Radiation recovery
Comments
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Thanks Sew---you may be on to something. I did do a program shortly after my rads when I had trouble raising my arm. And the left wrist has bothered me some, but I dismissed it because of the right one was broke and I was using the left hand more. And then of course, our aches and pains get blamed on our AI's. I will definitely mention to my RO. She is very very good about therapy, exams, etc. . Mo said he had one patient whose pain was so bad she had a mastectomy and I teared up and told him the thought had crossed my mind. That's when he told me he wanted me to see her instead of waiting till Feb. But I guess that would be substituting one pain for another and inceasing my lympho risk and then I'd have to have reduction on the other side. SO , as my MO said---This is where the phrase CANCER SUCKS come from.
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Red, I agree that you should be evaluated for lymphedema; any of your docs can make the recommendation. A lymphedema therapist can show you how to reduce that swelling and keep it at bay, and you should be able to get in to see within a week or so. Nix on waiting until almost Thanksgiving!
I just switched from arimidex to tamoxifen. I was concerned about clots, but my MO told me that the clots generally form in the veins in your legs, so you have an opportunity to recognize the situation and address it. Even if a clot breaks free, the venous pathway goes to the lung, not the brain. Still offputting, of course, but I'm OK with that level of risk.
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The MO did a pretty good evaluation, and he didn't mention Lymphodema. The pain isn't constant, but when it comes on it is pretty debilitating. I am taking a 2 week break from Arimidex and we will see if that and the leg cramps go away. he did absolutely think the leg cramps were from the drug, but didn't have any solution, other than switching to another drug. They were going to try to squeeze me in this am. but I had to take my aunt, to airport and couldn't get there in time, so it will be ok. .... Let me know about the Tamoxifen When I took birth control pills for about a year, I ached and felt like crap 3/4 of every month SE seem about the same.
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From a layman's point of view, Red, it sure sounds like either lymphedema or an infection, and neither of these benefits from being left to its own devices. Did your MO offer an antibiotic to rule out infection? Do you maybe want to post on a lymphedema thread? Maybe someone there can give you some direction. Also, Rmlulu on this thread has posted about her truncal lymphedema, maybe a PM?
Whatever is going on, it does seem to be getting worse and if it were my issue, I guess I'd be not only scheduling a visit with a lymphedema therapist, but also squeezing myself into my breast surgeon's schedule this very next week--he's officially the breast specialist and, as your MO has not figured out exactly what is happening, that responsibility seems to fall right in his lap.
Oh, and I have a little edema myself, in my breast. To date, none of my docs has mentioned it, not even a peep. When, shortly after surgery, I had cording, nobody mentioned that either, just told me my range of motion (somewhat impeded by the cording) was fine.
And yes, I'm going to try to take a baby aspirin a few times/week to help ward off tamoxifen-related blood clots.
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If this helps I've learned how to manage leg cramps with fluid and potassium. It could be simple dehydration. You would need to clear the potassium with your doc, it can affect your heart. Or you can search foods high in potassium and go natural, sometimes it only takes a banana. Magnesium I think is good too. I hate leg cramps, diuretics make it worse.
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Redhead - several ladies in my BC support group at church have lymphodema. One of the ladies said her's showed up a year after her treatments. She said she was busy restoring houses and playing golf and doing some heavy lifting. I remember my ONC saying dont lift heavy things and I def did not want to get lymphodema. This lady had a lot of nodes removed. I didn't.Feel so bad for her. She is in such pain and it's an everyday thing.
I take Tamoxifen. I was worried about clots too since I had one when I was 16 but my ONC said since I had 2 children since then she wasn't concerned. I do have leg cramps esp at night. I started taking magnesium and it has helped a lot. My OB-Gyn dr said drink V8 juice. Ugh. He also said I would have to eat a lot of bananas to make a difference. I do eat them now and then.
I also take a baby aspirin every day.
Diane
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v-8 has a lot of sodium which makes swelling worse. Ibuprofen gives me swelling too. Need to count salt intake everyday, no more than 1500
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WTF?????????? Woke up at 4 am, ear felt wet, no biggy, at 5 decided to dry it out a bit with q-tip only to find it's blood!!! Got in for 2 today with Dr. No cold, no injury, no pain, makes no sense.
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charger...what did the doc say? Whatever you've got it 'stoo scary..
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just got back... outer ear canal infection,, ear drum is all clear. Scared the be jeeses out of me. On drops for 10 days, re-check in 7.
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Very good news, Charger
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Whew.......happy you saw the doc so promptly, Charger!
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Hi all, I did read back a few pages. It is quiet on the thread.
Diane, you have been through so much in a short time. I am very sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. So sad….I know it will be hard on your FiL and DH for awhile. And to lose a friend at the same time…so sad.
