Stomach cancer fears health OCD

31 year old female. I have IBS and POTS for some background. Since Sunday however I am scared I could have stomach cancer. Back in March I had to start taking propranolol for my POTS which caused horrific acid reflux and the feeling of a lump in my throat. I am waiting for new medication but my cardiologist is so bad at getting back to me. Anyway, last week I didn’t take much propranolol (I try to only take them when my POTS is bad) and I had three good days anxiety wise. On Sunday however I woke up at 4am needing to rush to the loo, I felt a bit nauseous which panicked me because I have a big fear of throwing up. Anyway since then I have had stomach discomfort, no appetite, feeling nauseous and some indigestion. It is really scaring me because I came across a TikTok that said symptoms of stomach cancer can be an increased heart rate, acid reflux, stomach discomfort, change in bowel habits etc. I have convinced myself that I don’t have POTS and that my increased heart rate is due to stomach cancer (sometimes I get night time adrenaline dumps which makes my heart rate shoot up). I’m scared that the feeling of a lump in my throat is also connected to stomach cancer, as is the stomach discomfort and bowel changes. I have had a clear bowel cancer screening, and mild inflammation and a faecal calprotectin test that was mildly elevated at 53 (normal levels are below 50). GP said she wasn’t concerned but referred me for further test anyway but that’s not for a few months. Also it’s mostly my stomach I’m concerned about. I can’t stop thinking I am missing something. I have a GP appointment booked but I’m scared I’ve left it too late and whatever is going on with me is growing and spreading and it will be too late. I’m really, really scared. I feel like for the last three months most days I have completely lost myself. But the last five days have been so so bad, I have googled constantly and just feel like I’m never going to feel better because of my stomach. I just really needed to vent. I have been referred for therapy but I can’t help thinking this is not anxiety and is just something I’m brushing off as anxiety. I’m really scared and just don’t know what to do :(

rightfulmcool

Date posted: 7w

I've been in a similar boat many many times. fearing the absolute worst. I want to avoid giving reassurance as that will only make the loop worse. what i will say is, put faith in your doctor's and care team. they know what they're doing. as hard as it is, resist googling. it is a diabolical feedback loop I've gotten stuck in many times, and has been the most destructive to me. your ocd is telling you that the anxiety is not anxiety, because that's exactly what it wants you to believe. it wants to get control over you in any way it can, so it'll scare you into believing it. those thoughts are the ocd talking. health ocd has been hell for me, and based on this post it seems like it's been hell for you too. just know you're not alone. you've got what it takes to take your life back from the grips of the ocd

suzie90

Date posted: 7w

@rightfulmcool Thank you so much for taking the time to reply :) my GP actually just arranged an appointment for me tomorrow to talk about my mental health and possible medication as advised from my recent MH assessment. A little nervous to start new medication because of side effects, but I can’t keep feeling like this for the rest of my life!

rightfulmcool

Date posted: 7w

@suzie90 thats good news! i feel you there, worrying about medication side effects. I just went through that as well with starting anxiety medication. but, as the docs say, they've determined that the benefit from starting the medication outweighs any potential side effects. so I decided that it is the best course of action. I'm wishing you the best with this! my parting advice is to resist those compulsions as much as you can. it's insanely hard with health ocd when every physical sensation feels like an immediate threat that needs fixing, but every compulsion just makes that neuro pathway stronger. best of luck!!

Bobbbbby

Date posted: 22w

Acid Reflux

Hello, I just wanna put my thoughts onto something to hopefully release them. I have health ocd/anxiety which comes with googling and overthinking. Lately, I’ve been have stomach issues and acid reflux on new SSRI medication and convince myself I have SIBO or a weird disease. I then I looked into gastric diseases then freak myself out more for days on end. I’m am trying to use the ERP and saying “Mabye I do mabye I don’t”; but I always end up doing stuff to make it worse. If I have any advice don’t google, I should take my own advice😂. I have a few appointments to make sure nothings wrong which I know logically nothings wrong but for some reason I still think something is really wrong. (If you have similar stuff DONT look it up, it’ll just say the worst thing, ignorance is bliss 😭😂) Not expecting a response, just wanted to “release” my thoughts. Hopefully I help someone who is going the same thing. Anyways hope everyone is doing good and making progress in their life. :)

carol.xxx

Date posted: 22w

Health anxiety please help x

Hey friends… I am in a really low place regarding my health anxiety. I am absolutely terrified of cancer. Im only 17 years old and im worrying more about health then living my life its very draining. At the moment I have a very chesty cough which has lasted around two weeks and a runny nose and just full sinuses. I woke up from my sleep tonight and woke up completely wet in sweat and itchy. I am terrified in case ive got cancer. I get so so scared It genuinely is not only affecting me but everyone else around me im pulling them down too. 💔 I am UK based and recently got a job and even then its all I can think about. Im crying my eyes out scared ☹️ To anyone else going through this your not alone and its so consuming. ❤️‍🩹

Niamh182

Date posted: 15w

Bowel / colon cancer fear

Hi all, it’s been a while since I’ve posted on here but i have thankfully been getting better with my Health OCD and haven’t felt the need to come on here, however I’ve fallen back into the trap and can’t even function without panicking and worrying at the minute! I was very stressed a few weeks ago over life scenarios when I started seeing a lot of signs and symptoms of colon cancer in young people on social media, I didn’t think too much of it. However of course a few days later I start having the symptoms! Sore stomachs, constipation etc. I have been so worried, I went to my doctor and got constipation medication for a week which I took but since stopping I have the same symptoms and more and I am worried so much everyday I’ve been hyper aware of my bowel movements! I have even been trying to force myself to go when I feel like I don’t really need to which in turn has caused haemorrhoids and some blood, which has made me even more anxious!! (Note: my partner actually thinks I’m going to the bathroom a normal amount and am not even really constipated anymore but I’m convinced I am) I feel like I’m going crazy and no one seems to think my worries are rational - can OCD/ anxiety impact your bowel movements and stomach? I’ve never really had this and I’m petrified of it, I hope someone else has had this scenario before and has came out the other side (edited)

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Stomach cancer fears health OCD

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