Aussie11
17-09-10, 23:11
Hi, I've just been on this forum for the first time time today and it's nice to know that I'm not the only one constantly worrying about their health. It was also interesting to read that a lot of other people's health concerns started not longer after losing a relative. My dad died 3 years ago from a brain tumour, aged 55. His only symptom was feeling a bit depressed and a week or so later feeling a little off balance. He died 3 months later. Ever since then every time I have had any sort of internal ache/pain I presume that it's cancer, and when I then feel a pain somewhere else I then start thinking it's advanced and spread to other places.
In April this year had low abdominal ache for weeks. Doctor did blood tests, all were fine. Had pelvic ultrasound to check ovaries etc. - all fine. Pain moved up higher and into back and got really bad so went to A&E, they did bloods and CT on kidneys - all fine. Then was convinced it must be pancreatic cancer (google to thank for that) so had abdominal scan on kidneys, pancreas and liver - but all fine. Doctors suggested it could be IBS as also had change in bowel habits. Also started having heart palpitations and thought my neck glands were swollen, and also noticed that left pupil was bigger than the right (other people could see it - wasn't just my imagination!)
Seemed all ok for the next couple of months then in July started noticing change in bowel habits again and getting back and abdominal cramps very low down. Went to doctor and asked for referral to gastroenterologist as worried about bowel cancer since it's in my mum's side of the family (my aunty had bowel cancer removed earlier this year, dr perforated her bowel, she got septicimia and was lucky to survive). Saw specialist last week and he noticed on referral letter that my CRP levels were 6.2 - NHS GP said it was normal, specialist said that is quite raised (does anyone know if that's really bad?). I'm having colonoscopy on Wednesday, dr doesn't think there's anything to worry about, he just wants to rule out Crohn's etc. Last few days the back ache has gotten worse, lymph nodes at back of neck seem swollen and now feels like I've got hard lumps near my collarbone/shoulder area on one side. I also get pins and needles in my left fingers and toes and weird muscle twitches in arms and legs.
GP and specialist really only expect that I have IBS, but I'm not sure that IBS would cause all those symptoms? Of course health anxiety is telling my I have cancer in my whole body, but I guess reality is that anxiety may be causing these other things? or perhaps I just have normal back pain, as well as IBS, which isn't the end of the world!!
Just want to feel normal again and reassured that I'm not dying!
In April this year had low abdominal ache for weeks. Doctor did blood tests, all were fine. Had pelvic ultrasound to check ovaries etc. - all fine. Pain moved up higher and into back and got really bad so went to A&E, they did bloods and CT on kidneys - all fine. Then was convinced it must be pancreatic cancer (google to thank for that) so had abdominal scan on kidneys, pancreas and liver - but all fine. Doctors suggested it could be IBS as also had change in bowel habits. Also started having heart palpitations and thought my neck glands were swollen, and also noticed that left pupil was bigger than the right (other people could see it - wasn't just my imagination!)
Seemed all ok for the next couple of months then in July started noticing change in bowel habits again and getting back and abdominal cramps very low down. Went to doctor and asked for referral to gastroenterologist as worried about bowel cancer since it's in my mum's side of the family (my aunty had bowel cancer removed earlier this year, dr perforated her bowel, she got septicimia and was lucky to survive). Saw specialist last week and he noticed on referral letter that my CRP levels were 6.2 - NHS GP said it was normal, specialist said that is quite raised (does anyone know if that's really bad?). I'm having colonoscopy on Wednesday, dr doesn't think there's anything to worry about, he just wants to rule out Crohn's etc. Last few days the back ache has gotten worse, lymph nodes at back of neck seem swollen and now feels like I've got hard lumps near my collarbone/shoulder area on one side. I also get pins and needles in my left fingers and toes and weird muscle twitches in arms and legs.
GP and specialist really only expect that I have IBS, but I'm not sure that IBS would cause all those symptoms? Of course health anxiety is telling my I have cancer in my whole body, but I guess reality is that anxiety may be causing these other things? or perhaps I just have normal back pain, as well as IBS, which isn't the end of the world!!
Just want to feel normal again and reassured that I'm not dying!