Im scared i might have cancer

Hi, I’m just going to start off by saying the stuff. So basically for the past few weeks about three or four weeks I’ve been having like pains in my legs, arms and collarbones like a dull achey deep pain I think it might be my bones? And I’m not really that hungry and can’t finish my food, I’m also feeling tired where I’ll fall asleep early wake up and feel tired throughout the day, I have quite a busy lifestyle but my routine has been persistent for the past year and I’ve been fine? Sometimes I’ll be cold, where the heating will be on and I’ll have leggings, joggers a top and jumpers on and I’ll have goosebumps from being cold but that happens every few days not every single day or constantly, and I think my lymph nodes are swollen because I can feel them in my neck, usually just one of them is swollen constantly but I can feel my other lymph nodes in my neck I don’t know if that’s normal? I’m so scared I don’t know if I’m overthinking it I could just be anxious but are these signs should I get them checked out? What else could this be because I feel like my doctors won’t listen to me because of how often I’ve been to the doctors in my life over infections and stuff. I’ve also had like a few bruises come up only like three but I don’t know how I got them and they healed quite quick but I know that that couldn’t be a sign, my knee has started hurting going up and down the stairs now too like the bone bit, I’m so so so scared should I get it checked out or am I being too anxious?? Please help me!! Thank you for reading :)

  • I think you should get yourself checked out, because obviously this is making you feel absolutely terrified.  If you feel that your doctors are not taking you seriously, you have a right to a second opinion with another doctor.  If it is any consolation, your symptoms could be a sign of lots of different things, because there are many minor illnesses that mimic the signs of cancer.  However, no-one on here can diagnose you......only your doctors can do that.  I understand what you mean when you say that your doctors are not taking you seriously because of how often you have been to them in the past.  My sister had the same problem.  Some years ago her doctors refused to take her seriously when she kept telling them that she had severe stomach pains, and I must admit, my sister is a bit of a hypochondriac and she did tend to go to the doctors for the most ridiculous reasons, but I confronted her doctors on her behalf, and it was lucky that I did, because what they believed were my sister's 'hypochondriacal pains' actually turned out to be a huge (but thankfully benign) lump in her stomach.  Good luck. 

  • Thank you so much, yes I can be quite anxious I’ll get it checked out next week, do you have any advice on what to say or what to push for if they don’t take me seriously? Thank you!

  • Hello again.  That is very good that you are going to ask your doctors to check you out.  I think that you should tell them exactly what you have told us here on this forum......how you are always feeling cold, you have no appetite for food, how you are getting pains in certain areas of your body and how you are feeling very tired.  It is not easy to get a doctor to take you seriously once they have decided that you are a hypochondriac, and if you are someone that isn't a naturally forceful person, it can feel a bit intimidating to speak up for yourself.  Is there anyone that could talk to your doctors on your behalf, like I did for my sister?  A friend or family member?  If not, don't be afraid (easier said than done I know).  Be polite but firm:  Tell them that you KNOW that something is not quite right about your health, and if they still refuse to take you seriously, then tell them that you wish to see another doctor for a second opinion, which is your right to do.  Good luck, and keep us informed, and please try to remember what I originally said..........lots of minor illnesses can mimic the signs of cancer.  Take care.   

  • Hi, I went to the doctors and they did a blood test on me, it came back saying my white blood cells are higher than normal and my red blood cells are lower than normal also that my red blood cells are smaller than they should be (low MCV I think it’s called), my vitamin levels came back fine and my liver functions came back fine so it’s not a vitamin deficiency, im calling them again so we can do further testing. Thank you! 

  • Update- they told me to take vitamins even tho my vitamin level was normal and that it’s because of stress and anxiety, I’m going to track my symptoms for another month while taking vitamins and if they don’t improve I’ll go back!