What to do?

Linewife7

I recently posted that I had a breast ultrsound on Thurs. the 7th! The pain in my shoulders, chest, arm,breast,ect. is definitely worsening. The Vicodin was at least helping keep pain manageable before until a few wks. ago. I expect to hear something about the ultrasound tomorrow and further instructions. My question is, do I call the doc and tell them pain is worsening? I also seem to have urge to use Bathroom much more (Urinating). No fever, just pain persists and is worse:p I am terrified I may have rib, bone mets? The doc knew about the pain when I saw him last but I now have shouulder pain as well with frequent BR trips:p Also wondering what will come next! Will doc order more tests or refer me to breast specialist or both? I would like to have lab done for tumor markers, minimum! I would prefer lab and CT scan if possible if I have to wait to see breast specialist! Any thoughts, comments, suggestions from anyone would be most welcome!!!! Thank you so much in advance!

camul

Do what feels right...
I would let dr know if you have pain in areas. I am sorry you had the ultra sound toward the end of the week. It is hard waiting over the weekends. As you will learn from thus board, when you do have trsts or scans, etc. there is always waiting which brings on more stress and sometimes out mind travels to the worst possible outcomes.
If possible, stay off the inet until you actually get a dx. Sometimes, cysts or an infection can cause the pain, or contribute to it.
I wish you the best pissible income and hope you can watch a comedy or do something to get your mind in a different direction until you know what is going on.
Hugs,
Carol

disneyfan2008

I would call for sure...to

I would call for sure...to tell the Dr more pain...

 

Denise

 

 

Feel better..

 

Kats2

What to do.....

Hello....Are you seeing an Oncologist? If you are, then he/she will know what tests should be ordered for you. But I would definitely call my doctor and report the pain. If you have bone pain, then a bone scan should be right up there on the test list. A CT scan would should any problems also. But don't just wait......be proactive...! I've learned that the hard way. Luckily my Primary Care Doctor figured out what my problem was before I was referred to my Oncologist. Now I'm being monitored very closely with tumor markers done every month, and a CT scan and bone scan done at certain intervals. It's all nerve wracking so I identify with you. We must be brave. I'm still trying to come to grips with my having breast cancer to begin with...! I'm not sure  what direction my treatments will be taking either, so it can be stressful. I try to go out with friends and get my mind off my situation.

First, do all you can as far as communicating with your doctor. If you need to see a specialilst, then get on the waiting list. If your doctor wants to see you, ( and I think you should tell them that you have serious concerns and need to be seen.....) then go in and discuss things.  That's VERY important..!...After that, it's out of your hands....You'll feel as if you did everything in your power to see to see that your problem is addressed.

I might add that if you don't feel confident with your doctor, then it's time to look around for another one who'll make you his/her priority. I had to change Oncologists at the beginning because I couldn't reach him!!! I kept getting a recording made by his secretary, ( who was also the secretary to 2 other Oncologists...!) and kept leaving messages. No one ever called me back...!
I had a serious issue which my Primary Doctor wanted me to bring to my Oncologist's attention, and I couldn't get through to him! It took almost TEN days for me to get an appointment.That's unacceptable...!

Finally, I resorted to a Cancer Center in my own home town that is excellent..! My Oncologist even calls me up on the phone to discuss any problem I have! I had never experienced anything like that in my life! So, I feel that I'm in very good hands. And even though I have full confidence in this Oncologist, I made an appointment at Dana Farber in Boston to get a second opinion. It was nagging at me, so my brother and sister-in-law drove me in and I met a TOP Breast Cancer specialist who told us that I was indeed getting the proper treatment for my breast cancer ....that she would be treating me the same way if I were her patient. That made all of us feel VERY secure.  She even called my Oncologist and spoke to him personally, then sent him a report on my  appointment with her. I got to get a copy of it, which is highly informative.

So I say, "Do what you need to do to get the best care that you can." You must be your own best advocate. Don't settle. Speak up. Wishing you much luck as you continue your journey. Love and prayers........  Kats2

Linewife7

Kats2 said:

What to do.....

Hello....Are you seeing an Oncologist? If you are, then he/she will know what tests should be ordered for you. But I would definitely call my doctor and report the pain. If you have bone pain, then a bone scan should be right up there on the test list. A CT scan would should any problems also. But don't just wait......be proactive...! I've learned that the hard way. Luckily my Primary Care Doctor figured out what my problem was before I was referred to my Oncologist. Now I'm being monitored very closely with tumor markers done every month, and a CT scan and bone scan done at certain intervals. It's all nerve wracking so I identify with you. We must be brave. I'm still trying to come to grips with my having breast cancer to begin with...! I'm not sure  what direction my treatments will be taking either, so it can be stressful. I try to go out with friends and get my mind off my situation.

First, do all you can as far as communicating with your doctor. If you need to see a specialilst, then get on the waiting list. If your doctor wants to see you, ( and I think you should tell them that you have serious concerns and need to be seen.....) then go in and discuss things.  That's VERY important..!...After that, it's out of your hands....You'll feel as if you did everything in your power to see to see that your problem is addressed.

