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Nov 29, 2020 07:38PM
HikingLady
wrote:
MicheleH57 Radiation was manageable for me. But, not a 'picnic.' As the weeks progressed, I was ever more tired. Fatigue was my main challenge, and I just had to get a lot more sleep, and also take care of my skin, of course. I was guided to eat A LOT more protein than usual (70-100 g/day), and by surgeons and by radiation oncologist, for cell repair. Maybe 2-3 weeks after radiation ended, I started regaining energy, and a couple of months later, felt normal again. But, during radiation, I certainly was tired. Mine was 7 weeks, 5x/week.
EVERYONE seems to be different, in how we respond to all AI's, for sure, so I'll just share my own story, not presuming that anyone else is the same.
Being on an AI is not a horror show at all for me. I've accustomed myself to some annoyances, but nothing is ghastly or impossible, and every single 'side effect' receded and was more bothersome at first, and much easier or disappeared as time went on. After 2-3 months, every single annoyance was better, which is exactly what my MO predicted.
Anastrozole was my oncologist's choice to try first, because in his extensive practice, he'd seen people tolerate it a bit better than others. Lots of the 'side effects' of the AI meds are actually simply due to reducing the estrogen level. So, they're not blamable necessarily more on one brand than another, and the difference in which medication causes more annoyances sometimes is as simple as what fillers are used in the compounding, since the actual AI part of it will be pretty similar, as far as how your body behaves. According to how my oncologist has explained it, that is. I've become accustomed to a bit more stiffness and joint challenges, and daily exercise and drinking a lot of water have both been the solution to most challenges. I just feel generally a bit creakier than I used to. But, not HORRIBLY so, and if I keep exercising and moving and hydrating really well, I feel better.
Sending warm wishes to you!
Dx
3/2003, IDC, Right, <1cm, Stage IA, 0/2 nodes, ER+, HER2-
Surgery
4/9/2003 Lumpectomy
Radiation Therapy
6/10/2003 3DCRT: Breast
Hormonal Therapy
8/8/2003 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Dx
4/25/2018, IDC, Right, <1cm, Stage IIA, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
Surgery
5/22/2018 Lymph node removal: Right, Sentinel; Mastectomy: Left, Right; Prophylactic mastectomy: Left; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement
Chemotherapy
6/25/2018 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Hormonal Therapy
11/7/2018 Arimidex (anastrozole)
Surgery
1/2/2019 Reconstruction (left): Silicone implant; Reconstruction (right): Silicone implant