Summer Rads 2014

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  • rettemich
    rettemich Member Posts: 369
    edited September 2014

    Well yesterday I got slammed. With fatigue!! Geeze I thought I was Done with that! Slept like 3 hours. And still went to bed about 10. I feel my dh thinks I'm using it as an excuse, if you don't have it you don't get it. Now my biggest concern is my glucose level is going up. Cr*p! Last thing I need is to become diabetic from all this. I hope to get in to my nutritionist this week.

    To those that might try the Black Cohosh I hope it works for you all as well as it has worked for me. As with everything it may effect people differently. But I think it's worth a shot. And my IO is an actual Oncologist, he said there was not enough evidence to show any correlation of the estrogen in it would cause any concern. He has been the only Dr. I have seen I really have trusted. He is really thorough. All the other ones are very dismissive of any concerns or complaints. They don't want to be responsible for any problems, even though the se are usually listed the all the paperwork they give you, they still deny it.

    I go in this week to see my PS to check on any adjustment surgery that has to be done. I don't know I am still swollen, on the side that wasn't radiated, so I am kind of hoping he will wait another 6 weeks or so.

    No, no scrubbing just used my organic soap and emu/aloe lotion. Skin healed really well. 

    sunshine, I am so sorry to hear about your aunt. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

    Barbara, Keeping my fingers crossed. It so hard when a pet gets sick. They don't understand whats going on, and when those little faces look at you it just rips your heart out.

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  • Swissmiss
    Swissmiss Member Posts: 111
    edited September 2014

    Longisland...I have been experiencing throat issues too.  By the end of the week, my throat is sore and swallowing hurts.  It seems to heal during the weekends off radiation, but then starts again by the end of the week.  I've had so many other issues, like debilitating hot flashes, that I haven't even mentioned my throat to my RO.  I suppose I should mention it to him this week though.  Glad to see you here :)

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  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 513
    edited September 2014

    lyzzysmom, sunshine and other friends...thanks for your input about the tamoxifen dosage...pharmacy called doc and I also called doc...I should be taking only 20 mg per day...hallelujah!!  It's all straightened out now so I am on track...I will also try to take it in the evenings...only my 5 th day but I will see how evenings go with it.

    thanks friends! Rosie

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  • Longislandl8y
    Longislandl8y Member Posts: 145
    edited September 2014

    Lisa J, my husband's family is from Kings Park! He grew up there and his siblings all still live there.  Do you know any Flings?  Thank you for your feedback about the swallowing.  I work at Newfield HS in Selden.  Are you done now with radiation? Today was my 12th of 32.  Sounds like we are on similar plan.  On to tamoxifen for 5 years after rads.  You? 

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  • Lisaj514
    Lisaj514 Member Posts: 719
    edited September 2014

    longisland, my sister lives in kings park and is a speech Ther at park ridge elem. her kids went to school there, now 24 and 28 yrs old. She lives on magnolia dr. My mom and other sis are in Commack and I grew up in commack, was just visiting this weekend. Rads finished 5 1/2 wks ago. had 34 treatments, 25 whole br and 9 boosts. I'm triple neg so no tamox for me. Similar size tumor but tn for me but no lymph nodes but also lumpectomy on L. Where do you go for tx. You will be half way after this week! March on strong my LI friend! It'll be done soon! 

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  • Debster
    Debster Member Posts: 82
    edited September 2014

    Hello ladies, I have a question for any of you that are on tamoxifen. Have any of you swelled and how about fatigue? The last 3 days I have swollen so bad my legs feel like they are going to burst. I am so tired I can't hardly get mself up to do just what I have to do let alone what I want to do. I have had some nausea but that seems to have let up for now.

    Sunshine I am very sorry to hear about your aunt. My condolences to you and your family.

    I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend and may all of you have a great week!!

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  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited September 2014

    Debster, no swelling here.  My SE have been pretty minimal.  Hope yours go away soon!

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited September 2014

    Debster my legs hurt periodically like you describe! My Onc said its a side effects that'll go away.  Sometimes they feel like they weigh a 100 pounds each! 

    Rhett my MO mentioned tamox could cause issues with my sugar levels.  Mine are up a bit but not enough to warrant metformin.  

    To those with the sore throat, I remember having a really bad one the 2nd week.  My techs said its scatter rads and they mentioned it to the physist and he made a minor adjustment to my treatment plan a no more sore throat!

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited September 2014

    Debster,  I feel a little bloated, like there is some water retention but no swelling. I have had really bad diarrhea and gas though. My stomach is churning and it has gotten worse.  Was not too bad this morning but had bad fatigue again and got so hungry this afternoon I binged on what are supposed to be low calorie snacks!!  Went for a 2 mile walk later to local lake and intended to jog part of the distance but stomach cramps so bad on way back I barely made it home. Will have to do something about it and I am pretty sure it is the tamoxifen causing it. 

