Breast Pain, Weight Gain and Hair Loss

Lollypopgirl17

Hey everyone.

I posted part of my question under another forum. Basically, I started chemo November 5th. I felt fine the first few days but then got the chills, body aches, sneezing, sore throat, general fatigue, diarrhea, and a rash on my face, chest and back. I'm ok now (just get more tired) and was given methylprednisolone and clindamycin to treat my rash.

My oncologist said she is going to switch me from Docetaxel to Paclitaxel (along with Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab), because of the rash.

Anyway, I had some right breast pain (where tumor is) before chemo, like after the biopsy, and still get it. It comes and goes.

I kinda thought the chemo would help get rid of it. I mean it's not too painful but I can definitely feel it when it starts up again, like today. Does chemo make breast pain worse? I'm worried even though the nurse told me that I would still have the pain for a while.

My other thing is that I noticed I've been eating more and gaining weight. And the hair loss started yesterday and although I cut most of it off today it's still falling out so much. Very upsetting, even if I was expecting it. 😢

Are Herceptin and Perjeta the cause for the weight gain? I'm very overweight and don't want any more problems.

I will follow up with my doctor on Monday (even if I feel like I call all the time and might be annoying the nurses), but would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

LW422

Hello there. I didn't have breast pain, but my cancerous side did get "angry" looking for a day or two after chemo treatments. I didn't gain weight during chemo but I didn't lose any, either. (For some reason I expected to lose weight.)

Losing my hair was traumatic, but then so is all the other bullshit surrounding cancer so I just felt generally beat down and sad during treatment. Hang in there; you can do this.

4sparky

Hi Lollipopgirl17,

I can’t respond about the breast pain but can tell you I too gained a bit of weight during treatment. I received TCHP which was the cause of the side effects I had but I feel the weight gain was a result of the steroids I was given as premeds and to help me get through the Taxotere infusions as I was allergic to it. My MO was more than ok with a little weight gain as he didn’t want me losing weight during treatment. I completed 6 rounds of TCHP and then herceptin/kanjinti for an additional 11 cycles. My weight gain stopped after the premeds/steroids stopped as they had increased my appetite and I was eating more while receiving them. It was definitely frustrating to gain as I had lost a good amount of weight prior to my diagnosis but now that I have completed treatment I am feeling like I can get back on track and get rid of what was gained. As for hair loss I found the week or so it took to go from my buzzed hair to bald was challenging because I felt I looked sick and didn’t like that, but for me as soon as I was bald I completely embraced it and can even say I loved my bald head (I know that is the norm). I had lots of hat options for when I was cold and did have wigs but never wore them. Hats, scarfs, turbans, wigs or bald find what makes you most comfortable and go with it and if needed remind yourself it’s only temporary. Also, don’t feel bad about contacting your medical team to get your questions answered, that’s what they are there for! Wishing you strength and peace

MinusTwo

Lollypop - I'd recommend joining the current chemo thread. It helps to discuss issues with others going through the same things. So Chemo Nov 2021. I also read the thread from the prior month/quarter so I could understand more what people were experiencing.

That said - I did TCHP and then AC after surgery and lost 30 lbs.