Anxiety Overload

Hello- I am looking for anyones thoughts on my health issue- I am 50years old, female and I will admit I suffer with health anxiety from time to time. I had been doing pretty good up until Jan/ Feb when I started to feel quite unwell in general. After a few weeks of that and a particularly scary episode of what I thought was kidney stones in April I went to doc and had lots of blood and urine tests done- Nothing showed up for either EXCEPT iron levels too low which doc was not happy about. So referred for colonoscopy and endoscopy on Tuesday 31st. I am in BITS with worry and so scared now that this will find oesophagael cancer which has spread- I have to constantly clear my throat of either phlegm or acid, have a funny taste in back of throat and most worryingly have lost weight unexpectedly (not something I would normally complain about!). I can swallow ok. I had both procedures done 3.5 years ago and both were clear (one polyp removed during colonoscopy). Could I have gotten oesophagael /throat/ stomach or bowel cancer in that time? So sorry for my rambling- I don't want to worry family and I don't know how to deal with this overwhelming fear. Thanks so much. Feemalin. 

  • A warm welcome to the forum Feemalin although I'm sorry for the reason you're joining us.

    Our members know how tough and stressful it can be to cope with the uncertainty unexplained symptoms bring, so you are not alone, and I'm sure you will receive some support and advice from them soon.

    Waiting for tests (and results) is always very challenging but I hope some of the tips and advice offered in this article and on the NHS website will help keep your worries at bay until you know more.

    If you feel you may benefit from talking things through with one of our nurses, they're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

    In the meantime, we're thinking of you and wishing you all the best for next week. 

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator