Health update (Back from Dr.)

[bicentennial_baby]

Ok, so I went in to see the Doc today. She did an exam and found several cysts in both breasts, so I have a mammogram and ultrasound scheduled for Thursday morning. I explained that this episode, coupled with quitting smoking 2 weeks ago, has given me a severe level of anxiety and about the inability to sleep, loss of appetite, crying every 5 seconds. She prescribed Wellbutrin for me to help stabilize my moods. I'm still having a moderate amount of pain, but seeing the Doc did help with my panic. She says the lumps feel cystic, and that they will probably turn out to be such. I'm still a bit scared to say the least, but I'm gonna hang in there until I know more.

Does anyone have some tips to make the Mammo less agonizing? I remember last time it was one of the most painful things I had ever experienced, and I'd like to lessen that if possible in any way. Suggestions?

Thanks to all who have sent their support and good vibes my way, esp. DUer extraordinaire, flamingyouth, who I know is having a tough week herself, yet made time to check in with me today and send her support. Y'all rock, and I don't know what I'd do without you.

:grouphug:

[drb]

1. You're doing the right thing and the brave thing...

Sometimes that can be extremely difficult.

You'll be in my prayers.

[Political_Junkie]

2. Thanks for the update,

I'll keep you in my thoughts. :hug:

[villager]

3. best to you, b_b...

this is obviously a rough patch but keep hangin' on/in there, and keep us posted...

[Heddi]

4. I work with high-risk breast ca & ovarian ca women

I work in breast & ovarian ca research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. We ask women who are coming in for mammograms & breast biopsies to donate a blood sample and fill out a questionairre for research---we're trying to find proteins in the blood that would allow us to create a blood test that could be another tool, in addition to breast self exam, mammos and biopsies, to help detect breast & ovarian cancer in women earlier than it's being detected.

That being out of the way, I don't know any way to have your mammo less stressful (mentally & physiologically) than it already is. However, getting a good nights sleep the night before, and just trying to be as calm as possible is really all I can prescribe (pun intended). It's painful, unfortunately, because that's the only way to get a clear picture of breast tissue, which is generally very dense and fatty (even moreso if you're premenopausal).

I deal with women EVERY DAY who have just been diagnosed with various types of endometrial, ovarian, cervical, uterine cancer, as well as women who have already had a unilateral mastectomy or several biopsies. I can't claim to know where you're coming from, but I can let you know that being scared, nervous, apprehensive, and all those other crazy things called "emotions" are perfectly normal and natural, and I'd worry about someone who WASN'T worried.

I've got some literature at home (i'm at work now) and I'll PM you some of the stuff in there. Good stuff. Solid science. My company works to ease suffering through research and development of treatment---this isn't some company that just wants to push drugs on you to get you out of their hair. The people I work with have genuine care and love for their patients.

Please don't overly stress yourself about your ultrasound & mammo. Stressing out will do nothing for yourself or the tests. There's going to be anxiety no matter what, but do what you can to remove yourself from it. Go to a park. FEed some birds. Do mindless, beautiful things that you enjoy and (I know this is impossible), but try not to think about it. Of course that's impossible. How about this=---try not to WORRY about it. You can't change the results. Your worrying can't change the results.

Just know that here at DU, and I'm most certain in the 'real world' you have a huge network of people who love and care for you and who have you in their prayers/thoughts/dreams through this time.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I'm not a doctor, or a nurse (yet), but I've got alot of information available to me just because of the nature of my job, and I"ll be more than happy to answer anything you may have :)

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

5. I also have problems with fibrocysts

Try taking some Advil at least an hour before you have your mammogram. I've done that, and it seems to lessen the pain. Best of luck with a not-fun-but-necessary process!

[Dookus]

6. hang in there,

bb... I wish you the best and I hope for the best outcome.

Can you get some xanax? It'll help for the exam if you're worried about it.

I've never (being a man) had my tits through a wringer, but I'm sure it's not pleasant.

I repeat: xanax. Call your doctor and get a scrip for just a few.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

7. Any chance for...

other imaging tools? I'm getting something akin to an MRI for my next exam. I too have cystic boobage and came close to passing out during my one and only mammogram.

Can't they also use sonnograms? I think I remember Suzanne Summers talking about that -- it's how they found her cancer after the mammo missed it. On edit: just saw the snogram part of your message. :(

What do your cysts feel like and where are they located? Are they rubbery/round/right behind the nipple? My ancient Texas GP taught me some ways to distinguish cysts so I wouldn't get so freaked out every time I found one.

[eileen from OH]

8. #1 - Very Important

When you go in, explain that you have a low tolerance for pain on mammograms and ask if there is a "tech" who is especially good at positioning. After YEARS of VERY uncomfortable (to say the least) mammograms, I found a tech that took the time and had the expertise to position for minimum discomfort. I thought it was weird at first -she would have me turn my foot a certain way and shift my weight, etc... very painstaking, and seemingly tiny adjustments, but it was AMAZING the difference it made. Some techs - whether for this or drawing blood, or other uncomfortable procedures - have a "knack". The other hospital personnel all know who it is - you just need to ASK for them, even if it means waiting.

Best of luck, hon.

eileen from OH

[eileen from OH]

9. First thing - Very Important. ..

When you go in, explain that you have a low tolerance for pain on mammograms and ask if there is a "tech" who is especially good at positioning. After YEARS of VERY uncomfortable (to say the least) mammograms, I found a tech that took the time and had the expertise to position for minimum discomfort. I thought it was weird at first -she would have me turn my foot a certain way and shift my weight, etc... very painstaking, and seemingly tiny adjustments, but it was AMAZING the difference it made. Some techs - whether for this or drawing blood, or other uncomfortable procedures - have a "knack". The other hospital personnel all know who it is - you just need to ASK for them, even if it means waiting.

Best of luck, hon.

eileen from OH

[bicentennial_baby]

10. Kick

:kick:

[bicentennial_baby]

11. Day 2 Kick

Hoping for a bit more support...very anxious and scared right now. :scared:

[Khephra]

12. Good vibes!

Sorry I missed your previous thread!

:loveya:

[bicentennial_baby]

13. Thanks Scott

I could use all the good vibes you can spare. :pals: