HELP

Blayze7
Blayze7 Member Posts: 35
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I am about to start chemo but that is not what has my anxiety at an all time high. I have alot of fears and allergies too. My problem is the pet scan I am terrified and I have made myself sick worrying about it. Nothing can ease my mind. I am scared of close spaces and allergic reactions. SOMEBODY HELP MEM

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited September 2011

    Mem, I have been in your shoes...I asked the doctor for help and he gave me pills to take for these difficult medical events. Ask. I also have learned meditation over the year, slow deep breathing, and that helps tremendously.

    Know you are not alone on this journey, there will be many posts soon...

    Hugs...

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited September 2011

    Ask your doctor for xanax.  Many of us take it now after diagnosis.  I take it every night so I can relax to fall asleep.  Hugs!

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  • ebann
    ebann Member Posts: 3,026
    edited September 2011

    Not very many people are allergic to the seruim. when you go into the the room to get the pet scan done they will find your vain in whichever arm you can have it in and get some blood going and put in the seruim. Then they have you lay still for about 30 to 40 min.  You cannot read, talk, move you have to be stil until they come and take you to the machine. When you get to the machine they will lay you down on the table with your arms above your head. The machine will go to 7 intervals.  Which is about 35 min. You are out in the open until the end of it. It slowly inches down from your knees on up. Then the last one your head is in there but it is an open space at the top of you. You are in that space at that time for about 5 to 7 min. I would ask the Dr for something to calm your nerves so your anxiety is not so high. I have done several now and I do not like them but they are what we need to detect the cancer in our body. You can ask your Dr for a CT scan instead. They will have to give you iodine and a lot of people are allergic to that. If you are they will pre medicate you before doing it. Are you allergic to shellfish if you are not then you should not have any issues. This is only for the CT scan do not know what they do for the PET scan if you are allergic. But there is always people on staff who know how to handle the situation. I wish you the best!

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited September 2011

    Like ebann said, if you are allergic to shellfish or iodine let them know. I am allergic to shellfish and I have what they call a side effect from the ct contrast. Basically my heart races for about 30 seconds after the scan, they said it is not an allergic reaction. I do find that ativan helps and they also pre med me with prednisone. They know what to do if you have a reaction, you just must tell them as soon as you feel something off. I am terrified of waiting for the results of scan and afraid of what they may find, but I think it is odd that other than the reaction, I find them quite relaxing! Slow breathing, staying still can be a relaxing experience! ( I know it is different for those with pain) I just close my eyes and take nice even breaths. When the do the ct they tell you when to breath and to hold your breath, I pretend I am doing a meditation cd! Again, like the others say-ativan or xanax works wonders!

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  • ma111
    ma111 Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    I called my family doctor who called me in some ativan. It took the shakes away.

    It is normal to be scared and shaky and there is medication that will help ease things for you. If you doctors do not know, they cannot help you.

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  • Blayze7
    Blayze7 Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2011

    THANKS LADIES I

    THINK IT WAS THR DR THAT I WAS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THAT WAS MY FIRST ONC VISIT AND HE MADE ME FEEL LIKE MY DAYS WERE NUMBERED. I AM GOING TO SEE A NEW ONC THIS WEEK AND I WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPRESS ALL MY CONCERNS THEN BECAUSE THAT DR ACT LIKE HE DID NOT CARE ABOUT MY FEARS AND ANXIETIES. HE WAS VERY RUSHED AND THAT MADE MY ANXIETY EVEN HIGHER. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TEST I KNOW.

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  • ppplocke
    ppplocke Member Posts: 44
    edited September 2011

    Hang in there. I still, to this day, think the scariest things I have done were my two pet scans. I get it. Until 09/01/2010 I never had taken any meds for anxiety etc. but I was given a px for Xanax day of my diagnosis (9/1/10). I have taken about six in the last year...two on the mornings of my pet scans. I will never have another pet without one. Please consider this. Thinking of you.

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  • martygra
    martygra Member Posts: 128
    edited September 2011

    I have not had a pet scan but did have an MRI which to me has been the worst so far.  The hospital was running an hour behind so sitting there stressing about it for all the extra time did not help.  I have found xanax to be a wonder drug.  I was never one to take drugs but xanax has saved me from having several meltdowns, especially at work,  it is such a struggle trying to act normal around people who do not know what you are going through.  It has been very difficult for me to tell people especially at work that I have been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I am schedule for port tomorrow and starting chemo on Friday,  just cannot believe this is really happening, wishing I would wake up.  I have not even brushed my teeth today or taken a shower,  I feel mentally and physically paralyzed with fear.  Good luck and best wishes to you all.

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