Feel like a crazy person
I have a few concerns, and want them to be nothing. I keep telling myself that i'm crazy to worry because I don't want to start to make a nuisance of myself at the Dr's office crying wolf over nothing. But then again, that's how I was thinking when I got my diagnosis.
How are we supposed to know if it's a real concern or just the post treatment paranoia?
Like, for example, i have a wierd scaley bump that appeared for no reason. It's not on my breast, but on my arm, just below where the numbness caused by the surgery stops. I can't really see it, so I took a picture and it looks like all the 'skin cancer' pictures you find on the internet. I made an appointment to see my doctor. I know it's nothing, but I won't sleep til I'm sure.
Not sure how to stop this fear.
Comments
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Hi,
I wish I had an answer to your question, because that's the same question I have, too. I feel like I have turned into a hypochondriac. I think the simple answer is that it's the physician who makes the determination whether a symptom is something to worry about. Make sure your doctor know what's going on, and let him/her figure out if it's a problem - that's why they went to medical school and residency! My oncologist told me it takes about two years after diagnosis before most cancer patients are able to calm down and quit worrying about everything.
Karen
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Noly....I think it's better to err on the safe side and see your doctor. I'm sure they are used to us cancer patients worrying about every little pain. My onc. advised me to always let him know if any pain issues continue for 2 weeks. Hoping that all is fine with you and maybe it is just a rash or some dry skin.
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I don't think that worry and stressing are good for people so I would go for that reason alone. Good luck, hopefully it's nothing.
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Ladies...
I so feel the same way.... I just had nipple reconstruction with a skin graft, and am convinced that some cell landed some where and I will have cancer again... I do not know how to get rid of this feeling either, our brains are too full of knowledge... two years to feel normal again... I dont know if I can feel normal again, normal without fear....
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Thank you for posting this topic. I feel like a crazy person too sometimes!
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I spent a day this week worried about one result on my lab test- convinced it was something major. Almost couldn't focus on ANYTHING for over a day. I knew I was being overly worried- but truly couldn't turn off the worry.
Glad to know I am not alone. I was so mad at myself and felt so alone.
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Count me in to the worry fest. I do well for a while then something will trigger my anxiety and off I go. I'm there now! UGH!
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I was diagnosed jun. 16 and every pain I feel I just think the cancer has spread..I dont think I will ever be the same again...Im 41 and I feel like my life will be filled with worry from now on...geez this just sucks...:(
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This is terrible that we all feel this way.....but at least we have each other to vent to. I am ok most days, the nights are tough for me. i lay awake at night thinking ....thinking about the cancer coming back. i still have pain in my breast where the cancer was and i had a dbl mast in july, i lay awake thinking the cancer is still there. I did get a script for xanax and it has helped. I only take it at night.It is terrible we feel this fear, but i do find comfort in your posts....thankyou.
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The fear does get better with time. It doesn't go away, but it gets better. Just being pro-active, as you are doing will help. After my last (post-treatment) mammogram, I decided I was going to get everything checked. I saw the gynecologist, I had a colonoscopy, I had a full body check by the dermatologist, and I had a general exam with bloodwork by my PCP--all in the span of about 3 months! After everything came back negative, I felt free.
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I'm there with you!!! Last chemotherapy treatment was the of end of March, my last radiation treatment was the end of May. Two weeks ago the breast that had the cancer and lumpectomy became swollen and lumpy, my arm pit where the nodes were removed is swollen, the skin texture of the breast has the orange peel look and is reddish, I have chest pain along the sternum, headache, and heartburn... I went to see my radiologist oncologist, he took a chest x-ray, and ran blood tests. He said I had edema from the radiation... If my pain gets worse to come back. Everything that I have read about lymphedema is waiting for it to become worse is not the thing to do.
The next day, I was seen by a oncologist's assistant. She did a Doppler on on arm to see if it was a blood clot as I had a blood clot in the other arm, which was caused by the placement of my port prior to my chemotherapy treatments. Everything to this point looks good, nothing out of the ordinary. All I ever wanted, was them to check with a mammogram or an ultrasound but the assistant said the oncologist says it's unlikely that it would be recurrent cancer. She told me to come back in 2 weeks. I'm not sure I can stand the heaviness and pain of the swollen breast... Just shoot me now!!!
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