Forum Discussion

KathleenT's avatar
KathleenT
Member
8 years ago

Long term side effects

I was diagnosed in 2010 with grade 2 cancer inmy right breast as well as mets in my sacrum. Then, despite being on Tamoxifen, another carcinoma was found in my left breast 12 months later. I had very strong chemo after the first mastectomy. 
Since then, I have had things “breaking”, and just wondering if there are others out there with similar issues. I really believe that long term effects of the chemo, & possibly the Arimidex (which I was changed to) and the Xgeva injection are causing all sorts of things to go wrong in my body. 
The latest thing; last year I had an arthroscopic repair done on a torn rotator cuff. The surgery was in June last year. I was pain free after rehab till February this year. Yesterday I went for an ultrasound on same shoulder. The radiographer asked me if I had had a fall! Waiting to get report from my doctor, but it seems that same injury has happened again!  I have not had a fall. 
Also over the years, I had a similar surgery on my hip before my breast cancer, and I have worse pain in that as well. 
Would like to hear from others if they have had similar experiences. 
chemotherapy
metastatic-breast-cancer
side-effects
  • SoldierCrab's avatar
    SoldierCrab
    Member
    8 years ago
    Thank you @Zoffiel  and @Tracey_B I thought you ladies would be able to give some information .... 

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    8 years ago
    Hi Kathleen,
    I have a number of bony Mets and am currently on oral chemotherapy. I have had 2 rounds of rads to my mets, and the radio oncologists explained to me that there are 2 types of bone cancer, one that grows a lump, and one that erodes. Mine is the type that erodes and weakens the bone. Post rads, my rads onc told me to treat my mets the same way you would a fracture. The Xgeva injection and calcium supplement support the uptake of calcium, along with gentle exercise, however you still need to take care.
    My suggestion is to discuss what type of mets you have and get some advice on why your bones are showing fractures, and what to do to keep yourself well. Hoping that this gives you more information. The Hopes and Hurdles kit (free from bcna if you ring) is really useful, and they also have a booklet regards bony mets.
    Take good care, sending you a big cyber cuddle,
    Trace
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    8 years ago

    Hi @KathleenT

    I had my first cancer treatment in 2006 and had a recurrence in 2016. Having breezed through chemo the first time I'm struggling, literally, to get back on my feet this time. I've also had some pretty aggressive surgery in my armpit to remove a tumour and 21 nodes and radiotherapy in the last 18 months.

    My double mastectomy and implant retreads in 2006/7 demonstrated that I do scar tissue like a pro. I'm thinking that, for what ever reason, the latest traumas have both made recent injuries more difficult to recover from, and have aggravated the old ones.

    I've just switched from Letrazole to Anastrazole hoping some of the arthritic side effects might bugger off. I'm not that hopeful. it's basically the same drug, I think my onc is hoping or a placebo effect.

    Anything that is scarred either surgically or arthritically is giving me the irrits. My old basket baller knees and net baller ankles are very cranky now and my implants are like rocks. Even the scar where I had my port removed is red and angry. My blood work is a bit 'meh' so that probably isn't helping.

    Speaking of not helping, my woes can do nothing but demonstrate that you are not on your own when you are trying to figure out WTF is going on with your body post treatment.

    Cancer, the gift that keeps on giving. Phhfft. Mxx

  • SoldierCrab's avatar
    SoldierCrab
    Member
    8 years ago
    @Zoffiel
    and 
    @Deanne
    @Tracey_B
     
    Do you ladies know anyone who might be able to answer some of these questions Kathleen has put up ?