Appointment Anxiety
Just wondering if it is normal to feel extremely anxious in the lead up to and during appointments, check ups, tests etc. I am just over a year out from diagnosis and find that I feel almost sick whenever I have to go to an appointment. I went down to my local cancer clinic today, the same clinic I was treated at for my scheduled oncologist appointment and felt like I had an anxiety attack. Just the smell of the place made me feel sick, I almost felt like running out of there. Does anyone else feel the same way? Does it get any easier with time? The strange thing is I didn't feel that way while I was going through treatment, only feeling it now that everything is over. I knew this would be a hard journey but I didn't expect this experience a year on. This whole ordeal really sucks.
Comments
-
I am right there with you. I had my surgery in July and just finally had my exchange in December, so I'm thinking, finally, this is over for a while but no, now its follow up time. I had appointments last Friday but due to weather, I cancelled. They couldn't get me in until like May, which in my head, was fine but the scheduler called yesterday and said no, doctor said you can't wait that long. So, they are moving it up. I just had mammogram in December, prior to the exchange and lift, and it was clear, so surely it will be fine but like you, I am just dreading it and I truthfully want to just cancel and never go back. I had not had a mammogram in probably over 20 years, against all the recommendations, and I was blessed that when this was found, it was still stage 1A and I said I've learned my lesson, but now, I want to go back to the just sticking my head in the sand and pretending I don't know. I had finally had days when I didn't have that horrible fear and this just brings it back. I had been going to the same place for reconstruction but that wasn't bothering me because they weren't looking for something wrong, they were just repairing. So, you are not alone. I am feeling I just want to ignore it all.
-
You are sooo not alone - I am 7 years out and I still have anxiety before ANY drs. appointment or scan appointment - I take half an Ativan before every one of them and it keeps me from panicking and running away, that's just how it is for some of us but it is vaitally important that you go to ALL appointments - it's what's kept me alive for 7 years.....and it's also a good idea to find a social worker at your cancer clinic to talk to - that has helped me a lot.
-
I am right there with you--I get almost sick to the point of throwing up before appts, esp. if expecting results of tests. I have one coming up this Friday to get results from lumpectomy Monday--was Birads-3 on radiology exam and surgeon thought it looked benign (surprised he even said that), esp. given my "history." Still, I am scared $&#$less. I cried during my bone scan. I dread my first yearly exam! I think this fear must be very normal. Hugs to all of you going through this anxiety. It sucks!
-
Yes, scanxiety! I have an 18 mo 3D mammo and US tomorrow. Scheduled for morning so I don't have to fret all day about it. I would probably drink a glass of wine if it wasn't so early! LOL! I think we are "normal" considering what we are going through. I try to empower myself with thoughts of, "I am doing something for myself and kicking BC's butt!" Easier said than done, but worrying will only rob you of today. It won't change the outcome. (HUGS)
-
I think it is so common as to be "usual"!
I believe (hope) the intensity will decrease over the years, but that (sc)anxiety to my mind will always be there!
-
Keepthefait, can you explain to me how the 3D mammo is different from a regular one? Is it any less painful than the regular kind? Is it the same type of set up and do you know if Medicare covers this? I should know these things probably, but I don't. More importantly, did yours turn out ok? I can relate to the stress of appointments. My BP jumps up and I feel like I'm going to croak for any appointment. Didn't use to feel this way.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team