Dobbiedoo
29-05-22, 08:51
Had health anxiety to varying degrees for years but much worse since Christmas.
Started with worry over swollen glands that weren't actually swollen. GP sent for scary blood tests for reassurance. Had to redo one of them as couldn't process apparently which sent my anxiety higher but all fine in the end.
Next, my attention turned to my son and a visible gland he'd had for years. GP not worried but got him checked out for lymphoma! Terrifying time, more for me than him. All fine.
Back to me again and obsessing over breast cancer. I spent hours searching for lumps, prodding and damaging the skin till it bled. After 2 trips to GP, I was referred to breast clinic for reassurance. All fine.
Ironically, the very same day I got the all clear from the breast clinic and was feeling relieved and ready to put HA behind me, I came out in several weird unexplained purple bruises. I'd recently started Sertraline and read this could be an uncommon but serious side effect for which you should get urgent medical help! GP sent me to A&E for urgent blood tests to rule out scary stuff. I was utterly petrified, convinced I had leukaemia!
Blood tests all completely normal. Dr agreed it could be the Sertraline and told me to come off. However, they found trace of blood in urine! Period was due so said it could be that but to get urine rechecked by GP if didn't start in next couple of days as Sertraline can cause internal bleeding!
Period started next day which eased my anxiety but then I received a text from hospital with appointment for CT scan of chest, abdomen & pelvis for the following week that sent me spiralling again. I couldn't make the appointment, or the rescheduled one, so only had the scan a week ago, 3 weeks after the A&E visit. I asked why I was having the scan and they didn't seem to know.
I've been told to wait 2 weeks for results and that my GP will contact me. From previous experience of my GP surgery, you have to call them for results and they only contact you if there's a problem so now I jump every time my phone rings! If it doesn't, I will call them when the 2 weeks are up, I'm terrified.
I've not had another purple bruise since the day in A&E 4 weeks ago. However, I've had a number of much smaller, paler bruises that appear and disappear very quickly but these seem to be appearing less frequently now. I'd not had one for 2 weeks but had a small one appear on my leg 2 days ago ( now nearly gone) which got me worrying again as I don't know how I got it. I'm obsessed with constantly checking my body for brusing and freak at the tiniest blemish.
I'm 55 and convinced that this time my luck will run out and that something awful will be found on the CT scan. Utterly petrified and want this nightmare to end.
Thanks for reading.
Started with worry over swollen glands that weren't actually swollen. GP sent for scary blood tests for reassurance. Had to redo one of them as couldn't process apparently which sent my anxiety higher but all fine in the end.
Next, my attention turned to my son and a visible gland he'd had for years. GP not worried but got him checked out for lymphoma! Terrifying time, more for me than him. All fine.
Back to me again and obsessing over breast cancer. I spent hours searching for lumps, prodding and damaging the skin till it bled. After 2 trips to GP, I was referred to breast clinic for reassurance. All fine.
Ironically, the very same day I got the all clear from the breast clinic and was feeling relieved and ready to put HA behind me, I came out in several weird unexplained purple bruises. I'd recently started Sertraline and read this could be an uncommon but serious side effect for which you should get urgent medical help! GP sent me to A&E for urgent blood tests to rule out scary stuff. I was utterly petrified, convinced I had leukaemia!
Blood tests all completely normal. Dr agreed it could be the Sertraline and told me to come off. However, they found trace of blood in urine! Period was due so said it could be that but to get urine rechecked by GP if didn't start in next couple of days as Sertraline can cause internal bleeding!
Period started next day which eased my anxiety but then I received a text from hospital with appointment for CT scan of chest, abdomen & pelvis for the following week that sent me spiralling again. I couldn't make the appointment, or the rescheduled one, so only had the scan a week ago, 3 weeks after the A&E visit. I asked why I was having the scan and they didn't seem to know.
I've been told to wait 2 weeks for results and that my GP will contact me. From previous experience of my GP surgery, you have to call them for results and they only contact you if there's a problem so now I jump every time my phone rings! If it doesn't, I will call them when the 2 weeks are up, I'm terrified.
I've not had another purple bruise since the day in A&E 4 weeks ago. However, I've had a number of much smaller, paler bruises that appear and disappear very quickly but these seem to be appearing less frequently now. I'd not had one for 2 weeks but had a small one appear on my leg 2 days ago ( now nearly gone) which got me worrying again as I don't know how I got it. I'm obsessed with constantly checking my body for brusing and freak at the tiniest blemish.
I'm 55 and convinced that this time my luck will run out and that something awful will be found on the CT scan. Utterly petrified and want this nightmare to end.
Thanks for reading.