Forum Discussion
I think it’s come back…
Hi, I had a lumpectomy nearly two years ago now, it was ER+ caught early with no spread to lymph nodes. Supposedly straight forward. It took three surgeries and four weeks of radiation therapy. Then started on tamoxifen which drove me crazy so took the gamble and stopped taking it. Anyway I’ve been getting some soreness/discomfort/somethings not quite right here kind of vibes and eventually booked in for a mammogram which will be on Monday ( a couple of months before I was due to have my regular check). It’s getting harder to stay calm about it and I’m getting scared that maybe I’ve left it too long, and I’m currently awake worrying about it, remembered this site so thought I’d have a little rant about it.
15 Replies
- Great that it has worked out clear @teabaglady.
The advice I give people is don't invent demons to wrestle with. Focus on the ones you know are real. - Dear @Teabaglady
- Terrific news, @Teabaglady - that is a huge weight off your mind & well done for following up on it - that is the correct thing to do. xx
I hope you can go out & have a celebratory dinner with family & buddies xx
take care & just get out there, doing the things you love, even MORE now xx - @Teabaglady, I reckon the little bell that rings in our heads sometimes is the last vestiges of our primitive selves. It's giving us a warning that something is wrong even though there is not yet any evidence to support those feelings.
You've listened to your bell, you've followed up on it. Well done. Your fears are valid and now you have had them addressed. Never feel bad about asking questions.
The pain is a 'thing'. Very difficult to keep track of it and scarring changes over the years which means you can never be sure what is a natural progression and what is new.
Keep listening to your bell. Mxx - Good news @Teabaglady - now you can relax and go forward with your life. We all get those annoying seemingly sinister pains and we go into anxiety mode. The mind is a powerful thing ....
- Thankyou everybody, the mammogram came back clear, apparently pain is just a thing that can happen? I’m also guessing crazy anxiety brain makes it all worse too. Will have some follow up appointments to address that. All the best to you allxxx
- @Teabaglady - I started on Letrozole & had bad side effects, then Exemestane that went the same way after 6 months - so changed to Anastrozole & have done MUCH better on it for the last 4 1/2 years! I've just passed the 5 year mark on AIs and I have the choice to stop altogether, or I can have regular breaks & continue for the next 2 years and then it will stop. So right now, I'm having a break from Anastrozole for 6 weeks ..... and will see how I go!
The AIs can actually make you more 'emotional' as well .... so the break should do me good. Take care xx - Dear @Teabaglady,
from jennyss in Western NSW - Anything that can stop/ reduce anxiety is worth serious consideration. It’s pretty normal but it’s not fun. Once you get the current problem sorted out, it may be possible to consider what you can do to reduce anxiety. I found anxiety about scans reduced significantly after five years, but that’s still a long time. As @iserbrown suggests, going off a medication can increase anxiety even if it stops unpleasant side effects. Has your oncologist discussed any alternatives? I managed to do a full ten years on Letrozole - some side effects but none of the joint pain type. Best wishes for reassuring results and the future.
- thanks iserbrown, I had been thinking I should go back on it. I have a script for Anastrozole that I didnt fill, might be time to do that now. Very thankful for everyone on here, I hope I can be an encouragement to others and give back a bit. the journey never ends!!
