Hello there and thanks for getting in touch

I am sorry to hear about the symptoms you have been having.

It is good to hear your GP has run a series of tests to find out more and it is reassuring nothing too concerning has shown up. I'm sure if your doctor is worried about any of your results they will be in touch soon, but if you remain concerned do speak with them again.

Blood test results can vary from previous results and something that is just outside of normal range isn't always something to be worried about. Lymphocytes normal range is between 1.4 - 4.5 as seen here. This can be slightly raised because of a recent infection, so there could be a simple reason for this. Likewise high folate levels can sometimes be caused by a diet high in folic acid, or a vitamin B12 deficiency, so do talk to your doctor about this and see what they think needs to happen next.

I hope you know more soon and things start to get better for you.

Take care,

Naomi

Hi thank you for the information and advice. 

I've noticed some other things from my blood results. My platelets were 308 10*9/L in February and it dropped to 188 10*9/L. It's still in the normal range but is that a lot to drop in 2 months?

 I had blood tests last year April-Nov because of a different issue and my platelets had always been similar.

My neutrophils had always been similar last year aswell and then in February it was 4.3 10*9/L and dropped to 2.2 10*9/L. Still in the normal range but I'm confused how it's changed when it didn't change much last year.

The nurse said to allow a week to hear back about results. It feels so long like I want them to call now and I want to find out what's causing my symptoms but trying to be patient.

Hello, and thanks for getting back to us again,

I am sorry to hear about the symptoms you are experiencing. Blood ranges do vary and your bloods appear within a normal range so I don't think you need to focus on your blood results.

We are unable to diagnose anyone on the forum and if your symptoms don't seem to be going away then do get back in touch with your GP. 

There can be many reasons why people develop symptoms and most of these reasons won't be because of cancer, particularly at your young age. Try if you can to keep an open mind which I know can be difficult when symptoms continue. 

The Patient's Association has written some information to help get the most from your GP appointment which you can see here

I hope that you find out more soon.

All the best,

Catherine

Hello, thank you for replying.

My GP said the blood tests were normal so I'm guessing the high lymphocytes is an acceptable abnormality.

I started having chest and back pain which felt like it was coming from my ribs and hurts when I move. I contacted my GP practice and the GP asked if I think it feels like costochondritis (I've had this in the past) and I said yes. I also have achy arms and legs. My lower left arm is the most painful and I noticed a large vein there so I sent a picture and she said it's nothing to worry about.

She said that she's gotten to know me in the last few months and that I'm a very worried and anxious person. I said that I'm not worried and I just find it hard being in pain and that I know my chest pain isn't from anxiety as it comes on randomly and hurts more when I move. I've had chest pain from anxiety before and it's felt different. She then said that I've had loads of symptoms and said they are real (I felt like she doesn't believe my symptoms are real) but I worry about them a lot more than she would expect. 

She prescribed sertraline and I didn't want to take it as I don't feel like I need it but she thinks I do need it. I also said I don't want to take it because of the possibility of side effects and she laughed and said most people don't get them. I also mentioned that I can't swallow tablets and would be more likely to take it if it comes in liquid form and she said that would be more expensive and that children are able to swallow it and she said that I should just break it and take it with yogurt (I've already tried everything) and said that I should take sertraline and then said bye and take care.

I felt so upset after the appointment because I felt lost about my pain. I also didn't like how annoyed she sounded at me and it's put me off contacting the GP about problems.

I've been very unusually tired aswell and feel like I can't function without napping in the day even though I'm getting 10-14 hours of sleep in the night (I used to get 8) but didn't mention that in the call as I felt like she would say something else about anxiety.

Today I noticed a bruise on the back of my left thigh and I was confused as I haven't hurt myself but just thought maybe I did hurt myself and not realise. I then went in the shower and saw another bruise on my upper right thigh and got very confused (I haven't had bruises in years and before it would always happen after an injury). I then saw a purple mark near my knee.

Is this too early to contact my GP about or should I keep an eye on it and then contact later if it gets worse?

There is a nicer GP at the practice who talks more professionally and doesn't show any judgement and she was the one I saw about my groin pains so I think I'll ask to see her if this problem does get worse.

Sorry I've gone on a ramble, I just felt like emptying my thoughts.

Hi Safa2001 and thanks for getting back to us.

It sounds like you are feeling very worried about things at the moment.

As my colleague said, hopefully it is reassuring for you to have had the tests and contact with your GP who is not concerned about the results.

If you are still having the pain which feels like costochondritis, it may be helpful to take painkillers to help with this.  There is information here from the NHS website about the condition and how to manage it.

There is more information here about sertraline from the NHS website which you might like to read, which could help you decide whether to take it.

We would normally say if you notice something that is different for you that persists for some time to contact your GP.  So maybe waiting for a few days or a week to see if the bruise like marks get better or go away before going to the doctor would be an idea.  Perhaps speaking to the other GP you mentioned will make you feel more confident about making an appointment, but hopefully things will have settled then and you may not need one.

It does sound like you are having some anxieties about your health, which we all do from time to time.  You might find this website called Every Mind Matters a good resource.  It has lots of ideas about looking after ourselves and keeping worries under control. 

I understand the need to empty your thoughts, but this forum may not be a good place to visit, as reading about cancer and symptoms can help keep this concern at the forefront of your mind.

I hope things settle down for you soon.

Take care,

Rachel