Parkinson’s

Posted by howardk @howardk, Mar 12 1:55pm

My wife was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 8 years ago. She was doing great with very little symptoms. Recently, she was diagnosed with HER2 breast cancer and started chemotherapy. Her Parkinson’s advanced tenfold from the chemotherapy. We stopped the chemotherapy as a result but now drs want to start a lesser treatment.
We are very confused as we are being told they have never treated anyone with both diseases. We need all the medical advice and documentation that is available.
Thank you!

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 12 9:27pm

Hello @howardk

I am sorry to hear of your wife's diagnosis of breast cancer. This sounds very difficult to find the right chemo while having Parkinson's. On Connect, there is a discussion group where other PD patients have discussed taking chemo for cancer. Here is the link to that discussion

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/parkinsons-and-chemotherapy/

Have you considered getting a second opinion at a interdisciplinary medical center? Whenever you are facing a complicated health issue, a medical center like Mayo Clinic or a university medical school can be very helpful.

howardk | @howardk | Mar 12 10:04pm

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @howardk I am sorry to hear of your wife's diagnosis of breast cancer. This sounds..." + (show)

Chemotherapy advanced my wife’s Parkinson’s tenfold after just 3 treatments! Don’t do it!

howardk | @howardk | Mar 13 4:42am

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @howardk I am sorry to hear of your wife's diagnosis of breast cancer. This sounds..." + (show)

Mayo has been out health care provider for 27 years. So far, they have not provided an answer to this situation.

jrwilli1 | @jrwilli1 | Mar 14 6:51am

My husband was told that yes the Parkinson’s doesn’t know what to do when the cancer came into place and goes wild. He had to go to his neurologist to see if the Parkinson’s symptoms where if fact chronic graph vs host disease for his bone marrow cancer or his Parkinson’s advancing. Lucky for him I guess it was his Parkinson’s and not graph vs host disease. He didn’t have a real problem with the chemo and Parkinson’s though. Yet the first round of chemo sent him to the hospital deathly sick. Yes not to many times do they see people with both Parkinson’s and cancer. Doesn’t seem fair does it. Prayers to you. Talk with your neurologist and see if they can’t help control your Parkinson’s during the chemo process. We are in remission now and 1 year out from our bone marrow transplant and just increased his Parkinson’s meds.