Calling all TNs

Cocker_Spaniel

Ally it's so hard for us not to live in fear but after TN every little thing makes out minds go into that dreaded recurrence mode.  Remind yourself that your doctor was onto it straight away and so many are not.    Sometimes you can pull muscles and not even realize that you have done it, or even just twisting a certain way can start giving pain.  I had a pain in my normal breast so much so that I was convinced the cancer had spread to my good breast.  I had scans straight away and nothing was found.  Once I was told that, I have not had the pain at all since.    Suffice to say that my brain went into overdrive and I gave myself a few days of  extreme worry for nothing.  Hopefully things will be ok and you and you and your husband can go back to all those good things that are happening for you.  Will be in your pocket and saying a prayer.    

Luvmydobies  you are our dear little worry wart and everyone on here can understand that.  All of your tests that have been carried out are normal so could you have a food allergy. Have you thought about maybe you are gluten intolerant.  If you are this can play havoc with your stomach, bowels and every part of your body.  You could try cutting out those foods for two weeks that you think may be the cause and then introducing then back into your diet one at a time and see what reaction you get or you could ask your doctor for a referral for a RAST test (radioallergosorbent test which is a blood test to determine what foods you may be allergic too, or there is even a saline challenge test.  At least this is one way to rule out if it is allergies to food that is causing your problems. It's time your doctor sorted this out for you.  It's very real and you deserve to find out what is causing so much pain. Sending warm hugs.

Meadow

Ally I will be praying for you.

Gramof2boys

Allydp, positive thoughts heading your way!! One year ago today was my last chemo tx!! So much has changed from a year ago! Surgery, radiation, 3 reconstruction surgeries! Now just trying to enjoy life and my family!! I don't post much but today was a milestone in this beast of a journey!!!

Luvmydobies

Thanks for the input Cocker! I am unfortunately the worry wart! Ugh, sorry... I was tested for Celiac and it was negative. I don't think I'm Gluten intolerant because my GI doc didn't think I was last year. But I'll ask my regular doc though. I notice the irritation more when I eat things like salsa, tomato soups, and other spicy things. But I grin and bear it sometimes because I love that stuff! I have cut down though. I will ask about the allergy blood test. Thanks! I'm mostly concerned with the pain right now. I assume if it were my appendix or some bad infection or perforation then I would have fever or be a lot worse since it started yesterday. It's not worse tonight so far. Knock on wood. The pain is on the left and not the right. I have had kidney stones before but I think it was worse and I felt sick to my stomach. They didn't do anything for me though except tell me to drink lots of water and they did pass. Plus that came on suddenly and the pain moved down as the stone moved.

Cocker_Spaniel

Luvmydobies we all worry at times but you have had this problem for so long.  I think you can safely assume it's not appendicitis.  The pain usually starts in the tummy (around the navel)  and travels down to the right iliac fossa but there are some people that only get it on the right side.  You may get a  bit of nausea or a touch of vomiting, but not always. You may get some slight diarrhoea or alternatively constipation, but not always. You may get a slight temperature, but not always.   The best way for a doctor to tell if you have an appendicitis is to palpate hard your right side over the McBurneys Point (above the appendix).  If he does this and it is your appendix you will nearly jump off the bed. Also another sure way to tell is if your white cell count is up and if they suspect appendicitis they will do this test.  As you say,  if it was a perforation you would certainly know about it and would need emergency treatment and surgery.  It sounds very much like you have an allergy to tomato based products. Unless you check ingredients often you my not know they have this in the product. I would stay off of them for say three weeks and then introduce them back into your diet very slowly.  If you then get a reaction you may need to stop eating them altogether.  It's like peanuts. If you have a peanut allergy you can swell up just by smelling them of if they are close to your skin in some way.  You have had this problem for a very long time and you badly need it sorted. I think I would go to a doctor you are comfortable with and spill everything and see what they can suggest for you but make sure they do something to put your mind at rest.  Sending warm hugs and hoping you get a fast solution soon.    

jarris77

Luvmydobies,  I used to have lower left abdominal pain off and on for years. I thought it was gas or something because it always got better. Well to make a long story short, I had one  episode when the pain didn't get better. It progressed to the point that it literally felt like I had eaten broken glass. My husband and I went to the ER where I had a CT scan and was diagnosed with diverticulitis. I took antibiotics and that took care of it, which is what happens with most people. In my case though, I kept having so many episodes that I ended up having to have a colon resection (just 3 months before my bc diagnosis). Not a good year for me!

