Am Really Scared - What Would You do?

Littlemadam83

Hi peeps,

I really need some advice, as you lot understand how important our big days are.

In December I started having this flashing crescent in my left eye, bright white and rather scary. 2 eye appointments later, a neurologist appointment and an MRI scan I couldnt have (personal issue) I have been living in denial.

I was told to call and book a CT scan, I have had pressure on my left eye and weird visual occurrences quite annoyingly recently along with headaches after a few months of nothing I called the hospital to try and book. After being passed from pillar to post I got nowhere and ended up hanging up trying to get through to neurology. Any way, a letter has come through this morning for my CT scan booked by radiology (after they told me they couldnt help).

I am in bits, I am so so scared that what if this will bring bad news only months before the happiest day of my life. I know there is a slim chance, but what if the news brings my life crashing down. I will be a wreck. Do I go? Or do I put it off to enjoy things and then face reality? I am crying just at the thought of going (i suffer anxiety as it is!).

Sorry to go on, I am just happy in my bubble and am so scared of losing this happiness.

What would you guys do? Has anyone had a CT scan? Thanks for helping and I am sorry for being depressing

xxxx

Lexxi

CT scans really aren't that scary, you lie down and the bed moves you into a tunnel while they take pics of your face, you're told not to move so they can get good shots.
I felt a bit claustrophobic but you're not in there long enough to really panic lol.
You're best off going along to the apppointment and at least then you can put your mind at ease, it could be something and nothing, it might just be stress. If it is serious you're better off getting it checked out sooner than later

nickyhutch

Of course you should go. If it's nothing, then you can get on with things without being stressed and worried. If it's something, you can get it sorted out.

pretzelnut

I suffer from migraines which are pretty similar to what you are describing. I go blind with my migraines for about 1-2 hours at a time, several times a month.

I have had an MRI and a CT scan and i see a neuroligist and they havent found anything its one of those things i have to learn to live with and manage.

A forum isnt the best place to ask for medical advice, in fact its the worst place.

Go to the appointment - tell them your very nervous etc and ask them to explain exactly what will happen.

As the previous poster said, you just lie still for a while.

At the moment your worring about things that havent or might not even happen.

Try to relax, if you dont go you wil never know and you will still be worrying about the what if's. IF you do go you might just find that there is nothing wrong. We all panic and think of the worst case scenario, plus we then decide to google out symptoms to be told we have all sorts of problems when in reality we havent.

But i arent the doctor the people at your appointment are, they are the best people to be talking to.

But we are here to support you and calm you down.

Littlemadam83

Lexxi wrote: »

CT scans really aren't that scary, you lie down and the bed moves you into a tunnel while they take pics of your face, you're told not to move so they can get good shots.
I felt a bit claustrophobic but you're not in there long enough to really panic lol.
You're best off going along to the apppointment and at least then you can put your mind at ease, it could be something and nothing, it might just be stress. If it is serious you're better off getting it checked out sooner than later

Thanks for the info LExxi - that is really sweet of you to explain. It doesn't sound as scary as an MRI where you are totally enclosed. Hopefully it is just stress hey, I could definitely believe it could be stress related xxxxx

Littlemadam83

nickyhutch wrote: »

Of course you should go. If it's nothing, then you can get on with things without being stressed and worried. If it's something, you can get it sorted out.

Thanks Nicky - I just am seeing the worst and I think if they do find anything I cant see how it wont be serious xxx

Littlemadam83

PrincessWoo - I cannot believe you go totally blind with your migraines That must have been terrifying the first time it came on. You poor thing, I hope you dont get them often. I did think this is what it could be, as there is something called a phantom migraine, but without the pain. It would certainly make sense.

Anyway, I know there is nothing worse than asking for medical advice on here. I do just wonder if others would sacrifice potentially ruining something so special. I suppose my health is more special.

Thank you for offering your support, how did it feel for you going and being tested left right and centre? Were they understanding and how long did your test last? Did you see the pictures? The tip on telling them about my nerves is a great one. It panicked me the day my doctor rushed me into hosp thinking ?I had a detached retina and I dont know, the feelings of horror are just coming back.

Thank you though it is sad you have horrific migraines, but I feel better hearing your experience xxx

catsy_2

I have had many CTs and MRIs as I had cancer in my ear a few years ago, and still have to have the odd one here and there to make sure it's not come back. CT is absolutely fine, a weird round thing just moves around and takes shots from different angles, very quick and easy. MRIs are a bit worse, but I just close my eyes and listen to some music and it goes by very quickly. I do suffer from mild clostophobia (spelling!!) but because it's only my head and neck area they are doing it's very quick. In fact, I listen to Norah Jones and it makes me feel sleepy, even though you can still hear the whirring noise of the machine. Please don't feel too worried about your CT, the process itself is very quick. Just try to relax as much as possible, and do tell them you're feeling a bit nervous, I found them very reasuring and calming. My major issue is that I am absolutely terified of needles!! I've delayed the whole day of patients by an hour before as I panicked about having dye in my system while they did one of my scans (I forget which one) and don't even ask me about blood tests!!! I'm slowly but surely getting better though!

beks

Littlemadam83 - as above posters all say, you must go, it really is not that bad and most likely will put your mind at rest.

I have had a CT and MRI and am also a nurse and assisted with patients who have had both (used to work in hospital but not anymore). The main thing is to relax and it is over pretty quickly (time varies on what they are looking at and who is doing the scan - can be as little as 5-10 minutes to actually do the scan). Think about something else and it will be over sooner than you think.

I give the same advice to women coming in for smears who are soooooo scared. Two minutes of being uncomfortable is nothing when you compare it to what could happen if you left it and something was wrong. It is always best to know and do something about it than leave it and suffer worse consequences in the future. Take a friend/relative with you and definitely speak to the doctor first and they can talk you through the process and calm your nerves, I would much prefer to know if someone is really nervous and I spend longer explaining things to them.

ETA: Sorry, probably a bad comparison comparing it to smears but was the only thing I do now that I could compare it to.

frannyann

LM *putting nursing sister hat on* Relax! Firstly the CT scanning staff will see nervous people every day, (like my mum who had a full blow panic attack in the scanner!!) just let them know, they will reassure you. You can have a friend chat to you via the intercom or you can have music playing. Your symptoms could be nothing to worry about but the medics have a duty to rule EVERY little thing out! Always better safe than sorry. I know what its like to worry, I was investigated for abdo cancer, and I worried myself into an early grave in my head Its natural to fear the worse because that is our survival instinct kicking in! It does sound like migraine, but I am NOT offering any medical advice

Stephb1986_2

I had a MRI scan a few years ago now but they found nothing wrong with me. It's better to know rather than sit there worrying about it love trust me I know it's probably nothing but best to get it checked out.

After all your getting married for better for worse aren't you love

Steph xx