Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Jeepers on December 28, 2019, 01:59:19 PM
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Hi all
I'm wondering how people manage the wait for a scan, when you are feeling really anxious?
For the last 10 days or so, I have had a pain in my left ribs. It is worst at night, keeps me awake, especially if I lie on my left side. It carries on through the morning and then by the evening, it seems to go away, only to come back when I go to bed. My appetite is non existent, and my guts seem a bit delicate too.
I managed to get an appointment at the doctors yesterday, and he has referred me for an urgent scan. I am so scared that I have pancreatic cancer, all of the symptoms fit, even down to the worse at night and it being intermittent. I mentioned it to the GP, and he said "its on the list, but not at the top of the list" I don't know whether that makes it better or worse.
I have recently had blood tests and red, white and FBC were all in range, I'm trying to tell myself that if I had PC symptoms, this would be out of whack (I've read that PC symptoms only happen in the late stages).
Anyway, I've done everything I can do by getting the referral, so now I just have to try to hang on for the appointment.
I went to see Swan Lake last night, it was absolutely beautiful, and all my worries melted away for those 2 hours. I even thought, "if I've only got a few weeks/months left, this is definitely on my bucket list, so happy with that).
Jeepers xx
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Hello Jeepers
I regularly chat to someone whose husband is being treated for pancreatic cancer. I can tell you that he could never be distracted by the ballet or indeed anything else for two hours.
It's easy to fixate on the weird and wonderful sensations that this hormonal hell throws at us so you are not alone.
I hope your appointment comes through quickly and that you will be reassured that you are infact well!
In the meantime take care and sending hugs ( I know how distressing worry can be).
K.
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Hello Jeepers, hello you, dear one. I think and I hope that this is quite simply your HA doing what it does best. You've had your heart checked and so you are doing what we do best....fixating on and moving on to something else. Last summer, my diary tells me that THE DAY AFTER my breast check (my usual worry, like your heart stuff), I moved on to my skin. It's what we do. Bloods sorted, heart checked, so now it's this. I've had a pain in my back and arm and neck all over Christmas which I have been worrying about in a similar fashion to you. It's what we do. I'll send you a PM too xxx
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Hey Jeepers. Take note. I agree that health anxiety takes us to places that the “ordinary “ mind wouldn't.
I've lost count of the symptoms I've had which had me fraught with worry and turned out to be nothing.
And as Agatha said, I too was convinced I had something serious wrong with me and I got the results. All fine. And the very next day I was on to something else!
You've done the right thing by going to the doc and now just wait for the scan. You will worry but I'm sure it will be fine.
Take care xx
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Hi Jeepers, just to add something else. If you're struggling to eat I assume you are not eating enough, that in itself creates all kinds of health problems.
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Hello ladies
Thank you so much for your replies. I do hope you are all right, and my ha is making it so much worse than it really is.
I took some cocodamol last night to try to get some sleep, and it did help a bit. But the ache is still there.
I'm trying to eat , but food is going straight through me,
The pain radiates u to my left shoulder too.
Anyway, thank you again, I'll try not to keepon about it
With love
Jeepers xx
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Thank you so much , all of you lovely ladies.
Birdy, I love that idea that you would turn up with soup, I'm daydreaming about it now.♥️
I'm trying to keep a handle on things, but it's hard, I feel full up after just a small amount of food, feels like I've got a tight band around my lower ribs, and like someone is pushing fingers under my ribs both right and left. That's on top of the left sides ache.
Like I said, there is nothing more I can do but wait until the scan, and face whatever it shows.
Had a complete meltdown last night, had some very dark thoughts, which for now have abated.
With love as always
Jeepers xx
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Birdy
How are you doing now?
Jeepers xx
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Hope you are ok Jeepers and that you get the scan soon so you can put this behind you. Whatever it is you are getting it sorted and you can do no more than that. Have a good cry if you want as it does release tension.
Stress plays havoc with the digestion and appetite. I can vouch for that so I wouldn't worry too much about the gut issues as they probably have nothing to do with this.
Keep us updated x
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Hi Kathleen
I'm really sorry to hear about your friends husband.
I didn't take the cocodamol tonight, so the pain is keepomg me awake again. I'll take some now
Jeepers xx
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Hi Birdy
Sorry to hear you gad a rubbish night too, I hate that mind racing thing. I haven't done anything today other that lie in a deep bath. Feeling a bi numb to be honest. I'm supposed to be sorting stuff out to take to the charity shop, but can't muster up any energy and enthusiasm.
I have eaten a small bagel and a handful of nuts and raisins this morning, so I am trying. Stomach was really gurgling after the nuts
The other thing I am doing is willing the phone to ring with my appointment.
Jeepersxx
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You are right Birdy, I can barely think of anything else. Common as muck! My back/side pain has been quite bad today.
So, I rang the scanning dept,and they said they didn't have a referral for me. I then rang my surgery but no-one would pick up, so I ended up driving over there (its not that close to me). The young lass at reception went off, and after 10 mins came back saying that the girl who had "done" the referral was in training, and hadn't actually attached the referrral to the email (or something along those lines!). So if I had not asked, I would have been waiting forever! That's on top of them ringing my landline on Friday and telling my daughter that they were ringing about my referral... so much for patient confidentiality! Luckily, daughter assumed it was the pre diabetes course thing. I don't want to worry her.
End of my rant
Lady at the scanning dept was lovely
Jeepers xx
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Jeepers same thing happened to me last year. My gp forgot to do my referral and after waiting 3 weeks I chased it up and they realised what had happened. Didn't get an apology mind.
You should get a date soon now and I hope you don't have too long to wait.
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Same thing happened to me for removal of polyps. Waited six months then went back to my GP to be re-referred Luckily for me, nothing serious, but mistakes are made
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Wow, that's terrible. I'm glad I chased it up so quickly. I'll ring the scan dept again in the morning to make sure they've got it.
I've taken some diazepam to try to sleep tonight, as well as the painkillers. My body is doing really strange things. I keep getting odd shooting pains on the top of my left breast, and ****ling feelings at the base f my sternum..
Just trying not to freak out too much. It will be what it will be
Jeepers xx
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Wow, that's terrible. I'm glad I chased it up so quickly. I'll ring the scan dept again in the morning to make sure they've got it.
I've taken some diazepam to try to sleep tonight, as well as the painkillers. My body is doing really strange things. I keep getting odd shooting pains on the top of my left breast, and ****ling feelings at the base f my sternum..
Just trying not to freak out too much. It will be what it will be
Jeepers xx
If I have learned one thing over the years, it is that benign conditions can still cause major symptoms. You most likely have something that is not sinister and is treatable. It is human nature to think the worst though.
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Thank you yellow flower, I'll try to hang on to that thought.
Slept a bit better last night. Just got pressure pain in left side this morning, underneath my lower ribs. And a feeling that my bra is too tight. I did manage to eat my dinner last night,
Jeepers xx
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I rang the booking line this morning. They said as they only received the referral today (thanks GP surgery!), they would be sending it for assessment, and I wont hear anything before Thursday (tomorrow being New years day). So still waiting, its like torture
I tried to apply some logic, and looked up that about 267 females in my age group get diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, so hoping the odds are in my favour. However, went to the loo and my stool was loose, brownish/yellow, and I think oily, some bubble of oil seemed to ascend and create a film.. sorry I know its TMI
I am just clinging on by my fingernails at the moment. My daughter has just left to jet off for a new year break, and I hugged her so close, feeling like things are about to change....
Jeepers xx
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Hi Sparkle
Thank you for your kind reply. Yes, I do have my gallbladder. I had some right sided pain earlier this year, and it was scanned at the beginning of April, came back okay. The thing I remember about that scan is the sonogrpaher saying that she got a really good look at my pancreas. She explained that in some people it curls behind other organs, but mine was clearly visible and all okay.
But all organs were okay in April. Obviously things can change, hence my complete terror
Jeepers xx
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I had an endoscopy in Aug 18, when they found a couple of spots of gastritis.
It has crossed my mind that it could be kidney related too
I don't seem to be going to the toilet as often as before, and a couple of weeks ago I used to get so that I was almost wetting myself, and now I don't get that at all. As if my bladder is no longer getting as full for some reason
But here I go again, just wildly speculating. ...
Sorry
Yes, Birdy, you are probably right ♥️
Jeepers xx
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Have a good prod around your ribs, and see if there is a hot spot (pain wise not heat).
I strongly suspect that you have inflammation of the cartridge, where the rib/ribs meet the breast bone. There is a proper name for this but I can't remember. I had this a few years ago and it is extremely painful. Couldn't wear a bra for months.
