I am a mess

CAMommy

I have my first follow up mammo after the holidays. Hard to believe it's been 6 months since this started. I am soooooooo nervous. I don't know how I'll be able to relax. I don't think they will read it for me right then either. I will have my every 3 month MO appt a week later.

Ugh. Such a mess. And I can't sleep to save my soul. I started Femara and have been doing ok, much much better than tamoxifen for me. But no sleep. Will the MO prescribe me something if I ask?

I am thinking the stress and anxiety is just going to be a new normal for me before every mammo.

Does anyone get MRIs regularly? I want to alternate the two, but my MO was not so supportive.

mysunshine48

Hi, We must live close to each other. Try to calm down. You will be fine. I did not have a lumpectomy, but am still concerned about follow-ups. As you can see from my profile, Imhad a BMX with reconstruction and chemo and am on Arimidex. We all have fears and carry this with us. But, try to focus on the positive. Be glad it is behind you. I know msny women who have had lumpectomies, get only mammograms and are doing fine. I suppose if you insist, you could get an MRI, but will have to see if your insurance will pay for them.

Breathe! Be thankful. I hope you sleep better. You might try the app called Just Being.....$1.99, I think. It has several relaxing sounds and helps me. I like the rain sound.

Merry Christmas!

ElaineTherese

Hi!

I'm sorry to hear you're so anxious about your pending mammogram. I'm sure that your doctor (either PCP or MO) would be happy to prescribe you something to help you sleep. Mine prescribed Ativan, but I only take it once or twice a week.

I've had three MRIs, but I was diagnosed at Stage III. Frankly, breast MRIs aren't a lot of fun. You have to lie on your tummy and let your boobs hang down. They take about 40 minutes. In contrast, the mammogram only takes a few minutes. I know which I prefer!

Best wishes! Hope you get some sleep soon!

CAMommy

thank you. I think I will ask for some Ativan and look into that app.

Mysunshine, yes we are close. I'm in the Cape. We just moved here in September, the day after I finished radiation.

Annette47

For what it’s worth, I’m 3 years out and have found that the “scanxiety” does get better. I wouldn’t say it goes away entirely (I’ve got a mammo coming up right after the holidays too and am getting a tad anxious) but it gets less intense and doesn’t start as far in advance of the appointments as it did the first year.

If this upcoming mammo is clear, I get switched back to yearly so this one feels kind of like a test. Just hope I pass, LOL.

percy4

I was horribly apprehensive about my 2-year-out mammo. Recurrences, if they are going to happen, often start at that time, and even though I knew my recurrence chance is very low, it was very hard for me. I take comfort when I read here that other women have had their anxiety around screening go down over time. I also took a Valium before the results. As to MRIs, I wanted them or at least screening ultrasounds in addition to mammos, as mammos show only 50% or so of cancers, and then more show calcifications, and ultrasounds can show more other types of tumors, but they say the value is little and won't give them to me (though, in my research, I've deduced that adding screening US would bring the "show" rate to about 80%, and lots of women here have them given to them routinely at their hospitals, so they must have some value). The alternating mammos and MRIs are really for people with a family history, but the fact that my little sis was diagnosed with a very similar situation to mine (after mine) was not ENOUGH of a family history for them to think I needed the MRIs. I live with it, and hope for the best, though I don't really feel I am being screened adequately. I do believe the anxiety will lessen over time. Best- P. xx

CAMommy

I do have family history, mom and grandma. I have had 1 breast MRI about 2 years ago because I had a gynogolgist who was adamant about them. Unfortunately she died of lymphnoma about 6 months after I started seeing her.

The radiologist all told me with my "fatty" breasts no cancer can hide, they will find anything early. But I would feel better if I had at least an MRI once a year. I'll ask (beg) when I see my mo next month.

I'm not doing great with the antihormonals so I want extra surveillance. I'm trying my hardest with the antihormonals but they are very hard on me. I react to all medications so I'm not surprised. I can't even take vitamin D suplments without having a reaction and I really need to get my d up. I'm at 15.

I'm honestly rethinking bmx given my level of anxiety right now. I really don't want to do that, but I'm feeling really down about everything. :

have2laugh

CAMommy- I also live in Cape Coral, diagnosed at 43. My diagnosis was on first MRI due to strong family history. I totally get the anxiety. I even went back to surgeon for consult and another for second opinion last year thinking I wanted to go back for BMX because anxiety and continued testing getting to me. I was advised to give it more time and I am glad I did. Anxiety has lessened and side effects more manageable. My RO is the one that orders my radiology follow up- not the MO. I had last MRI 7 months ago was having every 6 months now just mammograms. Makes me a little nervous but MRIs were starting to get me. I would recommend both my local MO-Dr Romero and RO-Dr Brown. I get the side effects from antihormonals as well, not always easy. Feel free to private message I am familiar with some of the resources here and there are some good survivorship classes and education through the regional cancer center in Fort Myers you might find helpful. Best of luck.

Megan