Heightened sensitivity to medications and worsening allergies post chemo
Hi all, I was diagnosed with a rare nerve sheath sarcoma 25 years ago. It was removed at Sloane Kettering and required no further treatment. In 2012, I was informed that I had advanced breast cancer of the left breast. Stage IIIb (9-11 cm tumor, HERII & Estr. +. I underwent a radical mastectomy of the left breast and 18 lymph nodes were removed. I made it through chemo (Taxol + Adriamycin ) followed by Herceptin at that time, then radiation. I tolerated it fairly well; the side effects were predictable and manageable. Within 18 months, I felt pretty much back to good health and my brain seemed to defog. Fast forward 10 years. Two months after retirement, a 25 year recurrence of the sarcoma was discovered. The tumor was removed and my abdomen re-sectioned. Eight months later, the breast cancer recurred; thankfully, it was a very small, contained tumor so the staging was not changed. But this time the chemo was Kadcyla, which was recommended as less problematic for those over 60. (I turned 65 right before the surgery.) However, the side effects were debilitating, including Xerstomia so intense I lost two molars and had 16 cavities that weren't visible 7 mos prior. Multiple infections, viruses and GI problems that were persistent a year after chemo. Although I am 18 months out from treatment now and have a clean bill of health, I noticed that I have strange headaches sometimes accompanied by mild nausea and my arthritis and muscle pain has worsened. I always feel like I accidentally took a double dose of Trazadone when I have always taken 50mg without issues. Now, I am also ten years older; 67. But I notice allergies meds don't respond to the chronic sinusitis as they did a few years back. I developed neuro-dermatitis that took over a year to calm down. I just feel like my chemistry has really gone haywire. I am seeing a gaggle of specialists but noone seems to have any specific answer. Have other folks had this experience?
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Hi @bdalia, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. We’re really glad you found your way here, though we’re so sorry for everything you’ve been through.
You’re definitely not alone in feeling like your system has been “reset” in a difficult way, even if there isn’t always a clear explanation. Hopefully, others who've experienced something similar will share what helped them or what answers they found.
In the meantime, if you’d like a bit more real-time support, you might also consider joining one of our Virtual Support Groups. They can be a really comforting space to talk things through with others who truly understand.
We’re here for you. Please keep sharing whenever you feel up to it.
Warmly,
The Mods
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