Worried After Chatting To Doctor

I went to see my GP in November as I had been struggling since losing my sister in October to a very short battle with lung cancer. I told my doctor I was worried about myself as I lost my mum to ovarian cancer when I was 30, any way my GP ordered full blood to be done and this came back with me being anaemic but she said It was so low I'd require another blood test to be done along with a stool sample and urine sample, I went for another set of full blood the following week and these came back the same so she put me on iron tablets (200mg) to be taken 3 times per day, I felt overwhelmed with the situation and I didn't put in any samples she asked for nor did I turn up for 2 appointments with my GP before Christmas, the receptionist phoned me and I explained my worries and saw my GP last week who took more blood, felt my stomach, checked my blood pressure, checked my lungs and oxygen and told me all that seemed fine but now she's booked me in to have an ultrasound and I'm terrified to the point I don't think I want to go, I've not received my appointment as of yet and she didn't say if it was an urgent referral, the GP receptionist phoned me Friday 13th Jan to say there's another subscription for more iron tablets and like I said I'm petrified and don't know what to do. Any words of advice would be much appreciated.

  • Hello dilaw

    I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling so very overwhelmed by everything at the moment. It sounds as if your anxiety really is impacting your life at the moment. 

    From what you've said your GP hasn't found any immediate cause for concern so this is reassuring. Of course, you're not obliged to go to the ultrasound appointment that the GP has requested but if you are able to then hopefully this will give you some more reassurance that physically all is well. 

    I'd suggest getting in touch with your GP surgery and explaining just how overwhelmed you are by everything. If it's too much for you to make that call then is there a family member or good friend who may be able to speak to the GP on your behalf to explain that you need some support in managing your mental health as well as your physical health. In the meantime, you may find it helpful to look at this information on the NHS website about managing health anxiety. 

    If you'd like to talk things through with one of our nurses you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. 

    I do hope that things improve for you soon. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator