I was told not to stress....But I am anyway.

Perth, Australia
May 16, 2024 12:39pm CST
I had already booked an appointment with my doctor for the 28th of this month. I couldn't find anything earlier. I need to know how I went with my Stress Echocardiogram test that I had done late last month. I haven't had any issues since I last saw my doctor regarding heart palpitations or a sore chest / around the chest. And I was starting to feel better and assuming everything I was / am experiencing is from stress and what I had been diagnosed with (Somatic Symptom Disorder). Though, about 4 days ago the sickly feeling starting to intensify again, especially yesterday, it was extremely awful with a pounding headache. Oddly enough started to all happen again after sleeping back in my bedroom (had been on the lounge for months while trying to get better but once back in my room, sickness started again). So I'm back on the lounge. I don't know! But Wednesday I received this letter asking me to arrange an appointment with my doctor for my results. I started to panic, as I do! I rang the doctors asking if this letter meant something bad was found to which she kindly let me know that my file says it's all "non-urgent" and told me to "please not stress" about it. It's just I don't understand the letter. I always assumed a phone call or letter meant something was found. Or could it simply be because my doctor knows I have bad health anxiety and was just letting me know she has the results and wants me to know ASAP so I can try get more relief and maybe more help with my anxiety? I don't know. If it's non-urgent, that means everything is ok then? I am trying to not stress. I really really am but it's playing on my mind because of the not knowing. Last thing I need is to stress about health because I don't want to go backwards. ****photo is mine of the letter - some things blackened out for privacy****
12 people like this
9 responses
@kaylachan (69646)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 May
If your doctor hasn't seen you in a while, they will often ask for a follow up. Furthermore, good or bad, if you've had tests done, some doctors will arange a face-to-face to gover your results, answer any questions or what have you. This helps with anxiety, yes. However, it's likely your doctor doesn't know you suffer from it unless you tell them. Some anxiety and stress is normal and healthy. There's nothing you can do about it except ride it out. What you're feeling is normal, and everyone, who doesn't know anything about medical stuff, goes through. Which is most people who haven't been around or chronically ill. or are in the medical profession. So, don't worry. you're good.
2 people like this
• Perth, Australia
16 May
@kaylachan Thank you kindly for your response. My doctor does know I have anxiety. She has been with me throughout this whole thing. I have been unwell since November last year and she's been with me this whole time doing many tests trying to work out if something is wrong with me only to see nothing has been with my body so she had diagnosed me with Somatic Symptom Disorder which is a form of anxiety really. She has been so kind enough to get me an MRI as I was suffering weird sensations such as tingling, numbness, burning and weakness. Then helped me get a Colonoscopy and Endoscopy to see if there was a reason for my sickness but nothing was found to cause my sickness. So long story short, she put it down to me just being overly stressed in general but also a health anxiety. So I do wonder if my doctor has requested I see her soon as possible to let me know all was ok. But just not used to this form because she knows I have been ontop of this going in all the time wanting results. Or maybe she didn't see I already booked in to see her, I don't know. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (69646)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 May
@VivaLaDani13 Something could've easily got crossed in the mail. It recently happened with my husband's health provider. In March, his primary unexpectedly retired with little to no notice. Which is quite common. In January, we'd had an appoitment scheduled for tomorrow for his six-month check. Due to her unexpected departure, they had a doctor from Orlando covering her patients until they could be reassigned to a more local doctor. So we had that appoitment in April. George (my hsband) and I dissmissed the appoitment card we knew we'd get for tomorrow's appoitment. Earlier this week he gets a text message with the reminder. I figured it was some kinda glitch in their system. Same with yesterday's robo reminder call. Then this morning, we got a call from the va, and apparently the old appoitment (tomorrow's) was still in the system. And, since we were just in last month, they agreed we didn't need to be seen again so soon. An hour later, i get yet another reminder text about it.
1 person likes this
• Perth, Australia
7 Jun
@kaylachan Turns out that new nurses had started working there and took it upon themselves to send out letters to patients. Including myself. My doctor was unaware of any letter sent to me. Thank you kindly for explaining to me what happened with you. For sure glitches and miscommunications can happen for that to occur. I appreciate you taking the time to tell me that.
• Cloverdale, Indiana
17 May
I know it's hard to not stress over something that's non urgent, it may be some GOOD news & they want to let you know but why wouldn't they just call you ??
1 person likes this
• Perth, Australia
17 May
@2ndchances24 That's what I mean. I've never received a letter before even for good news. This is out of the ordinary for me. I know phone calls and letter are done when there is something of concern, so my mind is having a hard time comprehending what's happening. If it's non-urgent then why the letter? Because this whole time I've been back and forth between my doctor to get test results very quickly, I've never had a letter to book an appointment. So I don't know if maybe at the time they could see I hadn't booked anything and wanted to remind me? I don't know. They don't have my updated mobile. They do have my home phone though. So I guess if something was found in my heart they would have tried to call me instantly? I don't know. I am worried if there is something they found. Or maybe my doctor just wanted to reach out to let me know she has my results. I really don't know. But logically, they wouldn't find something in my heart that was abnormal and say "Hey, it's non-urgent." They would want me there ASAP right?
