Am I Just A Hypochrondriac?

Pat634

Long story short I was dx'd with IDC of left breast in Sept of 2008. Did chemo first then lumpectomy and uped from Grade 2b to Grade 3 because 7 out of 13 nodes were bad. Then had surgery and complications postponing radiation for 4 months. Finished everything Aug 4th. Was told at October visit that my tumor markers went up 3 points.....but that puts me 1/2 point over what my Onco considers normal so hes doing a wait and see approach until my next visit in January.

I have a lot of left breast and armpit lymphedema and some in the left arm but about two weeks ago while working at the computer my neck started bothering me and gradually now I have left arm numbness to the fingers unless I raise my arm above my head.  Started some water retention in left leg as of today but everything is working fine...no trouble peeing, no yellowing of eyes, no pain other than that which comes from the pins and needles to the fingers of the left hand. Arm doesnt look bigger like the lymphedema got worse and back of neck feels swollen but on the right side....I'm stumped and I think to myself that a 3 point jump in tumor markers is no big deal, or is it?

I am on warfarin and my blood has steadily gotten thinner over the past three months...one nurse tells me thin blood is a given for recurrance and another says blood thickens if there is a cancer present. Which one is right?  Also, my blood sugars are low (were low before chemo, went up on chemo, and now they are low again).

So is this just my mind weirded out over the three points or do mets or recurrances cause pins and needles to the arm and fingers? The neck COULD easily be stress related and I did have a productive cough when I had my last labs taken.  Since Onco wants to wait and see I hate to bug him about this esp if this is stress related...I really dont know what to do or what to think.

Anyone have any ideas?

ElaineD

It sounds stress related. Lymphoedema does funny things-we find ourself getting into awkward positions, and protecting our affected side. So some pain adjacent to the area is perfectly feasible.

Since your onc seems happy to leave things until Jan, I would suggest doing so-it is after all, only a few weeks away. However, I'm sure you'll get quite a few replies urging you to do somthing sooner. It all comes down to your mindset.It's hard not to assume in the early days that every problem we face is somehow linked to the cancer. But more often than not, there will be an innocent explanation. If you can try and rationalise that feeling, it will in the long term help you cope better, in that it gives you a degree of control over what is happening.

If you weren't seeing your onc for 6 months or so, then I'd urge you to bring your appointment forward.However waiting for a few weeks isn't too bad-unless you feel that you must have these symptoms checked out sooner rather than later. Good luck! 

Pat634

I am 40.5 and my Oncologist's cut off point is 40. I was never less than 35 even after my treatment was over. I am not sure which tumor marker test he uses.

Ozzi

Pat634 - I panic over tumor markers also - my recently jumped up over normal . . . most likely as a result of medication - also being taken again in January.  Tumor markers are extremely unpredictable.  Three pointw up is really nothing.   You are not a hypochondriac, you are a BC survivor with normal anxiety issues. I would suggest you trust your oncologist and give it some time.

palaminoridesagain

Pat:  Tumor markers can be our best friend or our worst enemy.  Many ONC's don't use them because many times they are unpredictable. My ONC does use them and I am glad he does, although I will tell you my tumor markers CA15-3 were in the high 30's 4 years after treatment.  For some reason my ONC also looked at the CEA and would become concerned when that became elevated.

Anyways, I remember how scared I was the first time my tumor marker was 2 points above normal. The neck pain, numbness in your arm, and swollen leg could me so many things besides cancer.  I think you should see your doctor about the numbness and the swollen leg.  It's really ashame that we as survivors have to worry about every little thing, but remember, other health issues can come along besides cancer.

nnn 

Pat634

In Jan. my tumor markers went back down below the normal cut off range and now this month they are 6 points OVER the "normal" range.  Its like my body cant decide if it has cancer or not. FYI - Turns out the pins and needles in the fingers were from 2 bulging discs in my neck.

Fidelia

Hi Pat634

After 7 months of good tm results - I had a couple of elevated readings and it freaked me completely. I found I just could not handle the anxiety and decided I would not have the tms taken until I felt able to handle the stress - this was 6 months back - I have continued with my normal treatment and have adopted the attitude that if something goes wrong I will address it them - rather than having the monthly horror of those unpredictable numbers. This may not be the wisest choice - but it has helped my emotional state which was getting dangerously unstable with all the worry - as palomino said - we HAVE to worry about every little thing and that is very very hard on the nerves.

 Fidelia

Pat634

Unfortunately Fidelia this is just the way my medical oncologist does things.  I believe my cancer actually began to be a problem in 2005 but didnt get a mammogram until 2008 when they found the 2.7 CM tumor. I had a reddish discharge when squeezing my nipple back in 2005 but by the time I could get into see the doctor that had stopped so I stupidly figured it was nothing.  When the cancer was finally diagnosed 7 of 13 nodes were bad so my Oncologist pretty much has been telling me all along that my cancer WILL come back....I was not even allowed to have my chemo port removed.

It makes no sense why these things go up and down. Seems like every 6 months since my treatment ended in Aug of 2009 I get to panic for one reason or another. I guess I am afraid that the second I relax I'm going to end up regretting it.

I have to go for a colonoscopy within the next couple of weeks too.