I hope the babies are doing OK – they will be growing and changing quickly.Josie, I'm glad you are getting away. It is sad to think of your FiL having a recurrence. I hope the trip works out just right for everyone.
You are right about work, Josie. Even when the job is good, eventually you are just working for someone else and for a paycheck.
I think that in general we are overloaded with information and things we think we should be doing. When working after 60+, it becomes obvious why retirement age was 60 when we were younger. I can barely get through the week sometimes.Fran, Happy Thanksgiving (last week)! Can you share how you spent the holiday? Nice looking kitchen! You work hard…
And now, the ear?? Be sure to take care of that so it heals.0 -
Oops, more?
Red, I will be going Sunday night to the Mets & Cubs game. It is going to be very cold with the temps dropping and some wind. I will give a wave J
Sorry you are having so much discomfort. I see you were on Femara for awhile. I am on that now. I do have way more leg cramps than before BC but I handle them pretty well. I had toe cramps for awhile but that's gone. Everything that bothers me seems to come and go. The only persistent pain is in my thumbs and palms. Breast pain is mainly in the scar tissue area.Brookside, I hope the tamox is working better for you. My job is pretty quiet right now and the best part is I don't care much what anyone does. I just find things to do every day. The days are too long though.
Sew it is good to see you here. I hope you are continuing to feel stronger.
SAB, I too am sorry that you didn't get the job. I am beginning to think they won't hire you because you are doing such a good job where you are.
Thinking of Janis and Cindy and Gigi and April and anyone else who has been away for awhile.
Hi marijen and ohiofan.Tough week so far….long time BCO friend had recurrence at about 10 years, and BMX this week. She's home today. My niece who just turned 40 had a needle biopsy today on her breast. I am praying that it is nothing…she has 2 young boys and a DH.
OK this is getting long…..I actually started writing this last week end.
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Charger - glad you got the ear checked out quickly.
Joan - thanks. Babies are doing well. Saw them last night. Jennifer, mom, is exhausted. I'm sure. DS gave her clothes my sister and daughter bought for them. Too cute. It was clear to me last night that DS will be very involved in their lives but not interested in marrying Jennifer. I'm also sure that she thought he would. She has 2 other children and while they are precious he is not willing to be a father of 4 at 26.
Sorry about your friend too. OMG will we ever feel like we are on cruise control with this beast? 10 years..you would think you would be n the comfort zone at that juncture. My friend was 8 years out.
Have fun at the game. Gotta admit pulling for the Cubs. It's been so long for them.
Getting cooler finally. Leaves everywhere. Raking time. Ugh.
Diane
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Oh and Marijen my doctor did say a small can of V8 and his leg cramps subsided when he drank it.
Diane
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They do have low sodium V-8, maybe there's a better brand of vegetable juice. I'll check it out. Thx. Yesterday I had cramps, I know it was dehydration because I couldn't drink water before tests.
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It is sleeting here. I'm not ready for this, but I did pull the annuals last week and found my fleece tops.
Joan, make sure you dress in layers for the game. Have a great time!! Maybe the weather will moderate by then. Aunt and Uncle are profs...and they complain about the politics involved.
10 years, 8 years, will we ever be able to have a sigh of relief? BTW.....does anyone have "shrinkage" on the radiated side? (Reminds me of a Seinfeld episode!) I have less toe, foot, and leg cramps than earlier this summer. MO said to keep hydrated, so I drink way too much tea, but it must help.
Keep warm!
Ohio
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Joan, I am looking for yu in the stands (LOL).
SLEET___SHIT what part of OHIO----Keep in in your own state, thank you very much.
Windy here, high 53 tomorrow......pulled the annuals except for 2 pots that I can't bear to pull out till the last minute.
Dinner was a beer from gas station ( I buy it 1 20 oz can at time) and the other 1/2 of my Pizza from Thursday night.
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Hi Joan. I really get how hard it is to work at a physically demanding job as we age, no matter how well we care for ourselves. Just finished 14 days straight, with hiring, training and a large scale event. I did find out through the grapevine that (supposedly) I was in first position for that other job until I asked the hiring director to please let me speak to my boss before she was called for a reference--I didn't want to blindside her. So much for being loyal. Still, I don't feel bad about it. I think it would be the professional, and ethical thing to do.
Redhead, sorry you are experiencing pain. I did have some truncal and breast lymphedema. It is under control, but difficult for me to do any kind of workout without swelling and pain--leading to general weakness, which is frustrating. The MO did no know what it was, and the RO treated for infection before figuring things out. Maybe adding some vodka and a stalk of celery to the v-8 would help hee-hee!
Charger, glad the ear was treated quickly. Smooth recovery!
I've been looking at fall foliage pictures with envy. Still in the 80s here, and I'm really ready for some cooler weather.
