the other day and he said something that floored me. The survival rate for children with leukemia is over 90%. That's incredible. People are definitely living longer with cancer now. Thank goodness. A friend of mine's wife had leukemia and she beat it.
But it is highly likely you don't have it as your doctor would not be waiting 2 months for followup.
N.
It depends upon the type of leukemia, but yes, most are very curable.
My grandmother recently died of it, but she had numerous other health problems and was very old.
Most younger, healthy people can beat it these days.
Thelegend27
25-02-17, 20:37
I am no expert and I'm no doctor so what i say is purely from what ive read and heard. For one if im not mistaken cancer causes your wbc to spike like really high, i never heard of it decreasing. Maybe im wrong. But a cbc is just a way for the doctors to see your over all health and is used to spot something suspicious but its rarely used for a diagnoses. For example, i located 4 lymph nodes in my neck 2 one the left and 2 on the right not very big around 1 cm on the lower part of my neck near the collarbone and after reading google i thought they were the supracalvicular nodes which is sometimes a bad sign but after being examined by the doctor she said they aren't the supracalvicular nodes but they are near the area so she said i understand why you thought they were. So i had ultrasound and a cbc and both turned out normal and nothing looked suspicious so she dismissed it. My point is just because something seems odd doesn't mean it is you have to listen to the doctors theres no way to diagnose yourself and Google will only scare you because it only shows the worst case scenario.
I just thought I would bump this thread since I of course still have this worry in the back of my mind...although I have been so busy with school it hasn't come up much.
But, I'm supposed to make an appointment for a follow up blood test in April 20ht, but I don't know if I want to. I'm scared it'll show that my blood work got even worse and I don't want to see it.
So far, I don't feel any different than I have since this started. I keep checking my stools and so I don't think I see anything out of the ordinary.
Also, I've noticed my stools are a little thinner than they usually are. They're not pencil thin, but I've noticed they aren't as large...sorry TMI. Other than that, everything is relatively normalish. My doctor said that if my blood work is still on the low end, that she'd order me a colonoscopy.
ServerError
07-04-17, 14:20
If there was something wrong with your bloodwork, how would not knowing help? You'd basically be in the same limbo you're in now, the same mental anguish, the same fear. And then you'd get really ill through not being treated.
I don't believe you'll have anything to worry about, but if you're meant to have another consultation, it's important to go.
As for your anxiety, I'm sure you already know that it needs to be treated. That's all you can really do. Get some help.
WoodChucker
07-04-17, 14:43
Also, I've noticed my stools are a little thinner than they usually are. They're not pencil thin, but I've noticed they aren't as large...sorry TMI. Other than that, everything is relatively normalish. My doctor said that if my blood work is still on the low end, that she'd order me a colonoscopy.
This is a common symptom of anxiety or stress. You really don't need to worry. You'll be fine unless proven otherwise :)
Capercrohnj
07-04-17, 14:59
If you had active bleeding your hemoglobin would be way way lower. When my crohn's is bad mine is around 6-8 nowhere near normal
scaredmama26
07-04-17, 15:03
I have a question about the blood in your stools. Was there actual blood IN the stool? If it were the stool would be very dark. Or was it bright red blood that could be seen surrounding the stool and when you wiped? If it was like that you most likely just had/have a fissure. I dealt with this for a long time and totally convinced myself I had some type of cancer as well but when the doctor physically checked she told me there was indeed a fissure.
Also, if you had internal bleeding of some sort I really don't think it would come and go as you've explained. Anxiety makes us believe crazy things are happening to our bodies.
WoodChucker
07-04-17, 15:20
I have a question about the blood in your stools. Was there actual blood IN the stool? If it were the stool would be very dark. Or was it bright red blood that could be seen surrounding the stool and when you wiped? If it was like that you most likely just had/have a fissure. I dealt with this for a long time and totally convinced myself I had some type of cancer as well but when the doctor physically checked she told me there was indeed a fissure.
Also, if you had internal bleeding of some sort I really don't think it would come and go as you've explained. Anxiety makes us believe crazy things are happening to our bodies.
I've had a scare once about that. I just passed a kidney stone and I had to measure my temperature in case of an infection. So I've been taking my temp all day rectally and I somehow damaged something in there causing a lot of blood at my stool for the next 2 days... But I freaked out and almost went to the doctor :wacko: Luckely after 2 days it went away for good.
A doctor later told me that there was not much to worry about if it isn't mixed with the stool itself but just hangs around it.
I have pretty much permanently low blood counts. First time it happened even the nurse who took the blood freaked out. Doctor was less concerned but still wanted to monitor me. It went up a little but after follow up but he referred me to a hematologist/oncologist to see what was going on (insert freak out for real here of course!).
