February 2014 Starting Chemo Club

princessrn

yes jules I did. Immediately post surgery. However after chemo it resolved but I do have small bit of lymphedena even with only 3 nodes out

princessrn

Rosie...maybe a diabetic shoe?  That's a common side effect of diabetes.  

My legs ached for about 3 mo

tangandchris

Still having achey legs too and moments of extreme fatigue. I wonder if that is more from rads though? Still soooo happy to be done with chemo!

Jules_NY

Thanks for your responses. I have an appt at my cancer center for PT but not until the end of sept. They said I can go anywhere but Id like to stay in one place.

Rosie so sorry for the leg issues. Mine are a little better but by the end if the day I'm toast. I'm 5 weeks PFC

jbokland

I am 10 weeks PFC,1 week PFR, 4 days on Tamoxifen.  I have achy calves and stiff hips.  Nothing overwhelming!

lago

princessrn Rads can cause lymphedema too. 

Rosie is it muscle or bone pain? Muscle I would think PT or acupuncture. Bone I would think Ruematologist. Best person to ask is your primary care. They can direct you to the best specialist.

Rosiesride

Lago...right now My primary gp left the area....so my gyno is my " primary care doc". ...I need to find another good one!  It's muscle pain and I see my pt but for my chording...I see my surgeon for a follow up next week and will ask about docs.

Started tamoxifen yesterday..20 mg 2 x per day....my pain was increased but not sure if it was due to tamoxifen ( don't think it would happen that fast?) or just overdoing things as I started back to work...I felt better when I got out of bed and started moving ....I have a lot to research....when I looked up normal dosing of tamoxifen, it seems 40 mg is high....then I looked up interactions with it and effectiveness and my bupropion ( Wellbutrin antidepressant) is on the list of what reduces it's effectiveness.  Any insight on that?  I am calling MO on Tuesday...Rosie

jbokland

Rosie - I would question the 40mg daily.  That is the maximum dose.  

Let us know! 

Rosiesride

thanks girl! I will!

3doglady

I just started back to work after bmx 8/8.  Im tired, but not terrible.  I use my upper body A LOT, but so far, so good for not much soreness and tiredness.

My knees ache and make me hobble after sitting, but it clears up after moving a bit.  I have noticed a new pain that I did not have before and that is bursitis in my hip.  Its on the outside, on the tip, but so bad it has radiated to the psoas on the inside of my hip/leg.  Stings when I put pressure on it.  Most say ice and raise the joint to a 45+ degree angle. have never had it before and it hurts SO bad.

Also, just noticed yesterday that it looks like my big toe is infected under my toenail, but it doesnt hurt.  Didnt know there was a problem until I saw something weird, then realized there was a problem.  No pain, just weird.  Last chemo was 6/10 and one of my drains was very irritated/infected and I had a round of antibiotics.  So, Im clueless. Dont even know which doctor to tell...GP, onc, or surgeon.

lago

3doglady When in doubt start with your GP. You might just have a fungus under your toenail. Taxotere ruined my nails, especially my toenails. Some are still lifted. When water gets under the nail it can cause these types of problems. As far as tired. It really takes at least a year for your body to recover from surgery… and you did more than just surgery (chemo, rads etc). In time you will feel better.

also remember that exercise will actually help your energy level.

3doglady

Laga, I knew you would know! Thanks a bunch!

lago

Vinegar soak can be good to get rid of bacteria (acidic environment that bacteria won't thrive in) but I would dilute it. Also Listerine. I have used Listerine to get rid of it in my nails but the issue I have is you need to soak about 10-20 minutes a day… and your toes are going to turn what ever color the Listerine is. Not practical during open toe shoe months. 

gatorgal89

Hi all...haven't posted in a while. Work is keeping me very busy and exhausting me. Rosie...how did you do going back to school?

I still have really bad leg pain at night and seriously icky night sweats. I have been going to the gym on the weekends for my cardio and leg weights though. If I'm going to be in pain, I may as well work out anyway! It doesn't hurt while working out, only when I sit in the same place for too long. Getting up is slow going. I guess it's all part of it. Can't even think about going to the gym during the week as all my energy is in the classroom! I hope in another week or so to add a short walk in the evening. Visit with my MO on the 16th, so I'll see what she thinks about all of it.  Take care everyone!

princessrn

Hey gatorgal!  I have the icky night sweats too!  ewww

Jules_NY

Night sweats and achy legs here too.

tangandchris

Night sweats, but not as bad as they were during chemo. I have achey legs and feet, sometimes its a huge effort to get up off the couch!

