Stage IV Side effects catching up with me

[LLWalker67]

I was diagnosed Stage IV DeNova back in Feb of 2017.. did Dosataxol Herceptin and projeta. After 8 rounds of the Dosataxol I was scanned and mets were stable/sclerosed and tumors shrunk more than 50%, which I was so happy about because the lump that brought me to attention was HUGE and even visible..appeared almost overnight! Anyway, I'm still doing herceptin and projeta every three weeks, lupron and Xgeva along with Ethamestine (triple +) .. i have so many side effects i don't even bother reporting anymore becuse they seem so minor and i'm told "Well it's possible it's from one of them." So frustrating. The more side effects the worse i feel mentally. I finally saw a client of mine who is a psychiatrist and mentioned that he was at a conference about using Adderall for treating symptoms from chemo. One of my biggest complaint was the terrible chemo fog that didn't go away after stopping the dosataxol. He referred me to a colleague of his since it was a conflict for me to have him as my doctor who concurred and we tried it using 10 mg's of extended relief. WOW ..after my first dose (even though it was a small dose) I felt like I could dance the day away and I'm not just talking about the energy. My mood was instantly better and I was feeling like my old self, then over next few weeks only taking it when I felt i needed it I noticed most of the side effects were going away. My oncologist is ok with it. Anyone else try it and if so how do you feel and do you plan to stay on it? I do worry about the "stigma" it has but my husband thinks the benefits outweigh the con's. Incidentally one of my mom's friends is ADHD, takes Adderall and has no side effects from her chemo for breast cancer either. Coincidence?

[lynnhbtb]

First, I'm sorry you're in this club that no one wants to be a member of. But, I wanted to respond to your post. I was pretty miserable and having side effects from the first chemotherapy regimen (for recurrence) I was on in October. One of the palliative doctors prescribed Adderall and a steroid for the days after chemo when I would just tank. At the time I was in a play and needed to remember my lines and be able to "act" and it was tough pulling it out. The Adderall and/or steroid were supposed to help with physical energy and mental clarity. I never had to use them, but I did have them at the ready and still do, should the need arise. I say to hell with the stigma whatever it takes to get us through our treatments so we can live a semblance of normalcy. And, who says you have to tell anybody? Keep on keepin' on.

[Rhwright12]

I was having the same problem till last treatment...I said something Again...the Onc went into my meds on the screen and was like oh I see. And clicked on a few things. Didn’t tell me what. But I’m thinking it was unsuspending one of the steroids...but I seriously felt like 500% better than I have in a while!...kinda like that Claritin commercial when the fog is lifted...I know how u feel with not liking to complain a lot...but otherwise nothing will get done...Like their 500k$ salary isn’t enough incentive do something🤣...don’t worry about stigma with taking Aderall...these drugs really mess with your ability to think clearly! 😀

[JoyBe]

Well, I have been taking Generic time released Adderal for my ADD for the last 18 yrs.

Keep in mind, ADD is a WIDE spectrum, like Autism/Aspergers and Dementia.

The Stigma on Mental Health comes from enabling an outdated mental health paradigm and (literally) "Gone with the Wind" aka Outdated social norms.

The recent Mental Health Awareness organizations and PSA campaigns in the US are raising the much needed awareness encouraging education regarding mental health acceptance and getting the help you need to embrace and enjoy your life.

I will say I have had no pain from my bone mets for the exception of the Xegeva shot causing some stiffness in my fingers at times.

And .. my initial broken arm.

Perhaps using my hands for work as a deep tissue massage therapist and an artist with a degree in Fine Arts on top of being a single windowed Mom all for well over 30 years may be causing the stiffness to only be in my hands.

I don't feel anymore depressed then I have over the years from all my continual family tragedies and having two older siblings with undiagnosed Aspergers who have always been complete strangers to me.

Personally , I can't relate to the depression I read about that most everyone here is sharing.

To be honest I feel less depressed then I have in years and ... I'm extremely hopeful regarding a cure and or living as long a life as I want while making meaningful contributions to others.

I say go for it! Take the Adderall, maybe you will feel better.

If you don't have ADD you just might feel fantastic, and you well deserve to experience that feeling.

If your over 50 and have ADD, without Adderal you sleep all day and can only function awake for 2 hours. And you have brain fog that is all consuming.

That's how you really know you have ADD.

Congratulations LLWalker, I'm certain the Adderal will continue to help you feel better.