Have you ever heard of this problem?

kamehameha6470
kamehameha6470 Member Posts: 33
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am almost exactly 1 year out from my last chemo treatment and am currently on tamoxifen. A couple weeks ago, I noticed my face getting oily as it used to get right after a chemo treatment. Also, for the last two days, I have a really unpleasant taste in my mouth--the same post-chemo taste I used to get after a treatment. It's so unpleasant that I've actually been nauseous for that time. Now this evening, I even "smell it." My doctor told me it would be a good year before the chemo worked its way out of my body, but could my symptoms be from that? Or has this happened to anyone on tamoxifen? I have to wait the weekend before getting my doc's opinion, and I thought this might be a good place to ask in the meantime. I would be grateful for any advice you could give me to this question.

Comments

  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #2
    Yes, I've suffered similar symptoms. Don't know if it was chemo still in body or just 'flash backs' like a bad acid trip (and no I've never done acid before just heard about the flash backs). LOL I've even had my veins get sore again like they did with chemo. Have you had any recent weight loss? It could be the chemo was fat soluble (stored in fat cells) and released with weight loss... or it could be association. Note when it happens, something may be triggering a VERY strong memory. Who knows with that stuff.
    It's kind of like the lady who called the ER about her child worried cause she caught the toddler 'eating ants'. They said, 'don't worry she'll be fine'. The lady says, 'Oh, well, I guess I gave her the ant poisen for nothing.'
    Just a joke, but seems to fit! LOL
    I do know recent studies indicate mod to strong HER2 tumors grow faster with tamoxifen. Not that you asked, just thought I'd throw that info in for free!
    God bless and welcome to the board. hummingbyrd
  • kamehameha6470
    kamehameha6470 Member Posts: 33
    #3
    hummingbyrd said:

    Yes, I've suffered similar symptoms. Don't know if it was chemo still in body or just 'flash backs' like a bad acid trip (and no I've never done acid before just heard about the flash backs). LOL I've even had my veins get sore again like they did with chemo. Have you had any recent weight loss? It could be the chemo was fat soluble (stored in fat cells) and released with weight loss... or it could be association. Note when it happens, something may be triggering a VERY strong memory. Who knows with that stuff.
    It's kind of like the lady who called the ER about her child worried cause she caught the toddler 'eating ants'. They said, 'don't worry she'll be fine'. The lady says, 'Oh, well, I guess I gave her the ant poisen for nothing.'
    Just a joke, but seems to fit! LOL
    I do know recent studies indicate mod to strong HER2 tumors grow faster with tamoxifen. Not that you asked, just thought I'd throw that info in for free!
    God bless and welcome to the board. hummingbyrd

    Thanks for the info. I'm very sure this is not just some kind of bad trip. My husband even noticed the oily skin, and believe me he's not the most observant guy sometimes. I hadn't lost any weight when I went in for a check up 3 weeks ago, but maybe I've lost a few pounds since, and that would explain it.
  • jamjar62
    jamjar62 Member Posts: 135
    #4
    As I was reading your post, a thought came to me so I decided to throw it out there. You mentioned at the beginning of your post that it is almost exactly one year out from your last chemo. Maybe your mind is reacting to the one year "anniversary" and causing these weird symptoms? I suffered from post partum depression after the birth of my children who were both born in the fall. Every autumn, I find myself starting to feel a little anxious, depressed and even lose weight. My children are 5 and 8 and still it plagues me.

    Not much of a scientific explanation but I know that we are "wired" to remember major events. Maybe your body is just remembering? And what a lovely anniversary present it has given you!

    Karen
  • ksfc
    ksfc Member Posts: 251
    #5
    I'm at the same point as you - just a year from chemo. I loved the skin I had during chemo, but mine appears to be returning to it's usual self - a little oiler during the hot months. I am having a lot of trouble with the heat so far this summer - I can break into a sweat when it's barely warm or with the slightest exertion. As far as the chemo feeling, when I notice the smell and taste is after I get my port flushed.
    I smell chemically for a day or so and I really hate that smell. Diane
  • jake10
    jake10 Member Posts: 202
    #6
    ksfc said:

    I'm at the same point as you - just a year from chemo. I loved the skin I had during chemo, but mine appears to be returning to it's usual self - a little oiler during the hot months. I am having a lot of trouble with the heat so far this summer - I can break into a sweat when it's barely warm or with the slightest exertion. As far as the chemo feeling, when I notice the smell and taste is after I get my port flushed.
    I smell chemically for a day or so and I really hate that smell. Diane

    I am having alot of problems with the heat this summer as well. I get hot flashes all the time but if the room or outdoors is a little warm I begin to sweat and I find it intolerable. I call it power surges but it is really a pain. Beth

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