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  • mripp
    mripp Member Posts: 106
    edited September 2014

    jbok, the thought of scrubbing scares me. I'm red and peeling now and it is stingy and started weeping abit over the 3 day weekend. Today my RO nurse said to make sure to pat it dry before applying Aquafor (which I already do). Not sure how to dry it when it has all that ointment on it! Anyway, I see doc tomorrow and only have 3 boosts and DONE! Trying to hold out!

    Sunshine, sorry about your Aunt. Symptoms of stomach ache sounded similiar to my Grandma who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 87, but she did chemo and lived 2 more years. We sure miss her.

    Well, good evenjng, early to bed tonight :)

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  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 513
    edited September 2014

    lyzzysmom...as for stomach cramps and bloating...I read somewhere that tamoxifen has lactose in it...not sure where I read this, maybe on side effects insert?  But I do remember thinking it may be a problem for me as I am lactose intolerant and take lactaid pills before I have ice cream and stuff...sometimes it's ok, sometimes no...but maybe that's why you get stomach issues??  Only day 6 on it for me so we shall see how stomach goes...ttyl! Rosie

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  • stephaniegee
    stephaniegee Member Posts: 81
    edited September 2014

    Debster,

    My MO told me one risky side effect with Tamoxifen is blood clots in the legs or lungs. If your legs are very swollen you should go in and see your MO to be sure. 

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  • Macintx
    Macintx Member Posts: 118
    edited September 2014

    Debster, I have been on Tamoxifen for 2 weeks, and I have noticed that by the end of the day my right ankle gets swollen.  It's usually back to normal by the morning.  I also have a diuretic in my BP medicine, so that helps.  You can ask for a diuretic to help with the water retention while your body is adjusting.

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  • Debster
    Debster Member Posts: 82
    edited September 2014

    Thanks ladies I called my MO and I have to go in and see her in the morning. I am already on a diuretic but that doesn't seem to work right now. She said she wants labs and to see me because it could be the side effects even though they would be rare ones. I guess I will know something tomorrow.

    lyzzsmom I hate that for you nothing worse then being out somewhere and having stomach troubles.

    Yay! mripp only a couple days left! Very happy for you..

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  • vettegirl
    vettegirl Member Posts: 235
    edited September 2014

    Two more days...counting down...cant wait.  This every day going there is very hard when trying to work full time.  My skin is holding up fairly well...itchy, some burnt, open spot under my one arm, some swelling.  Hot flashes and hot feeling boobs do not go well together.

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  • rettemich
    rettemich Member Posts: 369
    edited September 2014

    sunshine, it's amazing how different the MO's are mine totally denied that it affected my sugar levels. My IO though I think feels differently. He want me to lose weight. Not as easy as it sounds. I so don't want to go on metformin. I'm so sick of Meds. (Have asthma and HBP too.)

    I'm just starting month 5 on the Tamox, and I have been getting Sooo bloated. It's really getting bad. I meet with my IO's NP tomorrow I am definitely going to ask about that.

    I still get some "heat" coming from my boob now and then. And it has been just about 2 months. 

     I don't think I will never feel "normal" again. 

    rosiesride, I hadn't heard that but if that is true, there are going to be a lot of women that will have issues. Never thought I was lactose intolerant but maybe, ummmm.

    mripp, Woohoo almost there!!

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  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited September 2014

    I am 2 weeks out of rads and the last few days I've been very fatigued.  Much, much more than during. Anyone else experience this?

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  • ohiofan
    ohiofan Member Posts: 206
    edited September 2014

    Amelia,  Yes, I did get fatigue post rads.  I was finished the 1st part of July and still "hit the wall".  Rads...the gift that keeps on giving!  LOL!!

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  • Deblc
    Deblc Member Posts: 479
    edited September 2014

    Amelia, 6 weeks post rads and still very tired

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited September 2014

    The difference in the different tamoxifen manufacturers is the excipients ( non active ingredients) some of them include cornstarch, as I remember.   If anyone ever needs me to check out the specifics of any drug ingredient, drug interactions or side effects, just PM me. Drug information and reference is my profession!

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  • Debster
    Debster Member Posts: 82
    edited September 2014
    Hello everyone, I went to my MO today and she did labs that I won't get back until next week but in the mean time she sent me for an US on my legs to be sure I don't have a blood clot and she gave me some meds to take for my joint pain so I can get some rest. She took me off tamoxifen for right now while she accesses me and figures out for sure what is going on.She is checking into Rheumatoid arthritis because I hurt so bad especially at night and when I wake up can't hardly move. We will do some more blood tests next week when I go back and she said depending on what those tests show she may add on to them. I have to say I have never been to the doctor in my 52 yrs as much as I have been these last 6 months.! It seems to never stop! Some days just not in the mood.
    Have a good night everybody.
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  • DeeC
    DeeC Member Posts: 102
    edited September 2014

    I can see the light at the end of my rads tunnel.  Start my first of six boosts tomorrow (Friday) then done the end of next week!  

