I would like to know about the long term side effects of chemo for breast cancer

[egdf]

What are the long-term side effects of chemo? What are side sffects of Tamoxifen and do they increase or decrease as the five years progress?I  finished chemo for stage 2 in November of 2007, then had 6wks radiation and then began taking tamoxifen.T he chemo pushed me into premature menopause. I have suffered severe depression so I started taking Effexor which helped but after months began to have severe downs and ups ; lots of mood changes , excessive sweating and severe hot flashes. I recently have begun to have a rash on my thighs and buttocks. I have gained 20 lbs and exercise more than ever 5x a week.
I found that acupuncture helped w/ some of the symptoms ; however, I got tired of going into another dr. 3x a week.
So I have been seeing an M.D. who specializes in homeopathy ; and who also has a lot of experience w/ side effects of drugs and chemo. This is what has helped my sweating and hot flashes. I find this very helpful and hope all of you will try and find a QUALIFIED , EXperienced homeopathist to help w/ unbearable side effects. Homeopathy is very safe.I know a lot of traditional m.d.'s will poo-poo the suggestion but nothing they have suggested has worked.

[egdf]

I really believe the homeopathy has helped me w/the flashes and acupuncture also for what its worth.
Good Luck!

[DeeDeeMoon]

Going through cancer treatments is a hard thing.  You can't keep switching doctors and drugs and going for this opinion or that opinion.  You need a real, honest answer and someone who will validate what you are feeling so you can get through it.  No one should be telling you to switch drugs.  I don't know of any drugs out there without side effects.  It annoys me to hear someone giving advice to switch.  To What?  Give experience, relate what you can, but no advice.  I stopped going to support groups because people think they have a right to start telling people what to do.  I don't need more confusion.  No one does.

[katarina777]

I also have problems sleeping, etc. Many patients are prescribed an anti depressant for the side effects of Tamoxifen, and they usually say that it helps a lot. Except, it is not easy, or pleasurable, exactly, to get/come off them.

I have been taking clonidine for the side effects of the hot flashes, and I must say, it helps quite a bit. It also works like a sleeping pill for quite some time, and that is very short-acting.

Clonidine is not the same as Klonipin, and which is a sedative.
Clonidine is a high Blood pressure drug but used for a variety of other causes. (I started out with .1 mg and am now taking .2 mg) it;s very cheap also, and I thought just worth mentioning, as I have never heard this mentioned anywhere.

[SueYoung55]

Hot flashes? I'm a pot of water on the stove at a rolling boil. I find a lot of them to be painful.

Really though, how can I be sure which treatment caused what. Some of the symptoms/side effects fit all of the treatments. So I just lump them all together. I do know that Tamoxifen has caused me "female" issues. Tearing skin, discharge..... man oh man where is my old body? I want a trade in!

Now look what you've made me do, I'm whining ...

[katarina777]

I have been on the tamoxifen about the same amount of time as you, and my periods also stopped with chemo.

I found that some of the symptoms, like hot flashes, got worse over time.

[egdf]

P.s. i also read last night that after a few years , the side effects become less. I am wondering if after you stop taking the tamoxifen ,just like the chemo , you still have some problems years later. oh well, i'll deal w/ it as it comes, 1 day at a time. will not borrow worry for the future. will be in the present .

[egdf]

Thanks for the response. The problem is to take the other drugs you have to be post- menopausal for at least 2-3 years before you can take them. Also I just read last night on this site that someone who switched to the Arimadex (not sure if i got the name exactly right) is having terrible side- effects but I guess each person  can have very varied reactions.Have a good weekend. Good Luck!
I am hoping the homeopathy will continue to help w/ my side effects.

[japdip]

I believe your question was answered quite well by one of the members earlier on this Community. I read her answer and it sounded like she was speaking from personal experience. If you are continuing to have side effects (and these sound like they are from the Tamoxifen) you should discuss this with your Oncologist and see if you could switch to one of the other drugs. All these drugs have side effects though and some experience them more severly than others. Before you try any type of medication it should be brought to the attention of your Oncologist --- this is VERY important as some drugs can cause even worse side effects than the original drug. Combinations can be dangerous and everyone is different as is their response to various drugs. Regards ....