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chemo side effects

hi zouzi, bb, sue young: this is Alidi, I am going thru my four round of chemo (CMF) CYTOXAN, MEXATE, and
5FU, I am suffering from tingling, pain and needles and stiffnes on my both hands, and joint pain on my right
arm and knees.Before I started chemo .I did not have a problem, I felt strong and never had a joint pain.
I talked to my Oncologist and she disregarded my complains.I am thinking ending my treatment sooner than
schedule, with 2 more tratments.( that will make 6 treatments altogether.)
My case is simple, recurrance after to years, stage 2, with 3 lymphnodes positive,NO METASTASIS.
I heard that 6 treatments of CMF, are the standard. then why to go for 8? I will raise that question to my Onco,
It will be difficult, since we do not have a good relationship.The botton line is: my quality of life is very poor versus
my quality of life before treatment, Please advise, God Bess you all.
Best Answer
587083 tn?1327120262
Hi Ali,
I am really so sorry you are experiencing so much pain. As you well know,
Chemo therapy is life saving,but it has unwanted side effects that can be really troublesome.
I cannot tell you to stop chemo,because your Oncologist has planned this treatment specifically for your particular situation ,when you were diagnosed with cancer recurrence.
Neuropathy pain is very common and usually it disappear after treatment is completed.
I have added below a link concerning neuropathy ( burning sensations, pain, numbness, tingling,etc..)

http://www.ehow.com/way_5229370_treatment-chemotherapy-neuropathy.html

After reading the information,please discuss with your oncologist what changes could be made with the dosage and what medication you could take to relieve the pain you are experiencing.
I really wouldn't advise you stop the Chemo Ali,unless your doctor agrees.
Hang in there dear,you are almost done.Two more session won't make you feel worse than what you feel right now.
My heart goes out to you and I am quite sad that you are going through this pain.:(
Soon it will be over,and I hope that your treatment will be completely successful.
Take care and God Bless you too.

9 Responses
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Avatar universal
thanks so much, I will finish, and get stronger for reconstruction.
All is difficult, because I chose treatment away from home.
Thanks for the web info.

God Bless!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Sue Young, for your great answer.This friday I will have my fifth
round of Chemo, and then 3 more.
I will let you know of my progress.

God Bless, Ali
Helpful - 0
739091 tn?1300666027
I had crippling pain during chemo along with burned hands and feet, literally blistered and peeling thick layers of skin. I know what you're going through. Not all people get the same side effects to drugs as we all know.

I feel so bad for you because I remember the pain. But 4 years later I'm still here and if walking through fire is what it took to get here, then it was worth it. I know it's not easy but I also know you can do this.

Blessings my friend.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, Ali,
I don't have any additional information for you but I just wanted to add that I'm glad to hear that you'll continue with your treatments as recommended. I can only guess how difficult this must be for you, but recurrent breast cancer is just too serious to just stop the scheduled treatments. I'm sorry your oncologist is not more understanding and sympathetic, but maybe she'll listen to you and consider some adjustments to your dosage. Please try to hang in there and get this behind you. Like bb & zouzi, I can only hope it'll all be worth it to you and your treatment is successful. Take care and I'm wishing you all the best and sending you a big hug (   )!!
nc
Helpful - 0
587083 tn?1327120262
Ali,
I found this important information from a member who has been so kind to have shared it with us.Here is her post and I hope it will help you get through the hard times,when you feel too tired.
                 ------------------------------------------------
By healingwell62 , Nov 28, 2009 01:20PM
I just became aware of something that those of you currently going through chemo should know.They offer free cleaning services for people going through chemo who don't have the energy to do it themselves.This is an amazing ministry/offer. Please check it out. I would have if I'd known about it when I was having chemo, that's for sure.
Copy and paste this Website below.

http://www.cleaningforareason.org/locations/
                        -------------------------------------------------------

              

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you BB for your post, You are right, I need all these tools to fight for this cancer for the second time.
the Byopsis made me weak and sore, then a bilateral mastectomy, then a Mediport, That is an outpetient procedure and I experienced a Tachycardia while this procedure was being done(they had to inject me Loppressol) and after all I do not have a heart problem, this was confirmed by a Cardiologist the interventional radiologist called at that moment. I have been tried to be possitive but.nothing have been easy.
I am very appreciative of your good advise
God Bless,
Ali.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you zouzi for the always great advise, I will go on with the 4 chemos
I was scheduled, maybe, my doctor will change the dosis, she is very difficult
and she do not apreciate an informed patient.
I am getting this treatments in New York City, away from home.Perhaps, when I go home I will recover faster.
God bless !
Ali.
.
Helpful - 0
962875 tn?1314210036
Hi again,

Unfortunately, I do not think the words "simple" and "recurrence" ever really belong in the same sentence... :-(

And since you had involvement this time in 3 lymph nodes, this is a serious enough matter to require adequate chemo to try to destroy any micrometastases that might get loose in your body.

I understand that these side effects are difficult to deal with, but have you thought about how much worse it would be to have to deal with metastatic cancer?

In my opinion, before you consider stopping chemo earlier than is recommended by your oncologist,  it would be essential  to get a 2nd opinion from another oncologist.

Best wishes,
bluebutterfly
Helpful - 0
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