how long for Side Effects to go?

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Elfmcg
Elfmcg Member Posts: 91
edited February 2018 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

hi everyone,

I'm 37, seven weeks post ACTH, still on herceptin until September and have just started last five days of rads which are my boosts, and i just can't believe how crappy i feel.

Im in dire need of reassurance, I'm still aching like what i imagine a 90 year old feels like, my stomach is still bloating and sore, rumbling and grumbling like an animal lives there, full of smelly wind (TMI, sorry!)still have heartburn etc, i'm exhausted, having hot flashes, still bald!

Is this normal? People keep telling me how lucky i am to have chemo behind me, and 'you must be feeling great now' i thought i would by now! I feel like i'm moany and moody and letting everyone down because i just feel crap! Not like a strong fighting woman, more like a frightened, tired mole! Ugh!

someone please tell me this is normal, i've an appointment with my MO next Tuesday and i'm afraid when i tell him my symptoms, he'll want to handcuff me, take me straight back to hospital, run loads of tests and this whole rigmarole will start again.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2018

    I feel that around the 6-8 week mark there is a sudden turnaround, but I received advice from one of the onc nurses at my center that once I moved to Herceptin only I should add a good probiotic and my GI symptoms would settle. She was right, and I even came in to my BC diagnosis with mild iBS-D from a previous GI surgery to correct severe reflux more than 10 years earlier. I think it takes at least as long as you were receiving chemo to feel markedly better, but it’s hard to reconcile that with the expectation that others have, and probably even yourself, that you should be feeling better “by now” as if this has been enough time to recover. Hang in there, it’s will improve

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  • BLynnB
    BLynnB Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2018

    Hi Elf, I sure can 'feel' your status through your words... been there too it seems, like many of us. You did make me chuckle, if that helps. It's ok to be moany & moody, you're allowed ~ I tried to allow myself the occasional pity party, it's ok. It is not humanly possible to be in tip top shape 24/7, even without being faced with what we're going through. We tend to get back up and keep going through each phase of treatment, one foot in front of the other... just keep going, one day, hour, minute at a time... keep going. You will do well sometimes, and other times be extra kind to yourself. It's great to reach out here, it's helped me a lot when trying to get my head around so much information, and the community & tips are great. You're in very good company. Keep in close contact with your docs to let them know your concerns & symptoms, I hope you are, we're all different. It took awhile for my hair to start coming back, seemed stubborn ~ I'm over 3 months out from A/C & Taxol... really felt they were brutal on me, and am probably still experiencing side effects. My nails took a beating as well, but things are starting to come back. Am still careful about what to eat, but ecstatic in comparison to the chemo. Will only have my 4th Herceptin tomorrow, have a while to go with it. I had to come to terms with trying to live up to other's expectations of how they felt I should be doing... it really is an unnecessary additional burden to put on yourself. It is hard not to feel selfish over it, but I realized I had to make it a priority to take care of myself and put myself first sometimes - that included reducing needless stress in so many different ways in my life. It's not a game we're playing in, it's our lives. Your loved ones will understand, and if they don't right away they hopefully will eventually. (((virtual hugs)))

    SpecialK I really like your probiotic recommendation for the grumblies, I just ran out, maybe that's why they (grumblies) are back! That's going back on my priority list to get. :) Made the mistake of having a nice big bowl of baked beans, boy were they good though! All the best!!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2018

    blynn- can’t tell you how many times I have eaten something delish knowing I was going to pay later, lol! Not only does the probiotic help with grumblies but I feel it helps with gut health and immune system strength. Hang in there

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  • Elfmcg
    Elfmcg Member Posts: 91
    edited February 2018

    Thanks BLynnB and SpecialK,

    I've definately been throwing a 'pity party' for myself. haha

    I'm glad to hear some other people are feeling the same as me. Sometimes i feel unless your in Warrior Mode, people just don't want to know, and think you're whinging. But you are right, i suppose they will understand eventually, and if they don't, well that's their own problem.

    I will talk to the MO on Tuesday and tell him how i'm feeling. I had to go on an anti anxiety drug during this debacle as well, i just completely lost my footing. But here's hoping i will get a bit of a lift when Rads are finished next week. I'm having my next herceptin today.

    I hope you both continue to make a full recovery. on my way to get some pro biotics.



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  • MrsWinnie
    MrsWinnie Member Posts: 122
    edited February 2018

    I suffered (suffering) since my last chemo (dec 13th) from Heartburn and acid reflux, and if I wasn't suffering from that there was bloating and pressure and gas... Nothing worked.. I took probiotics (live pills health food store) and it helped but came back fast. Yesterday I drank kombucha and Today Im not suffering!! OMG so happy Doctors have me booked for a scope to see if I have Ulcers from Chemo.. but I Might be fixed!... cross's fingers! Kombucha can be found in the health food section or at health food stores.. can also be made at home. I am looking into making my own now. but want to talk to Chemo center about it and making sure its ok to drink daily.

    so excited to be pain free in the gut area..

    hugs it gets better!

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