Coping better

DON'T read home medical books. They will have you thinking that you have everything under the sun.
Remember that very few men get pregnant and very few women have prostate problems!
Once you get to 70, folk tend to believe that the MUST be something the matter with you. Not every headache means a brain tumor, hopefully.
Supposedly I have high blood pressure. Three different "cures" produced such side effects that one Doctor said "Don't take any more of those"! Each one seemed to be worse thatn the one before, so I stopped the medication.
A few years later, a blood pressure diary, taken night and morning over a week showed that my systolic pressures averaged 4 mm above the "limit", while systolic was below.
By all means don't be complacent, follow medical advice but every finger ache does not need amputation!
The NHS can do without being besieged by hypochondriacs.
They stop those who DO need diagnosis or treatment from getting it when it is needed.
There is no "One size fits all" Each person has to be treated as an individual, so what happens to "her next door" will not apply to you.

Dear everyone, how kind and wonderful of you all to have responded to me. I will keep reading your comments to, hopefully, give me some much needed courage. I cannot thank you all enough! It is such a relief to talk to people who understand and don't just say " don't worry, it will be fine". Bless you all. Sending love to you all and heartfelt thanks ❤

You have to take things 1 day at a time, its extremely hard if anxiety is there but presuming and over thinking will only manifest your anxiety, I KNOW its ok me, a stranger, telling you all this I KNOW it is I have been there myself ( not with your situation ) but there is only YOU who knows whether to have all the tests and there is only YOU who knows how to handle each day.

I am thinking of you and hope so much that things manage to level out for you.

Any worries, concerns, need for a rant, need a 'viral' hug, come here to us all, people are here to help you.

Take care

I know how you feel - I seem to be having one investigation after another and am on medications that require regular blood tests. I try to let as much of it wash by me as I can. But I understand that you are finding this hard.

The doc is right to double-check about your anaemia as there is a remote possibility that there might be some slow bleeding from your gut/bowel - the medics would be wrong not to pursue this; but I know how this must add to your anxiety.

Can you have a conversation with the GP about this - ask exactly what they are looking for and what the chances are of these scans etc. throwing up something serious - at least that puts you in control - the decision is then yours. You cannot make these decisions without the right information, and sadly there seems to be no time for this in the over-pressed NHS.

(and) regarding your anxiety and attitudes, I'd recommend 'Why has nobody told me this before? by Dr Julie Smith, a handy guidebook to 'being human'.

Coughdrop: 'I never used to be like this' - we're very different at various stages of life - and according to how much love and support we have.

Remember that you are always in charge of your own body, your appointments and your attitude to them.

Doctors do like to check (and double check) that there's nothing much wrong with you. I generally follow their advice (sometimes not) yet insist on gaps between visits and appointments, assume nothing is wrong - and always put medical stuff in the background of my life.

Arrange some exciting and interesting outings and events, planned between visits, to focus on.

do you have someone to accompany you to medical appts.
that can help, if someone is willing to go.
sometimes it's not our nearest and dearest who are best for this.
but it depends who is available.
itching can be linked with liver trouble, i've read.

Hello Coughdrop. I too get anxious about my health, as do some of my friends. I think the "what ifs" scare us, although most times test results are good.
I think if a doctor recommended a test I would have it done, because I don't believe doctors would waste everyone's time and NHS money on unnecessary tests. The "oscopies" are possibly to make sure your anaemia isn't because of a bleeding problem. just my opinion, but you should ask your doctor why.
The fact you have had cancer is obviously making you anxious, and anxiety is not good.
Aggie is right, our imaginations work overtime, and imagine the worst!
You should talk to your doctor and tell him how you feel.

I have had lots of tests in the last 2/3 years. I actually made a file so that I could remember details, when needed.
How do I cope?
I reassure myself that most tests have good results, most illnesses clear up. And tests are better done sooner than later so that treatment is given quickly.
I use meditation to help me stay relaxed and calm (calmer).
I tell myself I won't think about the test or appointment until the day of the test.
I used to do this when flying. I blocked the flight from my mind until I was in the departure lounge.
Unfortunately, it's diffcult to avoid tests, especially as we get older.
When you feel anxious at the doctors, try taking deep breaths in and out, count to 3 in, 4 out. It's amazing how much such a simple thing helps.

All these tests are your choice. You have the right to turn them down. It’s your body. Just do what you feel comfortable with.

I also get worried when I have to get mixed up with Drs., however, I now try and persuade myself that it is a good thing that tests are ordered and done, maybe the Dr is ordering different things at the same time as he knows you will have a wait to get everything done and he wants to get things underway. If you don't understand why he has ordered tests ask him.
The list when you visit or some notes to remind you of everything you want to ask are a really good idea.

Your Doctor is covering all the bases to ascertain your health issues. It does not mean you are going to get negative results for each test. As already suggested tell your doctor how anxious you are feeling. You have recently been put on medication for your current health issue. Ask your doctor if you can you have tests when this problem has cleared up. Also you don't want the tests on top of each other as it's too much to worry about all at once.
I am sure if you talk it will be possible to reach middle ground. In the mean time try to calm yourself by doing things you like and take care.

You are not being cowardly and you don't need a talking to.

Please, next time you go to the doctor take a friend or relative with you who can and will ask questions if you get stuck.

The only person who can tell you why he is referring you to a specialist for border-line anaemia is your doctor himself. I assume he feels that if it were treated you would feel just a bit better, but I do not know.

I write down a list of questions I want answered by the doctor or nurse and insist on being allowed to work my way through the list.

Be honest about the fact that having a long list of tests done scares you. It scares most people.

If your present doctor won't answer your questions, ask for another doctor who will.

Coughdrop , I have sent you a PM .

You don't have to do all that the doctors say. They have to do things to protect themselves. Once my Dr. Kept sending me for bloods for my kidneys. I stopped as it seemed she was trying to make me ill! She told me they had to follow things through. Do practice deep breathing to help your anxiety.

Oh dear , you do have a lot on your mind , but things do seem to be getting good results .
I have no advice , I avoid the Doctors as much as possible , but suffer from a vivid imagination, thinking my various aches are serious , but they seem to vanish when I have better things to think of , myBP goes through the roof in the vicinity of a white coat !

You are not alone, but I will have to answer tomorrow. Recovering from glaucoma clinic visit. I'm sure they were glad to see the back of me.

I don’t think you are a wuss I haven’t had all the stuff you ve had and know I d be in just as much of a tizzy as you
It’s scary can you approach your doctor for a talk and ask him what he’s looking for and why he is feeling these further tests are necessary and try not to look at the big picture as a whole I find when I m doing something I don’t want to have to do I mentally section it off in to small items and again mentally tick them off when done just seems better able to handle smaller bits that’s the full on big picture
Good luck keep chatting with us if it helps