I'm going back to MO today. I have a swollen area/lump on my chest, sort of mid point but more towards the left side.(if that makes sense) My left side is the side that has given me hell, infections after infections so I'm hoping this is somehow related. There's been mention by two of my doc's that it could be swollen lymp nodes.....whatever you do don't google that. I've already dx'd myself with lymphoma lol.

Send good thoughts/prayers please. ((hugs))

Rosiesride

hey gatorgal...I LOVE being back to school and in the classroom I had to leave so abruptly in January when I was going thru surgery and then treatment!  It was my second home and it feels really good to be back!

I won't lie...I go home and rest for about 2 hours , if I get home at 4!  Kinders wipe a body out without chemo and rads, never mind with it!!  I finished rads august 13 and my kids started coming the 25 th and then all 21 on the 27 th....the hardest part is at the end of the day when I have to do a lot of fast walking to bring them to specials , pick them up, go to buses and then back to car dismissal...but most of the day I am fine!

I also still have leg pain and it's most bothersome when I am laying down at night or sitting too long.  I think it is gradually getting better!  Glad I am back in the swing of things!  It was a long 8 months! Rosie

tangandchris

Hey ladies....so over the last couple of weeks I've been itching like crazy. I know some of this was my rads, but it is all over my chest, back, scalp..just everywhere. Is this a chemo thing? The scratching on my chest is especially terrible because I'm numb and I can't seem to "find" the itch. This could be connected to the lump area on my chest, but I'm just trying to figure all this out. I had my CT scan Friday and didn't hear back, should know something tomorrow.

Anyway, just wondering if this itching is nerve problems or toxins coming out from the chemo. uggg, it sucks!

Jules_NY

Tang I hate to make obvious suggestions but I figure it might help. Have you changed detergents or something like that? I am not having those symptoms but can totally relate to not being able to find the itch!!!! Such a strange sensation. I'd def talk to your RO. Hope you hind some answers soon!

tangandchris

No Jules...nothing like that. Still using the same stuff and actually using sensitve skin formula for soap. IDK, I just realized that my tendency at this point is to over analyze every physical issue and I could be doing the same thing here lol.

lago

tangandchris where it's everywhere I would give your PCP or maybe your Onc a call. It could be hives or something else. Usually an antihistamine takes care of hives but if it's something else who knows. I know I broke out in a rash on my legs 6 months PFC (but still doing Herceptin). It went a way before I got in to see the dermatologist (6 weeks was the earliest) but it wasn't itchy. To this day we have no idea what it was.

BTW my PCP had me do blood tests just because of diagnosis. When I went in for my Herceptin I had to tell them about the leg rash. My Onc wanted me to see the Dermo.

3doglady

The only itching i've had has been related to anesthetic (coming out of) and pain pills (2 pills per dose caused itching, one did not.)  have you tried a benedryl to at least help your itch?  So, sorry!

3doglady

Oh, and another annoying itch...when I first start to sweat, I itch all over.  Like what ever is coming through my pores is itching!

tangandchris

Well, that is what I am wondering about, if there is something coming out of my skin causing me to itch. I'm gonna talk to my doctor about this....always something!

lgoldie

I had all this achy stuff too, still a little but it went away and so will yours!  MY MO is moving.  I saw her one time since finishing chemo and it was during rads.   Rads, no big deal except for under my big boob, normal but a nice burn.   I have great advice if anyone needs it.   I am kind of depressed.  Go figure after all of this.  Trying to go back to work 32 hours a week.  Will discuss with doctor Friday.   Still having dry mouth, post nasal drip that tastes bad.   anyone else?   Gosh, we made it

tangandchris

Okay....my knees are killing me. This just started about a week ago and the weekend was bad. When I stand up or walk it hurts, it wasn't even this bad during chemo. Is this a chemo thing? I feel like an old lady

Rosiesride

hi tang...I am still having lower leg pain and my forearms hurt too...my feet have some neuropathy but not sure that the aches in legs are from that...I ended chemo June 2nd...just hoping I get stronger and it goes away!! Rosie

jbokland

I find the aches and pains are slowly diminishing. The Neuopathy in my feet is even improving!   Keep moving everyone! I think out tendency is to rest and be still when we ache.  I feel better as I improve my strength and stamina.   I'm even napping less!

Rosiesride

jbokland...I can't help napping after teaching 21 kindergarteners all day!! Lol!! But you are right about building up stamina and my job is helping with that for sure!! I think there is slight improvement in legs but after walking on the beach, I am achy all over the next day...maybe bending down picking up shells contributes to the aches and pains too!!  Just happy to be where I am now...thinking back to 8  months ago and still can't believe it all happened...life is good now!! Rosie