Very anxious about tests - going crazy

[Jill]

Hello, I am new here and I am really panicking and feel out of control at the moment. I suffer with depression and anxiety and take antidepressants for this.

My recent worry is related to my health and this just sprang up on Monday when I went to see my doctor. I went to see her two weeks ago as my anxiety was getting bad again due a recent flat move which I wanted but its still a stressful thing. While I was there I mentioned feeling tired a lot and so she did some routine blood tests as last year I had a swollen lip and dry mouth and blood tests then showed that I was deficient in folic acid so I took some tablets for that, plus antibiotics for my lip and it all cleared up.

Also, for a few years now I have had a bit of a hoarse voice, indigestion and acid reflux. I have told the doctor about this before and she has just given me nasal sprays, has sounded my chest and put it down to an allergy. A friend of mine has the same thing and has done for years and another friend is just starting to get this so I started to feel that at least I’m not on my own with it and just blocked it out.

Anyway, that’s the background to my story. Back to this Monday. I did receive the results of my blood tests two weeks ago over the phone by the doctor’s receptionist, she told me they had revealed a lack in folic acid again and an iron deficiency, she said the doctor had prescribed me some tablets to pick up at the chemist and she made me an appointment to see the doctor which was this Monday, said she might just want to discuss what has caused this, possibly my diet.

So I wasn’t worried when I went to see the doctor on Monday. She started off my asking me about my diet and giving advice on this which I expected. She asked me if I eat a lot of bread, I said I do but not an awful lot as I find I get more indigestion when I eat it. She then said she’d do another blood test to see if I’m allergic to gluten which I didn’t worry about. But then she said she wanted to do a poo sample test as this might show up a bug in my digestive system. I don’t really understand what this has to do with my indigestion. She then asked me how I would feel about the camera down my throat and I said no way could I face that as I gag when anything goes to the back of my throat. She said the poo tests should solve the matter and it probably won’t have to come to that.

So I got out of the surgery feeling worried sick and have been since. The doctor told me not to worry but that’s easier said than done. I am on leave from work this week and this has just ruined it for me, all I can do now is worry and fear the worst.

The doctor checked my tummy and said all is OK, she weighed me and said I’ve only lost a bit of weight since last time she weighed me but not much. I keep telling myself that if I had got something awful like cancer I would have lost a lot of weight without trying. I am still getting this really dry mouth but she has said that is a symptom of being low in folic acid. I have since looked at the poo test she has given me to do at home, Googled the name of it and its to test for bowel cancer. Now I am freaked out. Please help as I am going crazy.

 

[AnxiousBean]

Hi there,
Please know that everything is going to be okay. Take a deep breath. You're doing everything you can and you're doing great, but please put down Dr. Google! He isn't qualified and often does more harm than good ;-)

If your doctor hasn't checked you already, she may test your blood for antibodies that identify if you have Celiac Disease. I have it, and I promise you, it's completely manageable. The fecal test is to check for blood in your stool, which I also had done. That's not necessarily just checking for cancer, it can check for blood and any abnormalities. So no worries!! Your doctor is just trying to rule things out. She's doing the right thing for you

I'm here if you have any questions about Celiac Disease best of luck!!

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

AnxiousBean is absolutely right! Cancer is only one of MANY things a feces test looks for. She may be looking for simple things like parasites, food sensitivities, etc. If you had cancer, it would have appeared in your blood tests as well, so try to take a deep breath and relax and ride this out. It's gonna be ok!

 

[Jill]

Thanks very much for your replies. I have now taken in the poo sample which wasn't very pleasant to do. I am also worried about the indigestion and dry mouth etc and can't see why a poo sample would sort that out.

 

[AnxiousBean]

Our stool holds a lot of information about our health, especially digestive health. The stool sample will help identify what might be causing your indigestion by showing how your body is breaking down what you eat... Or not breaking down. It can give clues about any food sensitivity or intolerance, possible parasites, potential autoimmune disorders (Celiac Disease), etc. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is sometimes diagnosed after everything else is ruled out. A lot of anxiety sufferers are diagnosed with this condition because stress can trigger this and goes away when not stressed.

Stool sample testing is a routine procedure for complaints of weight loss, fatigue accompanied by stomach and digestive problems. It will help your doctor get closer to an answer!

 

[Jill]

Many thanks for this, it has eased my confusion now. That's what the doctor would have meant when she said these tests should be OK and may not have to have the camera down my throat, which I wouldn't want anyway.