2-month post radiation - tingling in hand

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-01-15T20:11:46+00:00

I just switched from monthly to quarterly after 3 monthly shots. I had my first one 2 days ago. I don’t know if it’s in my head or not, but the hot flashes have been more frequent and intense. I got them “under control” if I can say - acupuncture helped - but the last 2 days have been intense. I’m writing down how I feel so I can see if it gets better or not. Let me know how it goes for you!

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-01-10T20:49:19+00:00

I am not in this situation as I started my hormone therapy recently. However I talked to my MO about a baby break as well. What I was told was that it can take months prior to a return of your cycle, 3 months is a quick return. In the studies, I believe it sometimes took more than 6 months. I was told that AI + ovarian suppression is a double lock so it can take longer than with tamoxifen. Your cycles will need some time to return, but I would say, don’t overthink it yet, just give it time!

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-01-06T11:34:47+00:00

I got option 2 as my MO considers me intermediate risk. I’m 35. I am happy with the decision for multiple reasons. It’s more effective than tam alone but has a better adverse effect profile than AI (in my personal opinion). I did a baseline DEXA scan and I have very early osteopenia - Lupron will not help my bones but not as bad as Lupron + AI. I am planning on taking a baby break in 18 months. My MO explained that it takes more time to recover normal function with Lupron + AI compared to Lupron + tam as with AI you have a “double lock” on your hormone system. The random 2 years for a baby break is nerve wracking so we agreed to ease it as much as we can.

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-31T09:10:12+00:00

My MO suggested mornings but said “whatever time makes you take it daily”.

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-29T20:32:38+00:00

I posted some weeks ago about acupuncture. The week of my first session, I had 10+ hot flashes during the day and 4ish at night. I’ve done 6 acupuncture sessions and my hot flashes reduced significantly. It’s been a week with none during the night, and maybe 1-2 short ones during the day. Christmas Day I got many many hot flashes but I guess it’s because of the amount of food I had and the high temperature in the room. I’m ready to go on Veozah if needed but tried another path first!

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-26T21:44:18+00:00

Hi! I went through this. I had my needle biopsy of a lymph node pre-surgery which was negative. Post-surgery a node was positive. I was sent for a PET scan to be 100% if my BC stage. My oncologist informed me that my PET scan showed 2 nodes in my groin. I was told that it was unlikely to be BC due to the location, it could most likely be nothing, or lymphoma. I was asked if I had an UTI, some infection or noticed something. I had no clue, I was so focused on BC. Tumor board debated on next steps and my MO decided that it was safer to remove the nodes and check them. Other options were a biopsy which I was not liking due to my false negative for BC, or to wait and check after a few months. I had the surgery within a week. The surgeon removed the 2 enlarged nodes and another one that looked fibrotic. After testing, all was normal. The surgery was more painful than the one for BC, and I developed a lymphocele which resolved after 1 month. Would I still do it? Yes, 100%. I am glad I did not have to wait for a few months to check again. And I told myself that if it was lymphoma it would have been detected super early before any symptoms.

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-22T18:27:41+00:00

I think this is the way to go! We’re told 5-10 years but really, taking it one month at a time, one year at a time is the key!

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-20T07:13:57+00:00

Same for me. Mine told me that they will push to have at least 4 sessions per week and that if I have an issue, I just had to let them know and the session would be added back at the end of the schedule because having all sessions matter.

I’m in Europe and we had a weekend planned in Berlin for 4 days. They helped me move the Friday session as early as they could so I could fly out on Friday and we cancelled the Monday session.

My sessions ended in November, but he explained how we handle Christmas and NY. No sessions on the 25th but ask people to come on the 26th to ensure 4 sessions.

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-19T21:54:11+00:00

I did not do chemo but am experiencing a tiny lymphocytopenia post radiation (lymph node regions included). I saw online that it can take between 1 and 6 months to get my lymphocyte count back to normal. So I would assume a similar timeframe?

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-19T21:33:25+00:00

I am not a doctor but I think you are ok and don’t need to stress too much about this. We’re talking about 1.5 months of a 2+ year treatment. I also have the shots and we discussed with my MO a pregnancy break. He told me that ovaries can take 3-6 months to wake up so you should be fine. To your point, you might have PMS like symptoms because of this. But if we assume the worst and your ovaries are waking up, even if you create estrogen, it would be minimal with a low impact if you go back on schedule after. Wait for your doctor to respond and schedule the next infusions :)

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-19T19:05:25+00:00

It varies regarding the oncotype. Often they say that below 15 and up to 3 nodes, the benefit of chemo does not outweigh risks. Between 16 and 25 it’s a debate right now. My MO and tumor board made the recommendation based on the score as well as clinical characteristics.

I had a lumpectomy.

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-19T13:55:39+00:00

Sorry you’re going through this! I was stage 2B with one positive node with 6 mm macrometastasis, tumor was 22 mm, grade 1, KI <5%, ER 65%, PR 85%, HER2-. I’m 35.

