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After Radiation

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Comments

  • lee7
    lee7 Member Posts: 204

    gmaFoley,

    How about just regular saline eye drops?  You might have to use them more often than that prescpition but it would be a lot less money.

    I don't post much but I read a lot here. I finished up rads just over a year ago now. Im one that has a lot of pain still since. I'm sorry you're going thru this. 

    I've found ice to be my best friend when the pain gets worse. I think the ice calms down some of the inflammation. Just don't leave it on a spot too long.

    I have to go read the I hate LE thread.  Thank you granny for reminding me!!

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600

    Gma, Contact the manufacturer of Restasis.  The phone number is probably on the sample package. 

    explain your prooblem and ask if they have a program that could help you gget your prescription at low or no cost.  Most major manufacturers have help available.

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    Lee - I have been on regular drops for 2 month now with other things he has tried. I had an eye infection 2 months ago and ended up with two scratched corneas. This was so serious I was blind for a while... He gave me time to just try the thera-tears and it isn't getting better, in fact my vision is off and not doing well.. so far the doc hasn't called back so I'm not sure what I'm gonna do...Just not using them until I know.

    Chabba - I tried that with aromasin and they denied us because we NOW both have jobs, no money, no prescription coverage, no REAL health insurance.. but we are working... I suspect this will be the same way but will try. 

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    So I do have ladies in my pocket this afternoon at 3:15 pacific? I hope you all bring lots of food! and no pushing... I am so nervous... I didn't have a good time last time - the lights went out and he examined me in the dark (with his ipod light) then told me I was just fine - the pain would go away.... you know, he charged me for that too... Thought everyone needed a "here's your sign" moment... What was I thinking????

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545

    GMA - I will be the first one in your pocket today.  I want to beat the rush.  LOL!  No one can resist these:

                                

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685

    gma i took the afternoon off work so I can be in your pocket

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503

    gma I'll be in your pocket eating Jo's strawberry's hope I don't drool too much

  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 504

    I'll be in your pocket gma! Saying a prayer for you....

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    Found a $25 off card from the company for the Restasis drops for my eyes... $15 the next month and then they give you gift cards there after... Only problem - it takes 2 - 6 weeks to get the card and I have a 5 day supply if I skimp.

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545

    Gma -  It's the dreaded good news/bad news situation.  Can you call the company, let them kmow your situation and see if they will expedite the cards?

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    Problem is how do I pay the $301... Even with there discount it is still way overpriced... Kinda reminds me of AI meds.. Ok, I need to breathe again... today is the surgeon - that is what I need to focus on - help me with the questions to ask "tell" him..

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978
    Ok, which one of you got out of my pocket and gave my surgeon a swift kick?!!  I can't believe what happened!
     
    Let me list the things that happened so I can think this through.
     
    We first had a discussion about my breast being swollen and swells more during gardening, walking or when it gets hot.. 
     
    I also told him about you all suggesting that I find a lymphadema therapist. 
     
    Then he checked my arms and said, "But there is no swelling in your arms" 
     
    I told him I was told it could happen in the breast and not in your arms. - then he examined me - and agreed there are parts that are a "little" swollen and went on to tell me how well the scars had healed and there was only about a quarter of the breast that had issues, but that would heal in time...
     
    I took a deep breath and mentioned a few stories I heard and suggested again that maybe, if I had someone who "knows" about breast edema, look at it and then give me some suggestions on what to do about it. He then repeated the same thing, like it was HIS idea.
     
    He went out while I got redressed and had the assistant call a few other doctors to see where the closest LE therapist was to me.
     
    He came back in -  and started checking my arms for a second time and suggested I really didn't have any of the signs. 
     
    He then asked me about the last mammo - I told him when I had it and he brought it up on his system - He was actually the first one that looked at it and didn't say everything is normal.... He showed me a ring around the outside of my breast and said, "See this white part - That's all the swelling around your breast"  - WOW - He actually believes me!!!!!
     
    They are calling the therapist and gave me their number too. They will try to set up an appt for me.  Unfortunately, it is about an hour away but there is an Olive Garden close by . Smile
     
    Ok, I think that is all I can remember and thank you all for coming with me...  

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545

    GMA - Yay!  For you.  I told you to not take no for an answer and to push if you have to.  Good going.  You know how vocal I am so it might have been me that kicked him in the butt.

  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 504

    That's wonderful gma!