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Jeepers - please hold on to the fact that all was well in April when your pancreas was looked at then. Lots of ladies have made some very good suggestions about what might be causing the pain. Fingers crossed you get the scan date soon x
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Hi Jeepers, have you supplied a stool sample for testing - just to eliminate things like campylobacter (food poisoning) etc. I had it last month & had terrible diarrhoea which was very watery at times. Stress can also trigger stomach issues. Your doctor is running these tests to find a possible reason, it doesn't necessarily mean it is something sinister.
Try not to worry xxx
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Just to add to what Birdy said, stress will give you all sorts of digestive issues, including diarrhea. I have been in your position in the past and everything was OK.
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Hi Jeepers
I'm finding some of your descriptions of pain very interesting. I have been having pains around my ribs too. I'm trying to not to worry as I had it in the past for a month and it went away. I can get sharp stabbing pain under my rib on the left side about 4 cm up away my bellybutton under my ribs. Sometimes on my top of my left hip.
But then I also get pain that moves around my back, sharp pain in my head, sometimes knees, and sharp pains in other areas of my chest and stomach and then there's my ovary problems. I also get a vice like pain around my ribs and back across my bottom of my bra.
This has been happening to me for a year comes and goes? I've been to the doctors a lot. And had blood test, X-rays, MRI see a rheumatologist.
I'm just hoping it's premenopausal related as no one can really tell me what's happening.
I too can get stressed and had stomach issues and piles issues for 3 months plus a bit off bleeding from the bottom and losing weight. I just keep going to the doctor, but i truly understand your stress.
Please let us know how you get on.
Sending love, hugs and prayers all the way from Australia
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It's me again,
So guess what I found myself doing at my Mother in laws today goggling pancreas's, now I'm concerned too. Only about where the pain is and weight loss.
Three weeks now with on and off pain, but I put it down to hurting my ribs, which happened at the same time. The rheumatologist told me 45 minutes off exercise a day is not enough for my back problems so increase it by 15-30 minutes. I believe I did too hard exercise with my resistance band :(
My ribs are very slowly getting better after being bad for two and half weeks.
I will try to contain my worries and wait another two weeks to see if it improves with my ribs.
Before Christmas it seems like I was at the doctors every week. I feel sad and like I'm going mad because I'm always there complaining about pain in my body. I get days where I hate myself and my body. And I feel bad because it cost me money I don't have.
Sorry to let this all out on your post Jeepers. I feel better talking to you ladies, as I feel you all understand.
Hugs and kisses to everyone : :-*
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Hi ladies
Oh my goodness, what would I do without you all, you are all really amazing. I'm trying to think that it could be any one of this lesser things.
Yesterday I got an appointment from the hospital to see a consultant in the gastrointestinal dept next Monday. I was really happy to get that date. Also, I'm glad that they are not just sending me for a scan, but will get the chance to talk to the specialist, rather than just get scanned and go home.
Last night I was at a NYE dinner and dance , I didn't really want to go, but I did, and I felt normal for a few hours. I did eat, drink and dance, and actually enjoyed it. I've had some pain this morning, and very loose bowels (not yellow though this time). Freaked out a little thinking I was getting bowel urgency in the middle of the night, but actually it was 7.15 am, so sort of my normal time.
In a way I feel like it was worth it for my mental health , if that makes sense. I figured if it is something serious, I need to grab a few happy moments when I can.
Lyncola, I am very sorry if I have triggered you, and I hope your ribs get better soon. How are you feeling today?
Anyway, I do feel guilty for last night, trying not to feel like that. But I am focusing on next Monday, I'm so scared, but glad of it too.
Thank you all so very very much everyone , I am so humbled by the support I am getting. Happy and peaceful new year to you all.. ♥️
Loads of love
Jeepers
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Hi Jeepers,
I don't think you have trigger me.
I've had it on and off for 3 weeks now. Today is one off my more constant pain or dull pain days. Bothers me more then active or sitting, doesn't bother me when I'm flat in bed? It strange how it's started up again when I injured my ribs.
Before then a good month of nothing and I had at least one bad patch last year. Strange because it started low stomach area left and right across my stomach for about a month, then it moved up a pain band but now under my belly button for about a month then above my belly button, then under the ribs for about a month then got better just odd random pain, now for the last three weeks under the ribs again 95% off the time on the right side.
I have mentioned it before to my doctor. The strange thing about my is I get pain in other areas too. But at the moment it's my mainly ribs and back.
Jeepers can I ask what you think about this?
When the internet talks about pancreas and pain under your ribs, do they mean pain under your ribs right deep inside you or you can feel your ribs on the outside and the pain is below that?
Because I've got the I can feel my ribs on the outside and the pain is below (next to my right ribs)
The internet is so confusing ;D
I myself will go to my doctor in the next week or two. I'm hoping as my ribs improve so will this pain just below my ribs.
Please let us know how you go on Monday. I'm sending love and positive thoughts your way
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Hi Ladies. I have just read this thread with interest as I have a PhD in Health Anxiety unfortunately...
Jeepers - your messages mirror exactly what happened to me a few years ago. I had a sharp, ****ly pain under my
left ribs for about a month. Bad wind. Worrying bout it ruined a holiday in Valencia. I fixated on it 24/7 and also kept prodding
that area. I remember phoning the GP back home in secret whilst pretending to go to hotel reception to get more milk for the
room. I was so worried I felt sick, convinced myself my ribs were showing. By the time I went to the GP I was convinced
there was something serious. And guest what ( but we all know don't we). It was just inflammation of the stomach which
had irritated my ribs (made worse the kind GP suggested by my constant prodding irritating the sensitive intercostal muscles between
the ribs). Ten days later it had all gone and I move onto thinking I had dementia for the next 3 months.
Also it seems too obvious but all that rich food and drink in the build up to Christmas = increased acid = stomach lining a bit sore.
But I do know until someone in a white coat says to you ' you are fine' there is very little anyone can do to ease your worry.
I have had a relatively worry free 3 months since I was convinced I had throat cancer back in October (turned out to be scorched by drinking too hot soup). Now after three nights of being aware of my heart vibrating like a mobile phone on vibrate I too am a wreck. Nearly went to A & E at 3am. Constantly touching my heart area. Better during the day but a worry nut job from 10pm to 6am. Until I get an ECG I will be convinced I am seconds away from a heart attack.
I was so sure I was on a better path. Typical cortisol / progesterone surge + winter darkness = HA.
Thanks as always for listening ladies. :-*
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Jeepers - This may resonate with you....
I just Googled ' vibrations ' on this site and read a post from ages ago which made me feel
better as the symptoms were just like mine - then I realised I had actually written it!
The panic, the certainty that 'this time' something is ' really' wrong, the cycle of getting checked out. It was all there.
Have a look at some of your old posts and you may be reassured that it is the pattern of health anxiety that you are in
rather than having something seriously wrong. When you see someone else going through the same cycle of HA it seems so
obvious but when you are in the middle of it it is so hard to shake.
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Thank you all for your lovely replies.
I've been very up and down emotionally today. My appetite is so absent , I have my back/side pain and now a niggling pain on one side of my groin..
I broke down while I was with my boyfriend, I just could not stop sobbing.
I've also had some calm moments, and a lot of it is because of the wonderful people I have met on here... So thank you so much.
I've decided I must be peeing more, because I never get that bad that I think I'm going to wet myself that I used to. So more often, but less volume.
Lyncola, I have taken beneath the ribs to be inside the rib cage, not below it.
I really really hope you are all right, and there is some less than sinister explanation.y boyfriend keeps telling me that I'd it were something terrible, then the raft of blood tests I had a week before I got these symptoms would have shoe some anomoly.
I had red & white blood count,platelets, bilirubin, esr, albumin, cholesterol, vit d, potassium, iron... And others too. No specific cancer marker tests though.
I think I'll take a diazapam now, and try to sleep.
Thank you all again
Jeepers x
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Hi Jeepers,
How are you today?
I'm finding my pain still around and not improving. So with my husband went down and had a X-ray done on my chest and rib area and they also check my lungs at the same time too.
Got a doctors appointment for Monday.
I agree with your boyfriend the blood test would shown something.
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Thanks Birdy, I dd sleep well, I think the diazapam helped.
Woke up to my usual ache in my side. I'm going to try to distact myself today. I'm on my own, so it may be hard.
Squeaker, up until 3 weeks ago, I was completely obsessed by my heart. I had that vibrating feeling, and it sometimes felt like my heart was bouncing around, as if there was nothing keeping it in place! I spent a whole load of cash getting it checked out. Apart from a partial Right bundle branch block (which I am assured is completely benign, and lots of people have this), my ecg, stress ecg and echo came back normal. Inmy current state of mind I regret obsessing about it. not because of the wasted money and time (although money well spent if it gives peace of mins), but because now I'm wondering whether the symptoms I have now, were there before, and I ignored them. Looking back, I have had loose bowels and diminished appetite for some time, only now its getting really bad.
