moving too quickly!
Comments
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Lucky32- I hope I don't, but I'll tell you today, day2, I am feeling really weird! It's like my eyes won't focus right, or I can't think straight or something. How long did it take before you noticed anything? Do some of them ease up with time? I decided I would keep a journal each day noting how I felt so I can tell the doc when I see him in April. I will definitely keep posting- the people here are such a fantastic support group. Hopefully I'll get to a point like you and leaf and femme and dazeee (et al) a be a support for others as well!!!
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It was a couple of months before I noticed anything at all. It's possible that you are extremely sensitive to the medication, of course, but it seems to me that symptoms such as you describe would not show up after only one or two doses. They are probably coming from something else. It is true that tamoxifen can affect the eyes, but this is extremely rare. My ophthalmologist told me that he'd never seen a case of tamoxifen-induced eye problems in his entire career, and he was close to retirement at the time. Now, if you start seeing flashes of light or lots of floaters, call your eye doctor immediately. Those can be signs of a detached retina. It is highly unlikely that the tamoxifen would be the cause of it, but that is a medical emergency and needs to be seen pronto.
Keeping a diary is an excellent idea! That way, you'll be able to track changes and see patterns over time. If you are still feeling this way after a week or two, you might give your doc a call and let him know.
Hang in there. It is going to be all right. You are doing fine, and you will continue to do fine!
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I didn't have any side effects of tamoxifen for almost 2 months. Then I had my first warm/hot flash. But I'm perimenopausal, so I don't know if that would have happened anyway. I have other reasons to not be at the temperature others are experiencing. This winter, I've usually been a lot colder than everyone else. I just explain to everyone that I live in a different universe.
The only other effect I've had from tamoxifen is irregular menstrual bleeding, but I had that for decades before starting tamoxifen. So far the gyn has been alternating pelvic ultrasounds with endometrial biopsies every 6 months if my pattern continues.
I've been on tamoxifen continuously since 7-06.
We all are different. Some people have ZERO side effects. Others it affects their quality of life. And still others are somewhere inbetween. -
Thanks again everyone! I don't know if its just me or what. Yesterday I did feel "fuzzy headed" about an hour after taking it, kinda like when you're getting a real bad period and your hormones are out of wack, but maybe my hormones are out of wack!!
I felt better later in the pm. It will be interesting to see how it goes. I am trying to make sure I take it at the same time each day, so hopefully it will give me a baseline. I really am sensitive to meds (tylenol makes me sleepy and advil gives me terrible stomach cramps), and don't take anything else.
I'll definitely keep posting here with my observations, maybe they can help someone else. You guys have been such a support for me even in the short time I've been here!
hugs to all- Denise
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mtbmom -
I was diagnosed with LCIS in October and at that time, my sister-in-law who is a physician, talked to me about her experiences with women taking tamoxifen. She indicated that the cloudy brain was fairly common and that many women choose to also take lexapro (?) or some other antidepressant medication. the SRIs (seratonin reuptake inhibitors) have at times been used to treat conditions like ADHD to help people get focused and organized, and the brain fog you can get with depression (and maybe tamoxifen) makes you feel like you can't function. I am already wrestling with perimenopause and work-related stress that leaves me feeling like an early altzheimers patient and decided that I really couldn't afford to take tamoxifen. I still have three kids to get through college (one who is still in high school) and I need to be able to function as efficiently as possible. That is the quality of life issue. I am also an extreme optimist, with no family history of BC except in a great aunt (though my mother and grandmother both died young from othe causes). I have five sisters and no one else has had any breast issues. Two of my sisters have had cervical biopsies and that freezing treatment (can't think of the technical name) but no cancer. Anyway, all of this led to my decision to put off, for now at least, any drug treatment. I appreciate the fact that each of us is an experiment in this unknown area. by the way, my sister-in-law at first told me to "lop em both off" - her mother had DCIS and a masectomy- and suggested that I tell my kids that I had "an early cancer". I went with what she later referred to as the "spin" that it is NOT cancer. and just requires monitoring. I realize that is a very minimalist response, but it seems to fit my families circumstances at this time. Good luck with the tamoxifen, I appreciate the opportunity to share in your experience and learn about it with each and everyone of you -
Laurie
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lorax- Thanks you! I was really starting to believe something else is wrong with me. It kicks in about 1 hour after taking a pill. I feel ditzy for about seven hours, then I start feeling like I can focus better, but then I start with a headache. I also feel queasy while I feel ditzy! I have only taken 6 doses, so I'm going to try to bear with it awhile, at least until I see the onco again April 7th. I really don't want to treat med symptoms with more meds!! I would hate to see me then.
