Looooooong term lingering symptoms...?
Hello
I was diagnosed in 2019 with Stage 2, Her2+ breast cancer in my right breast. Mastectomy, chemo and herceptin treatment followed and was successful. The planned herceptin treatment was interrupted just over half way through thanks to the pandemic, but no recurrence - so far, so good. Thanks to the pandemic, I never had a final sign off appointment where I could ask questions about long term issues so I wonder if anyone can advise about a couple of niggles.
The first is ongoing and disturbing hot flushes. I was 52 when diagnosed, and already menopausal, but with very few symptoms. My hot flushes only began during active BC treatment, and now run at well into double figures every day - they are volcanic, highly visible, and debilitating, leaving me feeling washed out. All happen during the day, no night sweats. I'm not sure if these are due to long term menopause or are a legacy of the chemo/herceptin treatment. I'm not keen to go down the hormonal route even if they are menopause related anyway (my older sister has had two bouts of hormone-positive breast cancer), but I think they'd be easier to live with if I understand the cause.
The other lasting present from herceptin is cardiac, namely LVEF. It was borderline but persisted during the regular ECGs at the time. I was prescribed "a homeopathic dose" of ramipril, and told I'd take it for life. However, I don't know if I should be requesting monitoring or what the long term implications of having a slightly floppy heart valve are - should I be monitored? Does this count as a heart 'problem'?
Obviously these are minor concerns in the overall picture, but they niggle at me sometimes and I'd like to understand what's happening in my post-BC body so I'm keen to hear what others have found.
Comments
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Hi bloominell,
I don't have an answer to your specific questions, but I came here looking for answers to a similar question. I had my last treatment with Herceptin on July 3rd. Since then I have experienced diarrhea and now nausea. The only bout with nausea and vomiting during my whole treatment was after my next to last infusion. I am wondering if these are symptoms of the last of the Herceptin. I am only now realizing that the neuropathy I have may be the result of the Herceptin treatment instead of or in addition to the Taxol. And, that Herceptin stays in your body for a long time. Is there anything I can do to help clear it?
As for your question about the hot flushes, I am lucky to never have experienced them, either during menopause or when starting an aromatase inhibitor. I also didn't have any heart problems. I encourage you to advocate for yourself with your clinicians. So much of long-term cancer care falls through the cracks of the system. But, your primary care clinician should be able to find resources and specialist care for you. Don't allow them to put you off.
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