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.
Neuropathy in feet - any advice? TNBC
Hi everyone I've TNBC and am 6 treatments down with the first Carbo/Taxel/immunotherapy regime. For part of my infusions, they put cold gloves on my hands to reduce the risk of neuropathy there, but didn't offer anything for the feet. They suggested I go online and purchase my own cold socks to wear during treatment. Last week my toes started feeling numb and then yesterday my heels started feeling sore when I walked. I walked a bit at the shops this morning and my feet felt odd the whole time. I'm assuming this is all related to neuropathy and I must admit I'm a little freaked out. I've purchased some cold socks now online and will start wearing them during treatment, but I'm worried what damage has been done already. Be interested to hear what experiences others have had with this, what they've done about it and whether it has resolved after treatment finishes. (NB I'm putting this in the general discussion arena as I thought it may not be simply TNBC related?) Kathy
Triple negative breast cancer
I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer last year and had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. My cancer was PALB2 positive and I had a oophorectomy 6 weeks ago to reduce risk of ovarian cancer. I was post menopausal before oophorectomy but am now experiencing significant menopausal symptoms. Anyone else experienced this and what helps?
Psychiatrist / Psychologist Needed - Melbourne
Hi All, I had a lumpectomy due to 3 types of breast cancers in my right breast. But for the last 18 months i haven't been able to work due to my mental health. I am looking for a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist to help me get back to normal. Does anyone have any experience with someone they can recommend in Melbourne please? Really struggling. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you
Chemo Tablets?
Hi all. I was diagnosed Triple Negative in late Nov 2023. Went straight on to Chemotherapy with lots of negative reactions, including anaphylaxis. Then had Surgery to remove lump and one lymph node which was all clear. Just finished 4 weeks of Radiation. Now my Medical Oncologist wants to put me on Capecitabine tablets for 6 months. I can't seem to get a straight answer as to why I need this as well as everything else. I was just starting to feel a bit more 'normal' and looking forward to life again. Has anyone else used these tablets that can give me an honest opinion. Thank you.
New to the Journey
Sad to be joining this journey with everyone, but staying positive 'is what it is' has become the new slogan in this house. Got an official TNBC dignosis mid december, was an incidental find. Had a mamagram and got called back to for a further look at 2 things, turns out those things were fine but found a BC lump which was not fine. No one could feel it which made me feel slightly better than I would have felt if it was something I had just missed (or igrnored) I meet with team at the hospital 4 days later then had to wait it out over the Xmas Break to get appointments for a lymph node biospy. It was all clear which is great, they decided as my lump was only 11mm lumpectomy was they way to go first. That was a Monday, Wednesday I was in getting a ROLLIS seed implanted and surgery Friday. What a roller coaster of a week it was. So here I sit 10 days later, very tired after 2 days back at work after surgery. Surgeon really happy with everything, the lump came out within margins and the 1 lymph node they took out it clear. The swelling and bruising was (and still is) pretty impressive but feeling pretty good overall Now I move on to the Oncology team to see where we go from here .....Newly diagnosed - Triple Negative - Chemo underway - Family history
Hi everyone, Well this is the group you really don't want to join, but it appears to be a great resource and source of support, so here goes. I was diagnosed with a triple negative tumour in my left breast on 9th May (grade 3), following a biopsy. I count myself lucky in that I have been part of a High Risk Breast Cancer Clinic at RNS Hospital since 2018, when I found I had the BRCA2 gene mutation. I have a strong family history of breast cancer, with my father having breast cancer at 64 and ultimately passing away at 68 from secondary cancers (way too early - he thought he could massage away the lump). His mother had breast cancer as well and my mother had ductal breast cancer in her 70's. So the annual mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds since 2018 may have been a nuisance, but they picked up this cancer. I knew something was up when they did the mammogram and kept on calling me back into change again for another scan and then bringing forward the ultrasound appointment, where they did the biopsy. I am going to remember the call I received from the breast specialist's office saying that I needed to come and see the specialist "today" - no delay. I burst into tears and knew straightaway. I'm ahead of my parents in having been diagnosed at 59 - thinking of postponing my big family celebration weekend away in late July until after all this! Quickly into an oncologist and the treatment plan set up within a week. Because of the triple negative category, I'm starting with 6 months of chemo - first 3 months weekly sessions of Pembrolizumab ('the' new immunotherapy drug my oncologist says has only been approved in the last few months), Paclitaxel and Carboplatin - then 3 months of 3 weekly cycles of Pembro, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide. Following that, they hope the tumour will have shrunk and they will then do surgery to remove the remainder - with the decision then on a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Radiation is a possibility after that. My twin sister (same genes of course) had a double mastectomy as soon as she found out we had the BRCA2 gene in 2018 and her initial reaction was to 'get them off' - but I'm following the treatment plan suggested - and I think a bit grateful I don't need to make that decision yet. I am down 2 weeks of chemo. The side effects I've experienced so far are the usual fatigue (have been trying to work in mornings, but I'm quickly realising that's even hard), inability to sleep the first few nights (the steroids I understand), yukky mouth sensation, slight nausea in morning with cooking smells, some slight rash spots on face - and the worst, the bloating/constipation (I won't share the details but I'm quickly realising I need to change up diet and liquids). I don't have any great questions just yet, but look forward to interacting with you all in the future and thank you in anticipation. Sorry for the essay. Kathy
Q&A – TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER on Tuesday 24th October from 4:30-6pm (AEDT).
