Good Morning everyone.
So where to start…the last few months I’ve just not been feeling my self and have had a range of different symptoms. I’m the first to say I can get quite anxious really easy and probably making a fuss over nothing but then I saw a video by chance about someone else describing her symptoms and it could quite easily of been me talking.
So here goes Ive been getting numbness and tingling in my hands which seems to come and go at anytime though out the day and night, I have elbow and knee pain and recently my left foot.which I thought might be due to my job. I’m exhausted all the time and I’ve always got bruises. Also put down to my job (I’m a holiday let cleaner) I’ve got this funny little red patch near my ankle can’t really explain what it looks like and I’ve been getting hot flushes all the time.
Does this sound like something I should be worried about? I don’t want to go to the doctors and waste their time over nothing.
Thank you Chantelle.
Good Morning @Chantarley,
A very warm welcome to the forum. I’m sorry to hear you’re going through a worrying time.
Would you find it helpful to talk this through with one of us over the phone? We have a confidential support line, the number for which is 0808 2080 888. Please feel free to give us a call if you think it might be helpful.
May i ask, have you been able to discuss any of this with your GP yet?
If not, we’d encourage you to talk through your symptoms with them, including how long you have been experiencing them for. They should be able to offer you advice around what your next steps should be, in terms of getting your symptoms investigated.
You may find this page of our website helpful in talking through your concerns with them - Blood cancer symptoms and signs | Blood Cancer UK
As it explains on this webpage –
Most people who have symptoms described on this page won’t have blood cancer. But it’s worrying to have symptoms you can’t explain, and important to find out what’s causing them, if only to set your mind at rest.
If you have just one symptom that you can’t explain, that goes on for a long time, or is unusual for you, book an appointment with your GP. If you suddenly feel very unwell at any time, get medical help straight away by calling 999 or going to A&E.
In case it’s useful at all this webpage has information around some of the tests done to establish whether or not someone has blood cancer - Blood cancer tests | Blood Cancer UK.
One of the first tests that would be done to investigate someone’s health, is a full blood count (FBC), which measures the number of each type of cell in your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. In case it’s useful, here is more general information about normal levels in a full blood count.
If there’s anything we can do to support you, or anything you want to talk through with us, we’re only a phone call or an email away on the details below.
Take Care, Lauran
Hi thank you for the quick reply. I have spoken to my doctor and going to have blood test done on the 24th.
I’ll wait and see if that show up anything unusual and then take it from there. I think I’m just worrying over nothing but definitely better to get it checked out.
Ho @Chantarley I am so glad that you have found us and great to hear from you.
Personally, if I have any unexplained medical symptoms then I get them checked out.
I am so glad that you are having blood tests on the 24th.
I also have to write all my symptoms down, their severity and impact on my quality of life. I have to do this as I walk into a medical building and my mind goes blank or I forget to mention something important.
It is no good me telling you not to worry as you are naturally anxious and worried.
@LauranBloodCancerUK has given you great advice.
What I would say is to look after yourself and be kind to yourself.
Please let us know how you get on, the waiting and not knowing is horrible.
Good luck, @Chantarley. It’s always worth checking out anything new going on in your body. Really hope it’s something simple, or nothing at all. But best to check. X
That’s the thing with blood cancers, particularly some forms like the MPNs, that you can present with almost any symptoms you care to mention! In my case, it was a sudden attack of vertigo which the GP was sure was inner ear infection, but just thought she’d take a blood test “in case”. And there it was, platelets over a million and a clear case of Essential Thrombocythemia. But the other thing is that many of the treatments for blood cancers, MPNs in particular, are relatively effective and in my own case produced almost no side effects. So while you are bound to worry, try not to get too stressed; you may well be one of those like myself who has lived happily with the cancer for a decade.
But if like me, you are in your 70s, don’t go climbing apple trees that are already heavily laden. That CAN have side effects!
Thank you everyone great advice. Like I said though I’m the first person to admit to making a mountain out of a mole hill. Definitely going to go with writing my symptoms down. That’s a great idea. Anyway I will update once I’ve been for blood test so fingers crossed they all come back clear. Thank you all so much I definitely feel a little less stressed than I did two days ago.
Hi @Chantarley fingers and toes crossed for you.
I look forward to hearing how you get on, take care
Good evening everybody.
So my doctor rang me this evening with my test results and great news I don’t have blood cancer!
How ever I do have an underactive thyroid which does explain some of my symptoms.
Thank you so much for the support and I wish each and everyone one of you the best for the future. Take care and once again thank you 
Chantelle.
Brilliant news @Chantarley now go and live life and make the most of every day.
That’s great news @Chantarley
Wishing you all the very best.
Better to make a fuss @Chantarley so that something isn’t missed. That’s what medical professionals are thee for. Hope it turns out to be good news for you but if it isn’t I hope that you’ve got lots of people to support you. And of course you can always check in here with all of us and discuss your worries.
Hi
That’s really hood news