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Stomach pain and cancer fears.
Hello! I have been suffering from severe GERD and overall stomach pain after a single vomiting episode 4 years ago.
My suspicion is a Mallory Weiss tear or some sort of herniation, because after that violent vomiting episode, I began to experience shortness of breath and a lot of trapped burps that I never experienced before. Also severe stomach pain.
No blood present in subsequent vomits. I was pending of having an endoscopy, but that same year someone close to me died in the same procedure, so I started having severe PTSD about it. until this day I didn’t manage to get an endoscopy.
My suspicion is that it evolved into a cancer. I lost over 10 kilograms, and my lymphotcites are almost non existent. Doctors cannot do anything, because all they do is push for an endoscopy, but since I have a baby boy I think "would I rather risk dying on the operating table like my friend, or live a few months more with possible cancer, and what’s more, even not have it?"
Anyone dealing with the same situation? My mental health of course is very bad, and I don’t know what to do.
I do therapy, but it really doesn’t help.
Any help would be endlessly appreciated.
My suspicion is a Mallory Weiss tear or some sort of herniation, because after that violent vomiting episode, I began to experience shortness of breath and a lot of trapped burps that I never experienced before. Also severe stomach pain.
No blood present in subsequent vomits. I was pending of having an endoscopy, but that same year someone close to me died in the same procedure, so I started having severe PTSD about it. until this day I didn’t manage to get an endoscopy.
My suspicion is that it evolved into a cancer. I lost over 10 kilograms, and my lymphotcites are almost non existent. Doctors cannot do anything, because all they do is push for an endoscopy, but since I have a baby boy I think "would I rather risk dying on the operating table like my friend, or live a few months more with possible cancer, and what’s more, even not have it?"
Anyone dealing with the same situation? My mental health of course is very bad, and I don’t know what to do.
I do therapy, but it really doesn’t help.
Any help would be endlessly appreciated.
I think being afraid of cancer is a common anxiety! And when we have kind of a chronic thing with stomach issues, if we have health anxiety . . . our mind may drift there. I've had an endoscopy. They are not bad and are not surgery. You are not even put fully to sleep. It's a tube down your throat with a camera. They found an ulcer when I had mine done. Then I took medicine and literally it started healing in 48 hours. Death from endoscopy is going to be extremely rare and a freak event. The rate is 1 in 9,000 would have a serious event from endoscopy. RARE. So, don't be afraid. In this instance, when something terrifies you but is in your best interest, your doctor may prescribe a half a xanax. That's what got me through a mammogram I was terrified of and put off for 10 years. I would not think this is cancer, sure doesn't sound like it but you need to get help for the situation. I have health anxiety too. I understand. But you can overcome that anxiety to get this checked out and you WILL feel so much better after.
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