Chemo/Radiation long term side effects

[Poodah]

I was treated for breast cancer five years ago.  I had one out of 17 nodes positive.  Since then, I was dxd with Ankylosing Spondilitis and Graves Disease (said to be caused by the radiation).  My treatment consisted of 4 taxol, lumpectomy, 4 FAC.  The taxol caused severe pain, the FAC mostly nausia.  Radiation went without a hitch.  Since then, I have been treated with two rounds of RAI due to hyperthyroidism.  My teeth are crumbling.  There are days I can hardly walk or lift so much as a cup of coffee.  Last year, I was hospitalized with two staph infections to the cancer breast, one major kidney infection and an infection in my mouth.  Each time, my thyroid went sky high, and my medication was lowered.  My body is a mess, my hands and feet are numb, my joints are extremely stiff, my mind is "cluttered," I do not sleep well.  The fatigue and pain is unbearable.  I have told my doctors every time I'm there that I'm not feeling well -- they grunt and walk out.  My TSH is .25 at this time -- "bearly out of the normal range, please come back another day . . ."  After being treated for staph, kidney and numerous infections, should I be up and bouncing around like I used to?  We lost our house due to a flood, lived in a hotel, etc., etc., while all this was going on.  The stress of being hospitalized and everyday life has taken it's toll.  My doctors at the hospital where I was treated take no responsibility.  They say none of my health issues can be traced back to my treatments.  Have you heard of any other patients that still suffer (after taxol) 5 years later?  Thank you.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear poodah:  I have heard patients say that they never quite feel "normal" after chemotherapy.  However, the situation you describe sounds very exagerated, comparatively speaking.  While I could not tell you that your treatments have nothing to do with your current ailments, this is quite extreme to have been caused by chemotherapy.  As you know, the cause of ankylosing spondylitis is not known but a high percentage of people with the disorder share a gene (HLA-B27).  Most of your symptoms are consistent with AK and hyperthyroidism, neither of which can be linked meaningfully to your cancer treatment.

[surgeon]

It's extremely unlikely the Grave's disease had anything to do with the radiation; likewise the spondylitis. It sounds like you've been through a lot. But much of your troubles sound like horrible luck, to get two inflammatory diseases on top of breast cancer. Breast infections in the area of radiation is something that can happen after such treatment; the rest is not likely related.

[Poodah]

Thank you for your answer.  I was told that I was probably predisposed to thyroid disease -- the radiation to the chest often causes thyroid problems -- not true?  Also, what about the long-term effects of Taxol.  I agree that I have had a run of bad luck. Thank God for kids (they keep you alive).  Could I still have pain and numbness due to the chemo?  Thanks again.

[Poodah]

i do have the gene for ankylosing spondylitis.  i have had back pain since my early -- if not younger -- teens.  taxol almost killed me.  i guess my body has just given out.  i'm always looking for something to fix.  at 42, i still want to try to be somewhat like i was before all this happened.

[seven7]

I finished Chemo last day of Oct. in 2002, and finished radiation in January.   I still have bone aches here and there , I believe from Taxotere (same group of meds as Taxol)  I had bone scans, as well as other scans last month and all were normal.  Gee, I sure hope this side effect does  not last 5 years!  I do believe that my numb chest, under arm, and back-side will probably remain numb from now on.  I guess one is just never the same after all this.  But I can still be very thankful that I am alive.  It all was worth it.
Of course I have not had all the bad things happen to me that did to you.  All I can advise is,  Do not give up hope. All may turn better at any time.    God bless you.

[Poodah]

seven7, i was told that the soreness in my breast and underarm would go away within a couple of years.  when i came in 4 years later and told the dr. that i still could not be touched under my arm and that it killed me if one of kids leaned on my breast, he said, "yea, you'll have that forever."  his bedside manner sucks.  he also never told me i couldn't have children -- and said "you have two great kids, what is your problem??"  on the staph infection, "yea, once you gettum, you'll be getting them forever . . ."  i am in process of trying to find new doctors.  it is not as easy as it sounds with my history. let me know if you want to exchange emails :)  sher (poodah is my dog, everything else was taken!)

[Poodah]

i came back in to make sure you got the email notice.  :)

[Poodah]

i came back in to make sure you got the email notice.  :)

[Carol Tantum]

I had a lumpectomy in December,2006, chemo that was completed March 29,2007(4 rounds 3 weeks apart because a tiny microstat was found in one lymph node), 33 rounds of radiation completed May 29, 2007, and now I am taking Arimidex as of May4,2007.  What is causing the numbness in both of my hands, weakness in arms, joint pain in feet, knees, elbows, and shoulders? Will I have this pain forever or is it a side effect that will eventually go away from taking Arimidex?  Is the numbness and pain results of chemo/radiation? If it is, will it ever go away?

Thanks!
Carol T

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