Stroke and mbc

[Lulu4545]

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year to all!

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced what I have had.

I have always been basically healthy, don't smoke, exercise, active...

In October 2018, I had a cryptogenic stroke - they never found what triggered it.

Happily no sequelae. Lost all my self confidence. Was put on high statins and aspirin. Took me 6 months to psychologically get over it, but got back to my normal active life and got my confidence back.

May 2020, de novo grade 2 mbc with 9 bone mets.

I'm just scared of what I'm going to learn next...Lost all my self confidence again. Can't seem to get it back again.

Have done a bit of research and it seems that 10% of cryptogenic strokes hide an occult cancer. Why wasn't I screened at the time...

Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks to all.

Lucie xxx

[Hazelgreen]

Hello Lucie, I have not had a cryptogenic stroke, and I'm not sure what one is. However, I have had heart surgery which may or may not have contributed to my MBC diagnosis.

My history is as follows: 1945 - born with a faulty aortic valve; 2006 -diagnosed with stage 2/3 breast cancer, had lumpectomy & radiation, took tamoxifen for 5 years; 2018 - finally agree to open heart surgery to replace valve, heart stops twice during operation, requiring electric shock to restart, same in recovery; 2019 - diagnosed with MBC , extensive bone & lung mets.

When my cardiologist saw me for a six-month follow-up, I mentioned to him that there is now a heart & cancer sub-specialty in his field. He agreed that there was, and I've not heard from him since

For heart meds, I currently take statins, ramopril, & asperin on prescription from my GP. For MBC, I take tamoxifen and supplements. I read research that suggested that patients taking statins with tamoxifen seem to do better than those taking tamoxifen alone, and nothing countered the ramopril so I've continued it. I was originally on other blood thinners but those seemed a bad idea with the tamoxifen, from my reading so I weaned off them.

I think you'll be glad to know that there now is a sub-specialty among research cardiologists concerned with cancer patients. However, that is not much help when the cancer is unknown , as in your case. In my case, I think the cardiologist was so intent on my having the aortic valve replaced that he paid no attention to my medical history. Whether or not those shocks to my heart during surgery (and thereafter) helped metastasize cancer cells, I have no idea but I do wonder.

Clearly, you should have been screened if it is known that 10% of cryptogenic strokes "hide an occult cancer", but the reality may be that few North American physicians are up-to-date on medical research. I know that the physicians I've seen at our local cancer center are completely uninterested in discussing cancer treatment research.

Please stick with this site, as I think you'll find the experiences of those that post helpful. For one thing, MBC is seen here as a chronic condition that has many treatment possibilities. It need not rob you of your optimism and future. Warmest wishes for an improved outlook! Stay safe as you have much life ahead of you!