Ugh! Symptoms - but where to go?

Kaleena

Ok.  We all talk about symptoms.  But I don't know where to turn with these one.   I just called my gyne/onc and the PA indicated that she didn't feel that these symptoms had anything to do with a recurrence.

Here's the symptoms:  By the way, I am not on any medications except Motrin when needed

Head area:  left side headaches, headaches - left eye pressure, halo around eyes at night, foggy feeling in the left side. - I get this more during the day after working.  I end up laying down several times a week 

I had a stiff neck a couple week ago, with what I thought was swollen glands. Went to Chiroprator twice in a day - relieved the stiffness - still had swollen glands - Had a headache this Saturday which lasted all day.

when I lay down I feel like there is something pressing on my right side of my throat (probably the swollen gland).

I get bloated feeling

Several mornings a week a feel queasy until I eat something.

Yesterday, had achyness in my left side and then developed cramping pains in my abdomin which got worse over 7 hours until I threw up about 6 times.  (I get this several times a year)

I was real close to going to the ER last night but felt better after I threw up.

Sometimes I get palpatations too.

 

Plan:  Scheduled an appointment with an ENT  (On my MRI/MRA of the brain I had done in November of 2011, I saw it noted that I had a maxillary rentention cyst)  All anyone told me was that I had a chronic sinus condition.

Scheduled an appointment with the regular gyne to talk about menopause.

Is there something missing?

I did ask the PA if I could be experiencing partial bowel blockage, but she said that usually only occurs shortly after surgery - Huh?  What about scarring and radiation effects?

 

This is really dragging me down as I don't know where to turn.

 

 

 

Double Whammy

Just get to the bottom of it!

It may have absolutely nothing to do with your cancer, but it has to do with something.  Have you made an appointment with your primary care doc?  Your pcp doesn't think cancer like oncologists do, but they do think and I trust mine to refer me if necessary and order tests to rule things out. She never dismisses me like I sometimes feel with the specialists.   When I felt a lump in my OTHER breast, I went to my pcp.  The "experts" after a compression mammo and ultrasound (ordered by pcp) deemed it as "normal breast tissue" and wanted to just keep an eye on the area which I accepted because afterall, they are the experts.  My pcp said she still felt the lump and couldn't sleep at night if she didn't order a breast MRI.  Now my oncologist agrees that it's a good idea and I have a breast MRI once a year and mammo once a year, so every 6 months my boobs get a good looking at.  I'm quite comfortable (now) that I just have lumpy boobs but just knowing that the extra mile is taken is reassuring and I don't make myself crazy knowing I have my pcp who has my best interest at heart and will not brush me off (or if she does, it's after I'm gone). 

So - I suggest you start with your PCP.  You have been having vague symptoms for a long time and they could be due to a miriad of things.  You need someone who will listen to you and try to get to the bottom of this. 

Hang in there.

Suzanne

debrajo

Sounds like you are having a

Sounds like you are having a rough time girl. but you know it doesn't have to a "one or the other" thing.  My mother had everyone of your symphoms{she had breast cancer 28 years ago}.  We had every test known to man!  She had the eye halo, nausia, tingling, fainting, swelling, tired, black out spells and miagrains.  After it was all tested, she had a severly impacted sinus{the headaches, dizzyness, haloes}, the drainage was causing her stomach to produce more acid{the nausia, fatigue, throwing up} and her electrolites were severly messed up{the fainting, blackouts}.  She was a mess!  But after all that she had  sinus surgery, a perscription for Max strength Clariton, and a change in diet and vitsmins/minerals.  I'm a fine one to talk, but after you get checked out, I think you will find out that one problem lead to the other.  Mama even went to the ER thinking she had a stroke,bloodclot,  anurysm, nope, she's still here 88.  Hope you feel better soon,dear, Best, Debrajo 

Kaleena

Double Whammy said:

Just get to the bottom of it!

