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Okay, so here I am with another question.

If you have had medication side effects/symptoms, who do you go to for help alleviating them? 

I know I am maybe a bit unique, in that my treatment is hormone therapy based, and not surgical, etc. But like, my nurse practitioner can't help me, said to take my complaints to my gyne oncologist. 

My gyne oncologist said yesterday that he doesn't deal with symptoms/side effects, and is sending me to a reproductive endocrinologist? He did admit he's not sure if the reproductive endocrinologist will be of much help, but we will give it a try. 

I am in the midst of finding a new naturopath to work with, I am thinking they might be my best bet for helping me manage some of my hormonal side effects. 

The only other suggestion my gyne oncologist had was to stop treatment and go the surgical route. I really don't think asking for some help with symptom management is unreasonable though? 

@MissERP this does sound odd that the gyne oncol said he doesn't help with 'symptoms/side effects'. Out of curiosity, who prescribed the hormone therapy? From my perspective (which could be wrong), the doctor that prescribed it should be the one monitoring it and providing support for any side effects. I know that for side effects I've experienced from anything relative to medications and/or treatments for my cancer, that it was gyne oncologist who was my go to (or her team). If it was something prescribed by my GP, then it was to her. So I'm curious.

#Treatmentandsideeffects

@Alwayslearning back in November when I had my initial consult with my gyne oncologist, he laid out my options. I went back a couple weeks later, told him I want to go the hormone treatment route, he said, okay, go back to my then local obgyn and have her place the IUD and prescribe the letrozole. Of course, that obgyn stopped providing my care in Jan/Feb, and I started seeing my gyne oncologist again in March. Since then he has been the one overseeing this for me and writing new or updated prescriptions as we changed my dosage, etc. 

There is a Lymphedema clinic at LHSC that I found this morning while searching online. I gave them a call for fun to learn whats what and they even said yes, the oncologist doesn't do anything for symptom management. I called his office after and left a voicemail asking if he can send a referral for me to go see them to help with my increased lymphatic swelling. 

@MissERP you've had quite the journey from doctor to doctor. I am sorry if he's not providing the support you need however glad you found the clinic. I can imagine it is tiring having to continuously search and find and advocate however you should be applauded for your efforts. As another option, and forgive if you've already tried this route, however could your GP provide any support? I have a great GP who has helped me at times when my gyne oncol just wasn't available. Just a thought and again, you may already have gone this route.

Regardless, I hope you will be able to get in to the Lymphedema clinic quickly.

#Supportandencouragement #Treatmentandsideeffects

@Alwayslearning Yes, it's been a bit rough, stressful, and tiring trying to navigate everything. I am connected with the AYA Oncology program nurse coordinator at LHSC and she has been helpful providing some external resources. I still just wish I was allowed to speak with a nurse or nurse practitioner within the gyne oncology department (since my gyne oncologist chose to see me as a patient in the hospital clinic rather than the cancer centre, I don't have access to a nurse). 

I have a family doctor, however I am not comfortable working with her (I have trust issues and/or probably even some trauma from past experiences with her and a different NP at her office, this has made it hard for me to even be comfortableworking with some of the other doctors I have seen since my diagnosis. Fortunately, I have become comfortable working with my gyne oncologist). So, I work with my NP who will consult my GP when needed (such as with these iron infusions). 

@MissERP I'm glad the AYA Oncology program nurse coordinator (at LHSC) has been helpful. Sometimes finding that one person can be so key. It's so odd that you would be treated so differently in terms of surrounding support, because you are treated in the clinic vs cancer centre. Have you pushed back on that? I'm sure you have. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease right!? I'd make a bit more noise since you would benefit from being able to speak with a nurse.

Glad you are gaining comfort with your gyne oncologist and that the NP you have connected with, is also providing some support.

Please enjoy your vacation. You haven't certainly been through so much.

#Healthandwellness #Supportandencouragement

@MissERP, my oncologist had mentioned that if hot flashes and such were bothering me that she would refer me to the sexual health clinic where they would know more about treatments.   Otsure if you have something like that available where you are.

@Meinvan I do have a normal obgyn again, but I've only met her once, still building that patient relationship with her. It might be something she can help with I suppose? 

@MissERP. Never hurts to ask right.  I don't have an obgyn.  But I am waiting for a referral to one to do routine pelvic exams.