My pain isn't sharp, its dull and radiating. I'm just hoping its something less than "worst case scenario"
Much love
Jeepers xx
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Hi Jeepers,
How are you today?
I'm finding my pain still around and not improving. So with my husband went down and had a X-ray done on my chest and rib area and they also check my lungs at the same time too.
Got a doctors appointment for Monday.
I agree with your boyfriend the blood test would shown something.
Hi Lyncola
Our post crossed over. did they give you any indications of the x-rays Or do you have to wait until Moday? The waiting is like torture. sounds like your husband is very supportive. My boyfriend is super. He is a dentist and has a little medical knowledge (well, a lot, but not in areas I am worried about).
Jeepers xx
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Hi Jeepers,
I have to wait until Monday. I do think my ribs are slowly getting better, but this pain below my right ribs is what I'm worrying about. It doesn't seem to bother me when I'm resting, but I can be in the kitchen chopping food and it gets painful in one location. The funny thing is as I write this I can feel a dull pain. Probably because I'm thinking about it. And I'm sure this is a problem I had last year, and it went away, but that doesn't make me feel any better, because I think maybe it not and this is worse. Anyway it will be good to talk to my doctor and get any test done, just to rule out anything nasty.
And yes like your boyfriend my husband is amazing, we have been married for 25 years and he is super supportive. He help me around the house very day and takes care of me. I complain to him about how much I spend at the doctors and getting test done, but he supports me going, even though money is tight. He even says I can stop working, but I trying to get our mortgage payed off first, we have two mortgages as he supports my parents as well. He said it doesn't matter if it takes longer to pay it off. I hoping to get a couple more years out of my body with work.
I will let you know Jeepers how I go on Monday.
I hope you're feeling better today :)
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Hi Lyncola
Your husband sounds lovely.
I'm not feeling great today. Pain woke me up early, and have had another really loose bowel movement.
My left shoulder is really hurting now, and my guts are gurgling.
I'm not sure gastritis would cause shoulder pain? So feeling dread all over again.
I felt a little better last night, and recklessly had a cheese toastie quite late, about 9pm. Probably a really bad idea. I was just so chuffed to actually fancy something to eat... Haven't felt like that for so long...
I just feel like I want to close my eyes and never wake up, so tired of it all.
Jeepers xx
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Hi Jeepers, are your guts gurgling because you haven't eaten this morning?
Also, could your change in bowel movement could be because your diet isn't normal at the moment.
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Jeepers,
I'm sorry to hear your not feeling great. I had a sharp stabbing pain below my ribs today took my breath away for a second. I'm glad I have my doctors appointment on Monday.
I'm feeling your pain, and your last post is making me cry, let's make a pack and only feel and send positive thoughts to each other. And believe everything will be fine. I might be far away and on a different time zone Australia but I feel your pain and fustration as your body lets you down and you don't know what wrong, and coursing you pain and anguish.
I also can have times when I just want to never wake up.
But think off your daughters, I too have two beautiful girls Elle who's 24 and my baby April who 23. Be there for them and no matter how you feel, you keep on fighting.
Try not to panic.
Sending love and positive thoughts ❤️
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Hi
I have managed to eat a bagel. I haven't actually lost a lot of weight, about 3lbs, which I am hoping is a good sign.
Little Minnie.. my bowels have been like it for ages. After my colonoscopy, I just thought it was because of my high fibre diet. Occasionally, I had a normal one, which reassured me, until all of these other things.
Lyncola, your post made me cry too. I would not wish any of this on anyone, so I am sorry for the way you are feeling. I rang the Samaritans this morning, as I didn't know what to do with myself.
Your girls are exactly the same age as mine!
I am sending you positive vibes, and I hope Monday rolls around really soon
Much love
Jeepers xx
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Only 2 days to go. Were the Samaritans helpful?
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I spoke to a very nice man from Northern Ireland.
I think it did help a little bit.
Thank you little Minnie xx
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Hi Jeepers
Midday in Australia but at the moment I feeling okay, but my rib usually gets worse as the day goes on. I examine my poo very single day and worry. I eat 30-35g of fibre a day. I have been living with piles for 11 years now and it seems to be harder to get rid off each year. I had them since mid September, bleed for a total of a month so far, and just can't seem to get rid of them. I've had colonoscopy x2, plus seen specialist. So always on the hi fibre diet, looking at my poo every morning, I worry about colour and shape, if I'm bleeding or not. What a life I lead, and who would thought that one person can be so oppressed with one's own poo :o
And I also been losing weight since September about 4kg now, I'm down to 59kg, the same size as I was before kids. My doctor has been informed and she not concerned at the moment because I'm having less carbs plus I have cut out a lot of sugar. I went to Melbourne to see my April for a week, I ate cake, carbs and fried food and only managed to put on 0.8kg. I was hoping for more, but at least it went up. I'm concerned as I'm always eating.
There's always seem to be a concern, and after months of having a problem and I work it out or it just goes, some think else takes it's place. I would love to feel normal for one day and no pain, it's been over a year now. If someone could tell me it was menopause related, I would just put up with it and not worry as much. With my rheumatologist I had 2 x-rays and MRI, she tells me I should have back pains occasionally but not everyday. But I do, when I ask can it be menopausal related? She can't tell me. So when I have pain around my ribs front and back, I worry they gotten this all wrong, and it's not back pain with my ribs trying to overcompensate, so exercise more, but something a lot worse.
I hope it's premenopausal related and one day I will feel better.
Sorry for going on a bit Jeepers.
I hope you had a great night sleep and feeling hungry, your poos are normal and in no pain today.
Sending love and positive thoughts Lyn :)
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How are you today Jeepers?
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Thank you for your replies, it really does make a difference. I did a lot of walking in the countryside yesterday, and the pain seemed to stay away with no lying about. I began to feel like there might be some hope for me.
However, woke in the night, and the pain was back, albeit not quite as strong.
One other thing that's scaring me, is that I don't seem to be urinating much. Usually I get up in the night, and wake up bursting for the toilet. In the day I often had to dash to the toilet to stop myself from wetting myself. Well, that just isn't happening. My urine isn't dark or anything though.
Lyncola, I totally understand the poo obsession thing. I get really nervous going for a poo, hoping it won't be too loose. Even I had to see the ridiculousness of my actions as I took my phone torch to peer down the loo
With love
Jeepers
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Jeepers. It may sound dumb but have you turned or changed your bed mattress recently? I developed terrible rib pain when my son
was younger and I ended up sleeping in his bed (with a soft/thin mattress). It didn't make the link and thought it was a gastric problem.
When we bought a different mattress the rib pain improved. I think your intercostal muscles become more lax in middle age so you are more effected by mattress issues. My GP said along with a belt that was too tight or carrying kids on your hip it was one of the most common causes of sporadic rib pain. If we have HA we automatically assume the worst and stop considering the obvious. (Except when giving advice! I never seem to take my own...)
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Hi squeaker
Thanks for your post. No, I haven't changed my mattress recently. I have been in quite a few different beds lately though. Oh, that sounds terrible. What I mean is that we visit friends a lot at the weekend, and have had a few hotel stopovers for Christmas do,s , the ballet etc.
My mattress is really old, and does need to be changed no doubt.
Jeepers xx
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Any rib pain I am very confident will be due to your mattress. It won't be giving you any support.
One night on my sons bed and I have terrible sternum and rib aches. Do invest in a new one - you will be
amazed at the difference. Or get a mattress topper
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Hi Jeepers,
How are you today?
The phone thing made me laugh ;D
I've got my doctors appointment in 3 hours. I'm glad I've still got it, as my rib has improved the last couple of days, but seems to be worse today.
It would be good to get her advice. I'm also will complain about my weight lost, I losing weight again after gaining 0.8kg in Melbourne, I eat so much? For example yesterday I ate,
Breakfast- bread x 1, homemade berry fibre muffin, and Kiwifruit
Morning tea- 5 x dry apricots, a biscuit, nuts
Lunch- marmalade toast x 2, small amount chips and small amount of macadamia nuts
Afternoon tea- banana and homemade pumpkin scone
Dinner- homemade pizza 3 slices
Dessert- Magnum ice cream.
I have always found it very easy to loose weight, but at a lost why I'm losing it now. When I was 25 years old, I had a ovarian cyst operation, where they cut my stomach open, I wasn't allowed to eat for 4 days, I dropped 8kg, it took me ages to put the weight back on.
Interesting about mattress? But I don't think applies to me as mine is only one and a half years old.
I will message this afternoon to let you know how I go?
