SICK of being "exclaimed over"by doctors: Tiny rant

Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited September 2014 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

Anyone else?  I scheduled my annual check ups (skin, gyno, PCP etc.) all this month.  I went to the skin doc last week, one I hadn't seen before. She promptly looked in my mouth and decided that I had leukoplakia (wrong), and told me "I don't want to scare you, but..." tried to tell me it might turn into oral cancer.  I nearly walked out of her office since she wouldn't let me explain that it was lichen planus, a benign condition that my oral surgeon already dx.

Next I visited my gyno, had my yearly pap, blood work for cholesterol, etc.

Blood test: oh no, the sky is falling:  cholesterol a bit high 209 (ununsual for me, but I am on arimidex now); TSH low (I'm on meds for that too). Now have to visit my PCP.

Got the call yesterday that my pap showed mild dysplasia, although not the cancer kind, and not HPV positive. Have to come in for a colscopy--I had them before too.

I am SO SICK of being exclaimed over by every little aberration in my body.  Seriously. B/c of my previous bc history, I hate going in to see any doc any more.  I feel micro-managed and I'm so tired of it...can't even be angry or fearful, I am just over it.

Does anyone else feel this way?  

Claire in AZ

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Comments

  • RebzAmy
    RebzAmy Member Posts: 322
    edited September 2014

    I feel for you Claire, it's one thing after another and it does nothing for your confidence and helping you get over what you've been through.  I'm also going through the yearly PAP terror - as had to have a colposcopy last year and my check is now due again.  I've also been told to see my GP to have a cholesterol check as when I had an eye test I was told I had a ring around my eye which is a sign of cholesterol arrrggghh!  

    Like you, hate going to the doc, hate having PAP tests etc - it sucks

    hugs 

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  • Marie715
    Marie715 Member Posts: 46
    edited September 2014

    Yes, claireinaz, I feel just like you do.  It seems like everything is scrutinized to the nth degree.  I know it is for my own good but it is so mentally exhausting to be on high alert for so long.  During treatment for cancer in my left breast, I had the right mammogramed also.  So of course they found suspicious areas and recommended a biopsy.  During all of the hubaloo, one of the radiologist said to me "If I had seen this finding on a woman who had no history of breast cancer, I wouldn't even mention it in the report."  What a relief that was to me.  And it did to turn out to be nothing. 

    Keep your chin up, my friend.  Vent away on this forum also.  You will always find others who can identify with you.

    Marie

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited September 2014

    I've had the same situations too.  Next month scheduled for my 3rd colonoscopy - Yup - they want them done every 3 years because I had BC and my father had colon cancer.  Last GP exam a month ago was told about cholesterol ring seen in my eyes and will probably develop cataracts within the next 5 years - needing surgery.  so many Dr appts are mentally exhausting - the other year I had over 25 appts!!!!   Did I mention the pancreatic cyst found after a diverticulitis attack.  Enough already!!

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited September 2014

    I just had an eye exam (MD) because of flashing in my right eye....nothing.  Zip. Nada.  Except for being forced to have my bp checked, which (I just took it at home 113/74) was 160/110 ....really?  oh and then she says it depends if the wrist cuff had batteries changed or not.  I already have white coat hypertension....and now this reinforces it.  bozos.

    It is bad enough to second guess everything on our bodies and even worse when docs are involved.

    I feel for you.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited September 2014

    yeah, my MO wants me to see a gyn, because she can't feel my last ovary.   And do a colonoscopy.  Not happening lady. I had enough of the Big D from chemo to last the rest of my life. Not to mention all the other "ologists" I see.  

    Phooey on them all!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2014

    Thank you sisters.  These made me laugh (wryly, of course).  White coat syndrome I can relate to. I used to be fine going to docs. Now I'm already a grumpy patient before I even get my clothes off in the exam room. I won't let them weigh me (I'm normal weight and weigh myself) because THEY all do it now, and I'm sick of being seen as a stat.  My dermatologist wanted to weigh and BP the day after I saw my gyno, who had already done it. I refused and said I'd give her the stats from yesterday's appt since they obviously wouldn't have changed, and got some bad vibes from the nurse, who must have thought I was just a stubborn lady.  Sigh.

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  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 616
    edited September 2014

    One word - Yep

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  • yogamama
    yogamama Member Posts: 39
    edited September 2014

    Hang in there, Claire!  Better to have more attention than less as a survivor, although, I fully understand your irritation.  Wouldn't be nice to trust our bodies again?  Wouldn't it be nice to be absolutely positive that it wouldn't sabotage us again while we least expect it?  What you DO have control over is who your physicians are.  Fire them if they are incompetent.  I know you have a limited pool up there in Flag, but I know there are some truly excellent options in that pool.

    I hope you are doing well otherwise.  Go up to the Peaks and walk among the aspens wearing their brilliant Fall colors for me!

    Julee

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited September 2014

    This is so funny--when I was wrapping up treatment, I wanted them to be all over me all the time-- I even had an excel chart that outlined how I wanted to be followed.... well, that has sure changed-- had a "thing" removed from my lip (it was nothing), they found a nodule on my lung (it was also nothing- or at least it has been for the past 2 scans-very unlikely to be anything), nodules on my thyroid (now, this did turn out to be thyroid cancer, and I am grateful it was picked up, but enough poking), vaginal stenosis--

    And I consider myself one of the healthiest people I know..... But I hate going to the dr. now- and I am very compliant with my dr. appts-- dentist, derm, gyn, endo, oncologist and now I am vaginal PT--- it is almost funny..... 

    I try to schedule them close together so that I have a lot of time off-- I was just moving to annual oncology exam and now have to have endo exams twice a year--- and you know as well as I do that they are in there looking for things... they just are..... 

    I want to go back to the place when I was blissfully ingnorant!!!

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