SE question

Siri1

Please help me as the oncologist has no experience with this. In June 2015 my blood counts were all normal. That is when I was dx with bone mets. After rads and a broken femur my red blood counts dropped very low. Onc thinks it's the disease and not rads, surgery or meds. What do you think?? In addition I started faslodex and zometa. I've had edema since starting and shortness of breath/coughing after the shot /infusion. Onc never heard of this. Anyone else??? Thank you. I'm really freaked.

Moderators

Hi Siri1,

Welcome to the Breastcancer.org community!

Sorry you had to be here but we're glad that you decided to join.

While you wait for responses to your topic you may find the thread below helpful to read and post in.

Bone Mets Thread

Sending our warmest wishes to you,

The Moderators.

diana50

Are all your chemistry numbers in normal range? Like creatinine and bun? I would check your chemistry.

How low are your reds and Hemogloblin. When you are laid up your refs can drop from no walking around or exercise

I had my first loading of faslodex last week. No problem just sone minor nausea. A few days later in afternoon.

There are a few people out there who have trouble with zometa. I did and felt sick when I got it.

Hope you get it figured out. Edema could be from broken leg too unless on both sides.

Hope you get it figured out.

Diana

sandilee

Hi siri,

Where are your bone mets? Sometimes bone mets also have mets in the bone marrow, where the red blood cells are born. If your marrow is compromised with cancer (like mine) your counts can be low because your marrow can't make red blood cells fast enough.

It's unlikely that surgery would cause anemia, but meds could. I do think the disease itself is a likely cause, though. If your onc isn't worried about it, don't fret too much. Mine have been low since I was diagnosed with mets, but my onc thinks it's fine. As long as my energy keeps up, it's not a big deal if they are a bit low.

I'd be more worried about the shortness of breath, and I'd suspect the Zometa. I've heard other BC sisters complain of this SE. Would your onc consider letting you try Xgeva to see if you tolerate it better? It's an injection into the muscle (like a flu shot in the arm) instead of an IV. It may be easier for you.

RonnieKay

Siri...sorry that you're feeling lost for an explanation...that's such an emotional ride as well as physical. If your onc thinks it's disease, have you been scanned? Seems to me it would tell a bit more about the disease...lungs, etc. thinking of you & hoping you can ask your onc to consult with someone who may have more experience with this...thinking of you