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Jeepers,
just a quick question, you were saying your not peeing much? Are you still drinking the same amount off water, coffee etc?
If it was me I would go and drink a whole lot and see what happens?
Keep a record off what your drinking and how much your peeing, so you can show your doctor.
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Good luck today lyncola
It is 1.50 am here. I can't sleep because the pain is really bad . I've been taking diazapam most nights, but this evening I didn't and the pain is horrible.
I was kidding myself to think maybe I was getting better.
I'm just so scared now
Jeepers xx
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Good luck today lyncola
It is 1.50 am here. I can't sleep because the pain is really bad . I've been taking diazapam most nights, but this evening I didn't and the pain is horrible.
I was kidding myself to think maybe I was getting better.
I'm just so scared now
Jeepers xx
Hi Jeepers, please bare with me as this post will be a bit long.
I know a bit about how your mindset can play havoc with your symptoms. About 20 years ago, I developed some pain in my breasts. The more I thought about it the worse the pain became over the next few days and weeks. By the time I got to the doctor, I was absolutely convinced I had breast cancer. It turned out to be absolutely nothing and as soon as I was told that, the pain went away.
In the last 20 or so years, I developed prolapses of my bladder, rectum and uterus. None of them were complete prolapses, but I did not know that I was prolapsed except for the fact that I could easily feel my cervix. I had multiple symptoms because of this. I had a 24/7 urge to urinate. I had bowel issues and I had vaginal pain. I was absolutely convinced I had something like ovarian cancer due to all the symptoms. I was misdiagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis and IBS. It was only when I did not stop bleeding early last year and ended up getting a hysterectomy and multiple prolapse repairs, did it become apparent that every symptom had been caused by my prolapses along with a 16mm uterine lining and a fibroid.
The fibroid was only discovered during my surgery and explained why my pelvis was slightly distorted on one side. I was too scared to get that checked out, but after my surgery and healing, my abdomen was flat again.
I have also had side effects from my migraine medication (Topamax) that caused twitching and tremors five years after starting the medication. I came off the drug and all symptoms disappeared.
My latest issue was heart palpitations which has led to every test under the sun, including an echocardiogram, halter monitor, blood tests for everything and it turns out that yes, I do have 8% ectopic beats, but my heart and all the blood tests are normal.
I sit here typing today feeling 100% OK. I have had many issues over the years and they were all benign. I have a feeling that you will be OK and that worrying about your issues is exacerbating your symptoms. I have been exactly where you are currently. Worrying excessively about a health issue can cause diarrhea. I know this because it happened to me. Urinary issues can be caused by many things too. Pain issues can have a multitude of reasons and sources.
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Totally agree with you Yellowflower, we very often make a little health problem a lot worse then it is. But sadly this doesn't stop us from us worrying. I myself have find lumps in my breast, all been tested, but have a ultrasound every year to keep an eye on them. Level one melanoma, my skin gets checked two times a year. My thryroid have a growth growing in there I was rushed through with surgery, end up not being cancer. And had 4 cyst growing on my ovaries, had unusually blood test, surgery pushed forward, one of the large once had attached itself to me, no cancer. I have been blessed to been lucky with my health problems. But I totally believe in being proactive.
Jeepers
I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble sleeping. Jeepers nothing worse then lying awake at night in pain and worrying. It's easier in the daytime to keep my mind busy and find things to do to relax and chill. I've started reading books again and rediscovered my love for puzzles. Been 7 years since the last one. Doesn't stop you from feeling the pain, but gives my brain something else to concentrate on. Like when you went to the ballet.
Just came back from the doctors Jeepers. She is not concerned about my ribs, and she said the front pain is the result of me damaging my muscles on my right side. And it will take time to heal. It's been 4 weeks now.
She is happy with the X-ray, and explain to me if it was a broken bone we would see it, and if I had bone cancer they would see it. My lungs look healthy.
I complain about my weight, she wants me to weight myself once a week on the same day, and write it down. If it seems to settle and I'm not losing anymore, not to worry. If it's still going down come back and see her. She will referred me to a dietitian again. She did asked if my poos were very runny, and I said no that they have shape. She seemed happy by that. She started me off on Metamucil a couple of months ago to help with that. Because apparently Metamucil not only helps with comsapation it helps with Diarrhea as well.
So hopefully I won't have to see my doctor for at least a month, which would be a long time for me :o
I hope your pain has settled down and your feeling better. How many days to your scan?
Sending positive thoughts Lyn
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Hi
Thank you so very much for posting, I am trying to cling on to the hope that it iis something lesser.
I've been feeling really bad tonight, pain is quite bad. Also had some jolting pains through my back and chest.
I was actually coping this weekend, better than I had been. The pain seemed to me lessening. I probably lulled myself into a false sense of security, because I had been taking diazepam, and maybe I just slept through the pain.
I also fancied that my appetite was starting to come back, and last night I ate some oven cooked battered fish with oven chips. I also stupidly had a small piece of cheese just before going to bed.
Lyncola, I'm glad your appointment went welll, I'm really happy for you. I have my gastro appointment today. Whether they do a scan or not I don't know. It may be more waiting, which will be hard, both emotionally, and the way I am feeling right now, physically .
Jeepers xx
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Wishing you all the best Jeepers with your appointment, fingers crossed you will start getting some answers. Please let us know how you go.
Sending love and positive thoughts Lyn
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Good luck today Jeepers. Have you tried the Bach's rescue spray? It can be quite calming.
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the hospital have just called and cancelled my appointment. :'(
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Unmelievably, the hospital has just ung back again, and said that they had made a mistake, and my appoinment is still scheduled. The lady was very apologetic.
(I suspect she was supposed to just cancel the rotine appointments, not the two week referrals).
I feel like I am on a rollercoaster.
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Were you seen? X
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Hi
No, when I got there they said it was in fact cancelled.
I've decided to go private, I can't wait for another appointment, at some unspecified point in the future.
So, I have an appointment on Friday for scan, consultation, and bloods
More waiting unfortunately. Just wish my appetite would return ... Worries the hell out of me
Jeepers xx
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OMG Jeepers that's disgraceful. What a shambles. I don't know what to say 😡
So you have to wait now till Friday but hopefully you will get the answers you need then and you know you are getting the scan and blood tests.
Don't worry about not eating. My appetite is the first thing to go when I'm worried. It's no wonder you can't face food at the moment.
I hope you are ok x
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That's disgraceful about cancelling the appointment and messing you about.
At least you'll know it will go ahead on Friday.
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Thanks :)
I'm not sure which came first, the loss of appetite or the anxiety.. which one was cause and which one effect.
It really was a shambles. Phone call to say cancelled. .. 10 mins later another call to say mistake, not cancelled. 30 mins later different person rang to say cancelled. I queried it, and she said she would check and get back to me in 30 mins. But she didn't. So, went to hospital as didn't want to be a no show.
15 mins of waiting... Nope deffo cancelled!!
I just feel so sorry for folks who do not have medical insurance or other options. I know in this respect I am fortunate to have a policy ( which will probably be out of reach next year as claiming will make the premiums sky rocket. But I can't worry about that now)
Thank you all so very very much for all of your support. You are amazing
Jeepers xx
My nerves are shredded by this point.
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Wow Jeepers, I'm so sorry to hear they canceled your appointment, did they say why it was canceled. The only time that's happened to me in Australia, was for my hysterectomy. I gave them permission from the start of my 3 month waiting list that if a emergency came through, they could canceled mine.
Sure enough two days from my operation the call came, I was operating on two weeks later.
It didn't bother me for two reasons, one was I was sick with a cold, and two if someone came needed a emergency operation I would happily give up my spot.
I hope everything works out for Friday
Sending love and positive thoughts
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Hi Lyncola
They said that the clinic was cancelled due to staff being off sick. Thats as much as I know.
I slept a bit better last night, just a slighy pain on waking. in kidney area.
Jeepers xx
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How you doing Jeepers?
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Hi little Minnie,
I'm trying really hard to hold things together. I'm back at work now, and that definitely helps.
I still have a fair amount of pain in left side, going round to back and front. It's usually worst at night, wakes me up. Last night was worse than the night before, but not as bad as Sunday night, which was awful.
How are you?
Jeepers xx
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so, here I am, pain having woken me up again. I awoke, feeling hot, and my heart rate said 93! Took a while to come down to the sixties (my resting hr is 57, so 93 when in bed is high). Then felt very shivery for a while
Been getting sharp shooting pains under left breast too.
even hypochondriacs get ill don't they?
This really is the loneliest hour :(
Jeepers xx
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I've been following your thread Jeepers and feel so sad for you; I've had my few health worries over the years which, so far, have always come to nothing and I do hope it's the same for you. Have you any idea when your scan is? Waiting must be intolerable. Sending lots of love xx
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Hi Marge
Thank you for posting.
