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anyone know how long chemo & radiation & effects remain in your body? Thx in advance.

DCCC_204 profile image
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I’m a year past these treatments. My oncologist said during treatment to stay off of vitamin E & C. Just wondering.

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mathematics profile image
mathematics

Hi I had TAC chemotherapy so I was told not to bother with the cold cap as I would lose all my hair, which never grew back as thick as it was however it is thickening up finally after 12 years but it could be thinner due to having gone through the menopause. My nails went black then yellow and I have just at long last been able to stop cutting the yellow discoloring that remained on my big toes. I did get swollen ankles and feet which I was told was down to bad circulation however that has finally stopped at long last as well and according to my doctor my kidney function is really good again. The pins and needles in my fingers and toes is still there but not too bad at one time I would get out of bed and it felt I was walking on wooden sticks. So I think your body hopefully does right itself eventually. Take care.

DCCC_204 profile image
DCCC_204 in reply tomathematics

Hi mathematics. Glad to hear you are getting back to normal. You indicate it’s been 12 years. I am finding my hair colour is coming back. When it first started coming in it was grey. Then thickened & lengthened. Now 8 months later it is getting a mixed blonde along with the grey. About a month ago I finally felt like I look like myself but with wrinkles that I’ll blame on the letrizole. Nice to hear the pins in your feet & hands have quit. When I read this I’m thinking yah I’m not having the tenderness on my feet when I get up as much too. Still some but the feeling of walking on sticks is mostly over. I’m glad I read your piece to make me think how good it feels to be getting back to normal or close to!

sassykitty profile image
sassykitty

Halfway through my radiation right now. Will ask my radiologist about this and post back. I had not even thought to ask. He told me off Vit C, D, E, A and other supplements that would be considered an anti-oxidant, as they would counteract the radiation.

DCCC_204 profile image
DCCC_204 in reply tosassykitty

Hi sassy kitty I am very curious also to know about this I’m long done with my Oncoligist since last February I take one vitamin E & a couple C during the week I finished my treatments about a year ago I am very curious thanks ahead 👍

Hi there was a study 2016 from Leeds university (UK) that suggest it can take some women 9 months for your bloods to return to pre chemo levels. I had bloods done 10 weeks following 6 rounds of chemo, prior to adjuvant Abemaciclib, and my neutrophils and white cell count were still a little low. Sometimes I’ll feel tired but will feel better after exercise. My heart rate was very high initially after moderate exercise, (130-my husband’s was70) and it was only a 4000 step walk and I felt exhausted. Persevering with daily exercise has improved my stamina and now 16 weeks post chemo I’m managing 20-30 mile cycle rides. We are all different and I enjoy physical activity, which is a major part of my social life as a walk or cycle ride always includes a coffee stop.

I used a cold cap, but my hair thinned ++ and I did have a couple of bald patches however my hair had grown back it’s about 2 inches long. My nails are a bit of a mess but I didn’t loose them. I haven’t had neuropathy. The chemo I had was 3 rounds of EC followed by 3 rounds of docetaxel. I also ate kefir daily as chemo affects your gut microbe which is important for your bodies immunity.

You will find the reserves to get through this treatment. Best wishes

Dflur profile image
Dflur

why would C & E vitamins interfere??

DCCC_204 profile image
DCCC_204

vitamins C & E are both known as antioxidants.

That’s why I guess they would interfere with chemotherapy

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