Anxiety between CT scans

[Beadygrl]

Hi, I have an 8mm lung nodule found incidentally about 9 mins ago. I've had a 3 month scan and coming up on the 6 mos one to see if it's changed. I'm worried all of the time that they will find it's grown tremendously and then all that comes with that. My spouse is no longer supportive of me because he's tired of my being anxious all of the time. I find myself not making plans because I am afraid of what may be coming. My therapist tries to help me, but there's a only so much that can be done. Instead of getting things done I'm finding ways to constantly distract myself. Does anyone have some words of wisdom or ideas of what I can do besides sit and worry? I know I'm a mess but there could be something to worry about.

Thank you in advance!

[Patk1]

I'd address yr anxiety,for your sake.mindsmatter r excellent.u can look thm up online + see what help there is x

[Caspiana]

Hello there. I can well understand your anxiety over this. It is scary to think there might be something wrong.

But think of it this way, the hospital have you under their radar. If there is anything sinister it will be found early enough to treat. No one ever goes through life smoothly because we are human these things are bound to happen. One thing you can do when you feel very anxious is to freeze two oranges and squeeze them in your hands until the anxiety subsides.

I understand what anxiety feels like but to a certain extent I know that it can take over lives and take away precious time that can never be recovered. Even more than disease can. It is easy to say try not to worry but anxiety is "the evil" which solves nothing and empties today of all it's happiness. If you need to I'd talk to your doctor about getting treatment for it.

Now, go get your coat and take your husband out for a nice meal. Don't let anxiety take your life and those you love away. Take good care.

Cas xx 🙋‍♀️🐕

[Karenanne61 in reply to Caspiana]

Excellent advice Cas, as always.

[watergazer in reply to Caspiana]

great advice Cas x

[Katinka46]

Wonderful words of wisdom from our dear Cas. I cannot add to them but just reinforce her advice. I assume your counsellor has tried CBT? S/he should be able to help you, if not maybe change your therapist? The advice “don’t worry” is not helpful, we all worry, we are human beings with concerns for ourselves and family. The only people who do not worry are psychopaths… But try to but some boundaries around it. Find small things to be grateful for. Xxxx

[grumpygirl]

I had three lung nodules discovered in 2019. Weren’t sure if they were rheumatoid or something more sinister. Like you went for regular scans and when one started to grow went for a biopsy. All very straightforward. I would think if they were concerned you would already have been sent for a biopsy. I was told many many people have nodules but mostly they are under the radar and are only picked up by chance. I have heard of lots of people who are monitored for a couple of years then discharged as there is little change. It is worrying when it first happens but hopefully as each scan happens you will settle down. Even if they grow you are being monitored so they will be dealt with early on. I ended up having one fast growing one removed but it was just a nodule nothing more and after a couple of years the others are shrinking. Worrying is natural but try hard to keep things in perspective and using activities as a distraction is fine if that is what works for you. Make plans and keep getting on with life as much as possible. Even having had one removed along with a bit of my lung went fine. Couple of days in hospital about a month before completely back up to strength but I am still hillwalking swimming etc.

[Otto11]

Hi. I’m sorry to hear how bad you are struggling with this. It’s quite normal to be worried as I know I was too. I had a 7mm mass as they first called it when found accidentally on screening for new Biologic injections for my RA. Like you I had regular high resolution CT’s which showed more smaller nodules then next time showed a few had vanished but more appeared. This pattern continued for the 3 years of monitoring. At one point they all found ground glass effect which I believe is inflammation. Just before my last CT I was admitted to hospital with Pneumonia & then final CT showed mild Bronchiectasis. They decided the nodules were not acting like cancer so monitoring finished. Last year I had a full body CT for something else which actually showed all the nodules had gone away! I hope that this will be a similar experience for you. I know it was such a shock at first as my Rheumatologist thought I had ILD & was seen in that clinic. After that although I was concerned but not as worried. I don’t have an answer for you regarding worrying as you are already getting input. Please try to do more relaxing things to distract yourself. Give hubby a break remember he is most probably worried too but not showing it. Let us know how you get on at your next appointment. I hope things go well & your medical team can offer you some reassurance. Take care x

[Biker88]

20 years ago a 6cm mass was seen on my lung X-ray, the consultant said it must be cancer and booked me in for immediate surgery. CT scan and broncoscopy ruled out cancer so TB was diagnosed. Now I have a correct diagnosis and the mass was a aspergillioma which has shrunk to less than 1cm after treatment with anti fungals. I survived all the mental anguish and just went with the flow, as mentioned by others early diagnosis is good if something nasty is suspected they don’t normally wait a few months to see if anything develops. Recently I had trouble swallowing, called 111 as GP appointments are impossible at my surgery, so 111 got me a appointment the next morning with my GP 10 days later I had a gastroscopy which ruled out cancer. So try not to worry you are being investigated and nodules in the lung are quite common.

[Beadygrl]

Thank you all so much for your support! I did my scan and the results are available but I think I'm going to try and wait until I see my Dr to go over them. I hate that I feel sick with worry. I try to journal and meditate, but have a ton of work to get done around the house. I need to have balance as I can't live in the anxious state all of the time. I will keep myself busy and will also do more work with dealing with my anxiety.

[Beadygrl]

I got my results back and the nodule remains unchanged! I now have to repeat the scan in a year. I am continuing to acquire tools to deal with my anxiety too. Thank you all!