Symptoms of Recurrence

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barbiecorn
barbiecorn Member Posts: 437
edited June 2014 in Alternative Medicine

Can anyone tell me the symptoms of a recurrence.  I have had my BMX in Feb. of this year and have been doing well.  Went back to work but I am 66.  I find myself very tired lately but I recently went back to work fulltime within the last month or so.  I am just so afraid of a recurrence.  What symptoms would there be if there were a recurrence?  I am wondering if being excessive tired is one of them.  Your thoughts.

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  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited August 2012

    Many people who have cancer or recurrences report being excessively tired, however, I don't think that symptom alone should make you panic.  How much sleep are you getting?   As a nation, we don't get enough sleep.  We really need 7-8 hours per night.  Less than six hours and you really put yourself at risk for a recurrence.  (Plus, you feel like crap.) 

    Also, have you had your iron levels tested?  Mine have been low and I started increasing my iron intake and my energy levels really skyrocketed.  It was quite amazing.  However, it doesn't replace sleep - I try to get at least 7 hours a night, which means I have to go to bed pretty early because I get up at 5:15.

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  • barbiecorn
    barbiecorn Member Posts: 437
    edited August 2012

    I haven't been sleeping well and it's funny, my alt. M.D. put me on melatonin so you would think I would sleep better but I don't.  The melatonin put me to sleep but I wake up in the middle of the night and sometimes cannot go back to sleep then I get up for work at 5:30 a.m.  I think I need to work part-time that's part of the problem too...thanks for your response sweetbean.  P.S. I never get more than 5 or the most 6 hours sleep.  Not good I guess!!!

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  • Wilsie2
    Wilsie2 Member Posts: 441
    edited August 2012

    My only symtom of recurrance was ascites.  Over the Christmas holidays I kept getting bigger and bigger, and New Years Day I was in ER because I was so uncomfortable.  After a week of shuffling around between onc and GP cat scan done shopwing bone mets.

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  • Thatgirl
    Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited August 2012

    Barbie,

    Yes, I was extremely tired before and after my dx. Your body has been fighting the fight even before you were dx. They say it takes cancer years before it's seen on a scan. My endurance has increased since I started working out more. I think the mental toll of cancer can be overwhelming. 

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  • barbiecorn
    barbiecorn Member Posts: 437
    edited August 2012

    Wilsie - I see you are HER2+ and you were cancer free for 15 years.  I am praying I can be cancer free for that long.  I am only 6 months out and am fearful of recurrence.  I am also HER2+ and am not doing conventional - no Herceptin - were you ever on Herceptin? 

    Thatgirl - I was extremely tired one day before diagnosis - it was overwhelming fatigue and I remember saying to myself that something was wrong.   I cut back on the melatonin last night and am not as tired today but the weather here in NJ has been awful - humidity and heat make me tired also so I am hoping it is just that.  I am back on my exercise bike yesterday and feel less fatigued today.

    Boy this is a constant battle not to think about cancer every day of your life.

    (((hugs sisters))) 

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  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited August 2012

    Barbiecorn, if you are only getting 5-6 hours, that is not enough.  Dr. Block says that if you are not getting enough sleep, it really negates all the other anti-cancer stuff you might be doing - it's that important.  

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  • barbiecorn
    barbiecorn Member Posts: 437
    edited August 2012

    Sweetbean - I better concentrate on my sleep.  I am doing lots of natural stuff to prevent recurrence.  If the sleep aspect is negating that, I have got to get more sleep.  I am going to try taking Melatonin when I go to sleep and if I wake up and see if that helps.  Thanks.

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  • wrsmith2x
    wrsmith2x Member Posts: 410
    edited August 2012

    Barbiecorn, 

    I take GABA (GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid is an amino acid) when I can't sleep and it works very well.  Buy it from the Health Food Store.  You might also want to spray your pillow with lavender scent.  That works pretty good too.  Good luck!

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  • barbiecorn
    barbiecorn Member Posts: 437
    edited August 2012

    Thanks wrsmith2x - I am going to check out GABA.  (((hugs)))

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  • barbiecorn
    barbiecorn Member Posts: 437
    edited August 2012

    I always check out anything I take and found this regarding GABA:

