Positive FIT - Waiting for Colonoscopy - Health anxiety!

I'm petrified, but I must admit it is not the first time I'm convinced I have cancer:

It happened while waiting for a colposcopy after my first abnormal smear test, and then again while waiting for a brain MRI scan after a routine eye test showed some possible nerve damage. 

I felt extremely lucky when those turned out to be nothing; and also a bit silly and somehow guilty for making a fuzz.

And yet, here I am again. Googling, reading posts and looking at pictures of poop on the internet :S

Instead of learning from previous experiences, I feel it would be too lucky having another good result; particularly after the positive FIT and the scary symptoms. My doctor believes the positive FIT is from an haemorrhoid and that "I should not worry" but as you all probably know, that is easier said than done.

This negative thinking fully overcomes my life and I believe it is the reason I swept symptoms under the rug for a bit too long. I knew tests would be performed and, at a minimum, I would go through this awful waiting time. In a twisted way, replaying the gloomiest of scenarios in my head feels "proactive", as if it would prepare me for it in real life, which is of course ridiculous, but my feelings do not stand to reason.

This level of stress and anxiety trying to anticipate the future, if anything, can only do harm. My relationships suffer, my work suffers, my general wellbeing suffers, and as my doctor believes IBS, Coeliac or plain stress is way more probable, the waiting time for the colonoscopy is still unknown.

I've considered reaching out to a therapist for help on dealing with the uncertainty of waiting, does anyone have any experience with something like that? (I don't really think it could possible help, but it would definitely not hurt, so maybe worth trying...)

Thanks for reading this pointless rant. I'll go ahead and try to focus on work for at least a whole 10 minutes...:S

Lots of love and positive vibes!

Mia.

  • Hi Mia,

    I'm sorry to hear you're finding things difficult, and I know it is quite common to experience these struggles regarding anxiety while waiting for appointments or when worried about symptoms.

    It's good to hear your doctor doesn't seem too concerned, although I appreciate this doesn't offer any answers as such.

    You mention reaching out to a therapist - this could be worthwhile. The NHS has some helpful links on this, and it might also be worth looking at their Every Mind Matters page.

    And aside from that, I hope it's not too long to wait for your appointment.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Mia, I literally could have written this!! Every part of it! I feel your pain and understand more than you know. I have horrendous health anxiety for around 18 years now (I’m 37) every symptom I’m terrified it has a sinister cause. I wish I could stop researching and driving myself mad. I can’t shake this fear when I have an ongoing symptom! On and off for the last year I’ve had loose stools, my doctor put it down to ibs/stress. Then I started getting some blood upon wiping and had a positive fit test 2 months ago. I have my colonoscopy this coming Thursday and I’m terrified beyond words! Terrified for the procedure itself, or that they’l find something serious wrong. Im a single mum to 3 boys and 2 days after the procedure I‘m taking them to Spain on my own. I really didn’t want the colonoscopy before the holiday, what if they find something serious wrong, how will I even function. Im trying to pull myself together, I need to sort my house and start packing. But I spend most of my time googling and being crippled with fear. Health anxiety sucks and facing tests like these is one of our worst nightmares. Stay strong, I’m here if you need to chat xx