Jolamine, I never considered your question to be nosey.  Honestly, though I don’t know you I feel comfortable coming on here, going on about everything I need to get off my chest.  I have a great family and wonderful friends but I hold back with them.... I don’t want to worry them or let them see how scared I am.  I just want to know why I have felt terribly sick for over 2 months...I just want my GP to return my calls, to show a little compassion.  I did respond about most of my appointments however I forgot to include the result of my breast consultation.... the only appointment that resulted in an answer and no more tests (and everyone was so kind)!  I continue to have lumps but the doctor said fibercystic breast tissue probably from hormonal changes (Makes sense now that I know I have a “complex ovarian cyst”) and that because of the density of my tissue they will do a mammogram and a high resolution ultrasound each year.  I’m at least very grateful that my appointment there went well.  I also forgot to add the when the GYN returned my call the nurse initially said everything’s looked great and that I could just come in for my yearly appointment as planned.  She called back a few minutes later to inform me she misread the report and that I have a complex cyst and will need a repeat ultrasound in six weeks.  I asked her if that could be causing my bloating and nausea and the pressure/pain in my back and she said it is a small cyst and should not me causing symptoms and to call my GP ( which I had, left two messages as I was told they should have had the result an few days ago of the labs and liver/gallbladder scans—-they never called back).  So I’m still nauseous and bloated and cannot lay on my tummy to sleep and I’m up peeing all night and the GYN says to call the GP and the GP doesn’t care so I’m just tired and frustrated.

Hi MamaK,

I do so feel for you. I was back for my annual check today. All seems fine, but I had a colonoscopy, following routine bowel screening early last year. They told me that there were a few polyps, but they were too small to band. After that I became very constipated. My GP prescribed something to help me go, which didn’t really work. I had my gallbladder removed many years ago and now feel constantly nauseous and, the additional concoction only made me feel worse. My GP has since put me on to another medication which doesn’t upset me quite as much, but it’s still not getting me moving. She referred me to the hospital for further tests and today they referred me back to my GP.

As you rightly say, I feel like a puppet being shunted from pillar to post and getting nowhere. I was told that I too have a cyst on my ovaries, but they don’t seem too concerned about that, as it hasn’t been looked at since it was first diagnosed 7½ years ago. It’s not given me any bother since, so I have just left well alone. Hopefully you’ll be able to as well. I also have a percentage of fibrosis in my liver, which they think was caused by medication. This is checked every so often, but it hasn’t increased for the past few years.

I had my gall bladder removed 20 years ago, when I felt pretty much as you are describing, so you are just as well to rule that out too.

I hope that your liver and gallbladder results are back tomorrow and that you don’t have to wait over the weekend for them. I see that you have been given some medication to help the nausea, but it doesn’t sound as if it is very effective. There are plenty of different ones, so if one doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to ask for another.

Don’t worry about the length of your post. It often helps to vent our frustrations.

When do you hope to get the rest of your results?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jules,

I just want to wish you all the best for tomorrow. When I had a double mastectomy, like you I was terrified as I neared my surgery date, but all was a lot easier than I expected and I hope that yours will be too.

Thinking of you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi there - hope all goes well tomorrow. 

In terms of practicalities - it will be the usual medical history, and you may need either a dye or radioactive thing injected so they can spot the lymph nodes. I had  something called gamma radiation and it’s a bit stingy for five minutes but doesn’t hurt for long.

i had mastectomy and reconstruction of left breast. I wasn’t in particular discomfort after because I had a morphine pump - but I stopped that after about six hours - it was making me woozy and I cope better when my head is clear. Pain wise I was ok. I had a surgical drain - do you have a small toilet bag or cotton should bag as this is useful for putting it in? I was ok and made Christmas lunch at my sisters house five days after my op. I was very tired and the drain was quite unpleasant towards getting it removed. Five weeks on I am driving and doing everything as normal but trying not to lift too much. The numbness is a bit disconcerting but I am getting used to it.

best wishes - I do know that I get immense relief at getting the op behind me x

Jolamine,

I haven’t checked in for a while but I’m still here, still pretty miserable but trucking on.  I’m getting my gallbladder removed this week and also have a follow up ultrasound for the ovarian cyst.  I’ll let you know how it goes.  Hopefully you’re doing well.  

Hi MamaK,

It’s good to hear from you again.

I am sorry to learn that you are still feeling miserable, but I expect that you will be infinitely better once you get your gall bladder operation behind you. Does your surgeon intend to try and do this by keyhole surgery or do you have to have an open cholecystectomy?  You have had a long wait for this and I hope that it all goes well for you.

I presume that you will get your ultrasound for your cyst tomorrow and hope that there is no change in the last 6 weeks.

Thinking of you and fingers crossed for this week.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jules,

I am just wondering how you got on in hospital and how you are getting on post-surgery.

I hope that all is ok.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi All 

I hope you are all doing ok. 

I am still waiting for final result - the oncotype dx - but my oncologist is expecting a low number and has started planning me for radiotherapy and tamoxifen. Fingers cross the onco doesn't throw up any nasties!

Sarah 

Jolamine,

just checking in.  I find comfort in communicating with you and others on this site. Surgery over, still miserable, now also having dizzy spells.  Back to my GP today and she’s baffled.  Ordered more labs and tests.  My appetite is now even worse and my weight continues to drop.  It has only been 8 days since my surgery (it was keyhole) but the nurse at the surgeon’s office told me that I should be feeling better by now so I am not sure what to do now.  I’d hate to think I went through having my gallbladder removed only for it to not help at all.  Hopefully soon someone can tell me why I’ve been sick for five months.... I need to get on with work and caring for my family.