Good luck to you with your LCIS too. We all make the decisions that are right at the time. I don't believe in regret- I think we do what we can with what we have to work with, and that with a little faith things work out the way they are supposed to. I'll keep you in my thoughts- hugs Denise
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I don't know much about Tamoxifen but I was on Evista for three and half months and I am done...I can't take it anymore...the nausea, leg spasms, just feeling sick all the time and hot flashes. I did what my doctor wanted me to do and now I am done with it....to much to worry about as it is without feeling sick all the time.
I am feeling much better after two weeks of not taking it.
This is my personal dicision and was a hard one to make but had to do something....I wanted my quilaty of life back.
I wish you all the best with what ever you take or decide to do...it is not a easy task and a lot to think about.
liveit
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liveit- thanks for the input. I'm going to try to hang on at least until I see the onc again. He did say something about a lower dosage is possible, but that they don't know how affective it is at a lower dose. Apparently everyone on Tamoxifen gets 20mg no matter how much you weigh. I'm only 5'2", and only weigh about 100lbs, and I feel like this is kicking my butt! The thought of just waiting for bc to strike is scary, but I don't think I can live this way for the next 5 years.
I hope things are going well for you-thanx so much for the support- Denise
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Denise, I'm about your size, so I can relate. I just thought of something you could ask your doctor about. I didn't do this myself, but I think some women split their dose, taking 10 mg in the morning and 10 in the evening. Tamoxifen used to come in both 10 and 20 mg pills; I am assuming that it still does but don't know for sure.
Another thing you might try, with your doc's OK, is changing the time of day you take your pill. For example, if you're taking it in the morning now, maybe you could try taking it at night instead and see if you do better. But please ask your doctor about this before you do it!
Hang in there!
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Lucky- The twice a day idea is really good-I will definitely ask him about that, as well as changing time of day. I chose a.m. just cuz I'm up early and it makes it convenient to take it at the same time everyday that way. Thanks so much-everyone here has been so helpful, I don't know what I'd do without you! hugs to all-Denise
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I am a new gal on these forums. I have already posted, I did the "just diagnosed with LCIS and puzzled". Anyway I read all these comments on the moving too quickly and i really liked hearing about everyones else's challenges too. I feel like I am not alone as much!!!
Ok as I said in the other forum I am 47 years old and had breast reduction surgery at the end of Jan. I am doing pretty well now and i am thrilled with my new "girls", I went from a DD to a C. I did have a problem 12 hrs after with a hematoma developing and they had to go in a 2nd time to drain it. Then I lost too much blood and had to have a transfusion!! I became very anemic, I am still sore, swollen and sometimes tired but OMG I am soo much better!!! When I went back to my Plastic surgeon 2 weeks later for a check up they told me about my pathology report from the tissue that had been removed. He said I had LCIS in my left breast and talked to me all about it as I had never heard of it. I also have this hyperplasia thing, he said part of this LCIS. Anyway when the Pathologist found this he tested many other parts of the tissue in that breast and the other one. Thankfully it was no where else. I have now seen 2 Oncologists and a breast surgeon. They would like me to come in more often for checks which I am in complete agreement with and take Tomoxfican.OK I know i will have side effects - I am not trying to sound pessimistic but I have not had good experiences on drugs before. I have a very sensitive stomach, get nausea, gassy stomach etc. I have had a back problem for 20 years from an old injury and when I get the flu the aches go right to my back and are sooo bad!!! i can see this with Tomox too. Now obviously i would rather take the drug than get cancer but I am just not sure what to do. Part of me says to take the 3rd option and have a mastectomy/reconstruction!!! ALthough I would never take this lightly and would think long and hard about it .. I have an appt tomorrow with the Oncologist to talk more atabout the Tomox and the side effects. The other thing is that I am a worrier, I keep in check but it is just my personality. I feel like i would worry about the scary risks!! I do not have bc in my family - my great, great Aunt had it but Dr said that is too far back. I am not really loosing sleep over this but I do think about it quite often trying to come up with the right solution for me. I am a very busy mom of 3 whom are 13 and under. My husband thankfully has been very supportive of whatever choice I decide. My folks whom i am very close to feel like I should just go in every 3 months and get checked. The dr said I should really do more than that. My friends think i am absolutly crazy to even think in my mind about any kind of mastecomy!!!
