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I Am Tired of Having to Explain My Pain and Need of Pain Meds

So 3 years ago I had stage 3 breast cancer- I did the whole round of torture/treatment including 6 months of chemo, surgery and radiation. Thankfully it resolved and I have not had a relapse so far. Yeah! One complication i developed was lymphedema in my left arm (all of my lymph nodes in my left arm were removed because they were cancerous). This leaves me with mild swelling in my left arm- I did several months of physical therapy, got a custom arm wrap, lymph pump etc. I found that staying well hydrated was the best way to manage the swelling in my arm.
So now I have a new complication from cancer treatment. In December 2017 my portacatheter was removed - it sat below my right collarbone and made giving chemo pretty easy (no hunting for veins). At times it was uncomfortable having this device under your skin, but I tolerated it. No issues with the removal until this year. September 2019 I developed heartburn. I had an endo/colonoscopy (nothing significant was found) and I tried different heartburn meds. Now, Everyday I have horrible heartburn pains where my portacatheter was. It almost feels like a heart attack but I know it’s gas pain because I always burp afterwards and feel fine. I am becoming one of those patients that doctors are annoyed by because they don’t know what to do for me. I have to take it day by day I guess. I’m not looking for pain meds but just some answers and relief.
SwampFlower · 31-35, F
[quote]I am becoming one of those patients that doctors are annoyed by because they don’t know what to do for me.[/quote]

If they are treating you like that, it is time to get new doctors. I've had 3 major health systems "give up" on me and I almost did give up. But there is help out there when you learn to advocate for yourself. Remember your best interest is never at heart, but rather their wallets. Theres always a specialist out there who can make money off of you and who will be willing to help.

Good luck. I wish you relief.
Mrsmeta · 46-50, F
@SwampFlower thanks!
Mindful · 56-60, F
Write a letter on the pc and print it ....save it... only change the date... re print... give to your doctor ... not the nurses... give directly to your doctor. Keep it brief.
greenmountaingal · 70-79, F
I had serious UTI problems until I started taking d-mannose powder, about 1000 mg.a day in water. Really made a difference.
SweetMae · 70-79, F
Can't they give you something for acid control?
Mrsmeta · 46-50, F
@SweetMae they gave one medicine- they said my esophageal sphincter was working well so it wasn’t really acid reflux ...
What have you taken for it?
@Mrsmeta Does the omeprazole (Prilosec) work?
Mrsmeta · 46-50, F
@quitwhendone I tried 3 different meds. This one seemed to work best
@Mrsmeta Well, take the Prilosec to prevent heartburn and take antiacids (Maalox/Rolaids/Tums) when you already have heartburn to neutralize the acid.
JaggedLittlePill · 46-50, F
I am only asking because it could be something you may not have tried yet...have you thought about medicinal marijuana? Maybe edible, rather than smoking. This could be a good alternative...just something to think about.
Mrsmeta · 46-50, F
I am beginning to wonder if I’m developing anxiety from this because it’s such a frustrating thing to deal with every day @JaggedLittlePill
JaggedLittlePill · 46-50, F
@Mrsmeta It is entirely possible. You just want to be comfortable. I do understand.
Mrsmeta · 46-50, F

 
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