Struggling with anxiety while undergoing diagnostic testing

Thank you for your advice. My PCP knows I’m a worrier. I’ve discussed my problems with her. I see a psychiatrist and a therapist. But I’m sure you know it’s a long, hard journey. Especially when things come up. Just been scared for awhile. Thank you again. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Hi again, a friend of mine told me I shouldn’t be on an online support group. She said it would bother me. But I need to write. Today my husband and I had an appointment to see a gyne. It was one I never seen but at the same clinic I go to. He examined me was about to do the biopsy went to get nurse. I was able to have my husband in there. Even though nurse didn’t like it. But I explained I have extreme anxiety. When dr came back he said I had to have pre authorization from my insurance. We have PPO. This should have all been taken care of prior to my visit. The nurse should have known why I was coming in. I had an ultrasound done at immediate care in the same group. Then he said it might take 2 weeks. I couldn’t believe I was hearing this. When we got home my husband called insurance and within the hr it was approved. Then we couldn’t go back even though he had an opening. He was leaving after last patient. So he can’t do it till next Thursday. I had made an appointment last week for next Tuesday, the gyne I seen in March for my annual. I messaged her to see if she could do it. Then I get a message from some nurse probably a manager they don’t like you jumping around with drs for your care. For someone with anxiety to keep waiting and to wait for results. My PCP ordered some tests, my cortisol is high (she said from stress), my potassium is low and ordered something to raise it and I’m worried I’ll have side effects since I’m so sensitive and told me to take magnesium for constipation. Then she’ll order another test to recheck the Potassium. Some time ago she told me to stop eating bananas. I would eat one everyday. But I’ve been constipated. Since I have this anxiety drs don’t believe you could have physical ailments and won’t do tests. My son warned me about this a few months back. He said if I don’t get my anxiety under control when there is something really wrong no one will believe me. But I’m not sure what came first, physical problems or anxiety or meds causing it. Sorry for such a long comment. It’s just frustrating and worrisome. Thank you for reading this. Flo

Good morning @flow65 Sounds like you’re on a merry-go-round that stops in all the wrong places. These seem like huge setbacks, but they’re not. But, to you, they are aggravating and frustrating! Especially when you can’t control any of it. Many things are beyond the doctor’s ability to control also. When these things happen to me, I stop at the nearest ice cream store and treat myself! Ice cream doesn’t make the problem go away, but it helps me to better deal with the situation.
Does writing help you? Do you ever write for fun?

I understand what you mean about the merry go round. My psychiatrist thought the other dr could of stayed and helped me. He knew my anxiety level. I wish I could go to an ice cream shop. My nausea is so bad and now taking the potassium prescription which can cause nausea. I tried writing. I try to do word search puzzles. It’s hard to concentrate with the nausea. Try to watch TV. I really have a difficult time with nausea. I appreciate you taking time out and trying to help me. Thank you. Flo

I watch them all, there are 5 different shows similar to Dr. Pimple Popper. I have ongoing eczema and always hope I can find a remedy!

@flow65 Florence , is the nausea new with this new medication or have you had it for awhile? Have you told the doctor about it? I included a site from The Cleveland Clinic that talks about home remedies for nausea. Hopefully it will help some
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/8106-nausea--vomiting
There are also medications for nausea, (even though it means taking one more pill). Call the doctor today and see if you can get a prescription. Will you do that?
Becky

Becky, thank you. My pcp knows I’m prone to nausea. I have GERD/acid reflux. I take Protonix now twice a day. I was on a Nexium for a long time. Eventually was increased with twice a day. After awhile it wasn’t working. I’m on Xanax and low low dose of Seroquel. I have an anti nausea med I take every so often. My psychiatrist and PCP knows my body is so sensitive to most meds. Plus now blood tests were run and my potassium is low. Not sure if I mentioned that before. Read that can give nausea and on a prescription med for a week to help with potassium. That can give stomach problems. Plus my anxiety/stress/depression. Plus my cortisol is high. Not sure if magnesium is off. She didn’t run that one yet. Right now I’m a mess and worried about everything. We just took a walk and now I’m on my exercise bike. I know you’re not suppose to exercise after you eat. It’s been about 30 min after eating for a walk and now exercise. Just don’t want to do it too late. Thank you for all your questions and advice. Flo

Becky, I just can’t believe all of this is happening. Like I mentioned my PCP knew I haven’t been feeling well for awhile. She knew I lost unintentional weight. She always thought it was from my anxiety. My psychiatrist kept saying he thought he was missing something because I had trouble taking anti depressant. So when I finally asked for a cortisol test and she ran other tests my potassium being low and cortisol high. My husband and I talked to her in the office and she said she wasn’t surprised my cortisol was high because of anxiety and left that alone. I messaged her and signed my husband’s name so she would answer faster. Asked what could be done about the cortisol could it be just anxiety or more. Now she suggested to see an endocrinologist. Not sure why it wasn’t mentioned before. Now I’m really scared. I don’t know what to expect. Scared of procedures and anesthesia. Plus I had to have a biopsy done today because I had spotted. The gyne couldn’t complete the other part of looking inside with a camera. My husband was with me even though the dr didn’t want him there but he convinced her I needed him there because of my anxiety. She kept telling me I would be ok and i wasn’t. She needed to look inside the cervix. She tried twice and I was in so much pain. Then told me i could try it again a couple of weeks but it would still be painful. Or be under anesthesia. Again another procedure that I’m not sure how I’ll get thru it. I was so disappointed not being able to handle the pain. The dr made it seem not many have this much trouble. I felt the drs just didn’t have much compassion. I’ve had the same PCP for years and not to run more tests just because I have anxiety or do I. Maybe it’s physical as well. Plus im suppose to have a scope and a colonoscopy soon. I hope I didn’t forget anything. Im just beside myself. Thank you for listening. Flo

@flow65 Oh, I can’t even imagine how difficult this is for you and your husband. You may have a lot of anxiety, but your courage shows through every time to walk in the doctor’s office. YOU are a strong woman. I know that you’re very worried about all the tests and what they may say, but they need to be done. You might think of asking the doctor for something to calm yourself before you go for a procedure. I take a very low dose of Valium before MRI’s because they freaked me out. Just a small dose makes it so i can tolerate them.
And you commented that your doctors don’t seem to have much compassion. A lot of them don’t for sure. Medicine has become very high tech, what with computers and all, and some doctors have lost the fact of the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. And insurance…….
(((I forgot that you take Xanax! Maybe something like Valium isn’t a good idea. Talk to your psychiatrist)))
For now, just keep moving forward, one step at a time. I have faith in you.

Becky,
Thank you again. I have so much anxiety. This is just overwhelming. Just wonder who else has high cortisol and low potassium and the tests and outcome. Not sure how I’m going to get thru this. I appreciate all your kind words and support. I never get tired of reading things from you. It could be everyday. Flo