Anxiety- waiting for my test results

[AverageAusGuy]

Hi all,

So I struggle with health related anxiety as well as generalised anxiety and depression. In fact I usually try to avoid going to the doctor at all costs (due to my anxiety) but recently I decided that I want to take better care of my health and get regular check ups.

Recently I had a skin check and the doctor removed a tiny suspicious mole (that I didn't even realise I had) to send away for a cancer test.

Now I am a wreck waiting for my results.

Like alot of people who have health related anxiety my mind is immediately going to the worst case scenario. I almost wish I didn't get the check done as I have been mostly in control of my anxiety lately and I hate this feeling. My life has been great lately and my anxiety hasn't affected me at all until I had to do this test.

I am sure that almost everyone who lives in Australia has had to get a mole removed and a cancer test at some point in their life. I keep telling myself that this is a normal part of life but my health anxiety keeps affecting me. I just assume that whatever can go wrong will definitely go wrong for me.

If anyone has had similar experiences or tips I would be glad to hear them. Especially if it relates to waiting on health related results or skin cancer checks.

Thank you.

[Summer Rose]

Hi AverageAusGuy

Having been in a similar situation to you I can certainly understand and empathise with your anxiety. The wait for test results can feel agonisingly long and the feelings you are experiencing are to be expected.

I know it’s tough right now and I want to encourage you to use any distraction techniques that normally work for you. I like to immerse myself in a movie, call a friend or exercise. Exercising is great because it will lift your mood and potentially help with sleep.

Another technique is to set a boundary on the amount of time you will permit yourself to think about the issue. It’s hard to do but with practice it gets easier.

You did the right thing to go to the doctor. And it’s great that the mole has been removed. Just hang in there, my friend.

When do you get the results? I will be thinking of you and hoping for the best. If you can, let us know how it goes.

Kind thoughts to you

[mocha delight]

Hi averageausguy I’m not officially diagnosed with anything official yet but my psychologist has mentioned to me that I have depression (a few appointments ago she went through a quiz with me that came back as that I had clinical depression), social anxiety & general anxiety but I’ve had some melanomas removed. I go to a skin specialist every 6 months for a check up & I've had 2 stage one melanomas, one heading to stage one and one mole that was tested which the results came back a little bit abnormal plus some others that were removed just to be on the safe side that all has been removed. I also have the type of moles most likely to become melanomas and I can completely relate to you as you sound like me.

[geoff]

Hello AverageAusGuy, ' to take better care of my health and get regular check ups' is you've made a good decision and actually on the pathway to control your condition, I know its only just the beginning, but to have a mole removed is certainly a precaution and undoubtedly a great concern.

If however, there was any chance it wasn't benign, then your doctor would have contacted you straight away for further treatment, but if they haven't it's still wise to have had it removed.

If I can appease you, my Dad was always having moles removed and he was a GP, my twin also has them taken off, whereas I don't need to.

My best.

Geoff.

[Guest_4643]

Hey AverageAusGuy, welcome to the forums.

I'm sorry to hear you're very anxious whilst waiting for test results, I hope they come back good, with no cancer for you.

I've had lots of tests for a major surgery (my first surgery too) in 2018, some of which were also testing for cancer, but not like the moles/melenoma ones you said, but I had endless tests done. It was so exhausting mentally and physically and I was beyond scared. Luckily I didn't have it.

So I know how scary it is, mentally and physically. Is there anything you can do to try and distract yourself, perhaps watching a funny movie or something, if you're up to it?

I hope you feel better soon.

[Guest_1573]

Hi AverageAusGuy

I am very sorry you are suffering such anxiety. I can certainly relate as I suffer severe health anxiety and have multiple issues that cause me constant pain, discomfort and then of course anxiety and depression.

Back in 2016 I was in the same situation as you regarding a suspicious mole on my shoulder. I too panicked throughout the wait; wondering if it was melanoma and if so, had it spread...I am very fair skinned and have loads of freckles and moles. I got myself tied up in knots not only worrying about that one biopsy but thinking of all the potential my other moles had!! I don't want you to panic. Mine was stage one melanoma and it had not spread. A plastic surgeon removed it and I initially had 3 monthly checks, then 6 monthly and now annually.

Indeed many many Aussies will encounter skin cancer of some description. The word 'melanoma' strikes terror into ones heart but so often they are early and easily dealt with. As for dealing with the wait...again..I tried to keep as busy as possible and do all the 'usual' anxiety busting things (long walks, watching comedies, talking to friends).

I hope so much it is nothing major and you can have it sorted asap. Big hugs to you.

[AverageAusGuy]

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for the replies.

I got my test results back and luckily it was nothing serious.

I have booked in to see my GP to get another mental health care plan and start seeing a psychologist again.

Thank you again

[Summer Rose]

Hi AverageAusGuy

Thank you for sharing the great news. I am so relieved and happy for you!

Good luck with your mental health plan. It’s a smart move to keep on top of things and seek some support right now. Good on you.

Kind thoughts to you

[Guest_1573]

Hey!

That is fabulous news. I hope you are feeling much relieved!! I totally sympathise with you as I suffer from many weird conditions and my brain focuses on them to the point where that is all I feel. Right now typing this I am suffering a weird feeling in my cheek; along with the other stuff that is pretty much constant. I guess it is a constant struggle with us poor peeps who suffer health anxiety. I am almost at the stage where I can't care anymore as it is so exhausting and I have seen so many professionals who all say that other than legitimate reasons (tmjd etc) there is nothing sinister. It is a horrible way to try to live that is for sure. It totally overwhelms one and becomes ones entire life.

I guess at the end of the day we will all probably 'get something' as people do! Nobody lives forever! And for that matter I don't want to be in an aged care facility waiting to die as so many poor old people are nowadays. But I also don't want to have to undergo any awful 'treatments' and I don't want to live in chronic pain and anxiety.

I do hope you pursue further assistance around your anxiety; I wish you all the very best!