1 person likes this
• Perth, Australia
21 May
@2ndchances24 Thank you for your comment again regarding this. I'm sure you could tell I was riled up / in panic mode that day. Turns out all was ok. Will do a post about it later on but yeah, all was actually ok! Thank goodness! Thank you kindly and thank you for suggestions too. I would like to look into that because I swear there is something like that over here. There has to be!
1 person likes this
• Cloverdale, Indiana
17 May
@VivaLaDani13 Sugs I would like to say it is something they are trying out to get your atten I've had them send me letters but not like that. If they have a health app like I have on my computer, why not see if you can get signed up for it where they can send all your health info to it for you to keep up with? mine is called (my chart) that way you can see everythig B-4 the Dr's do as far as any test they do & results.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18366)
• Orangeville, Ontario
17 May
My doctor calls me in for everything. I got called in this week as a follow-up to my appointment with a specialist who is sending me for an MRI. Why not wait until MRI results to call me in? Because she gets paid for the appointment perhaps? I hope all is well. Not all call-ins are something to worry about.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18366)
• Orangeville, Ontario
2 Jun
@VivaLaDani13 Here in Canada, for cancer scans like PAP tests, colon kits and mammograms, we receive a letter from the government informing us it is time to get screened, and we get another letter with the results. This may only be in Ontario though.
1 person likes this
• Perth, Australia
7 Jun
@patgalca It can be done here where people will be sent letters reminding them of certain tests but unsure if results come in the mail. I am almost certain you have to go in face to face or over the phone to get the results. I think due to confidentiality. But I could be wrong.
1 person likes this
• Perth, Australia
2 Jun
@patgalca I really hope everything goes well with your MRI. And thank you kindly. It was nothing to worry about at all thank goodness. My doctor was unaware it was sent to me. She explained there were some new nurses working there who took it upon themselves to send out letters and I was one of them.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317041)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
17 May
It sounds like everything is fine. It also sounds like something in your room is causing the trouble.
1 person likes this
• Perth, Australia
7 Jun
@just4him Yeah it was all fine. My doctor was confused on the letter too. She said that new nurses started working there and they decided they would send out reminders to patients and I was one of them. I am unsure. My room is so clean so I don't know. It could be a coincidence. Really unsure right now.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317041)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
7 Jun
@VivaLaDani13 I'm glad your doctor helped you through it.
1 person likes this
• Perth, Australia
14 Jun
@just4him Thank you kindly.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 May
I'm sure if it's non-urgent then you don't need to worry. Doctors always like to see a person about results rather than just send a letter. I think some of it is to do with the fact that they get paid for every appointment but perhaps I'm getting a bit cynical.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Jun
@VivaLaDani13 That's a bit annoying. She caused you a lot of stress and worry.
1 person likes this
• Perth, Australia
20 Jun
@JudyEv She sure did. My doctor felt bad because she knows about how I stress with all this. I know the nurse wouldn't have known. So it's all ok now really. Glad that worry is not a thought anymore at least.
1 person likes this
• Perth, Australia
14 Jun
@JudyEv Thank you kindly for your comment Judy. Everything with my results was all fine. Turns out my doctor knew nothing about the letter. A new nurse who just started working there sent it out without my doctor's knowledge.
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (10592)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
17 May
the worst thing is when it is concerning your health and others say don't stress; you will feel stress immediately. i know, cause i do that. i wish they could have given you first results and then told you if you have any questions, to set an appointment. gosh, med people. working with people but losing their human skills
1 person likes this
• Perth, Australia
7 Jun
@grenery8 Yeah I understand that all too well. Well it turns out my doctor didn't even know about the letter. She never requested any letter to be sent out. New nurses started working there and they decided to send out letters to patients to remind them to come in. So relieved all was fine.
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• Perth, Australia
14 Jun
@grenery8 aww thank you! You're so sweet.
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@grenery8 (10592)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
7 Jun
@VivaLaDani13 i am glad the doctor wasn't involved but still. new people, new policy, ah. i am relieved for you too
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@snowy22315 (180670)
• United States
16 May
Have you tried taking anti anxiety meds..doing yoga, meditating etc.? Maybe you are allergic to something in your room as well.
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@snowy22315 (180670)
• United States
7 Jun
@VivaLaDani13 A little bit I have..I don't have overwhelming anxiety most of the time though.
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• Perth, Australia
14 Jun
@snowy22315 That is a good thing.
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• Perth, Australia
7 Jun
@snowy22315 I am currently taking a new antidepressant. I just started on Monday. Half a tablet for a week the full from then on. But yoga and meditation is something I would like to try. Maybe I please ask if you have tried any of those? I am unsure. I had been in that room for quite awhile with nothing changed so I am unsure. Still a mystery for now.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16636)
• United States
17 May
We all stress when it comes to medical tests. If the lady said it was non-urgent, that is a sign to try not to be so stressed until you see the doctor. Sounds as if she wants to talk with you about the results face to face rather than sending something about it through the mail.
1 person likes this
• Perth, Australia
14 Jun
@Dena91 Thank you kindly for your comment. Everything was fine with my results. The doctor didn't even know about the letter that got sent out to me.
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@Daljinder (23236)
• Bangalore, India
21 May
This is going to be out of left field but you still get letters? Like in the post, in the mailbox?
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• Perth, Australia
23 May
@Daljinder Me personally? No. Besides the information I was sent about my Colonoscopy and Endoscopy, this letter from the doctor has been the first letter I've had in years I feel.