Feel like a 80 year old women

Kathie100

Finished chemotherapy in September, Radiation last week and suppose to start hormone therapy in January. I'm 51 always been active but this journey so far has made me feel like a old women. Back pain ad hip pain makes it hard to get up and down , sleep at night and walk any major distance. Even just standing in one spot causes my back to tighten up and begin hurting so bad I have to find a place to sit. Ive gained about 15 to 20 pounds the last 8 months but I don't think that's what it is. Is it normal for your body to go down hill this fast. I stayed pretty active up till about October then it went to hell. I don't feel depressed and I'm not taking any meds except some pain meds for shingles I got under my breast during radiation. I do have a lot of hot flashes now that I didn't have before. Please help me. I'm not real comfortable talking to my onc Dr. Ive pretty much decided not to do the hormone therapy because of the SE I've read about.

MsPharoah

Kathie, hi.  I finished chemo in July, started femara in August and finished radiation in october, so I am about 2 months out from active treatment.  I am feeling better every day and my mo told me to expect it to take as long to recover as I was in active treatment...so for me that is about 8 months of recovery and I think it will take every bit of that time.  Maybe I won't ever be the same....I do feel older, more creaky, so you are not imagining that.  But it will get better, hon.  Take care. 

MsP

djhawx

Kathie,

  It is interesting to read your post.  I am 58 and was diagnosed with ER/PR cancer and have decided against chemo as well as the hormone therapy.  It seems that the side effects of the hormone therapy are disregarded by the medical onc community.  I would love to see a study that seriously takes into consideration the real world effects on women.  It seems we need to trade one problem for another.

Myleftboob

Kathie

I'm about 1.5 years out of chemo TX and almost a year after Herceptin.  I'm also the same age as you.  I've always had issues with my back but between my chiropractor and gentle yoga it really helps.  I must also tell you I'm on Tamoxifen.  I did gain a bit of weight, but it was what I was putting in my mouth and lack of excersise that caused it.  While some really do get horrible side effects that you can't discount, you really don't know how you will be affected until you try it.  For me the only real SE was hot flashes but I find if I take it early in the day, my sleep isn't interupted or anything. .  Wishing you well

bdavis

Hi Kathie... I am 50 and finished chemo May 2011... then had BMX / recon and then started Tamoxifen in Dec 2011 (two years ago). Everyone is different. That is so very true. I also feared the SE of Tamoxifen from stuff I read, and did have some hot flashes and joint stiffness the first month or so, but I am fine now with no SE. The hot flashes actually started and were much worse on chemo. Personally, I think you have gone through a lot so far and certainly don't want to have to repeat any of it, so I suggest you try the hormone therapy. I would give it three months. And if by then you find whatever SE are still there and you can't handle it, at least you know you gave it a good try. None of these drugs are a one size fits all... On Tamoxifen, I did not gain weight, but actually lost weight. I think the "T" had no affect on my weight at all. I go to the gym often, taking Zumba and Bokwa in addition to weight lifting. I believe that one of the best things we can do for ourselves is to get exercise. SE can sometimes be a self-fulling prophecy. Mind over matter girlfriend.

Kathie100

Thanks for all the replies and support. Love this site and reading everyone stories. I wish all of you a Happy New Year and God Bless you 

rafitamia

I am new to this blog, but would like to share what helped my mom during her time, which indeed helped her.....for pain and side effects mom used herbs, for side effects and pain we used Astragalus, for energy we had apple cider vinegar with honey  start with a table spoon to 16 to 20 oz of water, and one tablespoon raw honey, stir use a straw if you have one, if not just zip on it till your done.  At least onece a day, it will also help with other issues, with cancer, and highblood pressure, etc.  This is all based on personal use of mom, and I take it now to prevent cancer,  Also, take turmeric, indian spice not good for cancer cells.  Mom took these before chemo, during chemo, at least 2 hrs before your chemo or 2 hrs after, mom one time took it during chemo treatment.  What didn't help mom, was the stress she was under during this time due to family issues, stress in itself is as bad as cancer in My opinion.   Give them a try, you may be surprised.   

slv58

Kathie, I see you had taxotere. I also had this and finished 8 months ago. Joint pain and aches are a very common SE of this chemo. I felt a lot of pain just trying to stand up after sitting. Even sleeping was difficult as I dreaded just changing my position in bed. BUT now I have to say I'm probably about 85-90% better! It happened quite quickly about 6 weeks ago, I noticed that I wasn't as achey and moving around was much easier. Hang in there, it will get better. You have come this far, I wouldn't back down now as far as hormone tx. I'm triple neg and wish I had the benefit of being able to throw something else at reducing the possibility of mets. SE are mostly temporary. I would at least try it and see how you react. We are all different. Just know that the aches you feel now will more than likely leave as time passes. Happy new year!