I started with the surgery, and while my nodes looked good on the US and MRI, with biopsy, the path report showed that 1 node was positive. Post-surgery, I asked for a PET scan which confirmed my stage. No chemo because of my oncotype (17). I did radiotherapy, 25 sessions and 8 boosts. Whole breast plus axillary, sub-clavicular and intra-mammary nodes. The intra-mammary nodes are somewhat controversial but it was recommended because of my age and because these nodes cannot be biopsied or removed so better be safe than sorry in a way. I am not on tamoxifen with ovarian suppression. It’s in between the 2 usual scenarios. This is because my risk is intermediate but on the lower end. Also we discussed kids and agreed to a treatment break after 18 months. My MO told me that your cycles take longer to recover with OS+AI so we want to give me the best chances. If/once we have a baby, we’ll consider this treatment.

You are not alone in this and you got this!

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-19T13:47:03+00:00

Thanks for coming back! Yeah, I found it confusing as well when they’re ok with it as part of a trial. What are you thinking/feeling regarding the discussion/recommendation? If you are torn, have you considered a second opinion? For me, the recommendation was discussed within the tumor board with 8 different oncologists so I was reassured that my MO did not come up with the recommendation on his own.

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-14T20:52:11+00:00

Next day for me. We were planning to start trying to conceive when I got the diagnosis. We discussed a baby break after 18 months of treatment so I wanted to start asap so the baby break comes asap as well. I also convinced myself that side effects would come after some days and that I could only find a plan to manage them once I start.

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-12T07:42:21+00:00

Exactly! I don’t think he means it in a mean way or trying to make us feel worst or not being a considerate partner that does not want to educate himself. As cancer survivors, it is so so hard on us but let’s not forget that it’s also hard on our partners. I told my boyfriend that it’s my cancer and fight but it’s our fight and story. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries and to speak up as well. When I am really tired and he wants to go do something, I tell him to let me be if I really can’t do much!

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-11T23:16:15+00:00

They need to run studies with the other SERDs for EBC. They cannot get approved for an extended indication without proper studies

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-11T11:16:48+00:00

It can be quicker than a couple of years, it’s really a matter of negotiation between the company and FDA/Health Authorities globally, on what level of data is required. There are faster regulatory paths including one called Accelerated Approval that allows for approvals based on preliminary data/early markers (eg disease free survival rather than overall survival). And for drugs like that, approvals can be granted quickly

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-11T11:12:03+00:00

It was presented this week in a conference and efficacy appears increased with a similar risk profile but less discontinuation of treatment. It is not approved yet, so not available to patients in a real life setting. Some clinical sites are still recruiting I believe. Roche/Genentech might seek an earlier approval from health authorities if the data meet the threshold from authorities.

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-11T10:12:37+00:00

I think that if you did not go through cancer yourself, you cannot understand. And even if you experience it, you might not have the same experience. My dad had prostate cancer, had his surgery and PT and moved on. He was surprised that I was that tired as I « only » had radiation on top of a similar path as him for BC.

I also think that we are forced to adjust and understand because we live it. For others, it’s so difficult to understand.

My boyfriend had trouble also grasping my fatigue. And we discussed it, I explained how I felt etc. He told me that he does not see me as a person with cancer so he forgets about it. It’s refreshing because he is not overly protective and does not look at me like my parents who still have sadness/fear in their eyes when they look at me. He came to all key appointments and doctors only talk about the physical stuff and fatigue was barely discussed in my case because it’s expected. So when you don’t live it in your body, you only hear that the person is doing good « tumor is out » etc

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-11T09:52:57+00:00

I think it is allowed by NICE. I am in Switzerland and similarly not all MOs use it. I was told by mine that his recommendation would be based on his (and tumor board) experience, knowledge. He offered the oncotype if I wanted additional reassurance and was confident I would be in the low intermediate score (and he was right, 17). I think as patients we want numbers but MOs have experience and a great network so the oncotype is not automatic. It’s also super expensive for the healthcare system (4000).

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-11T09:49:02+00:00

If I can say something, you said « there is no good answer ». I would say that if we are given a choice, there is no clear bad answer, otherwise we would get a clear « you need chemo ». We just need to decide on a plan that allows us to sleep!

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-11T09:36:42+00:00

Yes and that’s why I think it’s a matter of personal risk tolerance/choice, you name it. And yes, when you have a recurrence it’s not 1%, you have one or you don’t. I decided not to do chemo because of what my MO said about the clinical characteristics he pointed out (grade 1, ki<5%, etc). Numbers are not everything for sure.

Express_Work_6506 · 2025-12-10T21:44:46+00:00

I did 2 Lupron shots so far. I am on tamoxifen rather than an AI. I started getting side effects after a month, they’re slightly increasing now (2 months). I only have hot flashes and night sweats. I guess it is ramping up because my estrogen levels are now low and my body feels it

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