When every headache is brain mets...

Kathy16

I'm so glad I found this thread. Not even sure if it's still active - but I started tamoxifen a month ago and have had bad hip and back pain - I know it can be a side effect and it worried me a little, but have a November appt. and thought I'd raise the question.  Then, I had been reaching in the back seat of my car from front seat day after day for my purse and I think that in trying to "baby" my reconstruction and surgery side arm, I somehow was using my stomach muscles.  Now, my right side hurts (initially when I lifted my arm and now only when I "press" on it) and I convinced myself it was liver mets.  Also, tamox. I think is causing me to have funny and too frequent loose stools (which I also found on a tamox thread of SEs) and then of course I convinced myself that my liver wasn't working right - that's why the stools were weird.  Thanks for the 2-week rule.  I'm giving it two weeks until my regular appointment for the right sided muscle pain and stools and then will investigate if it still hurts.  Until then, I'm going to take your advice and try not to drive myself crazy.   

donnamariem

Hello, Ladies -  I was so happy to find this thread!  I feel the same as most of you.  Every little pain makes you wonder.  I tell myself it's just the Tamoxifen.  I've been on it for 7 weeks now.  But there's this little voice in my head that says "oh, oh."  Like 2 weeks ago I threw my back out and then my hip started aching.  I can't lean on my right knee and it's swollen.  And now I just found a mass in my boob.  I know it can't be anything other than scar tissue.  Right?  I see my onc on the 23rd, so if it's still there, I'll have her check it out.  In the meantime, there's no one to talk with about any of this.  Friends and family don't want to hear any of this and my husband is having some health issues of his own so I don't want to upset him.  Quite frankly, I think most people feel uncomfortable and don't know what to say.  I just want my life back the way it was.  Is that too much to ask for?  Is this our new "normal"?  When can we relax?

cazza

Hi guys

So glad i also found this blog. I am the same have had a few tests since i was diagnosed worrying it was something more. A few weeks ago i had a slightly elevated ca125 blood test and am currently worrying about that.

Geeze in the past I would not have even worried so much. I was a bit of a hypochondriac before BC but am alot worse after.

 Atleast I don't feel so alone knowing there are others with the same worries.

NancyD

I'm happy to report that a CT/PET scan I had in August on the 1-year anniversary of ending my chemo, showed no evidence of disease. That helped me to control my fear.

Now, I'm not saying I will NEVER worry again, but I think the two-week rule is so useful in keeping me from running to my onc for every little thing. He's so overworked as it is. If I have a concern, I want him to take me seriously.