night sweats and itchy skin

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chasingzoe
chasingzoe Member Posts: 28
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I was diagnosed with er/PR + IDC with 1 positive node in April 2011. I have been NED since September of 2011. Prior to my diagnosis, I had soaking night sweats and extremely itchy skin. After I began chemo, the symptoms subsided. In the last several weeks I have been having similar symptoms again. I have also been experiencing off and on pain in my chest...like a heavy bruised feeling. I reported it to my doctor who followed up with a CT in January The results showed no signs of cancer.



Is this a possible sign my cancer has returned? Has anyone had these symptoms for recurrence? Should I call my oncologist to report the symptoms or can I wait until April for my 6th month follow up?

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited March 2013

    chasingzoe,  I have no idea whether the symptoms are caused by a recurrence, but I'm of the point of view that it never hurts to call [or e-mail -- I have mine's e-mail address and he responds to it] your oncologist about anything.  They can tell you whether you need to come in.

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  • chasingzoe
    chasingzoe Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2013

    I see my breast surgeon Monday. I plan to speak with her about it. Last night I had another bad night of night sweats drenched in sweat several times throughout the night. If it continues I will call instead of waiting.



    Thank you for your quick response!

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited March 2013

    Chasingzoe, how old are you? Night sweats like that are common as menopause approaches. The itchiness could be a result of the night sweats, so even though it's a good thing to tell your doc about it, it's probably not cancer returning.

    I had incredibly strong night sweats when I was approaching menopause, and that was close to 10 years before I had cancer.

    Leah

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  • Natters
    Natters Member Posts: 361
    edited March 2013

    Are you on Tamoxifen? Because that gives me wicked night sweats.

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  • chasingzoe
    chasingzoe Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2013

    Yes I am and have been since December of 2011. Did it take over a year for them to start?

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  • chasingzoe
    chasingzoe Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2013

    Leah_s, I am 36.

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  • chasingzoe
    chasingzoe Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2013

    I guess I should also mention that I have had a low grade fever for several days of 99.4-99.6 without illness (especially in the evening).

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  • Natters
    Natters Member Posts: 361
    edited March 2013

    It did not take that long for them to start for me, but I'm a lot closer to menopause than you (I'll be 44 this summer). I think it's odd that you had night sweats prior to your dx, but I have met one other woman who also had them in her mid-30s (but never had BC). That fever isn't super high but I dunno what your normal temp is (some people run a bit cooler or warmer than 98.6). Have you tried aspirin to see if you can bring it down?



    You sound pretty worried, so it's a good thing you're seeing a Dr soon. Hope they can answer all your questions and really put your mind at ease. Hopefully,it's just the Tamoxifen jacking up your hormonal balance. Good luck!

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited March 2013

    I had night sweats prior to my diagnosis too. I had been through menopause for several years(I'm 57) and only had mild hot flashes during that time and then I started having the soaking night sweats which was very odd. I had lost a lot of weight (on purpose) and thought it had messed with my hormones but that can be a symptom. It was one of my symptoms. Call the Oncologist. I would.

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  • chasingzoe
    chasingzoe Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2013

    Natters...my normal temp is high 97's low 98's. From what I have been told and read night sweats can be a symptom of several cancers. It is most common for lymphoma. Itchiness is also a common symptom of lymphoma. I am not a doctor but maybe since I had it in a lymph node it presented similar symptoms.



    I'm thinking it's the tamoxifin too but it is weird that it just started over a year later. These soaking night sweats are not hot flashes...I had those during chemo.



    April485...how long did u have the night sweats prior to your diagnosis. I see this is a recent diagnosis.

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2013

    Hi there, I had soaking night sweats and day sweats after going on the antihormonals. It took about months for my estrogen to get low enough that the symptoms were so severe.  I'd actually have pools of puddles in the small of my back during the day and down my front. At night, clothes and sheets just wet. YUCK.  Now, I dont' get them like that any more. I had gone on effexor to help reduce them and it really helped. My oncologist prescribes it. Good luck, I hope its nothing serious.

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  • Natters
    Natters Member Posts: 361
    edited March 2013

    I didn't know that could be a symptom if cancer but I'm going to just assume mine are hormonal since I don't have any other symptoms.



    Did you take anything to reduce the fever?



    It's a shame you're seeing your BS soon and not your MO, but at least the BS can give you a thorough exam and let you know if you should call the MO right away or just wit for your next appointment.

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