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.
Triple Negative Vaccine hopes to eliminate the disease - we need these trials in Australia NOW!
This is in the UK newspaper today - hopefully these trials will be in Australia SOON .... Maybe Ask your Onc about this ..... the sooner it starts here, the better. Triple Negative Breast cancer vaccine 'could eliminate disease by 2030' : 15 women who survived aggressive tumours are still in remission up to five years later after receiving experimental shot — now doctors believe a cure is in sight https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12140391/Breast-cancer-vaccine-eliminate-form-disease-seven-YEARS.html and another report from Dec 2022 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11400715/Three-cancer-patients-cured-experimental-vaccine-100x-cheaper-rival-shots.htmlThe Breast - scientific papers on all types of BC & conditions .... a great resource
I have found these Very recent publications re breast cancer & related topics .... there are many topics covered. ALL Volumes (about 6 articles in each volume), and about 6 'volumes' a year .... https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/the-breast/issues The Aims & Scope of the Website: You can put any subject in the 'search' area - I put in Invasive lobular & these results came up .... recent scientific papers. https://www.sciencedirect.com/search?qs=invasive lobular
UK trial
A trial is being conducted in the UK using aspirin as part of treatment for triple negative breast cancer. The article emphasises the trial and methodology is still at an early stage and people should NOT start using aspirin themselves! Trial lead Dr Anne Armstrong said: "Not all breast cancers respond well to immunotherapy. "Trialling the use of a drug like aspirin is exciting because it is so widely available and inexpensive to produce. "We hope our trial will show that, when combined with immunotherapy, aspirin can enhance its effects and may ultimately provide a safe new way to treat breast cancer." Co-researcher Dr Rebecca Lee said their lab findings suggested that aspirin can make certain types of immunotherapy more effective by preventing the cancer from making substances that weaken the immune response. "We hope aspirin can dampen down bad inflammation so the immune system can get on with the job of killing cancer cells," she said.
Xeloda
I have TNBC, diagnosed Jan 2017, AC, Taxol, Lumpectomy, Carboplatin, Radiotherapy ( 25 +5). Finishing mid January 2018. I did a bit of research and asked about Xeloda post op and post radotherapy. Just seen (yet another) oncologist and was offered Xeloda ( she had read my notes and thought I might like to consider it an option.... for 6 months to improve chances of no recurrance/spread ??) . I had bone and chest CT prior to treatment, all clear. havent had any scans since finished and did had full metabolic response (PET) prior to op, but not full pathological response ( several of the 24 nodes removed were dodgy). I was very upset because I had asked about Xeloda prior and told no, not an option for me ( not on the trial at any rate as not HER 2 negative enough. ) Why am I being offered this now? There are no different results to be looked at. I have said no..... not right now. Off to UK for 6 weeks and I feel so well, i dont want to be miserable on holiday. Will revisit in July after having bone scan and chest CT.... Any comments/advice would be gratefully received.
TNBC new treatment ?
Hi folks, The subtitle of this thread should be: How is new research incorporated into practice? I saw an article about 5nbc treatment that I was excited about. It comes from the Clive Berghoffer institute in Brisbane which is a big Cancer Research center. It seems quite conclusive around treatment options and I was wondering - how does new research like this get incorporated into best practice? Is this something that I should be asking the oncologist about? https://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/lifelab-magazine/triple-negative-breast-cancer-treatment/&ved=2ahUKEwiS3uDCudvjAhU58XMBHXbmAWwQFjAAegQICBAC&usg=AOvVaw3thny1i3f5ZNdtobmEBLpFDocetaxel Side Effects FEC-D
Hi there, I have just finished 3 rounds of FEC and having my first of 3 rounds of DOCETAXEL on Monday. I am really scared of the side effects, especially the potential of having a reaction. I would love (with great apprehension) to hear your experience if you had this treatment. Ive been told by the oncologist to wear black or dark nail polish during the next 3 treatments without removing it, to protect my nails. My chemo is for Triple Negative breast cancer. Thank you in advance xx