    Abstract

    We investigated expression of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate decarboxylase, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in the prostates of patients with cancer or benign prostatic hypertrophy by immunohistochemical study. Marked expression of GABA, glutamate decarboxylase 67, and MMPs was observed in the prostates of cancer patients with metastasis (n = 72) and lymph node metastasis, although only sparse expression was noted in those of cancer patients without metastasis (n = 76) or patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (n = 152). We then investigated the influence of GABA stimulation on in vitro MMP production and the invasive ability of cancer cells using human prostate cancer cell line C4-2. The production of MMPs  increased significantly in cancer cells after a 24-h incubation with GABA. Cell invasion assay using a BioCoat Matrigel Invasion     Chamber kit revealed that GABA stimulation significantly promoted the invasive ability of cancer cells and that addition of MMP inhibitor GM6001 significantly decreased GABA-induced migration. This may indicate the involvement of MMP activity in GABA-induced cancer cell invasion. We further analyzed the transmission pathway by performing GABA receptor modulation. The                     GABAB receptor agonist baclofen significantly increased MMP production as well as invasive ability. Moreover, blockade of the GABAB receptor pathway using GABAB receptor antagonist CGP 35348 significantly inhibited GABA-induced MMP production and invasive ability in cancer cells, whereas GABAA receptor modulation did not influence MMP production or the invasive ability of cancer cells. Thus, increased expression of GABA may be implicated in cancer metastasis by promoting MMP production in cancer cells, and the GABAB receptor pathway may be involved in the process.                 

    DOES THIS MEAN GABA IS NOT GOOD FOR CANCER?????

    Not to scare anyone, but I just want to be informed as I am sure you should be also.

    Seriously is there anything that doesn't promote cancer? I take all types of supplements through an alternative M.D. and hope what I take will not promote cancer even if it is a vitamin or supplement.

    Your thoughts? Am I reading this wrong???? Barbiecorn

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited August 2012

    Barbiecom, it really sounds like a lack of sleep plus the full time work is what's making you so tired.  

    I find I have to alternate natural sleep aids to keep my body responding to them.  In other words, Melatonin might work for awhile, then it sort of stops working as well.  That's when I'll switch to Valerian or a sleep blend like Deep Sleep that includes Valerian as a primary ingredient.  So you might want to try one of those, as well as all the usual stuff that's recommended -- unwinding from the TV or computer well before you go to bed, a really dark room, etc. 

    I also think that the fear of a recurrence is worse in the first year, and that every year you celebrate moving on will lessen that fear. Of course we all know that recurrences can and do happen -- sometimes many years down the road.  But the constant worry about it should lessen, especially if you can get some better sleep.  Also, although it's not infallible, having a CA27-29 (tumor markers) test every 6 mos. also helps to ease my mind.     (((Hugs)))   Deanna

    PS ~ Depending on where you live, the excessive summer heat might also be a factor affecting your energy and sleep, as can an A/I if you're on one of those.  

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  • NattyOnFrostyLake
    NattyOnFrostyLake Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2012

    Barbie, regarding GABA.  Those are test tube studies. Not the same as the human body.

    I found that I had to edge into melatonin over months or it gave me vivid dreams. Now I just sleep well with it. I never settle for than less than seven hours sleep unless there is an urgent reason.

    Regarding the markers, my two docs won't use the CA 27-29 tests. Sorry, I'm not being helpful regarding symptoms of recurrence but you're asking the same question I asked during the first year. I couldn't believe they had no way of judging whether I was in remission or not. There is a blood test used in Europe called circulating tumor cells -- CTC. I've never used it but many have. Maybe our BCO sisters know more about it.

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  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited August 2012

    barbiecorn - There are no symptoms specific to a recurrence that would necessarily be different from mets or a first time local episode. Your fatigue is what doctors love to refer to as a "non-specific" symptom. MOST (but certainly not all) BC symptoms are connected to physical pain or sensations such as lumps.

    Your body may just have trouble adapting to a work schedule. Cancer treatment can change our bodies for a long time, or make it more difficult for us to bounce back. This, too, could be temporary.

    I would consult with your regular doctor and go through the usual checklist. A routine blood test may find some reason.

    Laboratory tests - unless they are imaging tests - are not reliable ways to detect recurrence. They are only any good if you are Stage IV and even then they are only a clue of things or a sign of decompensation from chemo, but not a definitive answer about cancer status.

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  • barbiecorn
    barbiecorn Member Posts: 437
    edited August 2012

    I have not had chemo so I know it is not from any treatment, but I do feel better when I get a good night sleep so I am working on that now.  Thanks for your input Sisters!!!

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited August 2012

    barbiecorn, regarding your sleep problems, is an active mind keeping you awake? If so, you can try strategies to try to calm it.



    You can read a lot of advice about how to cure insomnia but here are a couple of tips that you may not read about that I have found helpful.



    1. Wear a well fitting eye mask.

    2. Make sure your mattress and pillow/s are comfortable and you have the right weight of coverings for the season.

    3. Make your bedroom as dark and quiet as possible.

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