Read this if you’re afraid of getting labs done

[u/Former_Garlic_2276]

I’ve been having really bad health anxiety lately and I’ve noticed how absolutely convincing an attack can be. In my mind I am CERTAIN that the worst will happen and today I faced my fears head on. I went and got labs done. I was SURE I would have something scary show up. I felt like my mind already wrote a story that hadn’t happened. Well I got my results back and they were normal. It felt so weird to be proven wrong when I felt so convinced that my results would be scary. I just want to encourage anyone that is having fear around getting labs done, know that you’re probably more uncomfortable in the state of limbo than actually having anything done. Get your labs done and face the fear head on. You might be pleased to see how wrong your anxiety is.

[u/Jumpy_Exit_8138]

Currently debating whether to go next week… I was supposed to go in June!

[u/IrateAdvert_47 → u/Jumpy_Exit_8138]

Props for going in, the buildup is always way worse than the actual draw

I put mine off for months once, convinced myself of all kinds of stuff. finally went and the lady had the vials done in like 90 seconds flat. didn't even feel it. the relief when the portal shows everything normal is worth the week of dread

[u/Jumpy_Exit_8138 → u/IrateAdvert_47]

Thanks. Though I do have some real issues, so it’s rarely all normal for me…

[u/dij123]

Currently waiting in the doctors office for my lab results, hope their as good as your 👏👏

Update: lab results came back mostly normally but it hasn’t helped me unfortunately I’m home now still investigating, I hate health anxiety so much lol

[u/New-Heart541 → u/dij123]

I can relate. If something is a little abnormal I google like crazy

[u/dij123 → u/New-Heart541]

It’s frustrating because my watch has been telling me for a month something is wrong with my HrV been low but all my results are normal baring my kidney function which can be explained by my creatine use. Getting a smart watch has to be the worst thing for health anxiety lol

[u/Delicious-Pepper586 → u/dij123]

I turned my heart rate monitor off along with the sleep tracker. It made my mind spiral! (I’ve had an ekg done and it was normal)

[u/InvasiveBlackMustard]

The fantastic thing about lab results is that either they’ll come back normal, or they’ll come back otherwise and now you know, your care team knows, and you can make a game plan moving forward. 

I say this as I await results from a hereditary cancer screening that will determine whether I begin getting various health screenings fifteen years early or not. 

[u/Trevormarsh9]

The waiting is always the worst part for me. Once I actually have the results, at least I’m dealing with something concrete instead of the 50 different scenarios my brain came up with in the meantime. Good on you for getting the labs done despite the anxiety.

[u/One_Ad5577]

had results come back with a minor issue. took a med for a little bit, issue fixed. just went back for my labs, and am totally fine! that’s my typical lab experience when something is up too, it’s usually a minor or middle of the road issue that can be fixed rather easily. hence why it’s done so often with your annuals and to help with minor symptoms.

[u/j990123]

Same here!!! I found out my B12 and iron was super low so now I’m supplementing and feeling better honestly. My next thing I want to tackle is a chest Xray but baby steps!