Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: ATB on May 18, 2022, 04:35:09 PM
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I am very sorry to hear this, ATB. It must have been a shock for the Dr to say you need it checked out right away but just think, it has been there for 7 years so I would say that it cannot be anything serious. I had a friend who had a lump and got it checked out. It turned out to be a swelling but nothing else. I think you are very brave to get it checked out again as I understand what a worry that must have been.
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Thank you so much. Yes, I’ve got this checklist now that I have to address some health concerns I’ve been too anxious too in the depth of this perimenopause without HRT. I’ve felt stronger so had a number of things I put off that I can’t any longer. I’ve just worried about them all this time. I had an eye issue checked, and some blood tests and then this was the last thing. It is scary but also I’m telling myself that if nothing else, I’ll know and I’ll deal with it. It is slightly making me feel better that it’s been there so long, but then I know some cancers can do that so I then worry! But I had a few neck and shoulder injuries and a road accident at the time this appeared, so I know it’s most likely something like that rather than thyroid cancer which was my main concern. The GP said it’s not on my thyroid, it’s on the main neck muscle that comes across your neck. So I keep that in mind. Also I’ve had so many blood tests over these years I think other things would be affected by now surely. Thank you for sharing that story about your friend, it helps x
I am pretty sure something would have shown up in one of the blood tests you have had in between. You have done so well to get your eye and other things checked out despite feeling anxious. I find it so positive you are feeling stronger now. :)
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Thank you!! I had a great therapy session today so I’m definitely feeling like a different person all round, not perfect but very positive which I haven’t been in years. Thanks so much for the support! You’re a very helpful member here.
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Thank you!! I had a great therapy session today so I’m definitely feeling like a different person all round, not perfect but very positive which I haven’t been in years. Thanks so much for the support! You’re a very helpful member here.
That is great! It can be so hard to feel positive and it is so nice to know the therapy has helped. Aww, that is so sweet. Thank you. :-*
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Lumps are always a worry. However, as suggested - by now it would have either gone away, 'popped', or grown with possible pain.
Your recent GP is correct to follow this up. Take a list of your worries with you and ask, ask, ask! Then let us know ;-)
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Thank you, definitely will let you know- and I won’t start a new post!! I have sadly read on a cancer forum that a man with a neck lump for 8 years had lymphoma I think and died 6 months after his post. However, he had just started having symptoms- night sweats, serious arm pain- and I have none not explained by HRT starting. You’re right and I am trying hard not to worry unless I need to. I’m learning how to stop the ‘what ifs’ I tend to do. There’s no symptoms with this lump or anything of concern, it’s movable and spongey and been there at least 7 years so hugely unlikely. But I shall report back either way.
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Hi yes I believe I’ve had at least 3 ultrasounds on my neck.
It all started with having lunch with my good friend, and she said “you have a lump on your throat” I said I do not, then felt my throat and yes I could feel a large lump.
So I went to my doctor at the time she said thyroid and got blood test which and referred me to hospital. Been waiting to see the specialist at the hospital when one weekend it felt hard to swallow my food.
So I went to me new and current doctor. She could see that I was on the waiting list, she said Lyn if it’s gotten worse and something is wrong we need to prove it, it’s the only way they will see you quickly. So she sent me of for my first ultrasound, the ultrasound picked up unusual cells or lump? They said they need to do a biopsy. So had to go back, this time there was five people in the room with me. While one did the ultrasound, another stick a big needle in my neck, I rub my legs to comfort me, and one tested the cells to see if they go what they needed. I was very comfortable and they seem more concerned about it then me. The information was sent to the hospital, a week later my doctor called and asked if the hospital has contacted me yet. My answer was “No”. My doctor rang the hospital within 30 minutes I had a appointment. They pushed to operation forward as they could see unusual cells forming.
When they cut my left thyroid out, they tested it straight away, while I still was under, if it was cancer they were going to remove both. It wasn’t cancer, they told if it was cancer not to worry, thyroid cancer has the highest success rate out of all cancers.
