LS510

Close Breast Cancer

Discovered a lump at age 25, had lumpectomy. Then new occurrence at age 29(year 2000) and had bilateral masectomy. Had 5mo. old son at time so did not do reconstruction until a few years later. Initially was said to be estrogen neg. and BRCA neg. But new testing today just diagnosed my sister +for the gene so they assume I was too. Had hysterectomy already.

Treatments

Adriamycin Working / Worked

Had adriamycin and then cytoxen at age 25. Normal chemo side effects with hair loss and nausea. Worked well.

Mastectomy Working / Worked

Radiotherapy Working / Worked

Had radiation after lumpectomy. Only problem was once I had masectomy and then later reconstruction, the skin did not stretch well so needed to take skin off my back and attach to breast. Otherwise no problems with radiation.

Reconstructive Surgery Working / Worked

Harder than expected but because I had previously had radiation. Otherwise it makes a difference having boobs that you don't take off at night.

Taxotere Working / Worked

Horrible. Had severe pain day after treatment. They said I should not be hurting but I continued with feeling like I was going to die and was later diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy which has caused severe problems with pain and daily living. Would not have had it if I knew what I know now. They should have stopped it once I started hurting so bad.

Close Chronic Pain

Treatments

Heat Working / Worked

Love my heating blanket!

Hydrocodone Working / Worked

Works the best.

Lyrica Working / Worked

Helped my neuropathy pain. Was hard to start because of the side effects but it helped ease the pain so I could decrease the narcotics.

Meditation Working / Worked

Helps significantly to take my mind off the pain and try to bring about a more peaceful state in order to live with the pain.

Oxycodone Working / Worked

Knocks out the pain but adds to the fatigue. It is the last resort.

Effexor Working / Worked

Helped with the pain before the lyrica. Still use it for depression which cannot be helped due to living with pain. Awful side effects nausea if you forget to take it!