My scan is tomorrow afternoon, but I know it's going to be bad news.
Every night I feel really ill. Apparently, that's a symptom.
The thought going round and round in my head is that I want to commit suicide, because I am a coward, and can't face the thought of telling my daughters. I feel so ashamed, I am a terrible mother
Jeepers xx
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I just want to send a personal thanks to squeaker99,
for taking the time to personal message me.
Thank god for menopausal matters and the beautiful ladies on here, I can't imagine going through menopausal without you all.
From the bottom off my heart THANK YOU :)
Wishing you all the best for tomorrow Jeepers.
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Sorry I sent my last reply without reading the latest post.
Jeepers please be strong, I agree in not telling your daughters until you know for sure if's it's bad news (I'm praying for good news for you). And if it is, your girls might surprise you. No one knows how we will cope until something happens. Suicide is not the answer.
As our girls are the same age, I would believe (I know) my girls would be more upset and angry at me if I did something like suicide.
I really hope tomorrow goes well for you Jeepers
Sending love and positive thoughts
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Hi
I'm sorry for writing that message... I was just having a bad moment ( well I have a lot of them really).
I know everyone thinks it's all in my mind, and I don't blame them, I'm like the boy who cried wolf. But I really don't feel good, not like anything I've experienced before, through all my anxieties.
And it seems like everyone has a friend , or knows someone with PC, so it must be quite common.
Sorry again , and thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Jeepers xx
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Its a private hospital, so I'm hoping to get the results of the scan on the day, but not sure about bloods as they will have to through pathology I assume.
Jeepers xx
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Not long to wait now. X
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Is someone going with you Jeepers? X
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Hello Jeepers
I just wanted to send you my best wishes for your scan results. I know how overwhelming worry can be and I don't blame you for having dark thoughts sometimes. We ladies of the forum understand how you feel and we are here to support you.
Take care and sending hugs.
K.
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I'm thinking about you Jeepers. Honestly there are dozens of other things it can be. Google is designed to
get us with HA to keep clicking so feeds us the bad stuff. I remember spoiling a lovely holiday convinced I had
something sinister lurking under my ribs - my anxiety made me feel so ill. It was just an inflamed stomach opening from
worrying. Worry can cause very real symptoms. Health anxiety is terrible like that. Every time you think ' this is it' and forget that there are lots of simple things that cause pain and worry. I send huge hugs to you.
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Hi
Thank you all so much, I am truly humbled and touched. Birds is right, this is an amazing forum.
I'm going alone littleminnie. My boyfriend came with me on Monday for the cancelled appointment, but he has a surgery on Fridays, so he can't.
I'm hoping for the best, but trying to prepare for the worst.
Much love
Jeepers xx
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Jeepers, sending you hugs and best wishes for the day ahead x
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I hope all goes well for you Jeepers, we all have dark thoughts, I'm keeping my fingers crossed and my toes crossed as well for you.
Sending big hugs from Australia
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Thinking of you, Jeepers. I mean once my brain gets hold of something, it can't let go. Big hugs.
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Hope everything goes well today Jeepers. Will be thinking about you. X
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Again, thank you so, so much.
I'm clinging on by my fingernails. I just ate a piece of bread and spread, and got the most horrendous pain between my shoulder blades, as well as abdo and side
I can't take much more...
Jeepers xx
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Any news jeepers? We are all thinking of you x
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I've just arrived at hospital
Jeepers x
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Yes good luck. Everything crossed for you xx
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Thank you all.
I'm just back now. I didn't really get any answers, but I did get a ct scan booked for Monday.
With love
Jeepers xx
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No indication of what it might be?
Do you feel any better about it?
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No, not really, he was very vague...
I felt a bit better coming home, but HA has this way of making you trawl over everything and look for “signsâ€, not in a good way.
For example, he said “ we'll go for a ct scan as you had US last year... so my mind has suddenly thought. .. oh, maybe he suspects something was missed on US. Which is probably crazy thinking.
He did tell me that a tumour will grow for about 7 months before giving symptoms. My scan was 9 months ago, so I'm thinking it could be a good sign, as the window is small (about 6 weeks).
Jeepers xx
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You'd have thought he'd have gone for the ct scan first then. :bang:
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Did you ever get a date for the scan your gp was arranging?
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Jeepers - surely he would have said if he saw anything that needed further investigation or stood out as weird. It must mean he couldn't find anything but as you have pain recommend looking in a different way for completeness sake. I had a friend who has an Xray recently and they weren't 100% happy with it so she had to re-do it and take different angles there and then
and wait behind. (It actually turned out to be OK!). So try and relax and enjoy your weekend. :-*
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Oh, ye gods, well, at least it's Monday, but it's going to be a bumpy weekend, eh. Have you got anything planned, even if it's just time to yourself?
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Hi
No, I haven't got much planned for this weekend. Boyfriend is off to Manchester. He did want me to go with him, but I don't feel well enough.
I do have an NHS appointment, but again, I think it will just be a consultation. I've decided to go to that one too.
I wish I could have seen the doctor in the early hours of the morning, as that's when I feel god awful.
Squeaker, I'm not sure what you mean. The doctor hasn't actually seen anything yet, just asked me a load of questions, and felt my abdomen.
No pain when he was feeling it, but God there is pain now.
Anyway, something pretty terrible has happened in my daughter's world (can't talk about it here). Thursday was bad, but yesterday was horrendous... I feel so helpless at the moment.
Jeepers xx
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Hi
No, I haven't got much planned for this weekend. Boyfriend is off to Manchester. He did want me to go with him, but I don't feel well enough.
I do have an NHS appointment, but again, I think it will just be a consultation. I've decided to go to that one too.
I wish I could have seen the doctor in the early hours of the morning, as that's when I feel god awful.
Squeaker, I'm not sure what you mean. The doctor hasn't actually seen anything yet, just asked me a load of questions, and felt my abdomen.
No pain when he was feeling it, but God there is pain now.
Anyway, something pretty terrible has happened in my daughter's world (can't talk about it here). Thursday was bad, but yesterday was horrendous... I feel so helpless at the moment.
Jeepers xx
Yes, collect as much information as you can from as many different sources as are available - helping yourself. As is making a decision about what you do this weekend. Obviously, that's also partially dependent on others. Point I'm trying to make is that you do have choices and you're exercising them. I don't know, for me, sometimes, when things seem totally out of control and massively uncertain it can be useful to remember where I am making choices, just so I don't feel as if I'm being thrown along in a little old boat on a very stormy sea. But I'm not you, so ...
In the interim, is it worth seeing a pharmacist? Just in case they can give you something totally neutral for digestion?
Also, like, I can find it helpful if I'm able to fixate on something else. Last year my little dog had a rapid growing tumour on his face. Everything pointed towards cancer. They cut it out, but in the process had to shave half his head and put some pretty nasty stitches in place. He looked like Frankenstein's monster. Because he was also being treated with steroids, the wound kept opening up and bleeding profusely. You know when you're so scared you can't breathe, for days, that was me. I stayed up for three weeks straight with him, but did find a binge-worthy series on Netflix (Offspring). So I'd sit all night on the sofa, occasionally dozing, with him in my arms, watching TV. It's one of those bitter sweet comedies, strong female leads, with lots of opportunity to cry-along. The main character is a gynaecologist, so the script resonated with me, because it talked about what it was like to be a woman. Anyway, the distraction was great, for me, it was just enough but not too much, and stopped me being lonely in the middle of the night when all my worst fears about anything and everything like to come out to play. Turned out the dog was alright, the tumour was benign, and we also got on top of the condition that required all the steroids.
Sorry to hear about your daughter's struggles. Hit's you where it hurts, eh.
Big hugs
EK
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Elk and Birdy. What lovely pet owners you are. :hug:
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Aww, yes, such lovely stories...glad the furry ones are on the mend. I still miss my fur bones, it been a year now. But, at the very end, I stayed with him, It was a precious moment, as strange as that sounds
Thanks elk, Means a lot xxx
Jeepers x
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Yes anything involving my kids just kills me. I hope it's something that can be quickly resolved.
If anyone is interested, the tv show Elk mentioned is Offspring on Netflix. I loved it and things in a similar vein are Chesapeake Shores, Virgin River and Heartland. Cheesy as anything but easy to watch.
Sending good vibes and love to you Jeepers. We are all behind you and praying for a good outcome.
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Hi,
Thank you.
I'm going to drive over to see my daughter this afternoon, she is only an hour away. I had to tell her about the scan, as we had a day out organised for Monday, and obviously I now can't go. I'm not a very good liar. She took it well, and it makes me glad and sad at the same time.
