Cancer Research UK main site

Worried about seeking medical advice

naomi21
Offline

I am a 21yo girl and worried about going to the doctors next week. I never used to get ill until a few months ago.

A few months ago I started having chest pains lasting longer than 15 minutes and I went to hospital and they did loads of tests and couldn't find anything so they said it's costochondritis and told me to take painkillers. I tried different painkillers but it wasn't working so the doctors at my GP practice eventually told me that it's probably health anxiety and that I need to get on with my life and go back to uni. I tried twice but still get chest pains.

In December I started getting palpitations but was worried to call the doctors because I thought they'd say it's health anxiety again. I eventually called today and they said they'll do an ECG on Monday.

I also noticed in December that my left breast is larger and the lower part of my left areola is paler. I decided to mention this today and they booked an appointment with a GP who I've never seen before for Wednesday.

I'm so worried for both of these appointments. I just feel like I'm going to be told it's anxiety but I've had so many stressful moments in my life before and not had symptoms like these. 

I'm also worried that they'll find something and then I'll be sent to hospital. I'm just scared it will be chaotic especially with everything on the news right now. 

I know I'm doing the right thing seeking medical advice but I'm trying not to worry about it so I decided to rant on here and then try not to think about it. I feel awful saying this but there's part of me that doesn't mind losing my life because I'm so scared of growing up. I'm just trying to stick to doing 'the next right thing', as Anna from frozen would say.

I'm also wondering if anyone's gone to the doctors/ hospital recently and if the staff were empathetic and took your symptoms seriously.

I've also started getting chilblains in November and still have it. I used to have this as a child but I was malnourished and underweight that time so I think that's why I had it. I ate more as a teenager and think I was a healthy weight so didn't have chilblains anymore so I'm shocked I have it now. I've decided to weigh myself and it is underweight but I'm confused because I'm eating well. I don't know what weight I was before but I think I definitely weighed more before because I couldn't see my ribcage before and I can see it now. Is all this worth mentioning?

Sorry this post is written like a mess. This is how I feel right now. I hope I haven't offended anyone.

  • Offline

    Hello naomi21 and a warm welcome to Cancer Chat, 

    Don't worry you haven't offended anyone - this is what the forum is for, a safe space for you to write down your worries and talk to others who have been through something similar. I know you are feeling a bit anxious about your appointments this week, but you are absolutely doing the right thing and took all the right steps so all you need to do now is have faith in the medical experts and it won't be long I am sure until you get some definite answers. 

    Best of luck for your ECG tomorrow I hope it all goes well! Good luck too for your GP appointment on Wednesday - it's always good to get any breast concerns checked out. As for your other concerns, if they are making you worried it's always worth mentioning these and don't worry the doctors and anyone looking after you should be empathetic and take your symptoms seriously. 

    Try to just take one day at a time though and not to anticipate the worst for example by imagining yourself going to hospital as this is not likely to happen so just try and talk to the doctors about your concerns and hopefully you will get the reassurance you need very soon. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Thank you Lucie.

    I had the ECG today and the nurse was lovely so I wasn't nervous anymore. After the ECG was finished, she told me to sit back on the chair and that she's going to see a doctor to check the results. I was surprised because the last time I had an ECG, the nurse said that nothing flagged up on the ECG and then I was free to go home and said I'll hear back from the gp if they find anything abnormal and there wasn't. So then I wondered if something is wrong this time. I also didn't have palpitations while I was having the test so I thought it would definitely be normal.

    The nurse came back and said that the doctor doesn't think it's urgent but will have a follow up phone appointment with me tomorrow. I'm actually looking forward to the call because I want to know what's going on and I'm hoping this problem can get sorted.

    I think tomorrow, I'll also write down a list of my symptoms to prepare for the appointment on Wednesday so I don't forget anything.

    Thank you

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.