I had been on antibiotics that apparently I was allergic to. I stopped the antibiotics and the counts went up a little but stayed on the low end of the normal range or just outside of normal for a year that he monitored me. Finally just before I moved he agreed to do a bone marrow biospy to get a final answer. I have hypocellular bone marrow which is basically a fancy word for "lower than normal amount of blood forming precursor cells." Guy who did the biopsy actually called my hematologist to check my age - lol. Everything was totally normal though, no evidence of disease - perfectly healthy just less than "normal".
I had never had a CBC before all this so I suspect it would have been "low" all along. I continue to monitor it each year but it's never gone vastly up or down. The highest it was was actually during each of my pregnancies - I was right in the middle range of normal then. :)
Just wanted to give you my experience that "low" can be normal for some people! I can also go lower from illnesses, even if you don't feel sick you're body might be fighting something.
I wouldn't worry about slightly on the low end as long as it's consistent. Keep in mind it will change a little from time to time but you should see a normal "range" for you.
Well I have been checked twice for an anal fissure, and both times they said they didn't see one. I keep marking my calendar, counting how many days it's been since I first saw blood...100 days now. So, my question is, how long would it generally be for colon cancer to rear its ugly head once symptoms start? I know it's not the same for everyone, but I'm just wondering. Lately, my bowels seem more normal again, but I've felt a little nauseous the past few days which worries me. My weight is still normal, and I've actually gained almost 2 pounds.
This is a forum of anxiety sufferers. How would we know what the progression time of colon cancer was?
How did your doctors leave it? If they weren't concerned you shouldn't be. It's not like these things aren't on their radars.
At this point, what you're doing is all self inflicted. Your blood work was normal and medical professionals deemed you healthy.
When someone is truly afflicted with a serious physical illness (like my wife and I), we don't have a choice but to deal with it. With mental illness, you DO have a choice. You can choose to continue to suffer or get help.
What will you choose to do?
Positive thoughts
CHELLEB1017
18-04-17, 20:58
In 3 months my WBC went from a 4.8 to a 5.6. All my numbers were different some increased some decreased but all in the normal range. I have been told they change daily!
Thank you all for responding to my thread about my worries.
Just a little update, I hadn't seen any blood for almost 1 month, so I thought, okay, I'm good. But today, I went to the bathroom and saw a SMALL, VERY SMALL spec of blood on my stool. I wasn't sure if it was blood or not and I'm thinking, I'm only seeing what I want to see.
I went again this afternoon and I saw a red dot on the outside of my stool again - so I know that was blood. It was in a clumpish form though if that makes sense. I just know that I probably have colon cancer because why else would that be happening? I was checked for a fissure and hemorrhoids and both doctors said they didn't see any.
Thank you all for responding to my thread about my worries.
Just a little update, I hadn't seen any blood for almost 1 month, so I thought, okay, I'm good. But today, I went to the bathroom and saw a SMALL, VERY SMALL spec of blood on my stool. I wasn't sure if it was blood or not and I'm thinking, I'm only seeing what I want to see.
I went again this afternoon and I saw a red dot on the outside of my stool again - so I know that was blood. It was in a clumpish form though if that makes sense. I just know that I probably have colon cancer because why else would that be happening? I was checked for a fissure and hemorrhoids and both doctors said they didn't see any. Hi Not necessarily have you been examined for cancer in that area what other tests has been done? this is your HA condition saying oh it has to be cancer. My next step would to go back to my Gp and ask for more comprehensive tests are your stools quite hard as mine can be and there is blood showing sometimes in my stools. Cheers
Besides the obvious that as an anxiety sufferer, you're jumping to the worst possible and in reality, most unrealistic conclusion, there's nothing to be concerned with IMO.
Positive thoughts
Did these doctor's do any kind of scope like an anoscope to look up into your anus/rectum? I had bleeding, went to my GP first and she didn't feel or see anything, so she sent me to a gastroenterologist. I had a colonoscopy which was a little over three years ago and all it showed were very thin walled hemorrhoids. I was relieved but continued to have blood so my GI doc referred me to a Proctologist and he used an anoscope, which took less than 5 minutes, and he found a hemorrhoid that needed to be treated AND a fissure. Everyone says fissures hurt but mine never did. Since I had painless bleeding I was of course more worried, but not after the Proctology consult! Not everything is textbook! You may just need to see a Proctologist or gastroenterologist, if what you're seeing is in fact blood! For me there was no doubt. Sometimes food can look like blood. I'm not sure how old you are, but colon cancer is extremely rare under 50, especially if you have no family history.
No, they didn't do a scope...both just did a rectal exam.