I might add that if you don't feel confident with your doctor, then it's time to look around for another one who'll make you his/her priority. I had to change Oncologists at the beginning because I couldn't reach him!!! I kept getting a recording made by his secretary, ( who was also the secretary to 2 other Oncologists...!) and kept leaving messages. No one ever called me back...!
I had a serious issue which my Primary Doctor wanted me to bring to my Oncologist's attention, and I couldn't get through to him! It took almost TEN days for me to get an appointment.That's unacceptable...!

Finally, I resorted to a Cancer Center in my own home town that is excellent..! My Oncologist even calls me up on the phone to discuss any problem I have! I had never experienced anything like that in my life! So, I feel that I'm in very good hands. And even though I have full confidence in this Oncologist, I made an appointment at Dana Farber in Boston to get a second opinion. It was nagging at me, so my brother and sister-in-law drove me in and I met a TOP Breast Cancer specialist who told us that I was indeed getting the proper treatment for my breast cancer ....that she would be treating me the same way if I were her patient. That made all of us feel VERY secure.  She even called my Oncologist and spoke to him personally, then sent him a report on my  appointment with her. I got to get a copy of it, which is highly informative.

So I say, "Do what you need to do to get the best care that you can." You must be your own best advocate. Don't settle. Speak up. Wishing you much luck as you continue your journey. Love and prayers........  Kats2

Doc visit

I went into the walk in clinic this AM and saw an on staff doc who's on the team. I didn't want to wait because I continued to have right breast pain. He said my ultrasound was clear, of even cysts, which totally surprised me! Please know I am relieved in a big way but can't understand the ungoing pain. He did a breast exam and felt nothing however, I was feeling the pain while he did it. Same deal with mammogram and transducer running over certain spots~painful. I totally don't get it:p He said possibly hormone imbalance? I am stumped and guess I'll sit back for awhile and see if it goes away. He also thinks Costochondritis is flaring up. Can't understand why it would be so painful now however as they diagnosed that over 1 1/2 yrs. ago? So I left pretty much feeling like an idiot. He also did a Pap smear while I was there noting I haven't had one in a lng time. Anyways, I guess I'll sit back for awhile and see if the pain goes away. Deliberating on taking an alternative natural drug called~Macafem! So I am basically scratching my head wondering what the heck? How can someone have specific pain, mainly on 2 places, outer breast and armpit. It's the first Mammo I had that literally was incredibly painful. Transducer was painful and she stopped at those spots and clicked away at her computer? But I am told, not even cysts showed up:p I am left feeling alittle frustrated with no concrete answers and feeling a bit like an idiot:( I do have very dense breasts and have learned from this experience, I will have an Ultrasound with Mammo's from now on! For now, I sit back and see if pain continues to persist. I have a feeling Doc wouldn't send me to a breast specialist even if I asked for one now, based on the 2 tests being negative. Anyways, thanks for all the replies, it is greatly appreciated it. I may try the natural herb for awhile and see if it makes a difference. 

GlowMore

Linewife7 said:

Doc visit

I went into the walk in clinic this AM and saw an on staff doc who's on the team. I didn't want to wait because I continued to have right breast pain. He said my ultrasound was clear, of even cysts, which totally surprised me! Please know I am relieved in a big way but can't understand the ungoing pain. He did a breast exam and felt nothing however, I was feeling the pain while he did it. Same deal with mammogram and transducer running over certain spots~painful. I totally don't get it:p He said possibly hormone imbalance? I am stumped and guess I'll sit back for awhile and see if it goes away. He also thinks Costochondritis is flaring up. Can't understand why it would be so painful now however as they diagnosed that over 1 1/2 yrs. ago? So I left pretty much feeling like an idiot. He also did a Pap smear while I was there noting I haven't had one in a lng time. Anyways, I guess I'll sit back for awhile and see if the pain goes away. Deliberating on taking an alternative natural drug called~Macafem! So I am basically scratching my head wondering what the heck? How can someone have specific pain, mainly on 2 places, outer breast and armpit. It's the first Mammo I had that literally was incredibly painful. Transducer was painful and she stopped at those spots and clicked away at her computer? But I am told, not even cysts showed up:p I am left feeling alittle frustrated with no concrete answers and feeling a bit like an idiot:( I do have very dense breasts and have learned from this experience, I will have an Ultrasound with Mammo's from now on! For now, I sit back and see if pain continues to persist. I have a feeling Doc wouldn't send me to a breast specialist even if I asked for one now, based on the 2 tests being negative. Anyways, thanks for all the replies, it is greatly appreciated it. I may try the natural herb for awhile and see if it makes a difference. 

Vicodin

They gave me Vicodin once...........later it was discovered that it can cause Heart Problems..........

Hope you find the cause of your pain...........glad the Ultra Sound is ok