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Lump in neck - Anxiety is through the roof

Pol12
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Hi, 

I feel very silly writing this, but my anxiety is through the roof.

I've had a small lump on my neck, and it's been there for as long as I can remember.

For some reason, I've started stressing about it, and i've always thought it was due to having tonsilitis a lot as a kid.

I went to the doctors and he didn't seem worried when he felt the lump, however he sent me for blood tests. These came back clear and I had to ring to get the results. 
At the appointment, he said we would have the bloods done first and then if I was still worried he could send me for a scan.

I then chased the blood results, due to my anxiety and on the phone I said has the doctor referred me for a scan and they said no.
I then had to get another appointment with the same doctor to get a scan.

To me this is very scary and I don't understand if the doctor wasn't worried and that's why he didn't follow up with me or whether I've just fell through the cracks of the system.
I now have a scan for monday and I am so worried.

Any help with dealing with this, would go along way.

Tahnks

  • Hello and thank you for your post.

    I am sorry to hear about the situation you are in and the worry it is causing you.

    The best thing to do now is to try and busy yourself with everyday things if you can. It is reassuring to know that you are going to have a scan coming up, this is likely to be a ultrasound scan. You will get the results in a couple of weeks usually. and they will go to the doctor that ordered them.

    I hope you have support. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline 

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    I have suffered with anxiety for many years. As well as the nurses advice below, the number one think that helped me is using breathing techniques. Google box breathing or square breathing and try that. Any deep 'belly breathing' technique will help. I actual prefer a breathing technique from Wim Hof a Dutch guy but its quite extreme and may not suit some people..... If the anxiety persists longer term then get to your GP for medication and counselling. Good luck!

  • Offline in reply to iwhite3

    Thank you so much.

    I will google these breathing techniques, I just feel like I need my scan to make me feel better but I can't concentrate on anything else but thinking of this.

    I honestly wouldn't wish this fear on my worst enemy.

  • Offline in reply to Pol12

    I think I understand the level of fear you are feeling / describing. Its amazing how much extreme anxiety can affect you both mentally and physically. At its worst, I had a period of around 3-4 months where I barely slept. I felt ill the entire time. Horrible knot in my stomach. Dry mouth. Dodgy guts (on the toilet all the time). Incessant thoughts running through my mind. I know there is a reason for your anxiety and you want this reason to go away. And it sounds like it will all be fine from what youve written above. But if youre the sort of person who gets anxious then its likely going to be an issue in future (I mean the anxiety itself). Hence, for me its important to learn to deal with anxiety whatever the reason for it. Thats why I recommend breathing techniques or even meditation. I must say they dont work instantly and you need to stick to them for some time to get them to work as well as possible. Dont try it once and think 'oh that didnt work'. The other thing that really helped me is exercise. Any that gets your heart rate up. Anxiety triggers your fight or flight response. So I figure if you exercise its like fleeing and after your body can go into a better relaxed state. Hope that helps a bit... It sounds to me like it will likely all be fine and you are 'catastrophising'. Google that term if you are familiar with it too.... Good luck.

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