I am so glad that I stumbled across this web site, it truly sounds like everyone is so supportive and sweet. I wait to hear more about what people say and I want to me there for everyone else too!!!!
Allison -
Allison, I bet that a talk with the oncologist will help you and clear your mind. There are lots of info for you, try the dcis boards, lots of us are in the same situation trying to decide on the best treatment. If your lesion is small and only in one area, an "easy" lumpectomy may remove all of it. Also if you are happy with your breast, you may not want nor need to have a mastectomy.
Not sure if radiation is recommended for LCIS, you will find out all of that soon enough.
Not everybody has bad SE with tamoxifen, I will certainly try it before giving up on it.
Take care. -
Allison- All though right now the tamoxifen is making me feel pretty crappy, I figure it's easy to at least give it some time. That is the nice thing with taking this route, I can always stop without long lasting affects, unlike the masectomy which is permanent. Lucky for us LCIS girls, we are not necessarily sitting on a ticking time bomb. Also, while I would not want to scare you about the masectomy (cuz just like Tamox some people have problems and some don't), but you're going to have some recovery time that could be unpleasant. So just remember, you can take your time and make the decision that is right for you. And, once you make it, it is like a weight being lifted, at least until you feel woozy-headed!
Today I decided to switch to taking the tamox at p.m. to see if it makes a difference, hopefully sleeping through the wooziness will make it more tolerable. I figure, thanks to Lucky's advice, it won't hurt to try a couple of different things. I am also going to ask my onc about the 2X day 10mg tabs.
Like you, I feel this website has been a god send. Everyone here listens and gives tons of support! Good luck, try not to worry (haha), and know we're all here for you!-Denise
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Denise, please call your doctor before you make any changes to your medication! It will probably be fine to change the time of day, but it is something that you should ask your doctor about before you do it. I am not a medical professional and would not want anyone to take any suggestion about medication without checking with the doctor first.
Allison, I'm so sorry you had to join us here, but hope you will find lots of good support. The others are right--you have some time to make decisions, so there is no need to rush into something that you don't yet feel comfortable with. You also may want to get several opinions from different oncologists, and if you live near an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, you might call and see if they have a high-risk breast program. That would likely be your best bet for the most up-to-date research.
Good luck, everyone!
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Lucky- thanx for the concern. I did contact him and he said it would be ok to try nighttime. I didn't hit him yet with the 2Xday idea yet, figured i'd try to just sleep through the worst first, give it til I see him again in April, and if I'm still miserable I'll go for the gold! How are you doing with the monitoring? How often do they see you? Do you still follow up with an onc, or just with the regular docs? Last, (and hopefully I'm not bombarding you for too much info), how does the monitoring only work, do you have Mri's & mammos, or do you alter? I don't mean to be nosey, just want to have as much info as possible when I go in again. have a great day! Denise
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Denise, I go about 4 or 5 times a year. I am in a research study, so some visits are connected with that. I have an MRI and mammo every year, and I do see an oncologist. I started out seeing just my surgeon, but switched to an onc a few years ago.
Every doctor is different about follow-up. It will depend on your own situation and your doc's philosophy. If you enroll in a study, that will likely increase the number of visits.
Gotta run--the dryer just buzzed. Good luck with the new meds schedule!
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There have been some LIMITED and PRELIMINARY studies on low dose tamoxifen. One of these studies suggests there is a big variation in tamoxifen (and metabolites) levels with different people. Whether this is of significance I don't know. I think there have been some threads in the Hormone Therapy Forum on tamoxifen metabolism in the past.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16382122?ordinalpos=24&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15073109?
ordinalpos=49&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12706357?ordinalpos=66&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Edited to add: We do NOT know if all of the adverse effects of tamoxifen are related to dose. In other words, it is NOT necessarily true that a bigger dose gives more adverse effects. For some drugs and some adverse effects, lowering the dose may NOT reduce the severity or incidence of an adverse reaction. As far as I know we don't have information about this for tamoxifen. -
Leaf- you're great. I'm going to read those and take some notes to take back to the onc.
