The "OMG I'm dying" hypochondria/mental health thread

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Originally Posted by markolas

Also, it has occurred to me that it could be kidney stones. I've never had them before, so I have no idea what it's like. I always imagined excruciating pain as you tried to pee out a rock. But, with anything like this, my mind immediately goes to the worst possible thing it could be and I hardly give a thought to anything else. So, blood in the urine automatically equals either cancer or kidney failure.

Bladder or kidney stones can be detected by a doctor, and you might consider mentioning to your doctor that you are wondering about the possibility. One of my bosses has bladder stones, and sometimes he has very bad days. It's exactly like you said - trying to pee out a rock, except it's not round or smooth, more like a crystalline formation that is sharp and spiny so it tears tissue as your body tries to pass it (hence the pain and blood when urinating). Changes in diet can go a long way towards preventing future occurences, and existing stones can be dissolved with medication or sometimes zapped away with laser treatment.

I'll tell you something else - by immediately assuming the worst you are doing yourself more harm than good with the stress you put your mind and body through. Ultimately, you have to trust your doctor, but don't be afraid to push for tests or other options that might get to the bottom of the issue.