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Just a quick drive by post to let you know am alive. Hubby finished his antibiotic, felt fine for a few days and now he is coughing again. I give up. I am not sure what in the world is going on. They never really diagnosed him in May...just treated him for his immediate medical problems and sent him home. He has gained a bit of weight (27 lbs) back thank goodness as he was skin and bones. He had gone down to 147 and he is 6'1" tall! His hemoglobin is up to 12.3 which is way better than it was and his hematocrit is up in the mid 30's which is also a big improvement but he still is not 100% or anything close. Huge sigh...
Ok, no time to do individual posts but hoping the babies are doing well and wanted to let Sab know she did the professional and right thing in my opinion not to blind side your boss. Their loss Sab.
Ok, gotta run as I was off last week and work is INSANE today...also lost a cousin last week unexpectedly to a heart attack (he was 62!) and my co worker whom I adore had a stroke and it took them 4 days to figure it out! YIKES!
Talk soon! xoxoxo
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April, glad to hear Hubby doing a little better! Sorry about cousin, and I hope catch up isn't to hard.
Who else gets foot cramps? Hydration, and what other advice?
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For everyone who is awaiting cold weather, just be careful what you ask for. Those 80s sound pretty good to me.
I did go to the playoff game in NY. I am not a Mets fan but am glad to see them doing well after so many years of not. On the other side, it would be awesome for the Cubs (and Red). I would just have a lot of miserable friends for awhile.
It was sooooo cold at that game. The wind blew straight on to us all night. I should have worn ski pants and parka. I had 3 layers and a warm coat with turtle fur band, scarf, fur neck warmer, hood on coat, 2 layers on legs, and feet. My neck was warm and torso but everything else had a turn at being just plain cold. We stayed to the end. Home 1:30 am and up at 6:15 am. That's the last of baseball for me...I will be out of town for the World Series.SAB, I guess it is true that "no good deed goes unpunished" sometimes. At least you know you were on top.
I have no remedy for toe cramps...maybe walking in sand and cold water at the beach. But I was getting them on and off for awhile.Fran, how is the ear coming along?
Diane, your son is wise to know what he can and cannot do. It won't be easy but it does sound like he is committed to the babies.
April, it is hard to believe DH has no diagnosis. I am glad things are turning around even if slowly. It just sounds like there should be a solution to explain these symptoms as a whole, not in pieces.
How is your granddaughter? She must be big by now!
So sorry to hear about your cousin. Just too young. And your coworker. Scary.I think I will send this before it goes hiding in cyberspace.
Hi to everyone...come say hi!0 -
April - some encouraging news for your DH. Can't understand why they don't know what's going on. I'm sorry too about your cousin and co-worker.
Joan - Brr - that is cold! Even a big sports fan like me would have trouble lasting the whole game. My family and I sat through a Notre Dame game in freezing weather. We were so cold. I even got frost bite. Never again even for them. Thank you son is trying.
SAB - you still did the right thing.
Redhead - keep the sleet. Ugh. High in the 70s here tomorrow. It's almost November. Oh and I like your idea of dinner!
Diane
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I have had cramps in my feet and the calf's of both legs for a couple weeks. Saw the MO on Wednesday and he said it is definitely the Arimidex. I figured he would do a electrolyte test on my blood, but he didn't---I suspected dehydration first. Has m e on 14 day break and I haven't had a single cramp....and I am not BITCHY and snapping, and I am not depressed and I am sleeping like a baby. He offered to let me do Tamoxifen, but he was so adamant in June of last year that the AI was superior choice, so I am reluctant to switch. Pending my cholesterol results. Moved up my RO appointment to Nov. to see what she says about the breast pain.
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Red, my exemestane (aromasin) definitely causes leg cramps. My holiday showed me just how powerful that drug is! I can't take tamoxifen because of family history of blood clots, aneurysms and strokes. So, an AI is my only option.
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I had leg cramps on armidex too (and other stuff you've probably seen me whine about). Switched to tamoxifen a couple of weeks ago. Last night had horrid leg cramp, plus, while driving, the worst finger cramps thus far. Had to drive one-handed for an hour.
By the way, my onc said that studies show that those who have switched from an AI to tamoxifen after two years have very similar outcomes, so if you hang in there for a little while longer, maybe you too can switch. My joint pains are better. The grass is greener (but not much!).
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Many here have donated . Thank you !........Wandering around and cheerleading again
Donate today, make a difference directly in all our lives. By supporting BCO, we support each other. Thanks and Hugs
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/110/topic/834331?page=1
Link to the mainboard donation page
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Hi all, I as wondering if any of you have pain in your ribs? Last week all of a sudden, I got a big pain in my ribs. It seems to be getting worse, though I have been poking at my side a lot. As usual my mind goes to the worst place. I know I read that you can have rib pain after radiation, I was just wondering how common it is. I see my doctor in 2 weeks.
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Radiation can make your ribs brittle and there is nothing to do about that.
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