I had a lot of hip/pelvic pain this summer and did loads of tests, physical therapy etc. instead of working through things I ended up getting an abdominal/pelvic ct scan 2 weeks ago- it was clear. However, I have already had 2 previous xrays of the same area just weeks before. I am having severe anxiety over having had this ct scan..I didn’t realize that they lead to cancer. I cannot get this off my mind. I keep ruminating and logical thoughts don’t help. I blame myself for not looking into this text prior to having it. Having severe panic/anxiety thinking I am the one who could have caused myself cancer down the road...not sure how to let this self blame, fear, anxiousness go...I won’t know if it’s done any damage for years. I feel somehow broken and lost...
Ct scan fear: I had a lot of hip/pelvic pain... - Anxiety Support
Ct scan fear
I Could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the risk is low.
Like so many things nowadays. It gets blown up and exaggerated.
That said. I totally understand about the anxiety factor. I do the same thing with every heath issue I have. And about lose my mind every time I go to the doctor.
Hang in there. Your not alone in these feelings.
Thank you. Of course I google ...my dr confirmed that there is a risk..abdomen/pelvis is the largest dose of radiation. I know I cannot undo this just constantly kicking myself hoping someday to stop being afraid.
Hello
I understand your concerns , that being said you have to think of the the risk to benefit. You had the test done and thank god everything is ok. Let say you didn’t have the ct done but worried yourself what if I have something. And worse yet what if you did have something wrong and it was to late to do anything about it because your fear swayed you not to get a ct done. The risk is low with today radiation levels the new machines have. I’ve had 4 ct done over the last 8 months for diverticulitis. And guess what the ct scan found that I had lymph nodes that were enlarged. My point is you went in for a reason like I did and in my case my abdomen/pelvis scan showed something.
Thank you! I know these tests save lives. I am grateful it was negative which is I think why I feel I cheated myself and exposed myself to radiation for no good reason...I appreciate you reply beer little bit of reason helps...
Every little bit of reason helps
The risk of an abdomen Ct scan of getting cancer over a lifetime is 1 in 2000 and the risk of an average person in a lifetime without Ct scans is 1 in 4 will get cancer.
Thank you for the statistic. I appreciate it. I know that anxiety is irrational. It doesn’t listen to logic well. Trying really hard to let the self blame and fear for the future go. Thank you.
Im cut from the same cloth. I have had health anxiety for 30 years and am struggling with it everyday. I ruminate about everything and anything that can and will go wrong. I very rarely talk myself into the reality of the what’s bothering me. I can however tell others that worry needlessly to calm down relax and so on. I’m sure you’ve heard this before to stay away from Dr Google as it will have your head spinning in 1000 different ways. I’m guilty of still looking at Dr Google and know better but with anxiety it’s hard for one reason. The reason is we can’t stand not having control of all aspects of what’s going on with us. If we can just let it be what it is we would not be going crazy with the what if’s. Try letting the control go. Best wishes
Yes I am the one friends come to for advice -ironic. I am afraid that I am passing this misery on to my kid...I know that my parents being overprotective of me my while life probably played a part in this as well as my loved ones’ serious past and current illnesses. Looking at the bright side has never been my strength, Letting go of control is very hard, I wish I had the skills, working on myself daily but these dumb recurrent thoughts keep coming back. I hope I can master my mind someday and wish the same to you.
If you need someone to talk to anytime PM me and I’ll be happy to talk and give my opinion and help you when your thinking negative. Best wishes John
Thanks for helping her out. My health fears and anxiety led me
To get a 4d cat scan for hyperparathyroidism. All came out clear. I asked for test and never should have. Now I blame myself for the future that is to come because of my decision. So so so much radiation for no reason
Hi! You will be fine and so will I! My abdominal scan was a ton more radiation than your thyroid one. I have literally spent hours researching the risks on line and all of the estimations are hypothetical..yes there are no proven statistics-none - only LNT based theoretical models. Not sure if you have seen or read anything by Dr. Cynthia McCollough (Mayo Clinic) if you haven’t I would recommend to check her articles out- she basically concludes that there are probably risks but so small -they cannot be reliably measured..nevertheless I cannot tell you I am completely over this but what I can tell you is that the more time that passes- the less doomsday the fear becomes. Also - a great- site: anxiety-central.com A ton of information on health anxiety, makes you understand that it’s very common -in fact most posts on that site are overwhelmingly related to health anxiety specifically versus GAD or social...it’s not an easy thing to overcome but -possible! Good luck!
Last anxiety comment for the Day
I read that the thyroid, breast and lungs are most vulnerable to the radiation. Help
Possibly true..so I have to say I have had 3 friends (close) diagnosed with cancer in the last 18 months all between 38 and 44 (my age group) seemingly healthy, fit, exercisers...I also lost a dear friend in her early 50’s 2 years ago from cancer...none of them have had previous ct scans...I also know someone who is 75 and has smoked almost a pack everyday of her life and no cancer in site...I honestly don’t have a clue why. So yes there are known risk factors and what you and I have done is probably not great but there is also family history, genetics, random luck etc. I think about this often because I am an over thinker but the bottom line is we will never know until we know...I can’t remember who it was I was listening to on the radio one day (it may have been Joel Osteen or Tony Robbins) but it was a story about an old man in his 90’s who was asked about his biggest regret and he said it was his constant fear of dying...what would life be like without that fear?
I am really in so much of fear and pain
Fear is ruining my life
I have a question and i cant get this ouT of my head i keep thinking about it😑
Anxiety, Depression and Fear of Going Crazy (Can't Take it Anymore)
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