Since you have had a colonoscopy, this is probably not your problem. Just thought I'd mention it, just in case.

Luvmydobies

Jarris, I'm sorry to hear about your issue. (((HUGS)))! I've also thought about diverticulitis and my GI doctor told me the colonoscopy would've shown Diverticuli which are pcokets in the intestine where feces can get trapped and cause the diverticulitis(infection). I didn't have the pockets last year at the time he did the scope. But I guess that's a possibility. He also said diverticulitis is rare in someone my age but I do have a friend close to my age who has had it. I think it's time to demand the CT! Thanks for the info! I am terrified of antibiotics too though because of my C Diff history! Obviously I'd rather have an infection rather than Cancer, but I'm hoping for something rather harmless like an ovarian cyst or something. Though I know those can be complicated too. Ugh... Hope everyone had a good day.

jarris77

I also had c diff back in 2009 from IV antibiotics with a bad bout of diverticulitis (ended up in the hospital with that one).Thankfully, I didn't have any problem with the oral antibiotics that I took for later episodes. Maybe it's because they usually give you cipro and flagyl. If I remember correctly, flagyl is one of the antibiotics that they use for c diff. 

By the way, I know diverticulitis is rare in younger people but, my mother had it for years and didn't know it. She was in severe pain at one time and was hospitalized for exploratory surgery for what they thought was endometriosis. They discovered that she had diverticulitis and her colon had ruptured. She was in her late 20's or early 30's. She is lucky to be alive. She is now 77. Anyway, hope you figure it out soon.

Luvmydobies

Wow! That's scary! I hope it's okay for me to wait to see my regular doctor tomorrow! A possible colon rupture scares me. Glad your mom is fine now! My pain isn't constant right now so I'm trying to avoid the ER if possible. The cancer hospital where I am is great but the ER is not very clean and I'm scared of coming out with something worse than what I would go in with! I still have a good appetite and no fever as of yet. I take that as a good sign.

Tobycc

Luv.....is pain near ovaries?

Luvmydobies

Toby, it's more to the left of my navel but down a bit so I guess it's really a mid to low abdominal pain, but more lower than middle, if that makes sense. The best I can describe the pain is a stitch in your side type. I guess that's defined as sharp? It's weird because it's faint at times like if I'm just sitting in the recliner but when I go to sit up to get up it's there. Or if I turn over in bed it's there. Friday night it was worse (more noticeable) if I laid a certain way. It's scary but at the same time I haven't felt like I needed pain meds because it's not constant (so far). Knock on wood!Last night I was pushing on it a little and my stomach rumbled and I tooted a couple of times. Sorry but I am pretty gassy at times. Ha! Anyway I hope to get in with my doc tomorrow and at least get an idea but I just want a definite answer. I should've just went to the ER and maybe I would know something by now but I didn't want to be in there all night. Would've should've could've. Just hope I don't regret waiting!! Thanks to all of you for reading!

anotherNYCGirl

Luvmydonies, - I hope you are feeling better by the time that you read this!

I doubt that it is your appendix because that is on right side, and I had mine removed after I went to ER when pain settled there and I was unable to keep food down. I think I followed the classic symptoms.

I wouldnt be surprised if your discomfort is gas! I hope that I am right, and you have peace of mind asap!

Teka

I need to get caught up on prior posts

Luvmydobies,

I was in misery from persistent pain, left lower quadrant and was Dx with sigmoid diverticulosis by a CT of the abdomen without contrast in 2007.

I was wrong, not an ovary or hernia!!

Allydp,

Tomorrow, in my thoughts and prayers!!

slv58

Allydp, thinking of you today, {{{hugs}}} hon, nothing but positive energy!

Luvmydobies

I can't get in with my PCP until 3:15 today. The receptionist was like well if you get worse you can always go to the ER. That's what I'm trying to avoid, but oh well.

