side effects

[dmec]

I was not told I would have a lump in my left breast in the skin from radiation (on the right side of the left breast, radiation treatment exist site, that was not the site of the cancer/surgery), which the surgeon examined and nerve damage in my right blade from radiation, therefore how do I get a list of the PERMINENT SIDE EFFECTS from radiation?  Loyola Hospital did not provide this list to me.  The radiation doctor told me the nerve in my blade is not from radiation but anyone who knows radiation knows there is nerve damage from radiation and one nerve is connected to another therefore he does not know and should read up on it or is lying to me.  If I understand correctly my breast cancer which is Her-2 negative non heredity, was triggered by premenopause.  Cancer removed May 22, 2007, chemo July 2nd through October 8, 2007, and radiation on left breast November 2nd through December 26, 2008.  Side effect from Taxol perminent numb toes, side effects so far from Tamoxifen body temperature changes of warmth then cold.  The web page sites and telephone numbers did not have this information.

dmec 2/12/08

[lhughes]

Yeah, I've seen all that.  Unfortunately I saw it after I got on it.  I'm going to talk to the originating doc about getting off this medicine, because I really don't like it as much as I first thought.  HOWEVER, it did do it's job.  It's now after more than a year and a half that the "ugly" side of it is starting to show.  I've found some ways to manage its side effects, and most days still like being on the drug (with the exception of the expense).  It *can* be a good drug when in need, but you are correct, there are the downsides to SSRIs.

Initially I was taking the tamoxifen in the evening, which had things getting worse as time continued.  I now take tamoxifen in the morning with breakfast and things are better, which is one reason why I was going to find out about getting off the effexor.

I'd seriously like to find out if now, after almost 2 years (and am no longer post-pregnant), if my body/hormones can handle the tamoxifen without the effexor.  It would be nice, but I'm afraid of the mood swings returning.  Hubby didn't like those at all!!  :)  Just because I grew a second head and turned nasty...don't know why he didn't like that!!!  :)

Taking effexor is an option that some people should look into, which is why I still mention it.  I'm afraid that I'll be on it for as long as I'm on the tamoxifen.  And at the end of my 5 year sentence, I'll have to deal with the weaning of effexor.  When that day comes, well.... hopefully it won't be as bad as some people have said it is, but I have no illusions of it being easy.

manufacturers also say it "won't cause weight gain".... there's a whole thread on this site that proves that one wrong, too.  And I'm also proof of that...where's my cake?

take care!

[Jaydew]

Would like to warn you of the dangers of Effexor.  The manufacturers say they are not addictive and that is true but what happens is that the withdrawal symptoms can be horrendous.  I have seen this with a family member at first hand and am aware that at the moment in USA there are lawsuits going on with regards to the side-effects of Effexor (an SNRI) and a whole list of SSRI's. - read "Coming off Antidepressants" by  Joseph Glenmullen.  With the problems with Tamoxifen I found that I cut down on the hot flashes by taking the tablet in the evening.  I finished rads late October and initially was numb at the site of surgery but now have almost full feeling in my breast.  I think peripheral nerves take a while to repair but usually do in the end.
Kind regards

[lhughes]

PS... radiation can also cause a spot of scar tissue in the lung.  the other post just reminded me of this.  I have one that was documented just after my radiation treatments.  My pre-radiation scan didn't show this, and my radiation onc said it would happen.  It did!

Just something else to watch.

[lhughes]

Wow.  I had some thickening of the skin from the radiation, but you have a lump?  Or a spot of really thick skin?  I don't remember them mentioning nerve damage from radiation, either.  Curious.  Have you gone to have any therapy for your arm/shoulder?  Could that help?  As for other permanent changes, I have a lovely strange looking tan on that side, the scars from my drain tubes are keloided from the radiation, and the skin feels just funky.  

The taxol numbness may lessen as time goes on.  I took Abraxane (the newer form of Taxol) and have some residual numbness on occassions.  You should be clear of that, though, I would think, it's been long enough.  I'm sorry yours is still very apparent.  Mine lessened to just occassionally annoying.

Ain't Tamoxifen a lovely drug?  I'm 3 years 4 months away from freedom on that one.  Oh, did they mention to you that Tamoxifen might play wiggie with your uterus and the endometrium?  I didn't know that one until I went to my OB this Jan.  I'm scheduled for an ultrasound and a biopsy of my uterine lining in July (the 2 year mark) to check and make sure the Tamoxifen isn't doing anything weird to the rest of me.  Tamoxifen can also make you have insomnia (see the other posts on this) and joint pain (although I don't have this one).  There's also the chance of ovarian cancer, too.  So make sure you see your OB regularly.

As for hot/cold flashes, they put me on Effexor.  Nice drug, causes weight gain, a ****** to get off of, which I plan to do eventually, but keeps you nice and happy!  :)  I thought at first it was a GREAT drug, but after reading a few things, it's not so nice.  However, it does fix the Tamofixen side effects.  It just has a few side effects of its own to deal with.

Sorry you are having such a time.  I wish I could be of more help, but this is what I know based on what's happened to me and reading from others.

Perhaps in time your body will eventually get a bit better?  Can I hope that for you?