Months after completing chemo, Headaches

PawPatrolMom

Hi,

I had triple negative breast cancer (had pathological complete response to treatment) last June and I finished chemo in November and completed my radiation last month. I'm back in the swing of things and I keep having these headaches (not sure if my brain is just not used to all of this thinking again, lol. I was so concerned I saw my doctor and we did a workup (imaging and tumor markers) and all is well. Has anyone had headaches months after completing Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide, Taxol, and Carboplatin (as I type all of this out I can't believe how many drugs I got!). I may end up going to a neurologist for migraine management but wanted to see if anyone experienced something similar?

mb1024

I was diagnosed with TNBC just before my 62nd birthday and, starting at around age 50, I would get migraines maybe once or twice a month. Not too horrible, and Excedrin always took care of them. I thought it was weird that the whole time I was on chemotherapy I did not get one headache but, as soon as it was out of my system, those headaches came back telling me how much they missed me.

PawPatrolMom

Thank you for replying! I told my hubby “I’m not crazy” and I don’t feel it’s stress either because I’m doing my best to pace out my tasks at work and home. I really appreciate your respinse

Flynn

i’m glad that you got checked out! The only tangible benefit that I got from the same tx as you was the end of my migraines. Menopause did the trick for me. Hopefully you come up with a plan soon. I did have other aches & pains right after I finished treatment and they have mostly resolved themselves- perhaps the same will be true for you. Good luck

Vslush

I have had the exact same problem. My MO scheduled an MRI which was clear, however it did show that my sinus cavity is congested and swollen. I had a lot of nasal problems on Taxol so I'm kind of assuming it's related to that. Maybe the same for you?

Vickki

sylviaexmouthuk

Hello PawPatrolMum,

I read your post with interest. A headache could be caused by many things and if you have concerns you should get it checked out.

As for the after effects of chemotherapy, recovery can take a very long time and a year is not that long.

You may get more support by joining both or either of the two main threads, where there are lots of people. Titan started Calling all TNs way back in 2010, has not posted in quite a while but the thread is still very active. I started posting on her thread and then, inspired by her, I started one originally for Brits but it quickly became international. You are quite welcome to post here as well.

Wishing you all the very best and telling you things will get more normal as the years go by. I am 13 years and 10 months since diagnosis with TNBC.

Take care.

Best wishes.

Sylvia xxxx

Lexica

Hi, PawPatrolMom (lol to your screen name - my kids love paw patrol - is it a reference to the show?). About 9 months after completing chemo I started to get what seems to be ocular migraines - sensitivity to light, floaters, some numbness and tingling in my arm/hands and mouth, and of course, headaches. I've had two MRIs since that show nothing. I still continue to get them about once a month. I don't know what is causing them, but they're not getting more frequent or more intense, so I just have chalked it up to another side effect of all this crap from BC and treating it. C'est la vie now, I guess. If anything changes (like the headaches get worse or present with new symptoms) I would definitely push for imaging again.

PawPatrolMom

Hi Ladies!

Yes, my name is from the show as my son is a fanatic .

I’m getting my eyes checked today since it’s been over a year but other than that I feel like my workup was thorough. It sucks that I have these headaches but I’m thankful the chemotherapy did it’s job. It was just so scary when I first began having them and before my workup. I cried so much because I was really scared that it was something worrisome. I really couldn’t find literature on migraines post chemo so I'm thankful this website lets me connect with everyone because now I don't feel so crazy.

@Sylvia-Congrats! I look forward to saying that someday and I hope you continue to do well!! Cheers to another 13 years x infinity:)

DutchLinda1980

I have headaches too, and my vision is blurred a bit. I had my eyes checked but nothing seems out of the ordinary. I have to admit I am worried. Am 39, and had 2 cm of residual disease. Did the additional Xeloda treatment which I finished six months ago.

I feel like I have a hangover everyday, but live a very clean life. My cycle returned quickly after treatment, but I have been late for 8 weeks now. Not pregnant. I sort of hope it is menopause, because the alternative is way scarier. Does anyone recognise these symptoms?

Thank you,

Linda

PawPatrolMom

Hi, I wanted to see how you were doing and if you found out the cause of your headaches? My workup was negative so I don't know why they occurred. By the way, I didn't have my cycle for 4 months after I had it regularly post chemo for 4 months.

DutchLinda1980

Hi, I am in the clear! No metastasis but an infected mastoid bone. Very much relieved.

Lexica

Good to hear - hope you can get relief soon

PawPatrolMom

That’s great! Of course I don’t want you to have an infection but I’m glad it’s not Mets: