Hi. My primary diagnosis was in 2012. Single mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy. Followed up with tamoxifen.
However, in 2018, I found a swollen supraclavicular lymph node which tested positive. The node was removed, chemo and radiotherapy and medication changed to anastrozole (after removal of ovaries). All quiet for 2.5 years. However, I am now beginning to feel a pressure/ache feeling on the back of my head/top of neck and I am really worried this is a sign of brain metastasis. I am too scared to talk to my oncologist as I know the prognosis if confirmed is not good and I currently have a friend going through this. I just simply cannot bear the thought of having to face this.
with all the current stresses, I have felt very anxious and I face a lot of pressure at work and now, I am worrying constantly over this too.
Im just wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar or can give me some more advice on how brain metastasis feels. Clearly hoping for reassurance, but if not, I know I need to face this head on.
HI KJA welcome to the forum and I am so very sorry to hear how worried that you are. I can appreciate why you are worried that this could be something sinister but a couple of things in your post make me wonder if this could be being caused by something else entirely.
I can see from your post that there are a lot of things happening in your life that are causing no end of stress, anxiety and general worry which over time can cause us to tighten our muscles up and in turn this can cause pain and its usually the neck area that it manifests itself in. I speak from personal experience as this has happened for me in the past and it can be really painful. You are worrying constantly about work as you say and this can take its toll on you as well. You are supporting a friend who has a brain tumour and this will be bringing back horrible memories for you when she talks or undergoes treatment etc.
All of the above combined would make me think stress rather than anything else but thats just my thoughts however, to offer you complete re- assurance you gotta make that call and get seen and checked out to put your mind at rest.
Meantime Im sending some huge big hugs your way for now.xxxx
gail
