Does anyone not have health anxiety after a cancer diagnosis?

I realize I could use a therapist but I can’t afford it. So I’ll just stay screwed up. Could be worse.

I have medical trauma from having had a lot of really bad medical experiences, misdiagnosis, and outright malpractice. When I got my cancer diagnosis I was more scared of the doctors than the disease. After the first week, I scheduled a therapist and i have seen her weekly since. I also have a social worker through the cancer center who steps in if I feel like the doctors aren't hearing me.

@myrna I’m glad you’re getting good support now but what a ride! Did you end of switching your medical team after the horrible experience at the beginning? If so how tough was that transition? Considering a move to another system but not sure I have the energy for it.

@Donna E The fact that you still have a sense of humor tells me you’re not as “ screwed up” as you think you might be😉. Having a sense of humor can be the best therapy 👍👏💕

I have MBC and therapy is helping. I see someone who specializes in complex medical / oncology and 'medical ptsd'. She is also familiar with the side effects of the meds so can also help identify any issues there. She's helped me figure out how to talk to family and people about my condition and manage my self expectations dealing with fatigue etc and asking for help to get things done.

May I ask if you are on an aromatase inhibitor and was the psychiatrist able to help you?

Thanks Susan I needed that. Hard to stay upbeat with shingles. I can’t even exercise.

@Mia M My bad experiences have happened over a period of thirty years. I have a trusted GP that I've been seeing for about 8 years. Anytime I have to see anyone but him it's a toss-up if it will be a good experience or bad. I saw six different people in 3 days to get my diagnosis which was hard but they were all wonderfully compassionate. But then the first surgeon was snarky about me taking notes and refused to answer questions. Her bio said she was the Idaho expert on targeted radiation therapy but refused to discuss it with me. I switched surgeons. The first medical oncologist didn't believe in discussing risks with patients. She said "If you can't trust me to tell you what you need to know, when you need to know it then you need a different doctor." But if they don't discuss the risks, then they don't really have informed consent. I seem to find all the worst providers.

Let me tell you what my experiences with my doctors have been since my BC diagnosis: My internist had blood work from another patient and had her results in my chart. The person had end stage renal disease and was a diabetic . When I went to discuss my results( a week after bloodwork) he realized the mistake and sent me for bloodwork! I needed a physical before my lumpectomy so I had an EKG, which was fine.

Continues: Dr wrote on my chart that I had Congestive Heart Failure! WTF????? He has since deleted that . When I went to get another medical release because I just had cataract surgery the nurse who weighed me put the wrong weight and made me 18 lbs heavier! I called her back and told her that she has to correct that and she said she couldn’t ! I told her that anesthesia is calculated on body weight and it is a big mistake, her answer was: “ They weigh you before surgery” No they don’t !

I could go on but it’s pathetic .

@Susan U I understand. I'm sorry you've gone through so much. I had incorrect notes in my chart and I sent a message through the portal to note corrections. They always tell me portal notes go in your file. 🤷 The office manager called me to discuss the situation and the notes were changed. I have wondered about getting a misdiagnosis removed but it's in so many files by now it will follow me forever.

Health related/everyday related anxiety. Cancer anxiety. It's there, it's gotten worse, but by reading on this app be about everyone else. It's helped a great deal.

I recommend that everyone get a summary of the doctor’s notes for every doctor you see. There are too many unacceptable mistakes which can derail certain treatments. I forgot to write that when I had my bone density scan , my PCP wrote down that I had osteoporosis , which I did not! I have osteopenia . If this information had been sent to my medical oncologist , he would have started me on Prolia, which I did not need ! Im glad I get all tests results because things like this really stress me out !

I learned through caregiving my folks you have to be your own advocate! It’s my body!! I read up on the cancer sites, not google so I can make informed decisions. I said no to bone drugs!! Too many side effects. I do bone building regimen with calcium, vit D, k2, boron and some other stuff. They are dissolvable vegan capsules. I also do Nativepath collagen two scoops a day. We’ll see what goes on my next Dexa . The last one I was -1.7. I’m not sitting around two years doing nothing until the next one. I also walk, exercise and do balance routines. 71,21@💕

I would seriously consider not taking any “ bone” drugs if I should need them in the future . I will have to cross that bridge “when and if the time comes .

I got weighed a lot before surgery! Cataract and BCS!! My onco dr told me he wouldn’t do surgery until I weighed 119. I am 5’3 at 104. My daughter gave me protein shakes with everything but the kitchen sink. I barely made it. Now I’m back at my old weight. I’m exanorexic so I just don’t eat that much.

I agree with you. I’m a year out from diagnosis & treatment & looking back I sure would have benefitted from some talk therapy!

I was seeing a therapist prior to dx and continued seeing one. The difference now is that i see an oncology therapist at my cancer center who can address my particular situation better. 100% recommend - there is no shame. Mental health is health, just a different organ.

Thanks Jane and Barbara ❤️After giving it another thought I think now I feel more comfortable to give it a try. Sometimes it’s just so hard to ask for help and acknowledge you need it 😫

I stayed positive and held it together after my diagnosis, surgery, through chemo then radiation and when I finished, I did experience anxiety... post- traumatic stress symptoms... along myself what did I just go through?! I was so glad to meet with a therapist familiar with breast cancer treatments, side effects, patient concerns such as if the cancer comes back. I was glad my medical oncologist recognized my need and made a referral for me after hearing me explain some of my concerns post treatment. The therapist was wonderful! Easy to talk to and really helped!