I stupidly listened to "songbird" by Fleetwood Mac this morning, and now I can't stop crying
Thank you all for being there, and I'm sorry for leaning on you all
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Good morning ladies.
Little tears in my eyes because of all the love we give.
It was Offspring, and lovely, some recommendations. Sometimes I just take myself off to bed, when the world gets too noisy, and snuggle down with TV that isn't quite what hubs enjoys watching. So it's nice to have some up my sleeve. Over Christmas I did a Jonathan Creek marathon, absolutely awful, but quite calming in an odd way.
Stuff with my kids, I don't know, has got much easier very recently - oh lordee, I feel a long post coming on:
Back in September I was upset because there was a course I wanted to do at night school, learning about something that's been my husband's speciality / passion for practically his whole life (schizo-analysis), but I knew I didn't have the time and energy without dropping other stuff I also really wanted to do, stuff that was important to me. My youngest picked up on this and said to me 'It's OK. You can want to do it, and not want to do it. It's perfectly fine to feel opposite and competing things. You can be proud of yourself and pleased with yourself that you've made a decision that's right for you, while also being sad that it means you're going to miss out.' That had literally never occurred to me before, that I can feel conflicted, that not everything has to be tied up in a neat little bow. I wouldn't say I'm amazed she's so wise at 23, but it did reassure me. I realised she's leagues ahead of me in some ways.
And then my son, the one who has disabilities. I had to have an ECG in December, his house is on the way to the hospital and both are within walking distance. He figured I was a bit jittery and offered to come with. He said it made a nice change for him to be in the caring role and he'd look after me. And then this last Friday, I was wanting to get a foot spa, but not entirely enthusiastic about going into town. We were sitting in Pret and he was like 'What's a foot spa anyway?' I explained and he said 'So, an electric bowl of water, just get yourself a bowl, much cheaper, much less hassle, and Dad rubs your feet anyway'. That made me laugh, because he's right. I was getting all confused by whether or not I could put essential oils in the proper ones and how difficult they'd be to clean afterwards.
Oldest daughter, well, she played a blinder at Christmas. I ordered the meat from the butchers, she picked it up on the 23rd, and then on Christmas day son-in-law came and got us all, took us to their new house (they bought their first house in the Summer, no mean feat in Brighton, they've worked so hard for 10 years), and when I arrived she handed me a bottle of bucks fizz and a pair of slippers. 'Put your feet up, Mum,' she said, 'Everything's under control here. I don't want you to lift a finger. All those Christmases you've rushed around and made it special for everyone else. This one's for you'. And it was bloody lovely. I mean the dinner was only lukewarm, you know, but that didn't matter because everyone was relaxed and happy.
If you'd have looked at my little family 10 years ago, five years ago, two years ago, you wouldn't have pegged us for being so sorted. We got there in the end though, after some seriously bumpy times.
As for the cat. I'm glad yours in on the mend Birdy. I lost my girl Bob (19) on my birthday in October. We rescued her as a kitten after she was dumped in my friend's porch in a box. Oh god, that cat. I can still see her little face eyeing me up from behind my friend's sofa when I went to collect her. We were never meant to keep her, because I'm allergic to cats, but we couldn't let her go once she was here. Towards the end she was blind, totally incontinent, and quite wobbly on her pins, but not in pain, so we took the decision to let her go naturally - largely possible because hubs works from home. He grew up on a farm, so is pretty accustomed to the comings and goings of animals. That night he took one look at her and said 'It's her time' and picked her up and held her in his arms. We sat quietly for hours while she slipped away. He was singing to her and we were talking about the last 19 years, how the kids have grown, how we've grown. It was so peaceful and full of love. And after she'd gone we wrapped her in silk and put her on our altar covered in flowers. The next day, he buried her in a huge plant pot with dozens of spring bulbs. They're just coming up now. It's outside right by the front door, which is amazing, as she always used to greet visitors to the house.
For me, being able to talk about these bits of grief and struggle helps me to feel the love, and that helps me to not be swallowed by my anxiety. I feel like I should apologise for taking up too much space, and then I feel like I should stop apologising for the space I take up.
Jeepers. Big hugs.
EK
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I agree with Birdy, that is an absolutely beautiful post, thank you so, so much
Jeepers x
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Elk that last post made me cry.
I want to tell you all my silly troubles and have you explain why it's all ok and it will be fine. Fancy being the mm counsellor?
I'm glad you have told your daughter Jeepers. It must be a bit of a relief to get it out and I'm sure she will be a comfort to you.
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Hi Blot
Yes, it is a relief, as I have been carrying around this huge boulder of shame and guilt surrounding the possibility of being ill, and letting loved ones down (I know that probably doesn't make much sense to anyone)
But, my daughter has had a week that most of us can only imagine in our nightmares (sorry of that sounds dramatic, but it is a fact), and I need to support her too.
Its so lovely to come here and feel the warmth, kindness and kindredness (is that a word Birdy? ) from everyone
Much love
Jeepers xx
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Elk ... crying ... beautiful post. x
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Hello ladies
Elk- thank you so much for your beautiful post.
Sending hugs to you all.
K.
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Hope everything goes well for your scan today Jeepers
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Let us know how you got on Jeepers x
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Hi all
Thank you fir your good wishes. I had the scan today, wasn't too bad, and was very quick. I won't get the results until the end odiferous the week, or maybe even next week. That was at the private hospital. Takes 48 hours for the scans to be interpreted, then it has to go back to my consultant who will get in touch with me.
As for the NHS consultation, well that was Awful. The consultant barely asked me anything, and as soon as he realised I am anxious, he just wrote me off. At one point he even said to me “ do you want to do my job, you can be the consultant todayâ€. He also said “ lots of people get back ache, I get back ache, you are very stressedâ€
He did order a few blood tests for me, I had to wait an hour ( I Didnt mind as I know how busy they all are), and he said he was going to book me a ct scan , and when it comes back normal, I should go back to my gp, for some help with my mental help,
Obviously , I'm not going to have another ct, and the whole thing was just humiliating.
Jeepers xx
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Make a complaint >:(
I thought we'd done with that sort of attitude from doctors. Utterly disgraceful.
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That's disgraceful Jeepers. I'm fumin for you.
How did you hold it together? I would have burst into tears.
Yes you should make a complaint as you should not be treated like that 😤😤😡. Hope you get some answers soon x
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Thanks everyone
I did break down a bit, I think this just made him even more convinced that it's all in my head, and I'm just a hypochondriac ( which is true, but it spdoesnt mean that I can't get I'll). I tried to tell him that it wasn't a back ache, but a pain under my ribs, like pressure from inside out, and it radiated round, but he was having none of it,
Told me how long he had been a gastroenterologist, and how long a consultant. Said he would resign If I had PC.
I am so tired of it all, I just don't have the energy for any of it anymore. I could complain, but as he ordered in the tests, it would just be my word against his.
I'm really sorry that your experience has been the same Birdy, it seems so negligent of them to not ask about things. It's always anxiety making you ill, never your illness making you anxious.
I'm exhausted
Jeepers xx
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Wow that's really sad how you have been treated by medical professional. I'm lucky as really never had that problem over here (Australia). With my GP it's always me apologetic to how much I carry on, but my doctor is very good to me, and takes her time listening and explaining what she thinking to me. And with any specialists from hospitals most of them are great, and when I carry on about my concerns as usual they explain what I'm saying is wrong and why.
And for all the ultrasounds, MRI, X-rays are usually two days before my doctor gets the results.
I hope you get the results quickly and get your answers Jeeepers
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Thanks Lynccola
I had a really bad night last night, the pain was horrible.
Added to that I came home to find a letter telling me my follow up appointment is on 22nd Jan, so more waiting . They sent that letter out last Friday, probably straight after my initial consultation. And that's from the private hospital, not nhs
I'm just so worn down with it all
:'(
Jeepers xx
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I'm sorry to hear that Jeepers.
More waiting around. Did the consultant suggest or give you anything for the pain?
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I have some solpadol, but it makes me constipated. Well, I think that's the cause
Jeepers xx
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Jeepers Im sorry to hear you had a bad night,
I'm sorry to hear about the waiting for your appointment.
Even though that doctor sounds very mean and doesn't know how to communicate and be compassionate, hold on to those words that he said that he would resign if you have PC.
He doesn't seem to know how to talk to you, but hopefully he is good at his job and truly believes in what he is saying.
Sending love and positive thoughts
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Did you have a better night Jeepers? X
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Hi all
I got a call from the hospital today, and was told that my consultant is away this week , but wanted me to know that my abdominal scan came back normal !!!
I could not believe it, and made her say it three times. My heart was pounding, as everyone always says they will contact you sooner if they find something.
