Follow-Up Anxiety

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ml143333
ml143333 Member Posts: 658
edited April 2018 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

This July will be 4 years from my original diagnosis and I seem to be doing really good right now. I'm taking Aromasin and doing much better with it than Femara. My MO moved my follow-up appointments from every 3 months to every 6 months and that is a big step forward but I notice that with each follow-up appointment that approaches, I find that the anxiety and nervousness increases. My MO still take tumor markers CA 15-3 and I just dread those numbers each time. Mine moved up 1.5 points at my last appointment. While my MO said not to worry that 1/5 isn't a big jump and could be related to other factors, I still hate the follow-ups. Even though I am healthy, I feel like I am always waiting for the other shoe to drop. My next appointment is in June and I honestly have already started dreading it.

When I find myself thinking about it, I make myself think of something else and just repeat the process as needed.


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  • KathyL624
    KathyL624 Member Posts: 217
    edited April 2018

    I am the same way! I don’t get tumor markers but the bloodwork sends me into a panic...so scared they’ll find something bad and the other shoe will drop

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  • Egads007
    Egads007 Member Posts: 1,603
    edited April 2018

    Ml4333, great to hear you’re doing well! I’m 4 years along as well. You’re not alone in the follow-up anxiety. Any follow up that i have triggers my stress levels. I’m not ashamed to admit that ANY health related issue I have sends my thoughts to the dark side. I had a call back diagnostic mammogram this year that sent me Into a tizzy for 3 weeks. Cancer is really good that way...never seems to let go of the mind....always lurking. The PSTD is very real for me As you said the best we can do is switch gears to positive thoughts and common sense when it hits. That and vent and seek support from this wonderful community. Sending positive vibes to you for June!

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited April 2018

    Blood work is no longer considered standard of care for early stage breast cancers (John Hopkins ). I don't get mine done. They are VERY inconsistent. My sister has stage 4 breast cancer and had two vertebrae collapse and her markers are all normal...and always were...same with me. They can go up for any number of reasons besides cancer. It is mainly how you feel. Bone pain that last over 3 weeks should be investigated...for example. Markers are used mainly for metastatic cancer to see if it is progressing and even then, not totally conclusive. Save yourself the anxiety.

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  • LoveLau
    LoveLau Member Posts: 105
    edited April 2018

    How do I save myself the anxiety.

    Drs have me on antiestrogens which up my depression. Do the anti estrogens actually work.

    What is your frame of mind.i am thinking of ect or ketamine to get rid of the strrss.

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited April 2018

    Lovelau...again may I ask if you are estrogen/progesterone positive or negative. Your stats say negative. In that case anti hormones are not as important. Keep us posted.

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