It may have absolutely nothing to do with your cancer, but it has to do with something.  Have you made an appointment with your primary care doc?  Your pcp doesn't think cancer like oncologists do, but they do think and I trust mine to refer me if necessary and order tests to rule things out. She never dismisses me like I sometimes feel with the specialists.   When I felt a lump in my OTHER breast, I went to my pcp.  The "experts" after a compression mammo and ultrasound (ordered by pcp) deemed it as "normal breast tissue" and wanted to just keep an eye on the area which I accepted because afterall, they are the experts.  My pcp said she still felt the lump and couldn't sleep at night if she didn't order a breast MRI.  Now my oncologist agrees that it's a good idea and I have a breast MRI once a year and mammo once a year, so every 6 months my boobs get a good looking at.  I'm quite comfortable (now) that I just have lumpy boobs but just knowing that the extra mile is taken is reassuring and I don't make myself crazy knowing I have my pcp who has my best interest at heart and will not brush me off (or if she does, it's after I'm gone). 

So - I suggest you start with your PCP.  You have been having vague symptoms for a long time and they could be due to a miriad of things.  You need someone who will listen to you and try to get to the bottom of this. 

Hang in there.

Suzanne

Appointments

Hi Suzanne:

This stuff surely can drive you crazy.   Why I get worried is that from the beginning they kept telling me its not cancer, but it was, so when I get these symptoms and they said "oh its not related" I get the heebie jeebies.   But I don't want to over react.   I have been pretty much quiet about it, but my family is noticing it more that I am not myself.  I try not to bother them about it but because they have mentioned it and my husband has mentioned it, I decided to get some answers......again.

From my previous tests, I found out that I have spurs on my spine,  deficiency in vitamin D, lumpy breasts (Category 2), and nothing in my head (many would agree - haha) (always got to keep a sense of humor)  Also, I have passed all my total and complete eye exams.

I am not happy with my PCP.  There were changes in the office and a group of doctors left.   Good news is that I have an appointment with an ENT on June 26th.   I have also made an appointment with my old regular gynecologist to talk about menopause symptoms.   I was wondering if any of these symptoms could be related.

Thanks for the support, Suzanne.   I will let you know.  Hoping all is well with you!

Kathy

Kaleena

debrajo said:

Sounds like you are having a

Sounds like you are having a rough time girl. but you know it doesn't have to a "one or the other" thing.  My mother had everyone of your symphoms{she had breast cancer 28 years ago}.  We had every test known to man!  She had the eye halo, nausia, tingling, fainting, swelling, tired, black out spells and miagrains.  After it was all tested, she had a severly impacted sinus{the headaches, dizzyness, haloes}, the drainage was causing her stomach to produce more acid{the nausia, fatigue, throwing up} and her electrolites were severly messed up{the fainting, blackouts}.  She was a mess!  But after all that she had  sinus surgery, a perscription for Max strength Clariton, and a change in diet and vitsmins/minerals.  I'm a fine one to talk, but after you get checked out, I think you will find out that one problem lead to the other.  Mama even went to the ER thinking she had a stroke,bloodclot,  anurysm, nope, she's still here 88.  Hope you feel better soon,dear, Best, Debrajo 

Thanks Debrajo!

Wow, sounds a lot like my symptoms!   I also had/have dizziness too.   Poor mom.   Having to go through all of that! and you too!  I know my husband feels so helpless and I don't like to complain but he sees it on my face.

I am looking forward to getting to the bottom of this.  I go to the ENT on June 26th.   My MRI/MRA of the brain showed nothing (like I told Suzanne many would say that about me ) although it indicated that I had a Maxillary Sinus Retention Cyst.   My PCP said I had a chronic sinus condition but didn't say I needed anything further.    So I am hoping that this ENT can find something out.   By the way, I also have tinnitis constantly since I was a child.   One doctor thought I had a touch of Meniere's.  I get pain in my ears, although the doctors always say there's no infection.  

My PA from my gyne/onc thought it might be an allergy of some type with my stomach.   I still think that I get a partial obstruction at times because I get the cramping pains that keep increasing until I throw up.  Then I am sore and tender for a few days afterwards in my stomach and lungs.

I really appreciate you sharing your mom's story with me.   It made me feel a little relief thinking that it all could be sinus issues, especially since I will be going on a short vacation prior to these doctors' visit.   Now maybe I will relax a little bit and forget about stuff and hopefully won't have any incidents whlie I am away.

Thinking of you and hoping you are feeling fine too.

Kathy

Abbycat2

Kaleena said:

Thanks Debrajo!

Wow, sounds a lot like my symptoms!   I also had/have dizziness too.   Poor mom.   Having to go through all of that! and you too!  I know my husband feels so helpless and I don't like to complain but he sees it on my face.

