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Cook65's avatar
Cook65
Member
11 years ago

Bit scared

Hi All

i went in for treatment on Thursday (herceptin) and mentioned that I have had pain in my back and knee for a few days. I do have hip and back pain from arthritis but this is different and in a different spot. The reaction of my onc nurse freaked me out. She took it all very seriously and went straight to speak to the onc. They have said to take endone and tramal drops for the pain and have made an appointment for me next Thursday. The meds are only taking the edge off the pain. I'm trying really hard to keep a lid on my feelings and I don't dare tell anyone around me what I'm thinking. Why upset everyone if it turns out to be nothing? I'm struggling to stifle the fear and anxiety I'm feeling. Poor hubby is already at breaking point after the last year and then with me getting the sack last month. I keep telling myself it will be nothing but the fact is, it may be something.  It seems silly to worry about something that may not even happen and certainly nothing that I don't have any control over, but I just can't seem to stop it. I have come down with a cold and broken out in shingles. I feel as though my body is screaming ENOUGH!  I have 2 more herceptin treatments to go and then I'm supposed to be done. But bloody breast cancer, the gift that keeps on giving. I don't think this ride will ever truly end. Karen 

herceptin

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  • mum2jj's avatar
    mum2jj
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Karen, 

    i know this can be so scary as have been there a few times. It is great though they are taking you seriously and you can get it checked out. Hopefully it will all be nothing. The girls have given you some good advise. Sending you a big hug. 

    Paula x

  • DaisyMarigold's avatar
    DaisyMarigold
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Karen - you're having a nightmare time right now, aren't you. I know after BC you can become petrified that the cancer has come back elsewhere. I have - twice. Once was when my vaginal atrophy was so bad I was bleeding, and of course thought I had vaginal cancer. It wasn't. The next time was incredible back pain, and the GP said 'we need to check it isn't bone cancer'. Not tactful, and not my normal GP. Turned out it was 3 prolapsed discs, sciatica and bad arthritis. Not cancer. I know it's really hard, but can you work out the best way to keep your mind off it? Read, listen to music, cook, find a MOOC online and throw yourself into it? The waiting is horrible, but you need to find some way of lowering the anxiety. Do you have a naturopath? They could prescribe St John's Wort and Kava (Mediherb brand) both of which I take because of anxiety/mood swings after menopause/BC and stopping HRT. That could help get you through this, particularly the Kava which acts really quickly. Or go to your GP and get some Valium. That would definitely help. But obviously tell the GP or naturopath about the other drugs, because of interactions. Can you get some counselling too? You've had so much on your emotional plate - I sense you're in overload now and you need to find a circuit breaker. Dumping it all on a good counsellor can really help - I've done it. Take care, and do take some action ASAP about this. No point in suffering any more. Pam xx

  • rowdy's avatar
    rowdy
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Karen sometimes crap keeps coming. At least they listened to you when you told them about the pain, it would have been worse if they didn't listen to you. Try and stay calm I know that is hard everytime I have pain I imagine the worst. Shingles can be very painful has the doc given you anything?

    Thursday will be here and hopefully they can give you some answers. Take care of yourself

  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    11 years ago

    Aw Karen I know just how u are feeling! Also I have had shingles and they are so unpleasant, A sign of stress on your body. A few weeks ago now I had a lump in my lower armpit. I went to my doctor who immediately sent me for an ultrasound. He was VERY concerned and said to me he felt it was on my upper rib. I was so scared and had diagnosed myself even before I got the ultrasound!!!! It turned out to be NOTHING!!!Try not to worry until you know for sure, even though it's easier said than done. After BC we can have lots of aches and pains that frighten us, but they usually turn out to be nothing:)Cheers Robyn