Can't take medication
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Topic: Can't take medication
Posted By: winnie
Subject: Can't take medication
Date Posted: May 18 2009 at 12:42am
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Hi there,
I'm new to this forum. I had a 'poorly differentiated' triple negative invasive DCIS removed two years ago (mastectomy). There was no lymph node involvement, I completed radiation but only had one of the six FEC treatments. My body is very inefficient at processing toxins. I have had an autoimmune disease (rheumatoid) for 17 years and my specialist has run out of drugs he can offer me, because I always get serious side-effects. I had a 'scare' a month ago when a lump appeared at my mastectomy site; my surgeon said that without chemotherapy I had just months to live. But pathology tests after surgery proved it was muscle scarring. That was a great relief. 
Rejecting chemo is frowned on by my doctors so it put me under awful pressure. It would be very hard to say no to the only help they can offer if I had a recurrence. Is this a common problem? I've found nothing about it on the web. |
Replies:
Posted By: Nancy
Date Posted: May 18 2009 at 11:52am
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Hi Winnie,
I wish I couild offer some helpful suggestions, but I am not a doctor, only a mother of a daughter dx with TNBC, also looking for ways to help her.
If you could not complete even the initial chemo, then how can they say that rejecting chemo is frowned upon? Apparently your immune system is totally out of balance, if even your specialist is running out of drugs to give you.
I have been reading/searching, as has my daughter Lori for alternative/complimentary meds for cancer and other diseases, and since Australia is somewhat more progressive, you might want to search for an antiaging specialist, as they are immunologists and endrocrinologists, and may be able to help you. They deal in biodentical hormone replacement therapies, for all bodily functions, not just for estrogen, progeterone and testoterone.
There comes a time when we have to "think outside the box" and "look outside the current medical ways of thinking", and advocate for ourselves. Drugs are not always the answer, and some even can make us sicker. Just a thought Winnie, they may be able to help you. Your current doctors do not have anything else they can offer you, so thusly they will recommend chemo.
I know that if Pam can find articles, she will ...and I know she will reply to you also.
 Manu hugs,
Nancy ------------- Nancy DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007 Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst mastectomy July 6 2007 chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov 28 rads ended Jan 2008 |
Posted By: trip2
Date Posted: May 18 2009 at 6:57pm
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Hello Winnie and welcome to our forum.
That is quite a quandry to not be able to take the chemotherapy? I wonder if you could try another type possibly done on a different schedule?
Best wishes, ------------- Stage 2 2003 Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
Posted By: Beth Anne
Date Posted: May 19 2009 at 8:43am
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Dear Winnie.... Let me tell you if there is a drug out there I will have a bad reaction to it! So I totally understand what you are going through... I will tell you a few things that I did that did help me get through the treatments. For the A/C I had 6 treatments the first four I spent 6-8 day in the hospital with each treatment... Not a good reaction to the darn drugs..... But for the last two I asked my onc if I could do half treatments half one week then the other half the next and the third week off... Now this kept me out of the hospital for the last two treatments Next I was to do Taxaol (spelling) but it was clear that the drug that everyone is allergic to hence the reason so many steroids are needed... That I was not going to do well with that and the steroids are a nightmare for me to take... So we did Abraxine... I called this chemo light! I had NO reactions to this drug. Did not do anytime in the hospital for any of the 16 treatments I had with this. Please don't look at what I am going through now and get discouraged or think that my treatment didn't work... I had very advaced and aggrisive form of TNBC. If you have any other questions you think I could help you with please feel free to PM me and I will give you all of the information I can. Hugs to you and take care, Beth Anne ------------- Dx 5/07 DCIS Stage3 gr9 A/C x 6, Abrax x 16 Bi-Mass 2/08 Navelbine x 12, finished radiation end of July 08. DX Brain Met's 2/09StageIV CK3/09.Brain resection4/09 WBR Dreaming of dancing with Ned! |
Posted By: winnie
Date Posted: May 19 2009 at 11:04pm
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Thanks Beth Anne for the drug name. I'll put it in my emergency instructions (I go to jelly in emergencies, so I'm writing a list of instructions for myself in case of a recurrence. I was a complete basket-case with the last scare). I'm so sorry to hear you've had such a bad time with it - and so pleased that there is something that can be taken that is reasonably well tolerated. I do read postings by those with advanced BC, it's important to me to understand your journey, to learn to have courage.
My doctor has given me some anti-emetics to take with my rheumatoid drug. Her theory is that my body purges what appears to be harmful, and that my level of tolerance for toxins was reset from the chemo. I thought that nausea meant the drug was harmful to me but she said that's not necessarily the case, and that monthly blood tests will monitor liver function. It sure feels harmful when I want to be sick! I'm sure everyone in this forum would agree. fond regards, Winnie |
Posted By: dmayes
Date Posted: May 20 2009 at 10:52am
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Hi Winnie,
Are you taking Vit D?
 I am a newbie here with BC - so not that I can impart the wisdom of my fellows ladies on this site - but my onc has me on 1000mg of Vit D during my treatment and poss will up that after treament. There is a lot of research showing cancer cells are scared of Vit D. I think Pam or Connie may have some links to back this up - just trying to think of things to add to you armour against the beast!
Good luck and keep smiling
Debs
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