The whole experience was not painful the needle in the neck, I honestly wonder while the nurse was rubbing my leg, then it clicked that she was trying to comfort me. The operation was the least painful operation I’ve ever had, I refuse pain medication because I was in no pain.
So take a deep breath you will be fine, I try to go with the flow, every time I have a operation and it’s been over 6 now, I take it all in good or bad it’s a life experience and I try to take it in and remember.
It’s the strange outlook I have on life,
Please let us know how you get on
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Thank you Lyncola, it’s actually good to hear such a detailed summary of what would happen. I prefer to know. I’ve never had surgery before but I’ll just take it stage by stage. It hasn’t got bigger, it appears via photos to have got smaller and sometimes I don’t feel or notice it as much as others. It’s never been difficult to eat or breathe. I just want to get it sorted now and to know what to expect is very helpful, thank you. I’m very glad you didn’t have cancer. I know thyroid cancer is easily treated for most also, the highest success rate so overall I shouldn’t indulge in the worry too much.
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Hi ATB, I just wanted to say that I feel for you. I also have health anxiety and find it hard not to imagine the worst. Research on internet doesn't help. At the same time I am reluctant to contact my GP as I don't want to bother them, and when I do, they don't offer the thorough test/examination. It's good that you will finally find out what it is, the fear of unknown is the worst. It really seems like nothing sinister, but it will be good to get it checked. Thank you for offering your help with my thyroid results. Wishing you all the best and keep us posted.
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Thanks so much Stella, and you’re welcome
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Hi ATB,
I also had a visible lump on the left side of my neck and was sent for an Ultrasound. I had been aware of it for a year, they said it was a reactive lymph node (a gland) they measured it and it was within acceptable size limits and didn’t look sinister. It took ten years to finally go on its own, apparently they can swell up when fighting an infection like a cold and stay enlarged for years! It is good you are having an ultrasound as hopefully it will put your mind at rest.
I know how stressful these things are, hoping you don’t have to wait too long for the scan.
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Thanks so much Busylizzie, I’d never heard they can go on their own after so long. I’m surprised but my appointment is in a few weeks and I only had to wait 6 weeks from when I saw my new GP.
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Oh god. So I had my ultrasound and despite my anxiety was actually ok. But my surgery just rang and said the doctor is going to call me next Wednesday to discuss the results. Surely they’d just text me or ring and say everything is fine if it was and so this must mean they found something? Now I have to wait 5 days to hear :'(
Well done for going for the ultrasound! That must have been so scary for you. I would think your doctor would call you right away if it was anything serious. Maybe they just want to discuss everything to put you at ease. I do understand why you feel worried. On the other hand, maybe the results will not reach the doctor until next week hence the appointment.
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Thank you, that’s a good point. Apparently they had text me to make an appointment yesterday which was only a day after the US. I’m still unbelievably anxious about it. I shouldn’t be because I know both good and bad news is delivered this way and I’m in the same position I was in yesterday, waiting for results, and I had zero anxiety. I felt so good after the appointment for just doing it with no panic or major issues.
I think you have made such amazing process. I remember you saying you put off any health appointments due to severe anxiety. The very fact you went to the ultrasound is a huge achievement!
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Stop beating yourself up for being anxious! You are perfectly normal to be so, when you haven’t any information! Well done for facing your fears. You have to be scared to be brave! Have you projects or stuff or places to go so you can do to distract yourself?
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Yes, thank you, have plenty to distract me so I’ll try and use everything I’ve learnt recently to keep my mind on the present.
Thank you both :)
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It takes a while to get the scans read by a Consultant, e-mailed to the GP Surgery and then for the GP to find a slot to discuss results. I doubt whether a week will make any difference to the result ;-). Anxiety is usual; has the lump grown, become painful, oozing ............
