[Jfosntampa]

Signs everywhere, but what do they mean?

by Jfosntampa on Sun Apr 03, 2016 9:30 pm

Is it only me, or has anyone else turned into a hypochondriac? Well, not a real hypochondriac, since I do not run to the doctor at every ache or pain. It even took me six months to go to the doctor for my severe back pain that culminated with the destruction of my T8 vertebra. But since the diagnosis, the chemo, the radiation and the transplant, when things quit working like they used to, it gets my mind a wandering. When does the alarm go off to call the doctor to report things? Do I wait until my regular visits, every three months or so, or call and leave a message?

I have chosen to go chemo free for the past year, but now I am finding a painful lump on my arm and it is two more months till I see the doctor again. Is that a tumor growing or just my imagination? When your stool changes color and consistency, is that a sign? When you feel bloated, is that one? Or do we take them all into account?

And of course, all of this costs money, whether it is out of pocket or time out of work. I know that should not be a factor, but we all take that in to account.

I guess all of this is to ask one question: When is an ache just an ache and not an alarm that things are about to get interesting again?

[Little Monkey]

Re: Signs everywhere, but what do they mean?

by Little Monkey on Sun Apr 03, 2016 10:47 pm

You have to be careful when you have myeloma. An inexplicably sore wrist could be one of those spontaneous fractures which can sometimes occur with myeloma or one of its treatments, an infection (which is more common with myeloma), or you just slept on it wrong and don't remember.

I would never, ever consider any person with myeloma / leukemia / lymphoma etc. as a hypochondriac for wanting to see their doctor (or at least talk to their doctor) for what would normally be minor issues. A light fever mid-winter usually means nothing, but for someone on chemo, it can be more serious.

[KarenaD]

Re: Signs everywhere, but what do they mean?

by KarenaD on Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:06 am

Hi John,

I really relate to your post. I’ve always been proud of my strong body and the things it could accomplish (softball and synchronized swimming championships in my youth, a full-term twin pregnancy at 42, a 5-day sea-kayaking voyage through Johnstone Strait at 50). But after a bout with breast cancer and now myeloma, I’m disappointed in and no longer trust my body. I feel betrayed and vulnerable, and I sometimes think of my body as an enemy that wants to kill me. I’d begun to feel like a hypochondriac; incapable of finding that balance between healthy vigilance and debilitating anxiety.

But fear can have a very negative impact on quality of life. So, I’ve tried to adopt the “2-week rule” used by many cancer survivors/patients.

It works like this:

• When you first notice a symptom, write it down, along with the date of onset and anything that might explain it (medication side effect, a fall, physical overexertion, eating a new food etc).
• Then … forget about it. In two weeks, if you still have the symptom, make an appointment with your doctor.
• Of course, the two-week rule applies only to symptoms that make you anxious but do not constitute severe pain, signs of infection, heart attack, stroke or clear evidence of disease. If you've got any of those, dial your doctor immediately.

Most symptoms disappear or improve within that two week time-frame. Those that don't are a legitimate reason to check with your doctor – without embarrassment.

This “2-week rule” doesn’t work for everyone, but I’ve found it gives me a sense of control over the fear and hypochondria.

Karen

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Signs everywhere, but what do they mean?

by Nancy Shamanna on Tue Apr 05, 2016 8:23 am

The 'two week rule' sounds like a good rule, Karen! I write down any concerns between my monthly doctor's visits. Sometimes the concerns are no longer valid, but sometimes they are, and then I discuss them at my appointment.

But John, if you have a painful lump on your arm that you are worried about, you could also see your family physician about that, or try for an earlier appointment with the oncologist. I would not leave it for two months if it does not clear up soon. Having myeloma changes one's health and it is good to be pro-active about new symptoms I think.

[Ron Harvot]

Re: Signs everywhere, but what do they mean?

by Ron Harvot on Tue Apr 05, 2016 1:49 pm

Hi Karen,

I like the two week rule and will incorporate it. Makes a lot of sense.

John,

I agree with Little Monkey and Nancy about the lump. You should not wait 2 months. A myeloma patient (or any cancer patient) who upon finding a lump and having it looked at by a physician, is simply being prudent. Letting it go for 2 months would simply be acting foolish.