Hi all, I’m Nayia, new here, suffer with severe health anxiety that keeps me from washing, eating and getting out of bed if there is a worry. Had blood test Friday as my migraines and palpitations worsening. Everything came back normal but my platelets are high. I don’t know what the amount is as the Dr’s won’t tell me because they know I’ll Google non stop and they only give results to my sister. Dr asked if I’ve got any bleeding or infection. I said no infection I’m aware of but bleeding from bottom every day for four years (little each time) which is piles. He said ok, sending me for a chest x ray and used the word lung cancer because high platelets are a symptom. He said he’s not concerned as I don’t get out of breath, i can walk fast and uphill and distance with no problems and merely a tick list that Dr’s have to do as protocol for high platelets (thrombocytosis). But I’m terrified now and my left breast getting shooting pains going into my shoulder which I’m told is hormonal but it’s all too much and think it’s to do with lung. Has anyone else been sent for chest x ray? After, I have to have more bloods and if no change heamatologist. Thank you in advance
Hi @Nayia, a great big welcome to our forum, it sounds as if you are very anxious, the not knowing is always the worst. This year of Covid times has also made things even more challenging for us all.
You seem to have a very good insight into yourself and what happens to you when your thoughts and feelings start racing. Trust me Google is not the best idea!!!
This forum is definitely for you, if you were diagnosed with a blood cancer, (and I am definitely not inferring anything by that) and if you would like to talk to someone you can contact the Support Services Team on 0808 2080 888 (10am-7pm Monday-Friday, and 10am-1pm Saturday and Sunday) or via email at support@bloodcancer.org.uk.
Please try and look after yourself as I know what my mind goes like when I don’t look after myself and get my nourishment and really spoil yourself. Take care.
Thank you Erica, i really appreciate the response and the empathy. This chest x ray is the greatest worry 
@Nayia, please let us know how you get on when you get your chest x ray and blood tests results. Look after yourself.
Welcome @Nayia. I echo everything @Erica says. Please use the support line if you need to. Off course you are anxious. You sound like you have a good support system around you? Please keep us updated on how you are doing and keep posting X
Hello @Nayia a warm welcome to the forum. If you want to talk anything through please do give us a call on the support line on 0808 2080 888. It sounds as though things are really worrying and tough for you at the moment so I’m so glad you found this forum to share what’s going on for you. Do you have much support around you? Have you got a date for your next appointment?
Hello, chest x ray is on Thursday, blood tests just after Xmas. I do have support but i live alone and i can stop eating and stay in bed when fear is this bad, which is why i had mental breakdown in 2016 with crisis team and psychiatrist. I’ve seen many CBT specialists and therapists, but they cannot help with my health anxiety. It’s the chest x ray that has terrified me. I have no lung symptoms and I can walk well, fast, up hills etc. I just have palpitations. Anyway, thank you for the advice and support 
That sounds really hard @Nayia I’m so sorry. Do you still have support from the crisis team and psychiatrist?
Are your healthcare team aware of how worried you are about it? Would it be helpful if we sent you some general information around chest x-rays and what happens, so that you feel a little more prepared? Sorry for all the questions!
I’ve been discharged and i dont have a mental health care team. I need to be re referred. Ny GP knows me very well but says he must follow protocol as process of elimination and he isn’t worried about the result. But its easy for him as he’s not the one going through it. I kind of know what happens but can you at least please kindly tell me, my appointment is around 2.30pm, if the radiologist who performs x ray saw anything concerning, as it’s later in the day, would they let my GP know straight away?
Hi @Nayia, I cannot answer your questions but perhaps someone at your GP’s or hospital (now or on the day) could help you, they are very valid questions.
I am glad you know your GP well and perhaps that helps with being able to say what is really like for you and your fears and questions.
I often find that any type of results takes time to come through and as we all know the waiting is the worst.
I sometimes find just telling someone what is going on for me or even posting it on here helps me.
Also a bit of fresh air and walking really helps me.
Don’t forget if you would like to talk to someone you can contact the Support Services Team on 0808 2080 888 (10am-7pm Monday-Friday, and 10am-1pm Saturday and Sunday) or via email at support@bloodcancer.org.uk and we await hearing how you are and how your chest x ray goes. Take lots of care
Hi @Nayia. It sounds like a really worrying time for you. I think we’ve all experienced the anxiety of a scan, I have a head CT coming up and am anxious to. As @Erica advised, the support team are there so use them if you need to. What things help you to relax?
Hello, thank you i have been for a walk just now x
That’s good. How are you doing today?
Hello, thank you for asking, very kind of you. I hope you’re ok? I’m highly anxious, loss of appetite too. The hospital appointment was changed to 9.20am on Thursday, instead of 2.20pm. In one way it’s good because gets it out of the way, but just thought of the radiographer in general taking the x ray makes me sick…
I’m not too bad thank you - trying to prepare myself to return to work. I’m glad it’s an early appointment. I always find them better. I don’t think anything we say will take away that feeling of anxiousness. Just keep talking and keep sharing x
Hi no nothing does. Seeking reassurance desperately, yet ironically it’s the test itself which will give us the answer, the very thing we are dreading. 
When is your scan? 
Hi Nayia, hope you’re doing okay.
In case it’s helpful for you to read through, the NHS website has some information around X-rays - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/x-ray/
As a general answer to your question around when they would let your GP know, it says
“The X-ray images will often need to be examined by a doctor called a radiologist before you’re told the results. They may discuss their findings with you on the same day, or they may send a report to your GP or the doctor who requested the X-ray, who can discuss the results with you a few days later.”
If you feel anxious while you’re waiting for results, that is so natural and understandable! Please do feel free to keep sharing on here how you’re doing, and of course, our support line is here for you too on 0808 2080 888.
Don’t be afraid to make your healthcare team and radiographer aware of how anxious you are about this, and if there’s anything they can do to support you.
You mentioned earlier that you need to be re-referred to your mental health team. Is this something your GP is doing for you?
Hi @Nayia, yes, I think an earlier appointment is always better and I do try to have something to eat beforehand (if it is permitted) because I never know how long I am going to be, not easy I realise.
Perhaps it really is worth telling the radiographer how you are feeling and tell them your fears and ask any questions you want to first and after.
The support line is there for you and we are all thinking of you, please let us know how you get on.
Does anyone else have these horrible anxieties and fears around tests and appointments?
Hi @Nayla, although your GP seems pretty relaxed about this and probably rightly so, your own response is, in my opinion, so debilitating for you that I suggest you go back to your practice and get refered for mental health intervention. Whilst we all experience a level of concern about our health, your reaction is worrying. Please seek support.
I found the entire process of the x ray traumatising. I became so ill i took to my bed after. My sister then rang the Dr’s to chase up the report the next day, because of my mental health and because she’s got my permission to get my results, they chased these up for me and called her back. Thankfully it came back normal re lungs.
After New year though i have to have repeat of the bloods FBC, C REACTIVE PROTEIN, FERRITIN and ESR for the high platelets so I’m still in fear 