Anyway, Ally I did take some time from worrying/whining about me to pray for you today. In your pocket, holding your hand tight! (((((HUGS)))))!!!!!

greenae

Sending good luck, prayers and hugs to allydp and luvmydobie, today. Let all your tests have good results!

arlene

Curlyq1974

Ally, sending warm, loving thoughts to you. 

Allydp

I can't thank you all enough for all of your kind words and support. I'm leaving in 5 minutes for my scan and after taking a valium, I'm feeling okay. I'm going to take another one before I get in the tube so maybe I'll actually doze a bit. I'll keep you posted, but again, thank you for being here for me.

Luvmydobies - we sound a lot alike. I was a worrier before cancer and now I'm really a worrier. You're in my prayers that you get some answers soon and it's nothing serious.

simplelife4real

In your pocket today Ally......

Meadow

Ally been thinking about you, said a prayer for you

Allydp

Thank you, Simple and Meadow. Scan was a breeze compared to the breast MRI where you basically hang upside down. They let me take a couple breaks which made all the difference. They said my doctors should have results Wednesday, so I'm going to start calling the offices around then. Thanks again, everyone. xo

Lisaj514

good luck Ally and lovemydobie. Keep us posted. Filling up your pockets

Ive become more of a worrier as well. Cant shake it sometimes. It tough. Some days good some days not so much. I get it

Ok so who wants to weigh in with meds for osteopenia and osteoporosis? just had bone density and all numbers have worsened from 1/11. Definitely in menopause now (not quite a year at diagnosis) which affects estrogen levels. Havent spoken to my PCP yet about it. Assume he will call soon. The tech gave me the results with a report card with comparisons from 1/11 to now and the numbers are very easy to see. 1 level is osteoporosis (R hip, t score -2.6, early, and all others -1.8 to -2.3). The report says that according to WHO t score of -2.5SD is considered osteoporosis (high fracture risk). THere is a wide variation of philosophies regarding treatment with meds, some docs treat with meds and some dont at this level. Have been taking 600mg of calcium dauily and when I remember, taking an extra at night, also 5000iu of vit D and my vit D level is great. also weight bearing exercises are important. eat yogurt, not much milk but try to get in lots of dark green veggies. Will see what PCP says.

Stay warm for those in the frozen tundra area of the country. HIgh of 7 degrees here today (upstate NY)

oh and yea, will be vacationing in las vegas 4/4/4/11. Just confirmed our time share exchange and there was a place available in vegas! WIll be going with husband and sister and brother in law. Staying at The polo tower suites. Who lives nearby?

Luvmydobies

Ally, so glad he scan wasn't too bad!

My doctor ordered a pelvic and vaginal ultrasound but I have to wait for the radiology place to call and schedule it. She didn't do a pelvic exam but the one she did four weeks ago was normal. She did an abdominal exam and it wasn't pleasant but not just excruciating either. Urine came back clean too. She said the pain was a little high for ovarian pain but if a cyst is pushing on something it is a possibility. She said if this comes back not showing anything then a CT is the next step because an ultrasound won't show the intestines. But the ultrasounds are better at showing the female stuff. Ugh! My mind is all over the place from ovarian mets to colon!!! I'm scared out of my mind to be honest! She didn't seem worried but she knows how I am so she may have hidden her worry.

greenae

Luvmydobies. I had a ruptured hemorrhagic ovarian cyst in November. Caused pain for a few days then scant vaginal bleeding. (and I am 57!) My doc did a 3 second uterine biopsy, was negative...and the cyst resolved on its own, had the follow up US last week, and it's shrinking. Maybe that's what you have going on?

jarris77

Luvmydobies, did your Dr. do bloodwork? When I was having so many bouts of diverticulitis, I told my Dr. that I didn't want to have a CT scan everytime my side hurt...I had way too many flare-ups to have a scan every time. He said ok and started checking my white blood count to see it it showed that I had an infection. Along with the pain, it let him know that I probably had an infection (diverticulitis), and he would go ahead and start the antibiotics immediately. 

Your Dr. must be pretty sure that it's not diverticulitis or they wouldn't have you wait that long. They always treated mine almost as an emergency. Even in the ER, I was told if I didn't feel the pain getting better right away, not to hesitate to get back in there asap...they always warned me that it's nothing to mess around with.

