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Kellee's avatar
Kellee
Member
21 days ago

Docetaxel Side Effects FEC-D Long term side effects or menopause?

Hi all, its been several years since I posted on here. I'm hopeful someone can help.

My apologies for my long post. I promise Im not a hypochondriac.

I'm coming up to 7 years cancer free and should be living that life changing, "Im so greatful to be alive" kind of life. But I feel like cancer has added 20 years to my health. Anything that ailed me before treatment has amplified. My knees and ankles constantly ache. Its very hard to stand up from a seated position. I have neuropathy symptoms from the knees down. I randomly run out of breath. My hair feels noticeably thinner (it grew back white). My scalp constantly itches (no dandruff, just red) and I keep getting small lumps on my crown and the nape of my neck. I'm also getting re- occurring cysts in my arm pits, some have showed up in my breast during mammograms, but they come then go.

Ive had chemo induced menopause for 6 years now. So much brain fog and vertigo. I now have osteoarthritis and to top it off, during my post chemo scans they found a lump in my skull towards the base of my neck which was deemed to intrusive to do a biopsy. At one stage I was told I would need yearly scans. I feel like its been put in the too hard basket. Ive been trying to get doctors to listen to my concerns for 2 years now. Ive also been trying to get a specialist to see me since June last year. I cant even get on their waiting lists.

The team that looked after me during my cancer journey were absolutely marvellous. Now that Ive been 'signed off' help and understanding have been lacking. I'm on long waiting lists to have things looked at, living with the fear of re-occurrance is always at the back of my mind. Im going around circles with my GP but Im now too emotionally exhausted to make a change. I lived with anxiety and depression before cancer but now I feel it is overwhelming me. Ive tried counselling several times but I havent found them helpful.

Dealing with this and lifes 'normal' challenges has really changed me. I have searched the internet for sites that deal with life after cancer. Trying to find out what side effects are common or potentially long lasting. How to treat them or how to deal with them.  Are my symptons a result of treatment or is it a menopause thing?

All the sites i find talk about treatment and short term side effects. Im hoping theres a site out there that might inspire me and give me back the drive to look after myself. Even a site for menopause after triple negative breast cancer would be very helpful(preferably an Australian site). Ive been told to avoid any hormonal treatment. Are there other options?

If there is anyone living a similar outcome to me, what are you doing to help your self? How are you treating menopause after TNBC? Whats working for you?

Thank you if you took the time to read my post, I know its a long one but i really appreciate it.

 

6 Replies

  • So sorry to hear you are having a hard time of it, Kellee  xx   It really is a
    "b i t c h" isn't it? (take out the spaces .... otherwise it might turn into a 'bleep'.  I think that many of us can relate to your 'before' and 'after' health and vitality .... that is missing in action!

    I can't help on the Docetaxel Side Effects .... but hopefully someone will jump on soon with their experience.  xx.  I was already in menopause when diagnosed & also had arthritis too ... but the Hormone Meds really made the arthritis MUCH worse  :(   I've been weaning off them this year & finish for good when I see the Onc.  Hopefully, things will get better.

    Like you, I was fit & healthy & 'up for most things' before my surgery, rads & Tabs,  as most of us didn't 'know' that we were even  'sick'  ....  but like you now, just not as 'up to it' these days!  (Even tho I still like to get out and fish from my kayak .... my fitness and strength has declined - the Covid years didn't help & the fact that I am now in my 70s will be a factor too, I guess?) INTERESTING that you mention "I keep getting small lumps on my crown and the nape of my neck."  I do too - but I didn't have chemo, so can't blame that!   If I scratch the top off one, I dab it with the perfume 4711!!  It works.  Is it an aging thing?

    What were your favourite activities before your diagnosis?  Have you gotten back into them?  Hobbies, or regular activities that you enjoy (going to the movies, coffee & chat with friends, out for a meal?)  Try & do at least one of your 'favourite things' once a week (or do  2!) as an outing - and to give you something to look forward to as well!   Do you enjoy singing? See if there is a local choir & join it!  Once you start looking, you'll be surprised how many activities are out there, for you to try!  😉. Often the local Services Club may have various 'sub groups' too, that may interest you?  Are you still working?

    I sign off with my Onc in a few months ..... even tho I only see her once a year now ... cutting those strings, will be difficult, I think.  

    Have you joined the Triple Negative Private Group?  You can join via this link - then you can chat with others who have the same diagnosis. 
    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/closedgroup/triple-negative-breast-cancer

    Have you listened to Charlotte Tottman's Podcasts on 'what you don't know until you do'?  She is an Psycho-Oncologist  who counsels women with Breast Cancer & was diagnosed herself in 2018 - and (as you'll read on the link below) she thought she'd be 'ok' with the diagnosis, as she'd heard so many of her clients talk about 'their story' ..... but it wasn't like that at all.  She ended up having the same fears & side effects as the rest of us & now deals with her clients in a different, more 'educated' way, via her own experience.
    The links to hers (and a chat with Raelene Boyle which is a terrific listen, too!):
    Listening to Raelene Boyle's podcast is well worth it, as well as Charlotte Tottman's Series! | BCNA Online Network

    Take care & all the best and big hugs xx

     

    • Kellee's avatar
      Kellee
      Member

      Thank your reply Arpie,

      You have given me alot of helpful advice. I will definitely follow up on those links. 

      A big appreciative hug to you, thank you xx

  • HiKellee my treatment finished only 12 m ago, being recent it’s a bit different to your scenario which sounds so tough. I am sending a virtual hug. 
    I know we are all different but for me, the main things that have helped me has been to get my strength back, so with my neuropathy (only in my feet) I started to learn and practice gentle flow yoga and I increased the frequency of other forms of moderate exercise (swimming and seated rowing). 
    I am lucky my GP is a cancer survivor and is interested in quality of life. Perhaps after you build up the energy over time it might be worth trying a new GP who could bring a fresh set of eyes and a different set of experiences and connect you with a physio whose patients include people who’ve received cancer treatment. 

    • Kellee's avatar
      Kellee
      Member

      Thank you Tri, a new GP is definitely something I am considering. Xx

      • arpie's avatar
        arpie
        Member

        A new GP can make all the difference xx ...  I even ended up changing my Onc, as the guy I had originally was useless & wasn't really interested in my case at all, as if I wasn't a 'serious enough' case for him to 'do'? 
        His first comment was: "Well, what are you doing here?"  (He hadn't even read the referral!) ... and it went downhill from there! 
        I ended up with a lovely female Onc (who also looked after my husband as well when his cancer returned as Mets) and I'll be signing off with her mid year :( 
        Take care & all the best xx