chemo burnout

The CheeseQueen also had blood clots. I'm sorry to hear about all your chem problems.  I made it through three chemos.  I truly believe a fourth one would have killed me.  

Love, 

Eldri 

Henhill,
You might want to talk to your doctor about taking a daily aspirin.  I take two low dose aspirins
every day to prevent cancer.  It reduces your change of cancer by about 25%.

Research has shown that a daily aspirin reduces your chance of a blood clot by 42%.  Patients
who can't tolerate the anticoagulant drugs can usually take aspirin. But you should speak
with your doctor. The anticoagulant drugs are much stronger than aspirin, but many people
have issues with them, (Warfarin, Xarelto) so perhaps you can looki into trying aspirin first.
And some of the anticoagulant drugs can cause fatal bleeding. (I'm listening to a Xarelto
commercial as I write this). Plus I believe you have to get your blood tested frequently
if you are on these drugs.

Aspirin keeps the blood platelets from sticking, so they don't form a clot.  Aspirin also
keeps cancer cells from sticking together and inhibits the COX2 enzyme, which causes
inflammation.  Cancer is an inflammatory condition.

Takingcontrol58

I actually had a stroke caused by a blood clot. Having cancer alone just makes us clotty. After the stroke I was diagnosed with afib which I don’t think I had before this ordeal. So now I’m on lifelong Eliquis. 

I am sorry to hear about the extra crap yoou are going through, henhill.

Hugs dear one.

henhill said:

Wow

I didn't realize how many of us have had this. Thanks for the responses.  I was taking the aspirin for two years now, Taking Control, and I still work full time, so I was trying prevention methods and staying active.  My leg had been swollen a few times, but both times when I got a terrible cold (this last one lasted 2 months) the leg went nuts.  This time it kept getting worse and became so tight it felt like a tree trunk.  When I started PT it measured 40% greater than the other leg and was very painful.  I am on the heparin shot 2x a day like you, Donna, and my doc says not to take the pills at all, not great for cancer patients.  Leg is still swollen after 2 weeks, and the pain has nearly disappeared,thank God, but, mobility and flexibility are still dismal, even in the good leg, and I am worried about that.  Glad, though, that we caught this before a heart attack like you, Cheese, I hope you recovered completely.  I really want to continue to work, and am motivated to do so.l  

So... right now I am running from Ma to Rhode Island 3x week; 2 for Pt.and 1 for dr and chemo of taxol and avastin.  I am also working and tired sick and discouraged. I feel like you do, Eldri, this time has been a lot harder in every way.  

Makes me glad that you are getting your mojo back Donna.  I hope I can be there once again.  Love it when my body is fooled day 1 and 2 after chemo into the roid wonder woman stage, but it is always followed up by the slump,  lately.  Thanks support ladies.

 

Henhill,
I forgot that you were getting Avastin when I responded previously.

Blood clots (arterial thromboemolic events) are a well known side effect of Avastin, and I read
the risk is higher when you get Avastin with chemo.

Extreme fatigue and pain or swelling in your arm or leg, swelling of the lower legs,
mouth sores and nasal congestion are just some of the  side effects of Avastin. 
There are many more side effects to the drug. You can find all the info at www.drugs.com-
look up the professional and advanced sections - see the cardiovascular part.

Perhaps you should speak with your oncologist about stopping the Avastin. Perhaps it is the Avastin
that has been causing all your issues. Avastin was pulled off the market in 2010 since it was determined
it provided more risk than benefit for breast cancer patients.  I don't know why it is still being used for other
cancers.

Besides metformin, curcurmin and black cumin seed oil  also target angiogenesis, which is what Avastin targets, the
creation of new blood vessels that cause metastasis.  I use all three. 

You might want to consider other options that dont' have such serious side effects.

Best of luck.

Takingcontrol58