Fear Of Cancer

[Black]

Ok, so I've had acid reflux 3-4 years now, and I'm 25. My health anxiety went away for a while, but now it's back. When I sleep, it's hard, because I feel like throwing up. I also have hoarseness from coughing/hyperventilation. All I can think about is esophagus cancer like my uncle had. I did decide to not go through with an endoscopy which a GI prescribed (even though after being monitored for a week, he said I have IBS and /possible/ acid reflux, but he didn't think it was the latter.) He still never went to any worry that it was cancer, and neither did my regular doctor, and they're not even fully sure it's acid reflux it seems. Am I over-worrying in thinking it is cancer? Could it just be my obesity and acid reflux making me feel meh? Sometimes it's hard to swallow, and I just worry a lot. And the hospital took my concerns seriously, they just didn't think it was cancer. I did have a whole bunch of blood tests, tests, a CT scan, etc. after 12-13 visits to the hospital, in which they said I had anxiety when all tests came back clear. Should I just try and like, eat better and really stop worrying? Should I get a test and be honestly concerned that I have something crazy?

---------- Post added at 17:28 ---------- Previous post was at 17:12 ----------

As a note, he didn't think I absolutely needed the endoscopy, but he just couldn't find anything the matter with me. He had issued a colonoscopy too at the same time. The GI was confident in IBS because even with my symptoms, he said it just didn't line up with acid reflux, and more with IBS.

[Fishmanpa]

Am I over-worrying in thinking it is cancer?
Should I just try and like, eat better and really stop worrying?

Yes and absolutely YES!

Positive thoughts

[snowghost57]

Eating healthy is always a good idea. Have you thought about walking? It's free, will help with your weight and anxiety. Talk to your doctor and get some help for your anxiety. Obesity is not a good physical state to be in. 12 visits to the hospital? I'm 57 and have never been to a hospital that many times in my life!

[Black]

Eating healthy is always a good idea. Have you thought about walking? It's free, will help with your weight and anxiety. Talk to your doctor and get some help for your anxiety. Obesity is not a good physical state to be in. 12 visits to the hospital? I'm 57 and have never been to a hospital that many times in my life!

Yes, they have said that, and my BP (which is under control, and related to said obesity) are my only issues. With so many of these tests, they seem absolutely sure I'm ok, as not any of the doctors have found reason to believe it's anything else. I have read that anxiety makes gastro issues worse, and than in turn can make anxiety crazier. Thanks for the words. I used to walk but due to a RL thing I do it less, but I might try and pick up on walking more again, at least a bit each day and some. I just worry if they didn't do every test that has existed, then I might have something. But, I'm probably being quite irrational!

[snowghost57]

Yes, they have said that, and my BP (which is under control, and related to said obesity) are my only issues. With so many of these tests, they seem absolutely sure I'm ok, as not any of the doctors have found reason to believe it's anything else. I have read that anxiety makes gastro issues worse, and than in turn can make anxiety crazier. Thanks for the words. I used to walk but due to a RL thing I do it less, but I might try and pick up on walking more again, at least a bit each day and some. I just worry if they didn't do every test that has existed, then I might have something. But, I'm probably being quite irrational!

Anxiety will make everything seem worse. You have had tests that prove you are fine. I used to walk just for the pleasure of being outside and it helped with my anxiety and I lost 12 pounds without even trying! Walking will increase the endorphins in your brain which helps with the anxiety, you will build muscle that will burn more fat and you will feel better. The first step is always the hardest. Just do it! Another thing you can do is park your car further away from the store. It cracks me up when I see people fighting for the closets parking space to the door. I walk as much as I can. We have strip malls here in the states and when I go to the post office I walk to the nearby stores, I'm talking 20 feet? It just kills me that people will drive to each store! Once you start walking, you'll feel better and even look forward to walking.