I still have the appointment next week, and still need to know what the problem is, and what is causing the pain, but for now, I am just so very relieved to think that I do not have a tumour on my pancreas, liver, kidney, spleen or gallbladder.
I have promised my boyfriend (and myself) that I will get help for my mental health, and try not to start speculating on the next worse case scenario.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being here for me, I have been half deranged and couldn't have got through it without you...
Jeepers xxx
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Really happy for you Jeepers. Now that you are less anxious, perhaps your symptoms may subside a little.
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Yesssssssssss, so happy for your positive results. :)
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Excellent news Jeepers. :) :) :)
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Woo hoo! Excellent. I'm so pleased for you x
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Good news Jeepers and thanks for sharing your experience.
It has been interesting for me watching from the ' outside' as someone who struggles with HA too.
It seemed to obvious that non of the health professions thought there was anything wrong. There must
be warning signs/red flags and you didn't have them It shows what a load of rubbish is sometimes on the internet.
If you Google ' pain in the side' the sites tell you your worst fears. We are fodder for their click bait.
I thought when your scan was over quick that nothing came up.
I do hope you can try and move on - I wish I had any tips that work. Time and time again I say ' right , now I have
got that checked out I am going to live me best life' - but then weeks later off I go again.
I do think Peri and Meno kick up all kinds of weird aches /pains/ discharges/headaches / mental weirdness that make you think
something is very wrong. I was told we have hormone receptors all over our bodies so I do wonder if there is
an immune system / inflammation response that has not been identified yet with rears up in Meno.
I try and live by the day. Think of each day as 24 hours of moments of enjoyment.
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Glad to hear all is well Jeepers! Keep positive! :)
Hurdity x
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Oh, that's such good news. Bet you're bloody exhausted now though.
x
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Thank you all, so very very kind.
I am exhausted, and of course I still don't know what's causing the problems
Have had some bad thoughts, and trying not to fall back down the rabbit hole. To that end, I have booked my first hypnotherapy session next Thursday... I really need it to work.
I'm going to try to stay positive , I really am.
Jeepers xx
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Hiya
Hypnotherapy? Can I be nosy and ask you to say more about that? Obviously, you can tell me to get lost.
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Hi Elk
I would never tell you to get lost, I love your posts, and you are such a warm and kind person
So, they hypnotherapy. I haven't started it yet, but I did go to a preliminary meeting to find out what its about, and to see if it is something that could potentially help me
The message I took away, it that we have neural pathways in our brains, which, depending on past experiences, become sort of like "auto pilot". In other words, our thought processes use these neural pathways because in primitive times, they were there to keep us safe. So, if sometime in the past we had been threatened by a bear, then we would have obviously gone into fight, flight or freeze mode with all of the necessary adrenaline to help us survive, and the pathway knows what worked in the past, so goes straight there again. They become lightening fast, our first reflexive reaction. Somewhere along the line though, it becomes the pathway for anything we perceive as a threat, even if it is not.
Hypnotherapy takes us from our high level of consciousness to a lower level where these pathways operate, and by suggestion (?) or something, the idea is that thes pathways can be rerouted, so that non- threatening triggers do not immediately take us to that same place.
Of course, if there really is a bear, then perhaps not!
That was my understanding, I hope I got it right
I'm willing to try anything at this point. I have tried straight forward counselling, but just felt like I paid handsomely to talk b*llocks for an hour, and I have a friend who listen for the price of a lunch (or less). Seriously though, I need more than talking now
Jeepers xx
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I did CBT via the NHS which was excellent - similar to hypno therapy but with an initial bit about
what about my life could have made me anxious. There were also practical bits too e.g. If you feel like X - then do Y.
My trouble was it was great when I had the CBT session to report back to, encourage me and look forward to . Then the course finished and I started to slip into my old habits.
Good for you for deciding to try and change your mental habits though. Every little does help.
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Fab news Jeepers, I'm delighted for you. Health anxiety is a nightmare and your experience shows just how powerful it is. Onwards and upwards :)
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Thanks both.
I'm trying to use it as something to focus on. Still not feeling well, and not knowing what it is, makes it really hard to stay on top of things, not slide back down the rabbit hole ..
I've been so bad this last month, I'm ashamed to say. Even having a shower seemed like a mountain of a task. I have neglected so much .
Cbt ... I did an online course, and i think it did help, but ias you say, it fades once you stop doing it.
Jeepers xx
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Not sleeping well at all.
Woke up again, and coughed, got the most horrible pain In the centre of my stomach, really burned. Different to the usual pain ( which is still there)
So tired of feeling ill
Sorry for the whinge
Jeepers xx
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Hello Jeepers.
I've just caught up with this thread and I'm pleased to see that your scan results were good.
I also sympathise with how you are today. Feeling unwell is of course worrying, add to that poor sleep and it is no surprise that you feel as you do. Who wouldn't.
I see that you will be trying hypnotherapy soon and hopefully this will help you deal with your health concerns in a less panicky way. You can even report back to the forum and teach the rest of us how to cope lol.
Sorry I can't be more helpful but you are not alone and I wish you well.
Sending hugs.
K.
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Hi all
I have a follow up appointment with my gastro consultant , so I'll see if he suggests it. I am feeling less anxious now, but probably because I can feel myself slipping into depression with it all. I just feel hopeless now,
I am still getting pain in the kidney area, and sometimes it feels like my ribs are being pushed out from the inside.
I'll try to eat a bland diet, and drink lots of water
Thank you all
Jeepers xx
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Milk can be good for acid, or soya/almond milk. Ditch the caffeine too for a while and drink loads of water.
Gastric problems can be really ramped up if you are anxious on top of it. Stay strong. You can do it.
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Low stomach acid is quite common. If you have to use anti acids a lot, and they don't really help, it could well be the problem.
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What is this stomach acid test?
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Hi all
I'm just out of my follow up appointment. Dr confirmed that all organs looked normal, just a little degeneration on t12.. but that's normal at my age.
So, the next step is to do an endoscopy, which will be on 4th Feb.
I'm feeling a bit calmer. I did ask about stomach tumours , and he said that although they don't normally show up on scans, the level of pain that I've had would mean that something would be visible on a scan of that makes sense.
Interestingly , I asked him if he was concerned, and he said he was concerned when I first came in, with what I had described. Which made me think back to how horrible the NHS consultant was, a d how he didn't listen to me.
I'm also having my bloods done again
Thank you all for your support, I don't know what I'd do without you all
Jeepers xx
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Are you taking any long term medications or supplements? These can sometimes cause stomach pain and/or acid (or reduce the acid too much).
It does all sound like gastritis and I'm surprised they didn't try you with antacids meds to see if it stopped the pain before all the scans.
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Yes, dangermouse is right. Sometimes quite simple things can cause it. Fizzy bottled water did it for me.
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Do you think?
Maybe I should avoid certain foods? Cheese? Tomatoes?
I'm clueless really
Thank you all
Jeepers xx
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Not sure about which foods to avoid but maybe wait until your test on the 4th in case there is a simple solution.
Hope you are ok today.
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Hi
I'm feeling so down at the moment. Pain in my left side still there. Doesn't wake me up in the night anymore, but it was there all day yesterday, and started up today as soon as I had my decaf coffee.
It's still another week until my endoscopy., seems like ages. Want it to be over, but scared stiff of what they might find. I keep reminding myself what the gastro said ? stomach tumours are vanishingly rare?. That said, my sister in law died of exactly that.
Added to my woes, I'm still bleeding. Have emailed the meno clinic twice, but so far no reply 😞.
I'm supposed to be having my cervical screening this Thursday, but if the bleeding doesn't stop , I?ll have to reschedule it... another thing to be anxious about. Does anyone know if cervical cancer would show up on a ct scan?
My life feels like I'm in some sort of limbo, I find it hard to do anything right now
Sorry for the whinge
Jeepers xx
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Tough time Jeepers, but you're working through things bit by bit. If it is food related, you could try cutting things out one at a time and seeing if it has a effect. Just an idea. Keep going, we're all behind you and wishing you well.
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Hi Jeepers, at least you are eliminating things you think it might be.
As everyone has said it might be food related in which case you would need to keep a diary to find out what triggers it. X
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The hot drink triggering the pain sounds like gastritis. You need to avoid hot drinks as it's like putting hot water on a skin wound, it will open it up and make it tender.
You could try some room temperature chamomile tea as that treats gastritis and ulcers.
Or get some Nexium or other acid blocker (PPI) over the counter and see if one tablet relieves the pain. If they find gastritis or any small ulcers that is the drug they will give you to treat it.
