I'm losing control

[billyray]

I had my first experience with health anxiety about 4 years  ago when at the age of 28 I had severe chest and neck pain at the time. It was constant.  My doctor had me get a CT scan of the chest because he feared I had a blood clot and it came back negative. So he sent me to an ENT 5 months later who sent me for a CT of the neck, which came back negative. I was eventually diagnosed with reflux disease. Well, I recently read an article that CT scans increase your lifetime risk of cancer. Now that's all I think about. It consumes me. I now worry about cancers of the neck and chest because of these scans. And of course, I'm experiencing all the symptoms I read about. How do I stop these thoughts and are CT scans that dangerous?

[tigerpaw]

I know you will find lots of support here. Let me remind you you can access the Chat Room, and talk live to some of us here!  A great resource for you. Also you can post your favorite picture in the Members Gallery. Lots to do here~

 

[sixpack]

hi billyray

well first of all welcome!!!  Secondly you've had 2 CT scans.  That isn't going to be all that horrid.  My daughter has had two and is fine.  CT is valuable diagnostic tool.  I wouldn't go around having a CT for every ache/pain but having a CT for a real reason is perfectly fine.  ALSO so many folks here worry about that article you are referring too.  All of your symptoms are the result of anxiety not some cancer., imo