I'm not sure whether to post this here or in emo, because I feel on the brink of just giving up. I don't know how to go on, I'm trying the services but they don't care. I'm desperate.
I am a 26 year old male, I am 10.7st and 5'10. I suffer from extreme health anxiety. It's usually an obsession with cancer. The past 3-4 months I have had a pain in my left hand side, To the left of my belly button.(or 'my' right, looking down). It's a sharp pain, feels quite pinpoint (literally the edge of my belly button moving outwards), but is difficult to recreate by pushing down on the area. I've found it a few times but it's not easy. It seems to come and go, and can sometimes feel more generalised in the area. As if it's spreading outwards. Simply put I am terrified to the point of non function that it is some sort of cancer.
I have no noticeable weight loss, I have not lost my appetite. I have not thrown up. No blood in stool. There is no history of stomach cancer in my family. However I do have Ibs and have been gassy for a while. Stool can be soft/pat like, or sort of rough and jagged. I've been to 3 doctors. All of which looked at my history and rolled their eyes. They all did a feel of the area and said there was nothing abnormal. The last Dr (yesterday) gave me laxitives because she said my colon was very full. But I've had this issue for months, I doubt it has always been.
Mental health is a real issue for me and I have been referred in Jan, but no reply as of yet.
The pain is not getting better. It seemed to dissappear for about a week or 2,but its come back as bas as ever.
I feel so unbelievably unhappy with my life I am worried. I can't sustain this life of worry and depression. I leave my desk at work and cry, I am looking for re assurance. I am begging for it in fact.
The evidence suggests that good self-help books can be almost as effective as face-to-face therapy. Most local libraries now have a Books on Prescription section, with a selection of self-help books recommended by health professionals. The recommended book for health anxiety is Overcoming Health Anxiety by Rob Wilson and David Veale.
If you're feeling really down, I'd encourage you to call The Samaritans on 116 123. Calls are free on any network and they're available 24/7. You don't have to be suicidal to call - they're ready to listen to whatever you have to say.