feeling unwell 8 months after mastectomy for dcis
feeling unwell 8 months after mastectomy for dcis Had Right mastectomy in Dec 2005 for high grade DCIS. Did not have to have any chemo/rad treatment but having tamoxifen. I was wondering if anyone else has had the same and always feels tired/lethargic, has shortness of breath when doing minimal exertion (climbing stairs,pegging out washing), hot flushes constantly. The scar has healed really well and I am only left with a silver line and thats only 8 months post op. I am worried about the above concerns as I have started to have a small area of soreness just below the scar which extends to the axilla. When i feel this area I think I can feel a small lump.Am I being paranoid about this and could it just be scar tissue and all to do with the healing process.
Helpline Hi Lavina
I am sorry to hear of your concerns following mastectomy
Often with detailed inquiries like this our helpline can be the best source of information and support.
You can call the helpline on 0808 800 6000
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-2pm.
The team is able to talk about both technical and emotional issues surrounding breast cancer and breast health.
They can talk through the complexities of different treatments and conditions and I am sure you would be able to clarify some of the questions you have.
Alternatively, our email Ask the Nurse service on this site maybe of help with your query I have posted the link below:
breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=119
I hope this helps and please carry on posting to the forums
Kind regards
Online Host
Breast Cancer Care
hi Lavina
i had mastec last nov , followed by 15 sess rads i do still have shortness of breath but i have mild asthma which got slightly worse after the rads but my asthma nurse said this is normal so not to worried about it , i also have a very sore place but mine is on my chest abover my scar which i suppose is normal considering what weve been through i think it is scar tissue as i can feel lumps and bumps all over , try not to worry to much and dont try and over do things after all it still is early days .
Dawn x
Hi there Hi Lavina
It is difficult following a mastecotmy etc and on 7th Sept will be 2 years to the day that I had mine done with immediate recon by TRAM flap. I am currently off work due to difficulties with scar tissue and also on Tamoxifen. I am still tired all the time and have struggled with breathing and things. I ended up with 3 operations before the mastectomy and each time had problems with my breathing and they queried ashma. My physio has been teaching me breathing exercises and they have helped as she thinks some of the scar tissue is restricting my diaphram. I have hot flushes etc but I was better when I was told by my breast care nurse to ask for Noveldex rather than having the cheaper generic Tamoxifen. It has helps but unfortunately at 41 it seems I am going thro the menopause due to the Tamoxifen so causing all sorts of problems.
I would get someone to check out your scar - it may be something or nothing but don’t do what I did and struggle on for months before getting things checked and then ending up off work for 2 months (so far) because I ignored the early warning signs. I have lots of lumps and bumps and this is due to the scar tissue - I healed too quickly and very well and it has cause some problems. Please get yourself checked out but also don’t worry 8 months on I was still very tired. Tamoxifen does make you feel tired and as someone said to me what do you expect your body has been thro a hell of a shock so it takes time to recover. I tried to be “normal” too quick and it has back fired on me. Give yourself time and space …it is not easy and I know I got very fustrated with not being able to do things. I have learnt the hard way that it is silly to push yourself too hard and not get things checked.
I hope you feel better soon - set yourseld little goals and don’t set your expectations too high.
Luv
DebX
Tiredness /unwell after mastectomy Hi deb thanksfor replying. I know I push myself too much but I have always been like that its110% or nothing. I fully understand what your saying but find it very hard to go mithering my GP/breast care nurses.
I feel the same Sorry you feel this way as usual you always think it is only you. I havd Mastectomy Jan 06 , no chemo, nut now on tamoxifen and Zoladex injections, also taking magace to rid me of hot flushes. I alos have some pain for the past week when I reach or bend down. I cannot feel a lump but it is very sore. Luckiliy I am due to see my consultant tomorrow so will ask avout it then .
Not sure why I feel so tired and as you mentioned I get easlity out of breath. I am sure I have read something about breathlessness due to a side effect of tamoxifen .
I will post back what my cons. says
Sharon
Lavinia your BC Nurse would much rather you were checked now than worry. Phone her up and tell her about it. She will be HAPPY to get it looked at. She is every br ca lady’s best friend!. dilly
Reply to Lavinia re unwell Hi Lavinia,
I had a bilateral Mastectomy with LD recon’ 5mnths ago and am feeling pretty rubbish! I didnt have to have anything else done, but feel exhausted MOST of the time, I too have shortness of breath and wheeziness (didnt have before!?) I’ve asked to go to a chest clinic (as in lungs not boobs) and have it looked at. I’m finding it VERY odd, sometimes I go up one flight of stairs and I’m gasping! I’m only 35 so I find it V odd.
I dont know if in your case Tamoxifen can make you tired etc but if induces some menopausal symptoms then perhaps thats a possible cause (I’m not medical so is just a thought) OTHER suggestions are (and I’ve been told them by countless medical professionals) is that Mastectomies and recon’ are long disruptive operations that can ‘knock’ the body and as it heals it becomes V tired. I keep being told my 8-9hr op and all the muscle I had moved about is a big change and shock to the body and can make one V tired. My immune system is also not doing so well and I keep getting odd infections.
So all I can say is I too have healed up really well, but am exhausted breathless and run down…this worries me cos I’m trying to get work and cant really do that until I’m well enough to commit to it!!
With regards to the lump, I’d personally go back to my Consultant, I wouldn’t worry about being seen as being paranoid, its your body and their job!!
good luck and best wishes!!
Tiredness and breathlesness Hi All, I was very interested to read your postings because I can empathise totally with what you have written. I had a right mastectomy with L/D recon in August 2006 and I too have feelings of breathlessness and tiredness. I’ve also had a lot of pain in donor site and have to take Pregabalin for this twice a day.
I have found that some people seem to think that once your op is over and the cancer gone you should be back to your self again. Well that may be the case for some people but certainly not for everyone. Some days when I’ve had a baking or batch cooking day I feel really exhausted.
I read somewhere recently that it can take 2 or more years to recover from cancer. Considering what our bodies have gone through it is not surprising. I had four surgeries trying for a clear margin before opting for the mastectomy. So feel it is no wonder I get breathless - all that anaesthetic in such a short space of time must take its toll on your body.
Surgeons do a wonderful job but are not often very realistic in their expectations of an individual’s recovery. I was told I would be able to return to work in 2 months - what a joke!
I hope that you all feel better soon - I have accepted that this will take time and I am not going to push it.
Wishing you all well. Linda