Lucky- thanks, that at least gives me some baselines!
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Denise--I see my oncologist every 6 months--he does blood work, a breast exam, we go over test results, we discuss how things are going with the tamoxifen, and he coordinates my mammos and MRIs (and US if necessary). I also see my gyn once a year, so there's another breast exam). I've been fortunate to have relatively mild SEs from the tamox, but it must be working because MRI and mammo are clear! (just had them done on Wed.) The majority do well on tamox, you just hear the problems here because this is where we come for support (as it should be); people doing well tend to not post as often. I'm over 4 and a half years out with LCIS; my mom is a survivor of ILC of over 21 years, she took tamox without any SEs.
Anne
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Anne- again thanx, the more info I have, the better I feel. I don't know if I can make it 5 yrs on Tamox- it is really making me feel pretty crappy (pardon the english!). I used to run marathon's, though, so I refuse to give up too early. And I really hate feeling like a weeney, so I'm going to tuff it out as long as I can!
Best of luck to you- Denise
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Do you guys feel the Tomox upsets your stomach a lot. I so have a sensitive tummy and I can imagine that could be an issue if I do go on it.
I had an appt with my Oncologist today to discuss the tomox more. He tried to tell me about the fact that i am 47 years old I am going to have aches and pains as I am not a 20 year old anymore. He gave me this idea. Write down my symptoms on and off the tomox. SO wait 2 weeks before i start tomox. The first 2 weeks write down every symptom that i get whether it is being tired, wake up with a back ache, gassy tummy, headache just whatever but write it down every day. Then after 2 weeks go on the tomox and write down the symptoms that i get every day while on it for 14 days. Then compare the 4 weeks on and off the medicine. It sounds like he is saying that i won't find that much of a difference but I think that is HOG WASH!! I mean maybe their won't be that much difference but he can't say that for sure as everyone is different. What do all you think? MAYBE at somepoint i will at least try it. I probably couldn't go through a mastectomy unless i had at least tried this drug. I mentioned to the Dr that it is bothersome that after taking it for 5 years you don't know what happens meaning does it still work, do you take something else??? He definately was in disagreement over having a mastectomy, he says that is way over the top when their is nothing more than LCIS but of course that is up to me. Of course it is something that shouldn't be takin lightly but every individual is different. He feels that patients that do this over just LCIS without any other risk factors are doing it so they don't have to worry about getting breast cancer. Then he said yes it will help relieve the stress of not getting BC but that I would still be anxious - just about some other health thing. I guess he has a point, what do you guys think about that?
I really am liking this support site and everyone seems so friendly. It really helps to keep things in perspective and be positive when you have other people to talk to who have dealt with the same thing.
Thanks Again
Allison
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Thanks for the advice Larousse!! Actually I don't need a lumpectomy because the only reason they found the LCIS is that i had the breast reduction and they had tested the tissue that was removed. Then they had tested many other parts of the tissue from both breasts and thankfully it was not anywhere else.
I realize that not everyone has SE from Tomox and I would never now if i had SE from it unless I tried it. I have been on many medicines over my lifetime and i can deal with SE to a point but it just depends on how bad, and whether how much i will worry about the horrible risks and then also do I want to always wonder if this is going to be the year i get BC. I am really not trying to sound pessismitic just looking at ALL the angels so to speak. Thanks
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Hi, Allison,
I have several thoughts about the issues you raised in your last two posts. You've really been hit with a lot, and it's so hard to sort through everything.
First of all, I think that your doctor's idea of a diary is a good one. This will give you something objective to go on. It is possible, of course, that your physical symptoms will be the same both on and off tamoxifen. But they might not be. That's what you'll find out if you keep the diary. Unless your doctor actually said that you won't see much of a difference, I wouldn't assume that he thinks that. That's why he's asking you to keep the diary--so you will both know for sure. So I would do that if I were you. Also, I'd write down what you eat and when along with physical symptoms. That will tell you whether certain foods seem to affect you, especially if you are getting headaches.
By the way, when I went on tamoxifen for the second time, I did notice some queasiness. I'm pretty sure this is a known side effect, and it went away after about 2 or 3 weeks. It never was very bad, though.