I am looking forward to getting to the bottom of this.  I go to the ENT on June 26th.   My MRI/MRA of the brain showed nothing (like I told Suzanne many would say that about me ) although it indicated that I had a Maxillary Sinus Retention Cyst.   My PCP said I had a chronic sinus condition but didn't say I needed anything further.    So I am hoping that this ENT can find something out.   By the way, I also have tinnitis constantly since I was a child.   One doctor thought I had a touch of Meniere's.  I get pain in my ears, although the doctors always say there's no infection.  

My PA from my gyne/onc thought it might be an allergy of some type with my stomach.   I still think that I get a partial obstruction at times because I get the cramping pains that keep increasing until I throw up.  Then I am sore and tender for a few days afterwards in my stomach and lungs.

I really appreciate you sharing your mom's story with me.   It made me feel a little relief thinking that it all could be sinus issues, especially since I will be going on a short vacation prior to these doctors' visit.   Now maybe I will relax a little bit and forget about stuff and hopefully won't have any incidents whlie I am away.

Thinking of you and hoping you are feeling fine too.

Kathy

Kathy,
I can only imagine how

Kathy,

I can only imagine how anxious you must be feeling about your symptoms.  I am hoping the ENT will be able to shed some light on what is going on with your heath and can treat it easily and quickly with much success.  I hope that you enjoy your vacation and that you come back refreshed and ready to take on the world.  I am leaving next week for a two week trip to Alaska and, as silly as this may sound, I want to leave my cancer behind and not think about it. Well, at least that is what I keep telling myself that I should do!!  I know that happiness is a state of mind and it has a lot to do with our attitude, I believe. 

Wishing you the very best! 

Take care,

Cathy  

SUNGRANNY

Symptoms and concerns

Hello Kathy,

Sorry to hear of your struggles and worries.  

I can certainly relate.  I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Uterine cancer, Serous subtype (UPSC) after the cancer surgery in Nov 2012, followed by chemo and IMRT radiation.  I have had bowel problems since the surgery, which got worse during/after radiation.  I know for most women it tends to be diarrhea, but for me it has been serious chronic constipation.  I have herbs and acupressure techniques from my DOM/Acupuncturist which have given the best relief.  I have had 2 bouts of days of pain in a spot on my colon that felt like a knot, that got so intense that I vomited, then later had a BM.  I also wonder if it was a blockage. It has happened in 2 different locations.  I've also learned an abdominal self-massage technique for constipation which helps.

I hope you've gotten relief from working with an ENT for sinus and headache, and possibly swollen glands.  I think that many of us who were blind-sided from a cancer diagnosis tend to think the worst when we have a symptom, which may not be cancer; could be unrelated or a side effect.  I had a bout of horrible back pain.  After spinal x-rays and MRI my PCP determined it was Sciatica; painful but NOT cancer.  Yoga stretches proved to be my salvation.  

May you find relief from your symptoms.

Sending healing thoughts and prayers,

Sara

 

Kaleena

Abbycat2 said:

Kathy,
I can only imagine how

Kathy,

I can only imagine how anxious you must be feeling about your symptoms.  I am hoping the ENT will be able to shed some light on what is going on with your heath and can treat it easily and quickly with much success.  I hope that you enjoy your vacation and that you come back refreshed and ready to take on the world.  I am leaving next week for a two week trip to Alaska and, as silly as this may sound, I want to leave my cancer behind and not think about it. Well, at least that is what I keep telling myself that I should do!!  I know that happiness is a state of mind and it has a lot to do with our attitude, I believe. 

Wishing you the very best! 

Take care,

Cathy  

Thanks!

Cathy, thanks for your comments.   I too am hoping to get good results from the ENT.  I will let you know.  But in the meantime, like you said, I am going to leave cancer behind and enjoy myself for a few days.   I don't want to think about anything.  I don't want to do any kind of work.  I just want to watch the sunsets and relax.

Thanks again for your well wishes.    

Enjoy your trip to Alaska!   I have never been there but heard it is beautiful.  Talk to you in a few weeks!

Kathy

Kaleena

SUNGRANNY said:

Symptoms and concerns

Hello Kathy,

Sorry to hear of your struggles and worries.  