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978
    OH OH OH I forgot to tell you one thing about the visit to my surgeon.. He also suggested a BMX to take care of the problem with all the scar tissue. - I didn't remember that one right away because that was sort of a sucker punch in the face when he said it. - Wasn't ready for that one even though that thought was in the back of my mind....
  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503

    gma yeah you got a referal.  I hope it helps you.  I ended up having a BMX and reconstruction because of all my issues from rads and I have to say it was easier than rads.  Everyone has to do what is right for them.  If you consider it just make sure you interview several PS before making up your mind.

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    Well ladies - things are never quite on the BC front.. Those drops I was going to have trouble taking because of the $$$$$ - after taking 2 doses  I am sensitive to light and have a headache. Called the eye docs office - (I have major antibiotic allergies btw) Doc on call told me that the Restasis has an antibiotic in the mix and I might be allergic to it - to stop it...and wait for my Doc to come back into town (doing eye surgeries on the coast) and then talk to him... I find my sensitivity to stuff has heightened since Radiation.. does anyone else find this true for them?

  • sagina
    sagina Member Posts: 849

    Grammie~ I've been away from the boards for a bit - work is nuts, and not in a good way.  I wanted to share my sensitivity with you, are you ready for this one, I have developed an extreme photo sensitivity.  Now I never liked to be in pictures anyway! lol, I wish, I can't be out in the sunlight or heat for more than a few minutes.  I pushed it on memorial day and was out in the heat (in the shade) for about 40 minutes straight, I had to go inside the air conditioned house as my head was pounding and my heart was racing. It seems like heat stroke symptoms, but I get them really quickly.  Then the other day I was cooking opened the oven and it all started again.  As soon as I get warm, by any means, I start itching like mad on my back, then my arms, then my legs....When I have to leave the house on the weekends, I almost don't want to....I also have extreme pain in the radiated side and boob.  Being that I am a plus plus size woman, no one can "see" the swelling on me.  I have been on gabapentin and missed a couple of days and realized how much it really does help....doesn't seem to be to expensive.

    Does the county you live in have a university type hospital. We have a program here called "Care Link" for uninsured patients.  You pay a monthly fee based on your income if necessary, but you get full access coverage at any county facility.  They assign you a primary doctor etc.  Here the county hospital and facilities are state of the art. 

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    Gina-welcome home.Im so sorry to hear this crap.Stay with us.When did all this start?

    GmaF--im watchin the thread on the LE so i kinda know whats happening with you.

    Both of you stay strong.

    Hi everyone.Im cranky!!!!

    still prayin for all of you.huggggggs K

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    Grannydukes :: Lets have a cranky party - Everyone come over to my pocket and lets be cranky together...

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    where do you live gmaF.I have an electric broom.I can pick up some of the sistas...the broom hold 4.

    calling all cranky sistas!!!!!!!!!

  • torigirl
    torigirl Member Posts: 748

    I love you all...even if you are all cranky right now!  :)  It'll get better...

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    Smiling for sure :) I live in Roseburg, OR - don't forget to bring your fishing pole  - we can go hide.!!!! Bring me an LE therapist with you Granny not sure the one I'm going to is gonna work out but for all the other BC ladies in town I decided I would try him to see if he knew his stuff ;-)   No one has referred to him because he is new in town but if the Gal up in Eugene (who trains them) referred him I figure he's ok.. Let you know next weds LOL.!

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545

    Granny - Come pick me up on your electric broom.  I will join the cranky sistas.

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    All aboard!!!!!!we are flying to Roseburg OR..where is that JOJO....you can sit in the front with me.

    GmaFoley---fishing--outdoors...ya gotta have that arm covered ya know....bug bites will give you lots of pain and grief that you dont need now....

    We are comin...at least JOJO and me....2 more seats sistas.

    oh i feel betta already!!!!!!

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600

    I'm cranky tonight too. I'll pop on down there for the crab session Grammie.

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    You all are awesome! I'll get the barbeque on the shaded porch ready!

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    Granny - I'm up front with you sista.  I'll hold on to that big purse of yours while you drive.  GMA - Get ready cuz here we cooommmmeeeee.
  • kingjr66
    kingjr66 Member Posts: 406

    damn, I missed the party.  would have loved a ride on an electric broom, never done that before.

  • kingjr66
    kingjr66 Member Posts: 406

    Granny - is this what your electric broom looks like?

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