With LCIS, you have plenty of time to make the decisions that are right for you. Some people do have prophylactic bilaterial mastectomies (PBM), but everyone I know of who has done this spent months or years considering that option. I'm considering it myself, but I was diagnosed six years ago. It is not something I would have done in the first few years, as I was trying other treatments then. PBM is permanent, you know, so you want to be very sure. You've just been hit with all this, and it takes time to process everything.
It sounds like your doctor is not in favor of PBM. Some doctors are not, and for very good medical reasons, but it seems to me that it was inappropriate of your doctor to say that if you had a PBM, you'd only be anxious about something else. That is not the issue. The issue is what to do to treat your LCIS. You may or may not be anxious about other medical issues, but that has nothing at all to do with whether PBM is or is not the correct treatment for your LCIS. Your doctor may have sound medical reasons for recommending against PBM, but if it were me, I'd ask him specifically what those reasons are. If this is something you do eventually want to pursue, you'll need to get another opinion (or maybe even two more.) At some point, you'd be referred to a surgeon, who will also weigh in on the topic.
If you live near an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, it might be worth a call to them to see if they have a high-risk breast program. The doctors and staff there will likely be more experienced with LCIS than local doctors, and they should be the most up-to-date on research also. It is sometimes possible to go to a CCC for a consultation and then return to your regular onc for care, if that person is willing to work with the CCC folks to coordinate your care.
Try to take it one day at a time. Keeping the diary is a good start. That will give you some great information, and then you'll be able to go from there.
Good luck!
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Allison- I have been keeping a journal of how I feel on Tamox. Before starting, I had no real problems, I am very active and eat very healthy. You know your body better than he, and based on my current situation, you will definitely know what is medicine induced.
The nausea I have felt has been more of a quesiness, making me not want to eat. I haven't vomited, but I have this constant feeling of an upset stomache. I did try switching to taking it at nighttime-today I'm not sure that was a good idea!!! I couldn't sleep all night- kept feeling "seasick", like the bed was moving. I guess that's how the wooziness feels when lying down in the dark. I woke up with a headache (I seem to be getting those about 8-9 hrs after taking it), and just feel exhausted, probably lack of sleep helping there.
I don't want to scare you into not trying the Tamox- I just wanted to share so you know some of the symptoms I am having. I still feel it can't help to try for awhile-maybe I'll adjust. Knowing how I feel on this, I'd rather try this than wait for bc and have to do chemo! UGH-I'd really be in bad shape then!!!
I figure I'll try it this way a couple of days, and then call my onc about a lower dosage.
You're doing all the right stuff by researching and getting as much info as possible. I'll also keep posting how I feel so you can compare the effects. Lucky's advice about the NCI CCC is good. The clinic I go to is one, and my onc was very open and patient with me. He also told me to call whenever, or to email him if that worked. I've seen other oncs in the past for my auto-immune issues, and I must say, this place seems to be the most compassionate and understanding.
Good luck! Denise
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We all do have different experiences. Each of them is valid.
I went to a NCI CCC and got a consult that I considered 'lousy'. My gyn said a childhood friend of hers who got bc also got a consult from this place that she considered lousy. So centers may differ, or maybe certain experiences are different.
This NCI CCC initially said they use the Gail model to estimate breast cancer risk (after I pointed out to them I had LCIS.) (I pointed out to them (this was the NP, who saw me before the breast surgeon) that the NCI website specifically excludes LCIS.http://www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool/). I was hoping since presumably they see more LCIS patients than my onc, that they would have a better idea of my risk. They gave me no idea how statistically uncertain the Gail model was, even IF it applied to LCIS women.
This NCI CCC told me (I have LCIS and ALH, and a weak family history) that my risk for bc was certainly somewhere between 10 and 60%, and if they were pushed for an answer, my risk for bc withOUT tamoxifen was close to 10%. They said if I wanted a more accurate answer, they would have to go look at journals. (As if I hadn't??? though at that time I did not know a bigger picture of how inaccurate breast cancer models are for making individual clinical decisions.) They also told me they would only recommend yearly mammos and biannual clinical exams because I had 'too much scar tissue' from my one excision to have an MRI, even a single MRI to establish a baseline. They said they offer their LCIS patients tamoxifen (or raloxifene if they are eligible) prescribed by their breast surgeon.