:hug:
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Well done for going to the ultrasound. You are bound to be anxious, but keep yourself busy and distracted. As has been said, if it was anything serious you would think you would be contacted straightaway. Mindful meditation and all the other techniques you use to keep yourself calm. Easier said than done I know. Relax and breathe! x
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Thanks so much Haydo :)
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Good luck for tomorrow ATB.x
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Thank you Tora, very kind of you x
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Good luck ATB xxxx
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Thank you Marchlove 🙏❤️ Really thoughtful
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Totally agree with everyone, if it was bad they wouldn’t make you wait a week. When I had skin cancer (level one melanoma) the doctor called me the next day as soon as she got the results, and it was cut out the day after the doctor called. Breathe and relax
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Great news ATB! What a relief for you. I think you deserve a little celebration today.
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That’s really good news, ATB. I was thinking about you this morning… :foryou:
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Thank you both!!
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Thank you all for your support. My GP just rang. The radiologist confirmed a nodule? was there, soft and spongey and moveable. The radiologist recommended a fine needle aspiration for 100% certainty but did not refer me, leaving it up to my GP to determine and she said that because it’s so old and not causing issues that I’m allowed to leave it but should it turn hard, enlarge or give me symptoms like a cough etc then I would need to tell her straight away and I would have the needle aspiration. So good news as far as I’m concerned!
This is wonderful news! I am so happy for you. :congrats:
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Happy Days ATB, what an enormous relief for you!
Pity the covid can’t allow you to party but that time will come soon.
Hip hip hooray xx
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Thank you Flossie & Marchlove.
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Brilliant news! Really pleased for you, massive move forward in the anxiety war!
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....... and breath. As much as Covid will allow ;-)
So relieved for you.
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Thanks Tora & CLKD 🙏 breathing is good, just soooo tired!
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You've been stricken by that Virus as well as worrying ........ get those feet up ;-)
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Great news ATB! Hope you will be able to celebrate soon :)
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Thanks Stella.
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That's really good news. Pleased for you, i really am.
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Great news. You must be so relieved.
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Thank you, definitely feel relieved. Its great to have one less worry
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Great news, and from someone who had the needle biopsy done, I found it painless if you ever need to get one in the future
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Thanks Lyncola,
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ABT, I understand my health anxiety is terrible too, I really never worried before menopause
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Glad all is well! I had letter through the post inviting me for breast screening. Just the mere sight of the envelope fills me with the dreads. Health anxiety is the worst thing.
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Thanks Gnatty and sorry to hear you have health anxiety too, it is truly awful. Mine extends to family members and even my husband not wearing sun block yesterday makes me super anxious and frantically looking at any moles or signs of something awful. It’s a horrible horrible thing. Hope you’re ok x
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Thank you yes, it's an ongoing work in progress! I spend a little time every day rereading Mindfulness by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. I cannot thank enough whoever it was on here that originally recommended this book. I know these type of books are ten a penny but Mark Williams is a professor at Oxford University and I feel like every sentence is gold dust. Honestly I have more underlined sentences than not!! It's not specifically for health anxiety but there is just so much wisdom therein. Chapter 8 is helping particularly at the moment. So for example it's not the letter itself that is making me feel anxious but the way I am interpreting/ reacting to it that is doing the damage. And by then it becomes really difficult to separate out the true facts from my own negative spin which has now become my truth ... Sorry going off at a tangent there....x
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Oh thank you, I love a good book recommendation! My therapist is a mindfulness practitioner also so we have spoken a lot about it and my husband practices it every day in some way. I’m going to get that book!
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Let me know how you get on! I have it on Audible too so that I can listen to the meditations easily
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Hello ATB.
I am so pleased that you had your test and that the result was good. You must be very relieved.
Good luck with your mindfulness practice and sending best wishes.
Take care.
K.
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Hi Kathleen, thanks for your kind message. How are things with you?
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Hello again ATB
You have certainly had a lovely start to your day along with the cows of course.
I am okay thank you. I had a scan on Wednesday to investigate post meno bleeding and everything was fine so I completely understand your relief at getting good news!
Wishing you well.
K.
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Wishing you well from Somerset Kathleen.
So pleased to hear your scan went well.
God only knows what I’d be without MM! Just listening to that song on gardening programme :)
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Oh I’m so glad to read that Kathleen. That is good news too!