Post radiation after breast cancer

Sorry to hear you've had a set back. Some general recommendations: stay well hydrated, exercise regularly, have your PCP follow for testing of thyroid function and vitamin levels (like B12 and vitamin D). There is some data for using American Ginseng for cancer treatment related fatigue.

@saraheja
Hi
I don't think it's really a setback. I just had all my blood work done it's normal. I exercise 3 days a week I drink a ton of water and also some energy drinks. This fatigue has never totally left so I know that my fibro has something to do with it also plus the weather's been horrid with it getting cold and raining who knows but thank you

@mimi09 each story is valuable to the rest of us. Do you mind sharing what your ILC stage & tumor size were? I was diagnosed in August with ILC stage 1 & had a lumpectomy, 5-day radiation & I take half-dose (10 mg) of Tamoxifen. I'm 72 & so far so good. Sending best wishes to you!

I’m 2 years after treatment. Did have chemo and radiation so difficult to know what caused what. I know the chemo caused a lot of fatigue coupled with the radiation to follow. I felt I was doing ell at about the 1 year mark but was then changed from Anastrazole to exemestane and while the joint nd muscle pain is gone, the fatigue is massive. I’m one of those that never “naps’ even as a child. Now, if I don’t lay down (not even sleep, just rest), late afternoon, I’m practically non functional by about 7pm. This is a body fatigue, not sleepy. While it could easily be. Cumulative effect, I do blame a lot on the exemestane.

@mistymar
Hi I did not have to have chemo but I did have 20 rounds of radiation and I relate to the body fatigue it's brutal I am not on an AI but I still get fatigue if I do too much in a day I just have a day where I have to stay home and rest and I'm usually done by 7:00 every night also I just think treatment really affects energy. I talked to a lady that has been 40 years out from her treatment and still she said her energy never came back to what it was.

@jmab I apologize that it’s been so long since your ?? Stage 1 & I practically had to beg for that bit of info! Tumor size is 2.5mm.
Surgeon doesn’t want to do another lumpectomy; can’t have more radiation. Tamoxifen? My mother died of uterine cancer…Anastrozole? I have osteoporosis.
My ex husband just divorced me after 57 years and has convinced 3 adult kids that I need inpatient hospitalization because I’m ‘crazy.’
Because I’ll be 80 in 2 months I see know reason for ANY treatment at this juncture! However, I’m attempting to get a second opinion at the suggestion of a breast center nurse…

@mimi09 I'm so sorry you're going through all this! I hope you have some good support from friends or relatives! 2.5mm is a teeny-tiny tumor! If I were you, I don't think I'd even worry about it! But yes, if more medical info becomes available, that's always helpful. Sending you best wishes! You probably have many good years left. Here's to enjoying our lives, despite all the ups & downs!

I am about to start radiation. I had my mastectomies 3 weeks ago today. I have chemo/immunity/iron deficiency treatments tomorrow at the cancer center as I have leukemia. I get a pet scan of my brain on Tuesday. I start radiation on Thursday. My tumors on the right right side were 9 cm, 6 cm, and 6 cm. The left side tumors were little--9 mm, 6 mm, 2mm. I am hurting, bruised, swollen, and very tired. After radiation is done, I start hormone treatment....for up to 10 years. I just need some advise from people who have gone through this process. I am at a loss...usually a very positive person...very active in my community....but now I have zero energy and feel like I am in a cloud. Any suggestions would be lovely....books are not helping.

@jmab
Stage 2. Radiation starts on Thursday. I will know more after that. When radiation is over, my MD will start me on hormone treatment for 10 years as my estrogen level was 97%. I am 75. My tumors on the right were 9 cm, 6 cm, and 6 cm. and growing at 18% in 3 weeks. But my bra size went from a C cup to an A cup in three months. My tumors on the left were little...9mm, 6mm, and 2 mm. My bra size went from a C to a B on that side in about the same time frame. I am used to playing tennis, bocci, tap dancing, exercising every day, balance class, etc.....now I am not allowed to do any of that as I am still healing. I hurt, hurt, hurt. My sister found something about PMPS but I think it is too early to diagnose that; the MD report has erythema on it....I am red/blue and really gross looking (I finally looked!). My belly is protruding. I just have to get use to this new body I guess. I am usually a very positive person, but I am struggling because of the pain. I am sure part of this is fear. Thanks for listening. Smiles.

@sue417
Hi ,
I had my radiation 2 years ago on chest wall, (mastectomy) axilla, neck and other spots where the radio oncologist thought there were cancer! There has been a lot of ups and downs. It has caused nerve damage in my arm and hand as well as lymphodema. A couple of months ago I finally got to see a neurologist. He said there was new research showing HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen treatment) can be helpful for treating radiation fibrosis. Which I thought sounded very positive. You breath 100% oxygen under pressure, for 2 hours, 5 days a week. for up to forty sessions. I have recently returned from that treatment. I was meant to do 40 session but got increasingly more sick feeling, with pain in my gut. In the end I had to stop at 31 sessions. It has not helped my nerve damage and the other breast which has a large lump in it, has gone purply blue, like a bruise at the bottom part of it. The reason I responded to this post is that I also feel that the fibrosis has come back making me puffed out doing my regular, normal exercises. Has anyone else had experience with HBOT??