I am struggling with the fact that my Doctor told me that the next course of action we are trying there's a 50/50 chance it will make things worse

It's still the next course of action and there will need to be adjustments and maybe more invasive options we may have to take if things don't get better. I wish she was more confident, but I know she can't know and it's a complicated situation. I guess I am mostly concerned that one of the meds they are wanting me to take is known to cause depression and I don't know if that's a smart move for me but maybe it won't cause me that side effect. I feel like they have to completely break me to put me back together and fix me. I guess I am just scared that I am going to have to go through hell and trial and error and maybe it won't even help in the end.I t's frustrating but all I can do is follow my doctor's advice and monitor myself and just hope that I don't fall too far down that black hole where I can't function properly.

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dancingtongue · 80-89, M

As others have said, get a second opinion if you are not confident with your doctor's recommendation. It is difficult for doctor's to gauge how to tell patients things: play God, be optimistic and reassuring; or, be realistic, totally balanced and involve the patient. Personally I prefer the latter, but it is not for everyone.

The other thing is always remember you are under no obligation to take treatment recommendations. You can say no. When I had colon cancer surgery the surgeon -- whom I highly trust -- urged prophylactic chemo afterwards, as there would be a 23% chance of improving survivability by two years. I said no thanks. Maybe earlier in life, but at this point two more years doesn't mean that much and having watched my wife go through five cycles of chemo for two different forms of cancer, I realize one of those two added years will have very little quality of life. I'll trust your scapple work, Doc. Well, yours and that robot's.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

BTW, I was supposed to be dead by now according to the prognosis tables. Still kicking, driving, doing volunteer work.