I can certainly relate.  I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Uterine cancer, Serous subtype (UPSC) after the cancer surgery in Nov 2012, followed by chemo and IMRT radiation.  I have had bowel problems since the surgery, which got worse during/after radiation.  I know for most women it tends to be diarrhea, but for me it has been serious chronic constipation.  I have herbs and acupressure techniques from my DOM/Acupuncturist which have given the best relief.  I have had 2 bouts of days of pain in a spot on my colon that felt like a knot, that got so intense that I vomited, then later had a BM.  I also wonder if it was a blockage. It has happened in 2 different locations.  I've also learned an abdominal self-massage technique for constipation which helps.

I hope you've gotten relief from working with an ENT for sinus and headache, and possibly swollen glands.  I think that many of us who were blind-sided from a cancer diagnosis tend to think the worst when we have a symptom, which may not be cancer; could be unrelated or a side effect.  I had a bout of horrible back pain.  After spinal x-rays and MRI my PCP determined it was Sciatica; painful but NOT cancer.  Yoga stretches proved to be my salvation.  

May you find relief from your symptoms.

Sending healing thoughts and prayers,

Sara

 

Thanks!

Sara, thanks for your thoughts and prayers.   I will get to the bottom of this one way or another.   I must rule out everything and if they can't find anything, then I can relax knowing it is nothing and just live with it.

I don't get to see the ENT until June 27th.  I will report back once I see them.  

I can relate with that bowl thing.   I can sort of feel where it is "stuck".  Sometimes, I can almost feel it going to different places like you said.    The abdominal pain/cramping that I get also intensifies.  There is no nausea with it.   Then at the height of the cramping I will vomit several or multiple times.    The first time this happened to me was in 2011 and over a seven week period I had three episodes.  Then I lost 30 pounds.   I had several other episodes since then and now most recently.   That was Wednesday.  On Saturday, I felt like I needed to have a bowel movement and got bad pains which felt below my bladder.   Then I was ok.   I tried to tell the doc the last time I was there that even though I go every day, I feel like I get afternoon constipation.   I can't explain it, but I bet you understand.

Anyway, thanks for listening to me whine and thanks again for the healing thoughs and prayers.   I hope you are doing fine and are enjoying the start of summer!

Kathy

 

SUNGRANNY

Kaleena said:

Thanks!

Cathy, thanks for your comments.   I too am hoping to get good results from the ENT.  I will let you know.  But in the meantime, like you said, I am going to leave cancer behind and enjoy myself for a few days.   I don't want to think about anything.  I don't want to do any kind of work.  I just want to watch the sunsets and relax.

Thanks again for your well wishes.    

Enjoy your trip to Alaska!   I have never been there but heard it is beautiful.  Talk to you in a few weeks!

Kathy

I Get It

Kathy,

Yes, I get it. My PCP and Onc reacted about like yours did, which was discouraging.  The Dr of Oriental Medicine/Acupuncturist gets it and she has given me the most help.  Mostly I figure I have to learn to live with it.

Thinking of you and wishing you well,

Sara

 

 

culka

Kaleena said:

Thanks!

Sara, thanks for your thoughts and prayers.   I will get to the bottom of this one way or another.   I must rule out everything and if they can't find anything, then I can relax knowing it is nothing and just live with it.

I don't get to see the ENT until June 27th.  I will report back once I see them.  

I can relate with that bowl thing.   I can sort of feel where it is "stuck".  Sometimes, I can almost feel it going to different places like you said.    The abdominal pain/cramping that I get also intensifies.  There is no nausea with it.   Then at the height of the cramping I will vomit several or multiple times.    The first time this happened to me was in 2011 and over a seven week period I had three episodes.  Then I lost 30 pounds.   I had several other episodes since then and now most recently.   That was Wednesday.  On Saturday, I felt like I needed to have a bowel movement and got bad pains which felt below my bladder.   Then I was ok.   I tried to tell the doc the last time I was there that even though I go every day, I feel like I get afternoon constipation.   I can't explain it, but I bet you understand.

Anyway, thanks for listening to me whine and thanks again for the healing thoughs and prayers.   I hope you are doing fine and are enjoying the start of summer!

Kathy

 

Kathy

Did you ever heard about neti? It is like small tea pot. (I made my first from toilet cleaner bottle, fit nicely to nostril). Fill it with warm SALTY water and flush your sinusis. Never with plain water, it`s sting.