As far as PBMs, this NCI CCC definitely did not recommend it in my case, but 'would not bar the door to surgery.' (With my insurance, even if I got it approved, I would be paying at least 30% out of pocket.) The very first thing my current breast surgeon told be at my initial visit (before I had my excision) was "If you are interested in PBMs, I will fall over in my chair." I was and am not pleased about that comment because at that point, she did not even know my family history so didn't know if I would be at risk for BRCA. After my excision, she told me she was 'not interested' in doing any further surgery on me.
Luckily my onc did NOT feel threatened by getting this consult. (I have yet to get a copy of the consult to my onc, even after about 6 phone calls, none of which was returned. I think I'm going to have to make a trip over there in person.) My onc says sometimes the written consult says different things than what they tell the patient.
I had a VERY GOOD experience with this NCI CCC institution for my genetics counseling, though, so maybe its just their high risk breast cancer section, or the particular people I saw. I would have been more satified if they would have told me how uncertain any of the risk factors are for making clinical decisions for an individual patient.
We all have different experiences. I am so glad that we can share our experiences, and get an idea of the range of care we get. -
Oh, leaf, you've mentioned your experience before. They really did not do right by you, and I'm so sorry that you had to go through all that.
I've been meaning to ask, and your post reminded me--Did the place you went to have a dedicated high-risk breast program? Until about six months ago, I just assumed (silly me) that most CCC's did, but then I started researching a little because there was a possibility we would be moving and I'd need to find a new center. Of course, all CCC's deal with breast cancer patients, but it seems that relatively few of them actually have a dedicated high-risk program and associated staff.
As it turned out, we did move, but still within the vicinity of the center I'm already going to. I've been frustrated more than once with them and have thought about switching, but even though there are several CCC's in my state, I think only the one I go to has the high-risk program. It's really annoying when you think about it. So many women need this kind of care, and too many are getting the runaround from clueless doctors--even at major centers! But I know you know this, all too well. And even in my center, I've been given contradictory advice and information. When I have my next appointment, we are going to discuss this! However, I know I'm getting better care there than I did from my general surgeon, who didn't think I needed an oncologist.
I think the best thing any of us can do is to be as informed as possible. You help us so much with that here--thanks!
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Leaf- you are so right. I didn't mean to imply that a NCI CCC is better. I think, like buying a car, you have to try the doc out, and get recommendations from others, and go in as prepared as possible. I know the facility I went to for my auto-immune disease was also NCI CCC, and I felt like a lab rat. They ran every possible test on me, and never really told me what they were thinking of. I was so sick, it was hard to do the research to question them.
I really believe you are your own best advocate, and the more prepared you are when you go in, the better you are able to judge whether your caregiver is fulfilling your needs. I am very lucky here- I found you guys, and I have a gyn and a breast dr. who listen and respond to my every call and question. (they are both women, hmmmm......). They set me up with the surgeon and were very accurate with their descriptions of both. They also let me know these are the docs they would personally see or send family members too.
It is nice and very helpful that we can all share what we are going through, 'cuz it's hard to explain to those who aren't. Thanx to all of you- Denise
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Denise, I prefer female doctors too. Since we moved, I've been in the process of looking for new PCP, etc., and I rejected several practices because there were no female providers there.
A downside of CCC's (or any teaching hospital) is that everybody and his brother gets to observe you. My onc does a good job in this area, only bringing in people who need to be there, but some other docs in the same facility aren't so great about it. You do kind of begin to feel you're on display. Maybe we should sell tickets!
I have a friend who goes to the same center I do, but sees a different doctor in a different clinic. She was in an exam room one time, and the doctor brought in a drug rep (!) to observe his exam of her. She was surprised, to say the least. This was before HIPAA, but I told her at the time that there was no way I'd put up with that. They'd have heard me yelling in the next town.
It is good that we can all come here and help each other. I'll talk to you ladies later--chores are calling.
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Lucky- I like the idea of selling tickets-maybe help pay some of the doc bills!!!
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Yup, lucky32, the NCI CCC did have a dedicated high risk breast cancer clinic. It took me 4 months to get an appointment.
I'd be really uncomfortable going to a male gyn, but I do have other issues. But, besides the personality factor (the doc I love may be the doc you hate), you cannot tell good docs from bad by their training, credentials, etc. Part of it is basic personality and respect.
And, no routine mammo for today. They mis-scheduled me for a routine instead of a diagnostic. Postponed to Apr 1, April Fool's Day.
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- 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