Hi,
I’m new to this forum, and I guess I’m just seeking support until I can actually get to a doctor. I’ve had a fear of going to the doctor my entire life, which has unfortunately led me to fall behind on certain things that I should have been keeping up with, mainly Pap Smears. I’ve been having some really troubling symptoms, and they have been worrying me to the point where they are consuming my every thought. I’m only 28, and the symptoms I’ve been having have been going on for years and years, so the fact that I would probably be dead by now is really the only hope I have that this has to be something else. I’ve gone to the emergency room over this because I got so scared, but obviously they can’t exactly test for cervical cancer. They just did a hardcore pelvic exam and told me “they didn’t see anything that looks cancerous” and that “considering my symptoms are so severe, it would be pretty far advanced and they’d be able to see something.” They also did a CT scan which came back ok. Unfortunately, all I’ve done is google symptoms and they match perfectly. My cervix is extremely tender, has bled during exams and after sex. I also have some weight loss, but of course it’s hard for me to tell if it’s “explained” or not because I am over the top stressed out and tend to lose my appetite when I’m worried/anxious/depressed. My insurance doesn’t kick in until the first of the year, and I’m stuck here waiting in literal misery. And that’s on top of the wait it’s gonna take to get in to the doctor AND wait for the results. Again, I don’t really know why I’m here because I know that no one is gonna be able to diagnose me. I guess it would just be nice to know that I’m not crazy for being someone who worries about my health. Everyone around me is so convinced that it’s a waste of time for me to be worried about cancer at my age (I’m also convinced I have colon cancer among many other things), but I just can’t help but worry. This is how my brain is wired and as much as I hate it, I can’t change it. I guess I’m also unaware of other things that could be causing these symptoms that aren’t cancer. My Father was diagnosed with Sarcoma (which is extremely rare) when he was fairly young (52 I believe), and ever since then I’ve been convinced that im just destined to get it in some way, shape, or form. I take after him far too much to not get it. If you made it this far into my rant, thank you for reading. Any replies are appreciated.
Health anxiety (hypochondria) is extremely common, it’s best not to google symptoms. I’ve had a lot of those thoughts, I’m 29. I don’t know why a hospital wouldn’t be able to test you for your worries but if they don’t see any abnormalities in an exam I feel like that’s safe to say you don’t have anything too serious. An actual exam would test you for at risk factors such as abnormal cells but if you’ve been having symptoms for years I think you’d know more by now. I never feared going to the doctor until this year. To this point everything I’ve felt or dealt with has been in some way, shape or form anxiety related. Had ultrasounds and cat scans, mri years ago, heart monitor, stress tests, x-rays... never anything more serious than a broken bone. I did recently have an endoscopy and they found some ulcer related injuries so now I’m taking medicine for that but that led me to worry about other issues constantly. As a male I’m not too familiar with any of your symptoms but you’re pretty young but communicate with a doctor for peace of mind. Your mind can create a lot of pains and stuff just from anxiety.
Thank you for your reply danielddz. The waiting isn’t definitely the hardest part for me. I know that stress and anxiety alone can cause pretty much any symptom it wants to, but then I get stressed and anxious about then fact that I’m stressed and anxious! It’s such a stupid, vicious cycle that I wish I could get out of. The bleeding after sex is definitely what scares me the most, and of course when you google that symptom, the worst case scenario is gonna be the first, if not only, thing that comes up. I’m just hoping that if there IS something wrong, it’s not too late for me. I’m hoping they would have seen something at the ER if my life was in immediate danger, considering that’s what they are there for. Anyways, thanks again for your reply. It feels good to know I’m not alone.
the waiting definitely IS the hardest part***
I know how you feel, I sometimes get so used to being anxious that not being anxious makes me anxious lol... I’m not sure about the bleeding but could be from something way less serious such as an infection. But you’re definitely right about an emergency room they’re well trained to make sure you’re not in immediate danger, if you were discharged for something and had a serious issue related to what you went in for that would be a huge lawsuit on their hands. So I’d say you’re prob not in immediate danger.
Lol! Your first line is me in a nutshell! I actually did have an infection which they treated me for. I haven’t been sexually active since then so I can’t say whether or not that fixed the bleeding problem, but I do know for sure that my cervix is tender. Sorry, for a second I forgot you’re a guy and this is wayyyy TMI for you lol. I just need to vent!