    Time does go by fast when you look back on it.  My cancer journey started in January with diagnosis.  I can't believe how far I have come and what I have accomplished.  Never thought I could do it but you all encouraged me all the way.

    Herceptin every three weeks is easy compared.

    Can't wait to take some time off and go visit the ocean.

    Dee

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  • shycat
    shycat Member Posts: 76
    edited September 2014

    Tomorrow (Friday) is my last treatment!  Woo hoo!  Trying to decide how to celebrate:  (a) take two naps instead of one, or (b) take three naps instead of two.  Happy

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited September 2014

    Yeah for everyone finishing tomorrow!!

    Shy, 3 naps sounds about right!! 

    Rosie, I never thought about lactose intolerance but thinking about it we have only a small amount of ice cream, or low fat milk in coffee at work, not big milk drinkers but mainly almond milk at home and we get lactose free for out doggie, so that could affect things. I think I will get a diuretic as I have been peeing more!!

    Started taking the baby aspirin in case of clotting too.

    Tuesday night I woke up feeling really sick after a week of gas and cramps. I was cold under the comforter and throat was parched. Woke up with temp of over 102 but guzzled pepto bismol, went to work feeling sore all over and limbs feeling leaden, came home early and went straight to bed although temp was down some but I felt so much better today. I may never know if it was tamoxifen or bug but its just so difficult to know whats tamox related and whats just a regular bug, flu etc. Will have to see what happens to tummy as the pepto has just about worn off now!!

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  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 513
    edited September 2014

    shycat...woohoo! Go out to eat at a great restaurant THEN take 3 naps!! Congrats!

    Lyzzysmom....sorry you were sick and hope all is well now!  With a temp, most likely you had a bug...day 2 of class one of my kids was out with stomach bug and a little 1 st grader threw up in the hallway. (..I made a  beeline for the door that took me outside and around the building so I didn't have to walk towards those germs!). So there may be stuff going around like it is here !  

    I am only on tamoxifen for a week...do hot flashes get worse as the time goes on or do they remain about the same as in the beginning? Just wondering...congrats to all you ladies finishing up today! Enjoy the weekend! Rosie

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  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited September 2014

    shycat, congrats on finishing. woo hoo!!!

    dee - you are almost there.  can i come to the ocean with you?

    izzy - hope you feel better this weekend.  it's hard to know what is causing what these days, isn't it? I tell my DH that I don't even know what is going on with my body anymore some days.

    rosie - my hot flashes have remained the same after 2 1/2 months on tamoxifen.  They aren't bad, more like warm flashes a few times a day.

    Happy Friday everyone!

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  • ohiofan
    ohiofan Member Posts: 206
    edited September 2014


    Congrats to all those finishing rads!  Another step toward kicking this beast!! 

    I'm on Al and have nightsweats.  Told DH the fan will be used all winter and he should keep a hooded sweatshirt handy!  LOL!

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  • rettemich
    rettemich Member Posts: 369
    edited September 2014

    Amelia123, I am just about 2 months out, and I still get hit with fatigue. Just now and then. Last week it caught me by surprise and I slept for 3 hours and still went to bed early. So yes it's normal.

    jbok, thanks for that offer! May take you up on it. I may have a food allergy panel done, when I can squeeze out the $, it would be interesting to see if there maybe an issue.

    Debster, Good luck with your testing. Keeping fingers crossed, it's not RA.

    Deec, hang in there girl!! We are all with you!! only a week left. And usually the boosts are a lot easier and faster.

    shycat, WooHoo!!! Congrats!! I agree with Rosie go have a Great Dinner to celebrate, then 3 naps!! I will join you with a small glass of wine.

    Izzysmom, Sounds like you caught a bug. I have heard it's going around here too. Hope your feeling better.

    Have a wonderful day everyone!!!

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  • mripp
    mripp Member Posts: 106
    edited September 2014

    vettegirl and shycat and any others, Today is the finish line....whoo hoo! You are awesome! :-D 

    My finish date was moved to next Wed 9/10 as my RO didnt like how my red, peeling , weepy skin was looking at this Wed check up so I am on 5 days off rad. I'm not too bummed, but looking forward to the finish!! I've had some tiredness and have some restless nights w skin/boob pain and stomach irritated probably from taking 600 mg ibuprofen (taking it w food but still getting some issues during middle of night). I'm on silvedene now too. Well happy Friday everyone!

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited September 2014

    I am feeling much better now. Thank you everyone!!

    CONGRATULATIONS shycat!! Go celebrate!

    Nearly there Dee!

    Debster. I hope you can get the leg pain resolved quickly. It sounds like your MO is being very thorough.

    Happy Friday everybody!!!

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