It happened to Me

culka said:

Kathy

Did you ever heard about neti? It is like small tea pot. (I made my first from toilet cleaner bottle, fit nicely to nostril). Fill it with warm SALTY water and flush your sinusis. Never with plain water, it`s sting.

PCP advise

If you don't like your PCP, better find a new one if at all possible.  There's nothing worse than going to a doctor and not liking them or not trusting them completely.  Hopefully you aren't hindered by HMO's, or other insurance boundaries.    Sinus problem:  another possibility is get pot boilling of water, shake some salt (sea salt if possible) and inhale it.  Put a towel over your head and that will keep the steam from escaping quickly.  If you have some eucalyptus essiential oils, place a couple drops in them.    Another suggestion or idea is find a massage therapist or someone in the healthcare field that does ear candling.  That works well for sinsus problems too.   Hope you find relief.

 

Jeanette

Kaleena

culka said:

Kathy

Did you ever heard about neti? It is like small tea pot. (I made my first from toilet cleaner bottle, fit nicely to nostril). Fill it with warm SALTY water and flush your sinusis. Never with plain water, it`s sting.

I have heard of neti and in

I have heard of neti and in fact my husband has used one.  I never thought about it for me though.   I will check it out.  Thanks!

 

Kathy

Kaleena

It happened to Me said:

PCP advise

If you don't like your PCP, better find a new one if at all possible.  There's nothing worse than going to a doctor and not liking them or not trusting them completely.  Hopefully you aren't hindered by HMO's, or other insurance boundaries.    Sinus problem:  another possibility is get pot boilling of water, shake some salt (sea salt if possible) and inhale it.  Put a towel over your head and that will keep the steam from escaping quickly.  If you have some eucalyptus essiential oils, place a couple drops in them.    Another suggestion or idea is find a massage therapist or someone in the healthcare field that does ear candling.  That works well for sinsus problems too.   Hope you find relief.

 

Jeanette

I am in the process of

I am in the process of looking for a new PCP.  Also, I have gone threw several oncologists.  I do see the ENT on the 27th.  I will let you know what they say.

Thanks.

 

Kathy

It happened to Me

Kaleena said:

I have heard of neti and in

I have heard of neti and in fact my husband has used one.  I never thought about it for me though.   I will check it out.  Thanks!

 

Kathy

Glad to hear it.

Kathy,

I'm glad to hear that you are looking for a new PCP.  I wish you well.  There are good one's out there, it's a matter of finding them.  Good Luck.

 

Jeanette

Ro10

Kaleena said:

I have heard of neti and in

I have heard of neti and in fact my husband has used one.  I never thought about it for me though.   I will check it out.  Thanks!

 

Kathy

Kathy

Years ago I had terrible sinus problems.  i had headaches every day.  What my doctor recommended was to get saline nasal spray and a bottle of eucalyptus oil.  I sprayed each nostril with the saline and then dipped a Q-tip in the eucalyptus oil and put the Q- tip in each nostril and inhale.  It certainly opened up the sinuses.  The pressure was greatly relieved.

the pharmacist had to order the eucalyptus oil for me.  It is just a 2 ounce bottle and I have it for years.  If everything else fails to relieve your pressure you might want to try this.   I hope you are feeling better soon, and the ENT can help you.

you remain in my prayers.  In peace and caring.

Kaleena

Ro10 said:

Kathy

Years ago I had terrible sinus problems.  i had headaches every day.  What my doctor recommended was to get saline nasal spray and a bottle of eucalyptus oil.  I sprayed each nostril with the saline and then dipped a Q-tip in the eucalyptus oil and put the Q- tip in each nostril and inhale.  It certainly opened up the sinuses.  The pressure was greatly relieved.

the pharmacist had to order the eucalyptus oil for me.  It is just a 2 ounce bottle and I have it for years.  If everything else fails to relieve your pressure you might want to try this.   I hope you are feeling better soon, and the ENT can help you.

you remain in my prayers.  In peace and caring.

Thanks, Ro.I will let you

Thanks, Ro.

I will let you know what happens.  I keep waking up with the headache.  And during the day I get a full feeling in my head that almost causes dizziness.   By late afternoon, it seems to go away.  I do get ear pain also.  I have always had tinnitis.

Thinking of you.

Kathy