Register for the Q&A on Triple Negative Breast Cancer (Submit a question.) https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/news/qa-events/qa-triple-negative-breast-cancer/ Triple negative breast cancer accounts for approximately 15% of all breast cancers. As the name suggests, triple negative breast cancer does not have any of the three receptors that are commonly found on breast cancer cells – oestrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors. Anyone can be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer but it occurs more often in younger patients who are pre-menopausal or under 50 years of age. People with a BRCA1 gene mutation also have a higher risk of this type of breast cancer. Triple negative breast cancer is a more aggressive type of tumour, with a faster growth rate, a higher risk of spreading to other parts of the body (metastasis) and of recurrence either in the breast or elsewhere. Because it does not have any of the more common receptors that can be targeted by medications, such as hormone and HER2-blocking drugs, it has fewer treatment options available. Standard treatment of early stage triple negative breast cancer typically includes chemotherapy, surgery and in many cases a course of radiotherapy. Often chemotherapy treatment is given prior to breast surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy), as it can effectively reduce the size of the breast cancer while providing useful information about the effectiveness of the treatment being given. Breast Cancer Trials has been researching new and better treatments for triple negative breast cancer. The CHARIOT clinical trial examined the addition of dual immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy and showed promising results in patients with treatment resistant, early-stage triple negative breast cancer. The Neo-N clinical trial is investigating whether using an immunotherapy drug together with chemotherapy, is safe and effective in treating breast cancer before surgery. Results of this study are expected later this year. Join our panel of experts as we explore triple negative breast cancer. We’ll hear firsthand from women who have a history of this type of cancer, and from world-leading researchers on the latest in research and clinical trials to improve treatments and patient outcomes
Newly diagnosed with triple negative.
Hi everyone, Wish I wasn't here but glad I'm not alone. I'm 49yo and diagnosed yesterday with triple negative invasive ductal cancer with lymph node involvement. I had positive biopsies last week but got the full breakdown when I met with my surgeon yesterday. I had all my scans this afternoon and now I wait I guess until I get a call. I believe I've already been referred to an oncologist and there is a rough plan in place. To be confirmed at their multidisciplinary meeting presumably. I haven't told my daughters yet. My youngest turns 11 in 2 days, so I might hold off a little. I'm a single parent sole trader so life is about to get really hard and the feelings of overwhelm and terror are close by at all times. What a journey to embark on 😳 Wishing you all the best travelling through it. Karen xo
39 years triple-negative early cance,through IVF treatment & start chemo mid-May24
Hi all, I m new recently diagnosis triple-negative early cancer (grade2). Still asking myself why I having cancer because I have good lifestyle, eat healthy food, just move in new house in Dec 2023, My husband and I willing to start house renov but nothing could happen because we need to fight cancer. I had bone scan, MRI and CT scan which result is good, no spreading. After see surgeon and Oncologist they suggest I need to do IVF egg collection to frozen embryo to make sure after cancer free, we can have IVF implant. I had 2 miscarriage in 2023 and we decide should go for IVF cannnot wait any longer. It was almost at this time that I found out that I had breast cancer. My chemo treatment will start mid-May,I will come here to update the situation and also hope that my egg retrieval will go well, Finger cross! Everyone please stay positive, it is not easy but we need flight cancer.