The second doctor told me that if my blood work was still off/lower, then she would definitely order me a colonoscopy. I guess what freaks me out is that it went away the day after my second doctors appointment, and it suddenly appeared today. So a little over 2 months of nothing and boom. One other thing that I'm not sure if I have mentioned yet is that my very lower right abdomen feels like a balloon almost sometimes...not sure if that means anything.
But I feel nauseous right now :(
I honestly was feeling pretty good since everything was relatively normal. But my stools aren't hard, and there's no pain when I go to the bathroom. This is just a nightmare and I wish it wasn't happening. I am only 23 years old, and my doctor said the odds of it being something else (meaning not the C word), is about 95%. But, of course I focus on that 5% that it could be it. :weep:
So are you going back for blood work?
I still have bleeding off and on and stool doesn't always have to be hard to cause bleeding. It can simply be from irritation. Sometimes I wipe too hard and will have blood the next day. That tissue down there is very sensitive and it doesn't take much to irritate it. I was fine for several months and out of the blue it came back last August. I went back for another hemorrhoid treatment (Sclerotherapy) and I started having bkeeding again last week off and on. This time I do believe constipation started it, but it's not always the case at least with me. My husband had hemorrhoids also and he says his stool isn't always hard when it bleeds. Not sure what the pressure feeling is but I have that in various areas often because I have IBS. Anxiety heightens your sensitivity too so you're hyper aware of every ache or twinge.
Yes, I made the appointment for next Monday to have my blood work follow up.
Also, I was wondering if anyone could tell me why mucus in your stool is a symptom of colon cancer. I have seen a small amount of it the past two times I used the bathroom - not a lot, but I have seen it.
I keep hearing that mucus in the stool can be because of colon cancer and I was just wondering why colon cancer would cause mucus to be in your stool.
Yes, I made the appointment for next Monday to have my blood work follow up.
Also, I was wondering if anyone could tell me why mucus in your stool is a symptom of colon cancer. I have seen a small amount of it the past two times I used the bathroom - not a lot, but I have seen it.
I keep hearing that mucus in the stool can be because of colon cancer and I was just wondering why colon cancer would cause mucus to be in your stool.
Not a healthy line on enquiry, and not one for an anxiety forum. Hope the blood test's all fine.
MyNameIsTerry
03-05-17, 01:09
Mucus in the stool can be a sign of many things including a completely healthy colon.
I've had roids since my early twenties and have been seeing mucus in my stool on & off from then. I'm 41 now.
Another member on here spoke of being referred to a specialist who even said "mucus is good".
If you "know you have cancer" why are you posting on a health anxiety forum?
If you "know you have cancer" why are you posting on a health anxiety forum?
True... this tread was started Feb 23rd. We're over two months into a disease that progresses quickly and causes worsening symptoms. The fact that this thread is still going on if proof that it's not cancer.
Positive thoughts
I guess its down to the 'irrational' thinking kicking in once that starts it's very difficult to stop this. Cheers
I guess it's one of those things where you hear about one person out of a million people who was diagnosed with colon cancer at my age and you run with that.
I just wish it was easier to shake the fear off. Even the nurse who looked at my file said my hemoglobin was low - I'm like, really? Did you have to say that out loud?
MyNameIsTerry
04-05-17, 05:27
I guess it's one of those things where you hear about one person out of a million people who was diagnosed with colon cancer at my age and you run with that.
I just wish it was easier to shake the fear off. Even the nurse who looked at my file said my hemoglobin was low - I'm like, really? Did you have to say that out loud?
Perhaps she should have been a bit more careful knowing you were a HAer? I'm not a HAer and a doctor/nurse saying that to me would be greeted with a blank face and a "what does that mean then?" rather than fear.
But why does that mean cancer? Why can't that mean many other things that are easily treatable? Only the HAer reaches for cancer from something like that.
Well I went for my follow up bloodwork yesterday and got my results back fairly quickly. She said that my blood work was excellent with no anemia or chronic blood loss. :D
I was so relieved to read that and see all of my blood work bounce back to normal. I guess I don't realize how ridiculous I sound when I'm concerned about something like this. It just worried me so much because it had never happened to me before. But, I really appreciate everyone who posted on here. Believe it or not, I'm virtually calmer than I've been in 4 months. :)
Now I'll just have some other disease to worry about soon I'm sure. :roflmao:
Now I'll just have some other disease to worry about soon I'm sure. :roflmao:
Let's hope that now you'll look into getting professional help with your anxiety so this doesn't happen again ;)
Positive thoughts
Let's hope that now you'll look into getting professional help with your anxiety so this doesn't happen again ;)
Positive thoughtsYes totally agree on this Fishmanpa think it's the 'only' way forward for Caribou93 :) Cheers
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