Not diagnosed, but struggling with anxiety overload

Hi, I'm so sorry you're feeling like this, but it's perfectly normal to completely freak out, get anxious, over think....call It what you like. You've come to the right place, and well done for putting it out here. I found, just messaging to the page, helped me, get things off my chest. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions, and to be honest, some emotions I didn't know I had. I was in complete shock, when I was 1st diagnosed. I just couldn't get my head around things. My advice, is take things minute by minute if you have too. Have a good cry, scream shout!! There's no right or wrong way to feel and everyone is different. I'm plodding, taking things day by day. I hope you find comfort in any advice you get from here. Sending positive hugs to you x

Have u not been referred on the two week referral. That means u have to be seen in 2 weeks if doctor suspects cancer? The waiting is the worst so getting things done quickly is so important. Big hug x 

Doc didn't specify. She just said I'm referring you and the clinic called this morning saying that the 4th Nov is first available appointment... I am a worrier... and with my family history, I'm totally paranoid of anything breast related. I hope these next few weeks go quickly cause I can't think of anything but this at the moment.

Thanks for the hug, HUGELY appreciated at the moment x

Thank you  My husband keeps telling me not to stress until I know what I'm stressing over but I just can't turn my anxiety off. Your positive hugs mean so much, thank you x

Sadly, we can't turn off our emotions and anxiety. My fiance is exactly the same, he kept saying the same, but I was an absolute nervous wreck. If you can, I'd give them another ring and see if there's anything sooner. It's worth a try. X

Hi Mamab3ar

Sorry that you are going through all this. However, it is vital that you get checked out.

You could phone your breast clinic in the morning and explain to them your suspicions, your anxiety at waiting and say that you would be prepared to take a cancellation at short notice if they would keep you in mind. Folk cancel appointments all the time due to being unwell, having Covid symptoms, being pinged or due to family/work life factors. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain and it will give you some sense of taking control. 

Wishing you all the best

WallyDug

I'm pretty sure with a referral to Breast Clinic they have to see you within 2 weeks, its called a 2 week wait appointment for anything a GP picks up as suspicious, even if it turns out to be benign they should still see you within that time frame and do examination, scans and any biopsies they think necessary. Like someone else has advised, ring them up and explain you are anxious and mention the 2 week wait. 

USC referrals are supposed to be within 2 weeks but my hospital made me wait nearly 6 weeks.  I was climbing the wall with anxiety and trying to contact the appointments clerk was a bloody nightmare

Going to ring them at 9am and say I'll take a cancellation. Thank you for your suggestions. The anxiety is not going anywhere and the more time that passes the more convinced I'm going to be diagnosed and I'm just so scared of all this time wasted waiting for answers. 

Hiya,

I can totally empathize with how you are feeling right now.  I was like that before my breast clinic and those around me were completely unmoved (family etc) saying oh it's good you are getting checked out, it will probably be fine.  But when you feel like there is a chance there might be something there it really does turn your world upside down.  

I had to wait the full two weeks for an appointment and they assured me they couldn't do anything sooner.  I think if your wait is longer than that then you should definitely try to call them in advance and offer to take a cancellation if that's available to you. They are supposed to try to fulfil their NICE guidelines which means a referral to clinic within 14 days. 

I can't really say much about how to get through the waiting period.  I ended up getting a diagnosis and every wait is like torture for me.  I seem to manage to put it to the back of my mind and pretend it doesn't exist for a while but then the last 3 days is hell and I find sleeping difficult as well.  I downloaded some apps (Calm, Bloom, Compassion) and I signed up for Breast Cancer Now 100 miles walk to raise money.  Having these things in place has helped me since diagnosis but only up to a point.  Staying positive is the best way but I can't be completely positive all the time.  The best thought I have found to hold on to is that I am on the path to treatment now and it has been found sooner than later.  Eg, I could have just ignored things which seemed relatively innocuous and not followed up and then where would I be? 

So try to hold on to the fact that you are now on a pathway and what everyone says is true - once you know if/what you are dealing with and what your treatments will be you will feel better.  The unknown is really the worst part. 

I found this article about visiting the breast clinic and before, quite reassuring when I was at your stage - it might help, so just in case am posting the link here: www.theguardian.com/.../healthandwellbeing.health1

Good luck and hope you manage to get your appointment brought forward,

x