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Anyone else having a difficult time managing side effects for cancer treatments?

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36 comments

GinaNewOrleans

11/14/2018 at 7:25 AM

I'm post single mastectomy stage 1 breast cancer. I been having one he'll of a time managing these awful side effects from, arimidex to exemestane and femara. Migraines, tendonitis, muscle spasms, joint pain, edema, nausea. My oncologist acts like this treatment is not a big deal and I'm one of the rare people who cannot tolerate these treatments. Anyonelse? I feel alone.

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Susang

06/23/2019 at 1:23 PM

I surely can imagine and feel your distrust. Our journey is difficult and scary on many levels. What are your reasons for flax seed.

Anyone else having a difficult time managing side effects for cancer treatments? https://www.carenity.us/forum/cancer/your-opinion-on-cancer-treatments/anyone-else-having-a-difficult-time-managing-side-effects-for-cancer-treatments-aromatase-inhibitors-593 2019-06-23 13:23:13

Mimasw

06/25/2019 at 4:19 PM

@Susang Flax seed suppresses the bad estrogen and leaves the good estrogen. I’m reading a book Estrogen Matters and it will help you to understand why women need some estrogen to feel good and it won’t kill you. It’s a strong history of a lot of scientific studies. I have to warn you it may make you angry because the doctors have really not done right by women.

Mimasw

06/25/2019 at 4:25 PM

@sharesullie I stopped taking tamoxifen because of joint pain been off it 2 weeks and I’m starting to feel better. I’m trying flaxseed I’m desperate to feel normal.

Susang

06/25/2019 at 5:08 PM

I certainly will check it out, thanks and regards

Scorpmgc

08/09/2019 at 5:46 PM

I have Recurrent Ovarian Cancer.

Finished 6 cycles (once again)

and now my oncologist wants to put me on the PARP Inhibitor

Lynparza (Olaparib)

my hair hasn’t even grown.

i am very Leary of going on these pills, I do not have the Braca gene mutation.

has anyone been on it?

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Roxanne Brouillard

MerylK

06/03/2020 at 6:26 PM

@GinaNewOrleans I deal with with extreme fatigue and joint pain and emotional ups and down that makes everyone crazy. I am on Arimidex as well and my doctor is surprised that I still have these symptoms. I am 4 years out and still am miserable. You are definitely not alone! I have debated stopping but am afraid it will come back. Are any other women dealing with the emotional craziness due to lack of estrogen?

Unregistered member

06/04/2020 at 7:50 PM

Hi Gina,

My suggestion is: past those 2-3 days when you just sleep, react and start moving and doing things in the house. Ignore the nausea and walk (it will lessen that), feel the refrigerator with things you might want to try (10-12 items) and cook creatively with food that does not cause any inflammation. Do not let people help you for as much as you can. Relying on people would help you believe you need them and that you cannot do things.

All these things helped me tremendously. I would have friends staying with me for three nights for each treatment in case of emergency. During this time I would cook for all of us and would not let them do a thing so I would not feel guilty I do not eat their food, I was a little bit active although dragging my feet and then going to sleep right after. On the third day I would tell them to leave (although they didn't want to) and go out for a hike of 1 mile and increasing to 6 every day when ready for the next treatment. In the afternoon I did my Yoga-pilates session which also helped me tremendously with my peripheral neuropathy which lasted just a month.

1984survivor!

06/12/2020 at 6:44 PM

Good advisor

@Hazelio Wow you are stronger than I was! It took me more than 2-3 days to get back on my feet. And I definitely leaned on and enjoyed having my husband cook for me for once! It took me quite a bit before I felt ready to be active. I'm glad that worked for you though! I think overall it's important to listen to your body and do what you need to do to feel better. :)

Unregistered member

06/13/2020 at 12:03 AM

@1984survivor! I think what helped me was the fact I watched tons of action movies and shows (Rambo, Arrow, Mission Impossible) LOL I really felt like one of these heroes when they got severely wounded and still able to accomplish their mission. I remember on day 5 going on my regular hike but I am used to hike 5-7 miles everyday at a pace of 17.50 minutes per mile and at that time I could barely cover 1 mile at a much slower pace, out of breath and heart pounding and in tears of frustration "That is no me! That is not me". I love sports and that was probably the part I liked less. Food was actually interesting as I love experimenting with it and win the contest with myself of finding great healthy meals that I could even "taste". Had problems with water and tried several things in order to drink during the days right after chemo. I found I could trick myself with baking soda and lemon in it....

Hopefully I am out of it... Still with a port (makes me feel like an electric car LOL)

missshe

07/10/2020 at 5:53 PM

Good advisor

@Hazelio Wow I wish I could be like you! I'm going through chemo right now and I'm doing alright at keeping myself going through the nausea and the fatigue but I'm nowhere near being able to hike! Ugh yes I'm also struggling with the lack of taste! I can't taste anything and it's so frustrating! When I just want to comfort myself with my favorite foods I can't even enjoy them because they taste like nothing!