How do I overcome the fear of getting blood chemistry/urinalysis results?

[Worlding101]

Hello all, I have an appointment with my doctor this week after a series of delays. I've posted about my concern about having very high BP when I had my vaccine and I've always thought I have whitecoat hypertension although a part of me thinks I do have some form of actual hypertension. I am only 30 years old.

I am definitely sure that the doctor will order some blood tests (cholesterol, liver function, creatinine, etc) for me to get my general picture of my worries. Now, I really have no issue when it comes to the procedure, I am just terrified of the results and the many things they might find out about me.

I don't mind the cholesterol so much as I can bring those down with diet and exercise, but it's the creatinine and urinalysis that worry me more. I am already imagining that they will find protein in my urine or that I have elevated crea or liver levels. I feel that I have neglected my high BP issues for years and I am scared that the results will come back saying I have something very wrong with my kidneys.

I am ashamed to say that my last blood chemistry test was way back in 2013! All came back normal except elevated cholesterol and uric acid but I was quite obsese back then. Through the years, I've lose more than 30 pounds but my diet is still isn't the best.

Anyway, there's no turning back now. I just want to get this over with. I am just really scared.

 

[Cuchculan]

These are all just fears. Is nothing to say anything like that will happen. Last bloods I had done was a few years back. Some people don't have them done as often as other people. You are simply sitting there making yourself anxious thinking a load of ' What ifs '' Dare I ask, what if they say all looks good to them? That is probably one what if you are not even considering might happen. Nothing to say you are going to get all these bad results. That is just your anxiety. Try and keep both yourself and your mind busy until the big day comes. Nothing will be certain until a doctor tells you anything. We both have no idea what that something will be.

 

[mollyfin]

For me it hasn't been so much about getting over the fear as doing it despite being absolutely terrified. But I also mostly prefer to have tests done so I can know for sure instead of worrying indefinitely. We can do things that are hard or scary. But for me I've never found a trick to it beyond just having that anxious stretch of time waiting for results. Which usually come back okay!

 

[Worlding101]

These are all just fears. Is nothing to say anything like that will happen. Last bloods I had done was a few years back. Some people don't have them done as often as other people. You are simply sitting there making yourself anxious thinking a load of ' What ifs '' Dare I ask, what if they say all looks good to them? That is probably one what if you are not even considering might happen. Nothing to say you are going to get all these bad results. That is just your anxiety. Try and keep both yourself and your mind busy until the big day comes. Nothing will be certain until a doctor tells you anything. We both have no idea what that something will be.

Thank you, Chuchulan. I'm still in the process of wrapping my head around getting these tests and not worrying too much about the results. Just had my appointment and I'm glad my new cardio is this young and very sweet doctor who seems to understand my anxiety. She has ordered all the standard blood tests and 24 monitoring and ECG which I will do next week I guess. I told her I need to condition myself first before the tests and she said it was all okay.

For me it hasn't been so much about getting over the fear as doing it despite being absolutely terrified. But I also mostly prefer to have tests done so I can know for sure instead of worrying indefinitely. We can do things that are hard or scary. But for me I've never found a trick to it beyond just having that anxious stretch of time waiting for results. Which usually come back okay!

Thank you, molly. I've been dreading about getting results because I know I will obsess about these numbers even if they are normal. I just wanna get it over with!

 

[mollyfin]

I know what you mean. I'm glad my newest doctor doesn't use a patient portal so I'm not torn over whether or not to check the results on my own and Google everything. The waiting is always miserable though. I just try to not think about that part before I go for the tests - then by the time I'm stressing about it, well, too late, I'm getting results whether I want them or not.

 

[bigjetplane2]

I know what you mean. I'm glad my newest doctor doesn't use a patient portal so I'm not torn over whether or not to check the results on my own and Google everything. The waiting is always miserable though. I just try to not think about that part before I go for the tests - then by the time I'm stressing about it, well, too late, I'm getting results whether I want them or not.

Yes. I refuse to use the patient portal.
For me, I do have that option but I don’t make an account.

 

[Worlding101]

I know what you mean. I'm glad my newest doctor doesn't use a patient portal so I'm not torn over whether or not to check the results on my own and Google everything. The waiting is always miserable though. I just try to not think about that part before I go for the tests - then by the time I'm stressing about it, well, too late, I'm getting results whether I want them or not.

Yes. I refuse to use the patient portal.
For me, I do have that option but I don’t make an account.

Thank you, both. I can imagine this fear! I've talked to the clinic and they've agreed to release the results along with my appointment with the doctor. So that's one problem down. But ugh, I'm really scared they my creatinine and BUN levels will be high and be indicative of renal disease