Colon/Bowel/Pancreatic/Stomach/Something else cancer? Losing my mind. (21M)

[Strelets]

I need help. For about a week now I've had this on and off sharp pain on my lower left abdomen that is there occasionally and then goes away, and more rarely a pain somewhere else on my abdomen. I'm losing my mind over fears of having some sort of bowel or, worse, a pancreatic cancer. My stools are a bit narrow but other than that, I think I'm mostly fine except for physical/gastro symptoms caused by the anxiety, but I have a very difficult time shaking the thoughts and worries.

I went to the doctors about it on Saturday (November 20, 2021) and they took a urine test and said that they don't really suspect anything bad, and to give it a little bit more time. I have no problem with that, but I'm still losing my mind. I want an endoscopy, colonoscopy, and who knows what else. I just want a confirmation that I don't have any sort of cancer. I have no idea what to do. I don't know how to go about getting those tests, but oh man am I worried.

 

[MATD]

Drs need reasons to perform those tests. They have to justify everything they do with the insurance provider. If you had presented with more “evidence” to justify the tests, I’m sure they would have referred you for one. You anxiety is not reason enough to justify the tests. This can be looked at in a different perspective, that if the dr suspected a good enough reason, they would have referred you for the test. Look at it this way. Your anxiety is the real culprit and you need to take positive steps to treat your anxiety. Even if you were to have the test, your anxiety is going to lead you to a different illness fear, again and again and again. Focus on anxiety treatment for now. That’s where you can finally gain reassurance, getting your anxiety down so you can again access your rational thinking.

 

[Strelets]

Going to the doctor's later today, virtual appointment. Hopefully things go fine.

 

[Sweet T]

Lower left is your colon. Likely constipation or IBS

 

[Cuchculan]

Something serious would not go away for periods of time. It would always be there. I would imagine your doctor is thinking the same thing. That if it is a pain that is there only at times, it is most likely something simple. Not as serious as cancer or anything like that. Which would be non stop pain. Not sure if you have tried anything for the pain? Normal over the counter medication you can get at a chemist. Explain the situation to the chemist. They will put you right.

 

[Fraser]

I remember going through exactly this with colon cancer fear. Time to pivot to researching more about how you can address your health anxiety. That is what is actually going to change your life for the better, and significantly.