Hello everyone!
I’m incredibly stressed and feel like I need to get this off my chest. For the past week or so, I’ve been feeling generally under the weather. I often have a strange sore stomach with a feeling of tightness, diarrhoea, a fast heart rate, quite a sore lower back when moving in certain ways, and struggle to sleep. A couple of days ago, I noticed what looked like a petechiae rash on my chest. Since then, I’ve seen tiny bits of these same petechiae throughout my body (although they’re isolated). I’ve also had very slight pain in my joints and bones, and at night, I notice tingling in my arms and hands.
I had blood tests at the end of August, and they all came back fine. I’m incredibly concerned that I’ve since developed some form of acute leukaemia. I went to see my GP today, and they weren’t hugely concerned. They think it could be viral and asked me to do a COVID test, which came back negative. I’m getting blood tests done tomorrow. No matter what I do, I can’t relax. I feel absolutely sick with fear.
For context, I’m a 19-year-old male. I’ve also apparently lost a bit of weight (I’m already quite underweight as it is), so of course, I immediately jump to panic. I am really stressed that something is being missed.
Thank you in advance for any support/advice!
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Hi @Jannik and a big welcome to the forum.
It’s so hard when you develop symptoms isn’t it. I know how easy it is to then google and then its always the worst diagnoses that come up and what we focus on.
As hard as it is, try to remember - as your GP said - that these symptoms could be because of a number of things. The important thing is that your GP is listening to your concerns and acting on them.
It’s great that your last blood tests all came back ok. Wait for your blood results and see what your doctor advises. Then you can deal with the next steps, if any are needed. Try not to Think too far ahead and take it a day at a time. Keep busy and keep a diary of any symptoms so you can share thee with your GP at your next appointment.
What has made you think it may be luekemia?
Nichola
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Hello @Jannik
Welcome to the forum and thank you for your post.
We are sorry to hear you are experiencing some symptoms and can imagine this is a worrying time for you.
If you have any concerns at all about your health, we would strongly encourage you to speak to a member of your healthcare team, which it sounds like you have done. It sounds reassuring that your previous blood tests were normal and that your GP is carrying out further tests and monitoring you. One of the first tests that would be done to investigate someone’s health is a full blood count (full blood count), which measures the number of each type of cell in your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
We have information about normal ranges on our website, and you can read more about each of the tests that might be done to confirm or rule out blood cancer here: bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/tests-diagnosis.
If you haven’t done so already, it can be helpful to tell the GP it is leukaemia that you are worried about so that they are aware of your concern. Some blood cancers can share signs and symptoms similar to other ailments and conditions including viruses.
You may find our 'Blood cancer symptoms and signs’ page helpful to read - it contains information on what to look out for, as well as prompts for questions you might like to ask your doctor.
It can be difficult to relax when you are waiting for tests to be completed or waiting for results, but as @Nichola75 has kindly said it is about taking each day at a time and keeping a diary.
Do take care and keep us updated.
If you wish to talk this through, please get in touch on 0808 2080 888
Warm wishes,
Emma (support services nurse)
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