I was diagnosed in 2005, had mastectomy, reconstruction, chemo, rads and tamoxifen and from the cancer side have been in remission since 2006. I have over the last few years been more susceptable to chest infections had a nasty one at Christmas. I have also had palpatations, am more fatigued than when I had chemo and have odematous feet and legs. My GP/Practice Nurse have fobbed me off and although I demanded a further medical review have only just had it (waiting since Christmas and have had to lodge a complaint to get it) I have now been diagnosed with lung damage and congestive cardiac failure. I am very upset and frustrated by this as its been attributed to my treatments of which my GP knew fully. Anyway enough of the ranting!! Is there anyone else who has been diagnosed with similiar??
Why is is that we always think that we are the only ones with side effects and worry ourselves stupid? I am so glad that forums like this exist so we can vent our fears and frustrations and read about others who are also in the same situation!
Tess12, I am finding too that even though i finished chemo last June and Radio last August (started on Anastrozole in Sept) I am having more things happening to me than when i was in the middle of all the treatment! I am having very bad feet problems from the chemo with peripheral neuropathy(i have either no feeling or very sensitive to hot and cold on both feet and toes). I had a Doppler Scan done on them which showed nothing wrong with circulation (although i have swelling and bruising to my left ankle which they are not too concerned about). I also had Bronchitis through Jan/Feb it took ages to get hold of me and ages to clear up!
I have also had some unusual (for me anyway) happenings with palpitations/skipped heartbeats since starting on the hormone tablets si am seeing the Cardiac Unit this Friday and hoope fully they can help as it is really getting me down and i have really wobbly days when i won’t go out alone and all i can focus on is that!
Considering that i had no health problems before the B/C diagnosis i am almost certain that everything that i am worried about is due to all the treatments that our poor battered bodies have had to endure!! Cheers, Michele x
Hello, Tess. I was so interested when I read your thread on other problems post BC treatment.
I had a lumpectomy, chemo and rads over two years ago now, and although I did not have any problems with my lungs or heart, I had to have major surgery for prolapse of the uterus, bowel and bladder.
When I questioned my Consultatnt, he did concede that chemo can damage healthy tissue, as well as kill off the cancer cells, and this was very likely caused by the effects of chemo on my soft tissues.
Considering, like you said, I, too, had been perfectly healthy, with no more than the usual coughs and colds before diagnosis, I am also very slim, as weight can often impact on the type of problem I had- I am convinced that chemo causes a lot more side effects than the medics are prepared to admit.
I guess that in the general scheme of things, chemo is still very much in its infancy, and its effects can be much more long-reaching, and have a greater long-term impact on the body than the oncologists are prepared to admit.