Muscular Dystrophy

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melissamae40
melissamae40 Member Posts: 6
edited August 2014 in Just Diagnosed

Hi,

My name is Melissa. I'm 40 years old with stage 1a breast cancer. The hardest decision that I have to make is should I have Chemo or not? K167 is 7,

Nodes all clear, margins clear, lymph Nodes clear- oncotype dx 22. I have muscular dystrophy, Pompe Disease, chemo can worsen my md severely.

Do I rely on the oncotype dx score and worsen my md. I have really bad spine problems.. Is theoretical is a 2.8 percent

Benefit!

Comments

  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited August 2014

    so sorry you find yourself here.  I am only one voice but i regret having a single chemo treatment.  I was cut off after first infusion.  I have neuropathy in hands, legs and feet and my arthritis has worsened 10 fold.  My friend who had full chemo developed rheumatoid arthritis when she had none amd she is suffering.

    Although i have an agressive type of cancer i do not regret chemo being disco tinued.

    I hope you get enough input to make a decision that feels right for you.  All the best to you.

  • melissamae40
    melissamae40 Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2014

    thank you for your input

    I'm praying for you 

    It is such a tough decision 

  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited August 2014

    pompe is very rare, so there is probably little research to explain how chemo might affect your pompe symptoms.  That said, the DH also has a rare metabolic muscular dystrophy too and physicians are very careful in introducing meds.  I would have your  muscular dystrophy physician advising your oncologists.  In the DH's  situation, we usually start with pediatric or half doses of meds IN HOSPITAL.  Good luck!

  • melissamae40
    melissamae40 Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2014

    thank you so much for your post

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2014

    melissamae - my mom had a variant of MD, dermatopolymyositis, and was treated with steroids and methotrexate, both used for breast cancer.  Have you been treated with these meds in the past, and if so, how did you do?  I would also seek an oncologist who is familiar with autoimmune issues, or who can work in tandem with your MD physician.  You might also request another genetic test, Mammaprint, as it would give you additional info on the benefit of chemo.  Knowing that chemo may worsen your existing comorbidities, and with clear margins and nodes, a low Ki67 and low-ish Oncotype Dx, chemo may present more cost than benefit.

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