HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

chicagoetc · 10-31-2008, 04:04 PM

I appreciate the posts. [I am writing down the recommendations/thoughts in a word document to look at later...because I won't remember otherwise.]

It is encouraging to hear that some of you started feeling better once the Herceptin was done or even a year out or more.

I have always had motion problems...so I take Meclizine three times daily (total of 75mg). It would put most people asleep. This has worked UNTIL June of 2008. Then everything seemed to jump to a new, higher level. Probably seeing an ENT doc wouldn't hurt. Everything else related to the vertigo is being addressed just by medications.

The attention/memory/cognition problems I think (and so do my doctors) are in a different category some how (though the changes occurred simultaneously). No one medically is saying it will change (or not). Rather they suggest that treating the symptoms is best right now.

The correlation with brain injury is one I've already noticed. The symptoms seem to be the same or similar to those with relatively minor brain injury/trauma. I'm trying everything I can...writing virtually everything down so I remember it later, taking 30 minute breaks when I start to become nauseous, trying to talk less so that I'm not embarrassed by repeating myself or not being able to put the sentences together.

It means a lot that others here have had/still have similar symptoms. It has been a hard year and more. And maybe the trauma of it all is something I'm avoiding.

[Rebecca, just starting out? By all means do not take what is written here as what will happen with you. Everyone in general seem to have a variety of symptoms, not necessarily the same as the next person.]

I agree with AlaskaAngel...this is pretty extensive and debilitating.

I hate that this is happening. I hope that things will get better but am not holding my breath. The cost is my job and some friendships (how do I relate to those I care about if I don't remember talking/being with them?).

I'd love to hear more from others of you. It helps that more of you have had similar experiences than I thought.

I will try to keep you up-to-date if something significant changes or works (or gets worse).

Melanie

10-31-2008, 04:04 PM	#14
chicagoetc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Chicago Posts: 196	I appreciate the posts. [I am writing down the recommendations/thoughts in a word document to look at later...because I won't remember otherwise.] It is encouraging to hear that some of you started feeling better once the Herceptin was done or even a year out or more. I have always had motion problems...so I take Meclizine three times daily (total of 75mg). It would put most people asleep. This has worked UNTIL June of 2008. Then everything seemed to jump to a new, higher level. Probably seeing an ENT doc wouldn't hurt. Everything else related to the vertigo is being addressed just by medications. The attention/memory/cognition problems I think (and so do my doctors) are in a different category some how (though the changes occurred simultaneously). No one medically is saying it will change (or not). Rather they suggest that treating the symptoms is best right now. The correlation with brain injury is one I've already noticed. The symptoms seem to be the same or similar to those with relatively minor brain injury/trauma. I'm trying everything I can...writing virtually everything down so I remember it later, taking 30 minute breaks when I start to become nauseous, trying to talk less so that I'm not embarrassed by repeating myself or not being able to put the sentences together. It means a lot that others here have had/still have similar symptoms. It has been a hard year and more. And maybe the trauma of it all is something I'm avoiding. [Rebecca, just starting out? By all means do not take what is written here as what will happen with you. Everyone in general seem to have a variety of symptoms, not necessarily the same as the next person.] I agree with AlaskaAngel...this is pretty extensive and debilitating. I hate that this is happening. I hope that things will get better but am not holding my breath. The cost is my job and some friendships (how do I relate to those I care about if I don't remember talking/being with them?). I'd love to hear more from others of you. It helps that more of you have had similar experiences than I thought. I will try to keep you up-to-date if something significant changes or works (or gets worse). Melanie __________________ Diagnosed: 7/13/07 (or 7/7/07) Surgery: 8/15/07 Modified Radical One Side with Lymph Node Dissection Pathology Report: ER/PR-, HER2+ with FISH at 8.4 copies, Grade 3, Stage IIIa, 3.2 cm tumor plus 4/19 positive lymph nodes Portacath: 9/7/07 Chemo: 9/14/07 with AC (every three weeks) for four rounds Physical Therapy for ROM Loss / "Cording" (but not Lymphodema) Taxol + Herceptin weekly (started 12/2007 with 8 of 12 Taxol) Radiation: (28 rads from 3/07 to 4/07) Reconstruction (silicone implant) Herceptin done (10/08) Cognitive Remediation (11/08 - 12/08) Lymphedema Diagnosed 5/10/10 (almost 3 years post cancer diagnosis) Lymphedema Rehab 9/10/10 - 11/10/10 Six years NED...7/7/2013!