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Hi Jeepers,
just checking in with this post to see how you are doing? And to see the date I first posted to you about my rib pain. Why am I checking the date, because it seems to be bothering me again, and guess what 29 days have gone, I'm going to guess my rib pain as well as other pain is telling me I would normally have my periods. :'(
So 'what's happening with you, is the pain getting better? And have you had any more test and are you any closer to working out whats wrong?
Good luck with your endoscopy please let us know how you get on.
Hugs from Australia
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Hi
Yes, the pain has got sifnificantly better. And I think its thanks to danagermouse, so a huge thank you to you. I have stopped fdrinking hot drinks, just an occaisional warm drink, otherwise mostly water. I've also gone gluten free, and like I say, the pain is almost gone.
I was frightened to post about it yesterday, in case it came back today, but so far, so good.
I am having an ultrasound scan tomorrow, because of the bleeding, but that too seems to have tailed off. The thing that is worrying me the most at the moment (there is always something isn't there), is that since the whole onset of all of this stuff (getting on for six weeks now), is that I am definitely not peeing as much. I used to regularly wet myself, but now I can go hours and hours without going to the loo, even though I am drinking lots of water. The mornings are worst, I don't go at all after my early morning wee, just in the afternoon, and then it seems like a little wee.
So, quite nervous about tomorrows scan, in case they find something. I know it can't be a kidney tumour, as that would have turned up on the CT scan, but not sure what would be on the pelvic structures part of the CT. I wish I could turn my brain off.
I'm sorry to hear you are still getting your rib pain. Are you having any more tests?
Take care
Jeepers
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Hey Jeepers, just checking in really. I'm glad you've had a chance to escape some of the pain, but so sorry to hear about the mental turmoil. I really do hope you get some answers soon. X
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Hi Jeepers,
At the moment I'm not too concerned about my rib pain, it seems to be following my normal hormonal pattern (when I normally would have my periods).
Plus the pain can be in my back, ribs both sides, on and off, and always changing places.
Seems very strange that you're drinking a lot and not peeing much? Have you mentioned it to the doctor yet? And good luck for your ultrasound tomorrow.
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Hi Lyncola
I have mentioned it to the doctors, but they don't seem very interested (could be becasue he is a GI dr, not a urologist).
Pain has mostly stayed away, just had some slight burning across stomach area when I woke up this morning. Yesterday I had a quite normal BM, if a little lighter in colour), but today I had loose BM, quite light colour too. I have to say that last night I did eat a small wheat biscuit, surely that can't have caused it? Could the funny colour be the change to (mostly) gluten free.
Good to hear that you are not worrying about your pain, sounds like it might be hormonal.
Thank you for your good wishes,. Not sure they'll tell me anything today, as they said the Dr has to review.
Some better news is that my appetite has continued to improve.
Jeepers xx
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Hi Jeepers,
I'm glad to hear that your appetite is improving. I talked about the rib pain to my doctor today, and explain to her how I thought it was hormonal related, she seems very interested in this and told me to start marking it in my calendar. She agreed this could be right.
I'm always got my head in the toilet with my poo, I worry about my colour sometimes too. I even google what colour my poo should be. Apparently it's bad if's it the colour of clay (I then google what does clay colour look like ;D) or pale like white. I worry about the colour the shape, is my poo normal. Seems strange how your doctor wasn't concerned about how much your peeing? That's the thing I love about my doctor she explains to me why she not concerned. I feel sorry for her with some of my questions I asked. ;D
Hope everything goes well with your test results
Big hugs
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Hi Jeepers,
It's been one day and I've got a new concern, I'm sitting here holding my right breast, I've did have my doctor look at my boob yesterday, and it's believed I've got periductal mastitis. Apparently it can happen to premenopausal ladies. It looks like a pimple on my areola. My doctor said it's a block duct and to leave it along and it should go away. This is day three and my boob is hurting. I didn't even have this problem when I was breastfeeding.
I hope you are doing well Jeepers
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I had this Lyncola. It took a good 3 months to disappear. I worried endlessly about it,
ended up insisting to be referred. Then it disappeared as quickly as it came. It was
on the surface in the brown bit just under my nipple. The GP didn't seem bothered by it.
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Thanks for your reply Squeaker99,
interesting that it takes a long time to go? I'm just keeping an eye on it, and it not getting any worse, if anything slightly smaller. At least my husband gets a good flash when I decide to have a look ;D
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Hi lyncola
Sorry to hear about your mastitis. I have pm'd you
Jeepers xx
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I had mastitis when I was breastfeeding. My mum got me to do an old trick, boob in a bowl of warm water that contained Epsom salts, three times a day, and it went. She was a nurse for years, but also big on the old ways.
Hey Jeeps. X
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Hi
Just wanted to update this, as I had my Endoscopy this morning, and it all came back normal! Of course I am relieved and happy. The consultant did say he would do a follow up appointment to discuss, but said he didn't see anything of concern. He took a biopsy , to check for bacterial stuff, but I suppose the appointment is to discuss some non-sinister explanations for my symptoms.
Well, that's what I hope anyway. Today is just a day to be relieved that I do not have a stomach tumour. In fact, when he first started going in, I'm sure I heard him utter the word "pristine"
So, I know that constant reassurance is not the cure for HA, but I have a list of things that help me keep some perspective:
1 CT scan clear
2 Pelvic US clear
3 Blood tests all normal
4 Endoscopy normal
5 Cardio tests (before Christmas) all good
6 Colonoscopy (last April) normal
Every time I get pain, I recite them to myself.
Thank you all ladies for being there, I don't know if I'd got through this far without you. I have my third hypnotherapy session this afternoon, and I'm going to work hard on my mental health, to try to reclaim my life (I have a long way to go, I know). And I hope all of my results after such horrible symptoms give other who are worried a reason to stay positive.
With much affection
Jeepers xx
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So pleased for you Jeepers and 'enjoy' the hypno. It's useful when people share their light at the end of the tunnel moments.
Best
EK
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That's excellent news Jeepers. I'm so pleased everything is ok x
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Fabulous news Jeepers.
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What was the test like Jeepers. I'm absolutely terrified in case I have to have one. I gag when I have to swallow a tablet ☹️
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Excellent news Jeepers. So pleased for you.
Did you go ahead without sedation? - well done.
Hope this evening can be the start of a more relaxing time for you 🤞
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Wonderful news Jeepers
ElkWarning my boob is much better thank you, but what a great idea about sticking your boob in a bowl off water. I will have to remember that one, in case it happens again.
I use salty water to treat piles, sore throat, sore toe, sore eye. It's amazing how a simple thing can work so well. :)
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Pleased to hear that Jeepers x
I do that - listing and checking off in my mind x
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What was the test like Jeepers. I'm absolutely terrified in case I have to have one. I gag when I have to swallow a tablet ☹️
Hi blot
It really wasn't that bad. I think I gagged once, but they said they don't mind gagging. I am like you, I gag when I clean my teeth, especially when I brush my tongue.
I'm glad I didn't have sedation, it was so quick, doesn't seem worth it, unless you think you might have a panic attack I suppose. I don't panic about the procedures, just the possible results. I just closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing.
Jeepers xx
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That's good to hear. I've heard that the test is pretty quick and the worst thing is the anticipation. Think I'd still go for sedation though.
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Hello Jeepers,
I have just read your thread here and so pleased to hear that all was good in the end.
I am having the same pains and the moment and have convinced myself it must be pancreatic cancer but due to current situation I am too scared to see my gp. I have lost weight over the last month which has added to my worry although is probably due to anxiety about the life we are now in and being generally busier at home sorting, tidying etc....
However, after reading your story I have realised that it may be my health anxiety causing me to make 2+2=5 so wondered if you found the hypnotherapy worked for you? I know that I need to get it sorted otherwise I will forever ricochet from one terminal illness to another without having any peace and calm in my life :(
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Hi Ellen May
Firstly, I'm so sorry to hear that you are suffering , I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
Thinking about it now, hypnotherapy was probably working, as I was doing a lot better until this pandemic and other things ended my sessions, and at the same time ramped up my anxiety.
I've slipped back though, so I might have to try to get some more sessions. Maybe I could get some via telephone or video. They do say you need 10 to 12 sessions and lots of practice.
I completely understand the ricocheting , so please feel free to pm me, or carry on talking on here, if it helps
Sending positive vibes your way
Jeepers xx
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I would opt for sedation. I missed out on your progress, sorry.
I HATE toothpaste ........ the smell, texture, taste :-X ........
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Jeepers - not sure if you are still on here and I know this is an old thread. I posted about identical symptoms 'nightly left side pain under ribs' last year.. did you ever find out what was causing that?
I couldn't find any other similar thread at the time...
My recent endoscopy found nothing major, however the pain is real and wakes me up early hours every morning since July '21, it's made worse if I am lying on the left side.
I hope your HA improved with hypnotherapy..