Hi all,
Sorry I don’t post on here much these days but I really hope someone can advise me.
I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2004 and had a right mastectomy in Feb 05. The lab results showed the cells were non invasive and I had no further treatment.
Last week, I had a bad pain around my back/right side and so i went to my GP a9t which stage it was already easing off). She said it was probably a muscle strain, which I agreed with, but she sent me for a chest x-ray ‘just to be ultra cautious’. I thought this was a bit over-kill but I went anyway. She then phoned me up to say that the x-ray was fine, but they couldn’t see one of my ribs as my liver was in the way and they wanted to do a bone scan. I was quite shocked, and the appointment has come through for next Tuesday. I phoned them up and asked was there any reason to think there was anything wrong and they said not on the notes. The pain has now gone away, and I think it was just a muscle strain.
The appointment letter really scared my hiusband, I just think it’s really silly and I don’t want to go. It’s going to take all day, and for what?
What do you think? Do you think they suspect mets or are just being ‘ultra cautious’? Would it be in my best interests to go or just worry me more? I have just been getting on with my life, and now I wish I hadn’t even gone to the GP - it went away by itself.
If it was me I would probably go. When you get the all clear you can relax otherwise next time you get a twinge (and we all get those from time to time) it might start you worrying and thinking you should have had the scan.
I hope it all goes well for you.
Val
I suspect that if you don’t go the niggle will always be there. I would give your GP credit here - so many, even when there is a history of breast cancer, just don’t think to err on the side of caution. As you so rightly say the pain could easily be due to a muscle strain - but the x-ray they have done has suggested something wasnt showing up clearly, and of course may not be related at all to the pain you experienced. It will be an anxious few days for you - the scan itself is not an unpleasant experience - and the wait between the injection and the scan of 2-3 hrs does not have to be spent in the hospital. I usually go off and do a bit of retail therapy
I agree with Dawn - so many GPs don’t send their patients to be checked thoroughly or quickly enough and I think you’re very fortunate that you do have a GP who is just making sure.
Fingers crossed that you’re okay and at least you’ll know rather than ‘what if’
I agree with the other ladies, its good the GP is erring on the side of caution. I know a whole day at hospital will be tiring but if you cancelled and the ache came back again in a few weeks would you kick yourself? Think of it as confirming muscle strain and nothing else. As Dawn said there may always be that niggle if you don’t go.
I recently had exactly the same problem,I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer last summer; I’ve had Sciatica, on and off ever since my daughter was born 19 years ago, a few months ago I had an attack which was the most severe to date, which resulted in my losing feeling in my left leg. No one would treat me until I had had X-Rays and a bone scan. I questioned my G.P about it, she said it was to rule out any ‘other problems’, Hmff! I did go along with it, as the seed of doubt they had managed to plant in my head was threatening to grow into some huge very scary Triffid! In the end, I had, X-Rays, Bone Scan and an MRI. It was time consuming, and by the end of it all my Sciatica had healed itself!
I am glad that I did it though, it’s hard enough to find a point at which to start trusting these bodies of ours again! If I hadn’t gone through with it, I know it would be niggling away at the back of my mind for goodness knows how long!
