Long term side effects?

Its hard to say what is causing your current issues but there are definitely long term effects from chemo.  Some people seem more prone to them than others.  Throw instant menopause into the mix and you have multiple issues that can cause diabetes, weight gain, high blood pressure.

The liver enzyme levels can be caused by diet or medications.  I used to drink pink grapefruit juice by the bucketfuls and it caused my liver stats to be quite high.  Once I stopped they came back into the normal range.  It can also indicate a possible recurrence.  When is the last time you had scans (bone/ct)?  Maybe its time to test again just to be sure.

The kidney damage could be caused by the diabetes that went untreated.  Its hard to say if these issues are the result of chemo or other things.  It  sounds like you have a great doc who can get to the heart of the matter.  Most of these issues can be treated and you can have a good quality of life for a long time to come.

Hey, Holly! It's been a long time since the Chemosabe March Cruise was underway.

Sorry to hear you're dealing with all these health issues.  It doesn't seem fair that when we've had the big C, other diseases/conditions are still out there, waiting to catch us.  I hope your doc gets the diabetes and BP under control.  I wander through medical research articles now and then, and haven't seen anything about these being side effects.  But of course that doesn't mean there aren't any connections.

So far I've experienced just some of the "usual" side effects -- a little neuropathy, some lymphedema, occasional rib pain on the left side, and occasional hit-the-wall fatigue when I've been doing a lot of physical things.

I'll be thinking about you.

Holly,

I have a friend who became diabetic and has liver problems from chemo. I was told that I have a fatty liver, so I need to watch my diet. It may have been in hiding since we don't know about all of these problems without tests or they become severe. Good luck to you!

I'll ask her.

Happy New Year,

Pam

HollyHopes, I'm sorry to hear about your problems. I have a dear friend who went through chemo a year before me. She has had so many issues from her chemo one being she is a diabetic now. She has high blood pressure now as well. Last month she had emergancy surgery to remove her gallbladder. Her Onc. does feel these are a result of the chemo.

I wish she was, but she isn't. She is triple negative with the BRACA gene. Her daughter 30 just had surgery to remove her breasts, and a hystorectomy. It has been a very long year for her and her family.

She has also done all she can to prevent the cancer from coming back. She has been such a support for me this year. I really believe people are brought into our lives when they are needed as she was for me.