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Side effect of cancer treatment

Nmartinez15 profile image
16 Replies

I have recurrences of breast cancer due to my former oncologist surgeon disregard my lump and symptoms. Now I am dealing with breast cancer stage 4 with metastatic in my spine. I am on letrezole and Ibrance 125mg. My doctor is against of every thing natural but I don't want to be drug out with a lot meds. I would like to know how you deal with moderate fatigue, tiredness, headaches, hot flashes my nightmares and insomnia. Anything natural that will help? My cancer is estrogen dominance.

Other thing since I have double mastectomy my right hand is always numb when I wake up in the morning. The radiation doctor did some exam, but he didn't see any additional metastatic of cancer that could be causing the numbness and tingling.

Does anyone experience that?

Thx

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Nmartinez15 profile image
Nmartinez15
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16 Replies
Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth

Hi there

I have acupuncture regularly and it’s cured the horrendous night sweats..worth a go..also can be used for lots of symptoms I.e pain etc

Barb xx

Nmartinez15 profile image
Nmartinez15 in reply to Barbteeth

Definitely will look into. Thank you

Francesca10 profile image
Francesca10

Hi

Sorry you are joining us but we welcome you here. It takes a while to adjust to the meds. I take anti-depressant since menopause which helped with hot flashes. I take ambien to sleep and Ativan when I am super anxious. Mbc is stressful and a roller coaster ride. I will take whatever helps. I am on Ibrance, faslodex and xygeva. Still working full time. Chronic fatigue is ongoing for me but I am able to manage with it. I try to get 8 hours sleep and on weekends I sleep in more.

This is a great site- everyone on here is warm, caring, supportive and kind. Hope you stay.

Frances💕

Nmartinez15 profile image
Nmartinez15 in reply to Francesca10

The doctor offered me, but due to bad experiences with depressives pills I told her no. I don't work anymore. I applied for disability and I was approved. I dont know how u can work feeling tired all the time. You are warrior! Thanks for the info.

Barb5 profile image
Barb5

I’m using cbd oil and t h c a oil the T h c a notice a at the end does not get you high yet you get all of the benefits of cannabis oil with thc and no high. It helps me a lot need medical marijuana certificate.

Barb5 profile image
Barb5

Also I go for a massage monthly and exercise. Your health insurance May have what is called Silver Sneakers Planet Fitnesses and other gyms are free with the Silver Sneakers card both help physically and mentally. Hope you find what helps you to get thru all the side effects.

Nmartinez15 profile image
Nmartinez15 in reply to Barb5

I have Medicaid so I dont think they have nice perks. 😊

Maludagui profile image
Maludagui

Hello 🌺

I wish you did not have many or no side effects. I have metastasis in the hip bone. I'm taking Ibrance, letrozole, falsedex, Xgeva. I work part time in the cafeteria of a school. Side effects have been many and vary from month to month. For fatigue I drink water and like some fruit, for constipation I take prunelax or miralax, I try to sleep 8 hr and for that I take sleep aid from the brand of walgreens (although the onc likes melatonin but this does not help me), for headaches I take aceraminofen, for the nocturnal heats what I do is take a bath and put tons of cream on it. body and a thin cloth pajamas, the dryness of the mucous membranes tolerated by products for example: biotene use for the mouth, to go easily to the bathroom I put H preparation, for my urinary hygiene use wet wipes for baby. I sleep and rest as much as I can 🎀 I hope all these tips help you.

Any questions or comments you have please share it. This group is wonderful🌺 We are all warriors and we will win the battle Thank you for being here 💕

Nmartinez15 profile image
Nmartinez15 in reply to Maludagui

Thank God I dont deal with constipation unless I take the pain killers which ruin my system. But sometimes i have to take them, but I can tolerate pain more than the hot flashes or fatigue. I use plant base based magnesium and I go regular to the bathroom. I take 2 every day and it does help.

Red71 profile image
Red71

Welcome!

The tingling in your arm and hand may be due to your surgery, especially if it showed up right after your mastectomy.

As far as side effects we all deal with them differently. I think it takes at least 3-4 months for your body to acclimate to its new regime. Keeping a diary so you can figure out if the fatigue is worse on one week or another is helpful. It will also help you figure out which activities make you more fatigued. I just plan around the pattern, trying not to schedule too many busy days in a row, allowing time during the day to rest, things like that.

I take Effexor for the hot flashes. They were just too bad for me not to try the Effexor. It’s a very low dose (25 mg) that I take at night before I go to bed. I’m still much warmer than my husband but I generally don’t feel like I need to change clothes 5 or 6 times a day now!

Were you having nightmares and insomnia before going on Ibrance and Letrozol? If they are new, I might try changing the times you take your medication. We all need to experiment to find out what works best.

Good luck! Elaine

GollyG profile image
GollyG

Hi! I get numb hands too, and tingling feet. I haven't had surgery. I told the onc but he wasn't very interested! X

SpongebobMom profile image
SpongebobMom

Let food be thy medicine...seriously.

you've been given some great advice, but to add: ditch ALL sugars, ditch ALL high carb foods, look for "hidden" sugar.

i have really bad arthritis in my feet, which starting ibrance, letrozole has only gotten worse, but once i took serious aim at getting rid of any and all sugars in my diet, my symptoms cleared up greatly. i am still researching how i can use food to lessen the hot flashes...

Nmartinez15 profile image
Nmartinez15 in reply to SpongebobMom

Sugar is my worse enemy. I was able to stop eating meat but I have sweet teeth. I use stevia for my coffee but I have 4 years old daughter that I bought healthy non GMOs cookies and I ate them sometimes. I know they still bad for me. We need a lot discipline to beat the cancer and it's not easy. I have also get a really bad pain in my hips during night but it doesn't happen every day.

SpongebobMom profile image
SpongebobMom in reply to Nmartinez15

Sugar is a drug...it lights up the same regions in your brain as heroin does...

why would you give up meat? grass-fed, grass finished meat is the most nutritious whole food you can eat.

Nmartinez15 profile image
Nmartinez15 in reply to SpongebobMom

I used to consumed grass-fed, but I still got cancer for 2nd time in less than 2 years. I know my former oncologist is guilty because she ignore my symptoms and lump. I want to make sure to do everything I can to survive! I eat seafood but not meat. Also, my stomach pain went away when I stop eating meat.

Francesca10 profile image
Francesca10 in reply to Nmartinez15

Tylenol PM would help the pain and going to sleep

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