Does radiotherapy cause brain fog?

@Lynn65 You're so right! I'm just starting to realise that I'm not 'done', that I won't be 'done' for years. And it's a bit of a shock. People have said that if my hair thins, 'it'll grow back' - yes, in 5 years?? I started Tamoxifen yesterday. Only 4 years and 363 days to go...

Yeah that’s tough not being heard @rose. Previously I’ve been met with incomprehension at work and with most friends while I’ve been trying to recover from chronic health issues.  Having an understanding partner and a community like BCNA where people can “get” me has been helpful with breast cancer and all it brings with it. I’ve found having a few people that can relate super helpful with other health issues. 

A friend who has had a number of friends and family with different cancers really touched me when I mentioned how most people didn’t get the idea of ongoing hormone treatment for years after and adjusting to it’s effects, or just trying to get past even relatively minor treatments like lumpectomy SNB and radiation. Her comment was that I’m in maintenance mode to try to stay clear of it, meaning I’m still having to deal with it and it isn’t “over” or “done”.  

I have found in the past that my boss dealt better with physical symptoms that he could see, even if that was just him seeing me squinting and holding my neck stiff from pain.  

When end do you start tamoxifen?  

Yes, it's hard though, because everyone else just expects me to be back to my old normal self. I've completely lost my mojo for work, am trying to wind things back and look after my health, and no-one apart from my partner (and you guys!) understand. I was trying to discuss with my boss that the hormone therapy may be difficult until my body adjusts, and in response to me saying that weight gain is a possible side effect, advised me to increase exercising (noting I already exercise a lot). After all, he goes for a run and immediately loses half a kilo!

@Sister @iserbrown @AllyJay @rose thanks for the encouragement and sharing your experiences. Yes I need to remember no need for me to borrow trouble before it’s time.  And too right about emotional and physical challenges of breast cancer - i will try and cut myself some slack and stop expecting “now back to our regular program” xx

Hi there @rose and @Lynn65. I have a number of other medical issues aside from cancer...at the moment NED. As a result of these other conditions, I have joint pain, inflammation and stiffness, body wide, which existed prior to my cancer diagnosis. I've also been on cortisone for years now for these conditions, which have given my the typical Buddha belly associated with long term steroid use. I've been on Letrozole for the past year and a half, and have noticed no more joint problems or extra weight that I would have expected due to the other conditions. My joints are worse, but my rheumatologist has assured me that this would have been the case even if I was not taking the Letrozole...the natural progression of these conditions would have caused it by themselves. I'm sure that if I didn't have these other conditions, I would have been one of those women who suffered few side effects. Ally.

Oh @rose please don't let the experiences of others frighten you!
 
Just to reinforce what @sister has said previously, some sail through with no side effects or very little and unfortunately some seem to get quite a few.  We are all individual and our bodies metabolise accordingly!  For some menopause is in the middle of it as well as

I was on a combination of Tamoxifen and Zoladex for the first two years

It's not all bad and our bodies need time to adjust, let's face it having Breast Cancer is a challenge emotionally as well as physically!

Fingers crossed that you are one that will sail through with minimal side effects 

Take care and best wishes

  

@Lynn65 @Sister

Thanks Lynne - I could've written your post! I start it tomorrow. And thanks Sister. I have fears of ending up being an overweight, bald, depressed woman with hot flushes, instead of a fairly slim, mostly cheerful perimenopausal woman with good coloured hair. Everything I've read on this site talks about the horrors of Tamoxifen, and I know people come here for support, but I haven't seen any positive stories and this also freaks me out a bit.  

@lynne65 & @rose Just remember that not everyone has bad side effects from the drugs.  Go into it with a positive attitude and take it from there.

Hi @rose, Thanks for your feedback - I’m glad you have gotten through to the other side of radiotherapy and energy side effects. I’m dreading the Tamoxifen as well.  Lately I’ve been trying to tell myself that the tamoxifen will help my body stop the cancer coming back - I guess trying to see if I can view it with less fear since it needs to be taken — I’m not sure how that brain switch will work out, but I guess I could call it my own little uncontrolled science experiment.  Worst case, I end up going back to my original mindset!  I see the oncologist on Wednesday and I’m assuming I will be starting it from then. I hope that your startup of Tamoxifen goes really smoothly.   

Hi Lynne, thanks for your comments. I also had 15 sessions plus 5 boost sessions. I got through it ok and not too tired, but a week later felt really fluey and exhausted. Had a lot on at work and so have just pushed through and am ok now. So glad it's all done! Now onto the horrible Tamoxifen, which I'm dreading.