anyone have longlasting affects of chemo?

jackie1020
jackie1020 Member Posts: 4
i get so depressed sometimes. i cant retain anything anymore, i cant concentrate long enough to carry out things such as getting taxes ready, or even bill paying, if do by some miricle, i loose papers ... i get so frustrated with myself sometimes, i just cry. its not just my mind that has never fully recovered, neither has has my body. im still so tired most of the time, and now i have fibermyalga so they tell me, but its funny that i never had it befor chemo. i have had surgury three times on my breast twice because of the cancer, then three years later because scare tissue had grown in my breast wrapped around my muscles in my side and up into my armpit. i went back to work the following month after my last chemo treatment, i just wanted it all done and get on with my life, big mistake. i had radiation treatments everyday after work for six weeks. i had blisters on the bottom of my feet, and my tonails fell off. at work you had to go downstairs to use the restroom, i was so weak and my leg muscles hurt so bad, i had to rest going down the flight of stairs as well as up the stairs. i quit going to the bathroom after the first day back because i didnt have to strength. driving to work and to the hospital, i would get lost because my brain would take a brake and i would forget where i was. meantime at work my boss was totally sick of me skrewing up at work, hay, you cant do a job if you dont have a brain. my armpit and part of my arm was numb for the first year after my first surgury, when i started to get feeling my arm started to hurt, i had a very active job, and one requirement is to be able to lift 50 pounds, but actually you are lifting up to 200 pounds numerous times during the day. last day at work i was smoothing out bars and i got the most horrible stabbing pains in my arm and that was it, i couldnt use it now it hurts all the time, and when i use it the pain gets stronger until i cant use it at all. i get frustrated with it but not as bad as the brain thing, and what really bothers me is no answers, no diagnoses, its like docs say well your problely depressed, im not a total idiot, this total brain change is not depression, all the changes,except the arm thing, occured from chemo. but doctors dont recognize it or they just ignore me , am i the only one that chemo has affected this way, am i crazey or what?

Comments

  • gagee
    gagee Member Posts: 332
    mine is from radiation
    Sorry you are having such problems. I had my lumpectomy in Aug. and last radiation Nov. 8th. My joints are all swollen and I can't remember things,and sleep was a problem. My doctors said it is possible to have side effects from radiation and/or Arimidex. That is the pill I was put on for 5 years. I took it for a couple months and they have taken me off it about 12 weeks ago. Nothing has helped. Still the same problems. My underarm hurts and my breast. They say it can go on for a while and maybe even years. I also got e-coli in the wound of the lymph node area. I think from the radiation room. The doctor didn't even know what I had. I went to my regular doc and he did blood work and found it. I think some of this cancer stuff is a mystery and they keep us in the dark. My husband wants to consult legal advice but friends have said it won't help. Just have to live with it I guess.

    I really feel for you as I have some of the same things and I didn't even have the chemo. My prayers are with you. There are a lot of people on this site that will help you better than I can. Just wanted to let you know what I have and hope that helps you out. By the way, I even changed ono. for the 3rd. time.

    Hugs and Prayer to You,
    Diana
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    Jackie
    Sorry. It is tough. I did not work during Chemo and radiation. I was on disability and it was right thing to do in my situation. If you can take time off now it will help you. Talk to your oncologist and explain that you have a physical job and difficult conditions. I am sure your doctor will help you with paperwork. Your brain ability will come back, especially when you gain physical strength. They are related mind and body.
    Wishing you a nice weekend,
    New Flower
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398

    Jackie
    Sorry. It is tough. I did not work during Chemo and radiation. I was on disability and it was right thing to do in my situation. If you can take time off now it will help you. Talk to your oncologist and explain that you have a physical job and difficult conditions. I am sure your doctor will help you with paperwork. Your brain ability will come back, especially when you gain physical strength. They are related mind and body.
    Wishing you a nice weekend,
    New Flower

    Some of US
    I am sorry Jackie you are suffering side effects from treatments but a small percentage of the population gets more than their share. I too was diagnosed with more diseases after fighting the one stage 3 breast cancer. 14 years ago it was hell getting anyone to help with the side effects since they didn't want to address just hoping they would clear up.
    Know this, we all diserve a quality to our lives and there are many drugs available that can be helpful. I was told back then I would never work maybe part time if I was lucky and the stress would be a big problem for the rest of my life.
    I went onto work harder and do more once the pain was treated and I was no longer ignored. Chemo brain is alive and well though they wouldn't even admit to the reality of this back then. This board is amazing for preparing us for the worst and a dose of reality needed.
    Know that it does get better and learning to cope is a very amazing thing we humans have to do. But coping skills are necessary and getting the help you need.
    Be good to yourself always
    Tara
  • PrettyBald49
    PrettyBald49 Member Posts: 21
    24242 said:

    Some of US
    I am sorry Jackie you are suffering side effects from treatments but a small percentage of the population gets more than their share. I too was diagnosed with more diseases after fighting the one stage 3 breast cancer. 14 years ago it was hell getting anyone to help with the side effects since they didn't want to address just hoping they would clear up.
    Know this, we all diserve a quality to our lives and there are many drugs available that can be helpful. I was told back then I would never work maybe part time if I was lucky and the stress would be a big problem for the rest of my life.
    I went onto work harder and do more once the pain was treated and I was no longer ignored. Chemo brain is alive and well though they wouldn't even admit to the reality of this back then. This board is amazing for preparing us for the worst and a dose of reality needed.
    Know that it does get better and learning to cope is a very amazing thing we humans have to do. But coping skills are necessary and getting the help you need.
    Be good to yourself always
    Tara

    I am dealing with neuropathy
    I am dealing with neuropathy as a result of chemo treatment. This is sometimes debilitating as my toes and fingers are numb or tingling. Additionally, I am dealing with lymphedema. swelling in my ankles, and pain in my heels. I have moments of anxiety or and depression, but still grateful it is not any worse than it is. I am believing for the best and that is that it gets better eventually.
  • missingtexas
    missingtexas Member Posts: 146
    I don't believe I had any
    I don't believe I had any lasting physical effects from chemo...definitely think I have some "chemo brain" and struggle to remember things at times. Hugs to you!!!!