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MillieR's avatar
MillieR
Member
3 years ago

Neo adjuvant Chemotherapy - treatment sensations

Hi,  

Thank you for listening to my story and your consideration to share your experience. 

I am currently on neo adjuvant treatment for Her2+ HR- cancer with one lymph node involvement according to PET scan since my diagnosis in February 2022.  After four rounds of AC chemotherapy, I am now halfway through the second chemotherapy regime of Taxol, Herceptin and Perjeta. 

I have had many sensations during the chemotherapy treatment ranging from lymph nodes along the neckline (just on one side of my head where the cancer is being treated) occasionally feeling that they have swollen up as if I am fighting a cold. 

Lots of sensations in the armpit and at one stage I feel someone is poking a pencil into my lymph nodes, not to mention the range of sensations felt in the breast. 

Occasional upper back pain (particularly when I lean back to sit on it) which I think is due to some cancer cells wrapping around a nerve extending to the upper back.

I cannot find anything online that describe similar experiences and wondering if I am alone in feeling these types of sensations.  Have you experience similar or different type of sensations during the neo adjuvant treatment?   Appreciate your insights and sharing of your neo adjuvant treatment experience.  Thank you.  

MillieR
neo-adjuvant-chemotherapy
  • MillieR's avatar
    MillieR
    Member
    3 years ago
    Thank you Jenny. Appreciate your kind wishes and same to you too.  MillieR
  • MillieR's avatar
    MillieR
    Member
    3 years ago
    Hi Christabel03, thanks for sharing your journey and it’s great to hear that you have completed the regime and the surgery and are on your way to recovery. 
    Your reply really helped me to know that I am not alone during this very scary and difficult time.  I really appreciate it. 
    All the very best wishes for your recovery xxx
  • Christabel03's avatar
    Christabel03
    Member
    3 years ago
    Hi @MillieR

    Sorry to hear you are having some strange side effects with your treatment. I had the same chemo regime as you by the sounds of it but finished the Taxol, Herceptin and Perjeta around 7 weeks ago I think and am now four weeks post surgery. I had the pencil poking feeling in my lymph nodes and also a load of stabbing sensations in the breast. I remember the sensations in the breast was quite full on in the first few weeks of the weekly treatment. When I asked my oncologist she basically said she wouldn't take it as a bad thing. That probably doesn't help you much but I would guess we aren't alone with having some strange sensations happen as we go through treatment. 

    I know we all say this and you have probably heard it many times but try not to google :( you really end up stressing yourself out more and more and speak with your breast care nurses or oncologist if you can and never be afraid to ask them questions. I have also found lots of people are so willing to share their stories and talk things through on here as well. 

    Take care x