Angelica Schuyler

Thanks for the reply! I tried salt water last night and it did provide a little relief. Maybe it pushed back whatever the problem is? Still sharp pinpoint pain on swallowing.

It’s been awhile, hasn’t it? I’m sorry I’ve been MIA. When the board went down, I tried to find a new place to go, then started feeling ok and got wrapped up in my wedding and work and then the virus and the rest of the ways the world is falling apart. I’ve had a few hypochondria scares recently and was happy to see that this place was back. I have a new problem, of course. I have a sharp, pinpointed pain on the left side of my throat when I swallow. At first, I thought it was right behind my tonsil, but now it feels like it might be further back? It’s not disruptive, just THERE. I can’t identify any problems with my throat in the mirror save, maybe, a nodule on the fold behind my tonsil. I can’t be sure. I’m no stranger to GERD and post-nasal drip but, of course, I’m panicking over the thought of throat or esophageal cancer. Work obligations and COVID concerns make running to various doctors NOT something I want to do. Has anyone else had this problem? Thanks!

I agree with @Iugrad91 that your medical phobia is the first thing that ought to be tackled. Regular physicals and getting treatment when you're ill keep little things from growing into big things and help you manage health anxiety. Has your counselor discussed exposure therapy with you? From what I understand, that's one of the standard therapies for phobias. I also agree that a doctor would need to do some kind of exam before ordering an ultrasound, but I can't remember from my personal experience if there was a pelvic involved. If you haven't had a recent pap and exam, the doctor would probably want that done first or in conjunction with an ultrasound for suspected cysts or fibroids.

That's one and a half standard-size water bottles, so I bet you can get it down. If you can't, try to drink as much as you can, but don't make yourself sick. It sounds like they want your bladder full and, if you feel full, then you should be set!

Oh, hun. You can't cure cancer at home, but that's not something you need to worry about. You can take care of your reproductive health by always practicing safe sex - this includes using condoms and dental dams; knowing your status re: STIs and your partner's, as well, to keep you both safe; and getting the HPV vaccine - and, unfortunately, getting a pap smear and well-woman exam. If you have a GP that you like, they should be able to do pap and STI testing and you may not need to see a gynecologist. But you will need to see a doctor to get the testing you need to be sure you're healthy and to stay that way. I truly believe that a discussion with a mental health professional can help you get past this fear so you can get yourself checked out and finally feel better about your reproductive health. Even though I think you don't have any terrible malady, you need to be able to get checked out.

Nope, it was a type of lymphoma. I also don't think you have cancer.

Thanks. Yes, I had cancer and have been clear for almost 20 years. But my anxiety didn't start until after I had gone through treatment. It's more of a cross of hypochondria and PTSD for me. And guess what? I never had any of the stuff I thought I had for any of those 20 years after cancer. A few little things - sinus infection, cellulitis, various viruses - but none of those catastrophic diagnoses ever came about. I'm in the middle of a panic about pancreatic cancer right now, but I just saw my doctor today and he's quite certain my symptoms are nothing major at all.

I guess my perspective is different because I DID have a doctor give me life-changing news. But that doctor and a whole team of others helped make me well again. So, no, I'm not afraid of the doctor, but I AM afraid of getting that bad news again. If you can't break the cycle of fear on your own, maybe you could talk to your therapist first about your phobia - and your health anxiety, of course. They can give you more ideas for how to deal with your fears and make that appointment.

Hey, listen. There are a million and one things that could be going on with you that won't kill you. Cysts are funky and can cause all kinds of sensations. Uterine fibroids do the same thing. Both super common and totally benign. Even STIs - including HPV - are common and treatable. (HPV can cause cancer, but it usually doesn't. You can also still get the HPV vaccine to protect against the varieties that could cause cancer or warts. ) Heck, the pain could even be completely anxiety-related. But the first thing to do to alleviate your fears is to see a gyno - a good one who will spend time with you and not pressure you. They do exist! They can do a pap and a pelvic exam, which will make you feel 100% better when they come back normal. They can also do an ultrasound of your reproductive organs right in the office to check for cysts and give you results right there. The other thing to do for your fears is to seek or keep seeking treatment for anxiety. It's so easy to give into your fear - I do it all the time - but it's worth it to develop those preventative skills that keep you from falling down the hole when symptoms arise.

Appointment pretty successful, thank God. GP thinks my problems are a combo of stress/anxiety and further reflux adventures. He definitely thinks I have some muscle tension, but my abdomen felt fine and my stool, examined via photo, looks normal, with color variation due to change in diet. He ordered an abdominal and pelvic CT for my peace of mind. I'm still a little nervous, especially because my left ribs are still tender and painful, but GP is "95% sure" nothing out of the ordinary is going on. As for my lower back, I took a look in the mirror as I was rubbing it this morning, purely by accident. My "sudden onset pancreatic cancer back pain" was actually a giant bruise caused by (get this) falling in a bathroom stall at work while examining my stool. In my panic, I completely forgot that I'd hit my back on the stall door. I am officially a tool. A (probably) healthy tool, but a tool nonetheless.

I agree that it sounds like anxiety, or maybe a reflux-type reaction. I woke up one night choking on saliva, so I know where you're coming from. When I had reflux and felt like stuff was constantly in my throat, I was anxious about it and swallowing all. the. time. You may not even be swallowing more than usual, just hyper aware of when you're doing it.

Another thing about Googling symptoms is that you never, ever forget the most sinister causes of any of them.

GP appointment this AM and I’m panicking. Ribs are twinging, I feel like I have a rock in my lower back, I woke up in the middle of the night. Laying down is uncomfortable. I’m so scared I’m dying.

I actually went back to take a look at it tonight and it's making me feel better about some of my symptoms, too.

Yeah, so mine isn’t even anywhere near ER-worthy. It comes and goes and bounces around (left ribs are usually sore, though) and probably wouldn’t be more than a nuisance if I weren’t panicking. Thank you for continuing to engage and help me relax (as much as I can). I appreciate it.