Many and varied side effects from chemo
I was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal (IDC) Grade 2, breast cancer with micro metastasis in sentinel lymph node in December of 2016. I did not have the onco DX test but did choose to do the chemo based on lymph node involvement and grade of cancer. I had trouble with side effects from chemo and could only do 3 instead of 4 AC treatments and only 9 instead of full 12 of Taxol treatments due to bad neuropathy. Before chemo I had a lumpectomy and after chemo I had 32 radiation treatments. I was done with Chemo May 12 . Starting about June 14 when I got the port out I started having different symptoms that have not subsided yet. The onc says she thinks it is all from chemo toxicity. I have had a ringing or rushing in my ear which they did a brain MRI to make sure no tumor which there was no tumor but the meninges around the brain was all lit up like it was cancer which led to a lumbar puncture to see if there were cancer cells in spinal fluid and there were not. Cancer had not spread to brain but still not sure what is going on with meninges around brain. Will see nuero onc in a while. Saw ENT for ringing In ears and he gave one treatment of steroids which seemed to help but not completely rid the ringing. I have had a recurring pain On my left to middle part of my stomach area and they did ultrasound and CT with contrast that turned up normal. This pain flares up at times but is not constant. I have neuropathy in my feet mostly but by arms hands and even face and neck tingle at times. I have been hoarse with drainage in my throat since June. They did vocal chord test which was normal and no swollen abnormal lymph nodes either as well as no cough that is persistent at all. I just need to know if any anyone else has experienced any of these things from chemo and radiation treatments and did it get better? Thanks, needhope2017
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Also BC is ER positive and I am on Letrazo
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Needhope2017 - Welcome to Breastcancer.org!
We're sorry you didn't get any real answers... Hopefully this post will bump your topic so someone who can help will read it. Until then, we wanted to recommend you the following articles from our main site:
- Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
- Managing Skin Side Effects
- Managing Other Side Effects of Radiation
Hope this helps! And please, let us know how you're doing!
The Mods
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I have plenty of lingering effects, some similar to yours. I had AC + Taxol + herceptin. I had my last herceptin last week. The Taxol was the worst for me. It felt like it burnt the top few layers off all my insides with my cancer side worst effected. Things that are still lingering all mild but ongoing. Painful left ear at the slightest hint of a cold, nerve compression and lymphedema in my left arm, easily fatigued and feel weak on left side to extent I will fall over if I try to do too much. Feet still have mild neuropathy and general facial tingling. Also sore back, neck, and shoulder at times all on left side. I am scanned frequently with nothing found so far. I think it's lingering treatment effects. They are all mild but together make you think can I ever put this cancer thing behind me.
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So sorry about all the side effects, but many of us have had similar issues. My sister and I both did.
I hear from a lot of women who have gone through chemo. Most of them have lingering side effects for
two years after chemo - many at the 2 year mark get better. In my chemo support group, we all seemed
to start feeling better at that same 2-year mark. However, fatigue can go on for years.
Glad you get these things checked, but no that you are not alone!
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thank you for responding. I appreciate the input and encouragement
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