This sounds crazy, and everyone is different, but my pain seemed to be worse with any kind of "jarring" motion; walking, hitting speed bumps in my car, etc. Have you noticed anything like that? Also, one thing they usually ask is if you have pain with bowel movements. It's kinda like you can feel stuff moving past the infected spot. I'm just trying to think of anything to help you either rule diverticulitis in or out. I'm an anxious person too and I can imagine this is driving you crazy having to wait even longer to find out what's going on!

Luvmydobies

I'm wondering if it is a cyst. I had something similar in December but started vomiting so went to the ER. They did some blood work and said white count was just slightly elevated so they thought it was a virus. Then a few days later I had spotting/period. They said stress can raise white counts so who knows for sure.

She didn't do blood work because I'm not having any bleeding, BM's are normal, no fever or feeling ill. Also my colonoscopy a year ago didn't show any pockets of Diverticula. My blood work was perfectly normal a few weeks ago. It sometimes get worse with movement. I talked to my friend who gets it and she said it didn't sound like diverticulitis. She said she gets bad quick and not better but progressively worse. I'm not worse so far. You're making me a bit nervous though!

jarris77

My son is a Dr. and I asked him why my side would hurt sometimes and then get better on it's own. As I said before, I was having problems for many years before I was diagnosed (my sister is now having the same problems).He said sometimes your body fights it off, just like any other infection. I think that's what was going on with me until the infections started getting so bad that I couldn't fight them off any more. I don't know if it had anything to do with it, but it seemed like my infections got worse after I had c diff. I guess I had a pretty bad case. First rounds of antibiotics didn't work and ended up on vancomycin.

Anyway, I'm not trying to convince you that you have diverticulitis, just trying to help. Hopefully it's a cyst. Also, I have a friend who has symtoms something like yours and they told her she had colitis. So many things to choose from! Hope you find an answer soon.

Luvmydobies

I appreciate your help Jarris. I think there was a lack of urgency to test for diverticulitis due to a clean colonoscopy last year but I will definitely keep a very close eye out. I sometimes got the stitch pains at night before the scope, and also had off and on blood in the stool which is why the scope was done. They did biopsies and all were negative. So he said it was IBS and some internal hemorrhoids and a fissure thanks to CDiff!! Then he did an upper endoscopy and said I had mild gastritis. I'm actually going to call my GI nurse tomorrow and consult with her. If my GI doc thinks I need a CT I'll see if he will order one stat! I had C Diff three times and did Flagyl the first time and Vanco the other times. The last time I had to be on a Vanco taper and pulse dose for well over eight weeks. It was during chemo and the C Diff was much worse than chemo!! That's why I'm terrified of antibiotics but will take them if I must. Also I am on a CDiff forum and a lot of folks say the same thing about it being harder to get over infections now. The fear of CDiff never goes away either. Thanks again for all the info! I'm still just hoping for a cyst though!

jarris77

Thankfully, I only had to deal with c diff once and that was bad enough! It's a pretty scary thing to go thru. It never entered my mind that it could have been a problem during chemo...I'm glad I was unaware, I probably would have been terrifed the whole time (well, more terrified than I already was).

I've taken antibiotics since and luckily haven't had any more problems. I think anyone who has had c diff always has it in the back of their mind. One thing I always do when I take an antibiotic now is take something called Florastor. It is a probiotic that is a yeast and isn't killed by the antibiotics. It is mentioned by the World Health Organization as being helpful with recurrent c diff. If you haven't heard of it, thought you might want research it. 

Luvmydobies

Jarris it wasn't the chemo that actually gave me CDiff, although chemo can be a risk factor since it lowers the immune system. It was from antibiotics though in my case. The first case was right after my mastectomy. They gave me Clindamycin in the IV and sent me home with Cipro. The next was from Bactrim for possible cellulitis and the last case was a relapse. So if you ever need Clindamycin be aware that it is a high CDiff offender. I read that lots of folks got it from that one. I do take Florastor. I couldn't take it during chemo but I did the first time with CDiff before chemo and I truly believe it helped my recovery and I am a big believer in it. Thanks for all the info!