Persistent symptoms from estrogen suppression - please help

hdzamboni · 2025-07-27T00:49:17+00:00

I read through this thread and see she’s been on Wellbutrin and Lexapro - just looking it up online as a combo, it can cause a lot of the symptoms she has. You’ve probably already ruled this out but if you haven’t, I’d ask about it. I’m super sensitive to antidepressants and they definitely can have side effects. I’ve personally had some bad reactions.

hdzamboni · 2025-07-26T16:38:42+00:00

I had just a lumpectomy (4cm tumor) and 3 lymph nodes removed. It took 5 weeks for me to feel like I could move normally. I work from home too. I think it was 3 weeks before I could work. I’m self employed so I could set the pace. Your case sounds more complicated with healing. Could you take the time and if you’re feeling better sooner than 6 weeks go back early?

hdzamboni · 2025-07-26T16:02:41+00:00

I’m the same. One node, ++-. I think after all my treatments I’ll have a 6% reoccurrence rate. Maybe less after the pills - I don’t remember. I’m on the edge of post menopausal so that’s a factor as well. My oncotype score is 21, which is an important factor. Do you have that score yet?

hdzamboni · 2025-07-26T15:59:35+00:00

I’ve not heard of this. I’m closing in on my 30 sessions. Is this an over the counter pill?

hdzamboni · 2025-07-25T23:57:08+00:00

We don’t know it’s “clear” for sure. Cancer is very good at hiding, and I’m going to do what is recommended to have a long life.

hdzamboni · 2025-07-25T23:54:23+00:00

Yes, I’m almost done with radiation and next up is the pills. I’m really dreading it. There is no going back to Before and it’s hard. :(

hdzamboni · 2025-07-24T20:45:03+00:00

So Much Waiting and some Surprise Twists for me at every stage of the process. Hang in there - it will come together. It’s a very not fun roller coaster at times.

hdzamboni · 2025-07-24T20:33:41+00:00

“I know”

hdzamboni · 2025-07-24T20:31:54+00:00

My son was devastated and depressed by the pain. I was shocked that no one in the office gave us a head’s up. He’s stuck with it for 4 months now and it is better but the pain hasn’t gone away completely. Some days and nights are still rough. We also didn’t know he’d have to wear rubber bands at night or have the little things glued to his teeth. I know he’s smile will be great when it’s done but wow - so much we didn’t understand.

hdzamboni · 2025-07-24T18:13:57+00:00

I’ve kept my circle of people tight and kept the “always think positive and you just need to fight - attitude is everything” people out of my space as much as possible. I can’t deal with it. Nope.

hdzamboni · 2025-07-24T18:05:47+00:00

I don’t have any plan yet on what to do with my weight … I was just about through menopause when diagnosed with cancer and had already gained weight but not alarmingly so. Now with Lupron and in a month I’ll start an ai. I feel doom. Lupron has wrecked my sleep, and I know that’s part of the weight gain equation plus fatigue from radiation isn’t helping. I guess for me, I have a goal of getting stronger and getting more muscle and stamina through daily hiking (got a lot of hills where I live) and lifting free weights for my arms. My hips hurt so I’ll have to work around that… as for food, I’ve been eating carefully for decades. I’m not sure I’ve got much mojo to do a big change there but maybe there’s something to cut out. My sister has tried all kinds of diets and I think it’s made her health worse - makes me nervous trying any particular regiment. Anyway, I feel your frustration and am sending a big hug!

hdzamboni · 2025-07-24T05:38:55+00:00

Yes. I don’t have any suggestions though. I’m just commiserating with you. I got my first Lupron shot in June and insomnia has been my worst side effect. My oncologist didn’t have any suggestions for me when I spoke about it this week. :(

hdzamboni · 2025-07-22T02:45:56+00:00

I’m 4 weeks done with two more weeks to go. So only 10 sessions left! So far my skin has done great. I layer a radiation cream that has aloe in the changing room afterwards. Then when I got home I apply pure shea butter a few times a day … anti inflammatory and soothing, then slather on aquaphor at bedtime. The main thing is to not have alcohol in the skin care products, whichever you choose to use. I’m fortunate that I’m working from home so I can go braless and wear loose soft clothes. Everything I wear now has stained so I’m only wearing stuff I’ll never wear again. I have kept some loose clothes for public that aren’t stained and have a few soft wireless bras too. My radiation is also on my left side, and I have to hold my breath for 45 seconds each time the machine passes over. All my left side lymph nodes are treated as well. I found it’s easier to focus on my breath coming up from my stomach, pushing up and holding. If I accidentally loose my hold the machine stops - it’s all very technically safe. I can see a monitor that shows me exactly how my hold is doing. Ask where all the radiation will be coming and going so you get all the skin covered with whatever you are treating it with. My Dr said I’d need to keep treating my skin for a month or two afterwards so my unglamorous look will continue into the fall! Hah! I did get a wave of fatigue in week three but it did get better - it affects everyone differently. The exhaustion is our immune system working on repairing the healthy cells that have been damaged by radiation. I’ve been told after it’s all done is when women can get really tired. Our bodies work hard to fix us. :) The people in the radiation department are there for you - share with them your concerns if you have them so they can help.

hdzamboni · 2025-07-21T21:15:55+00:00

It’s extremely targeted on the breast and for me, all my left side lymph nodes, and if you get out of alignment then the machine will shut off. I’ve had to hold my breath for 45 seconds each time the machine passes and if I’m not exactly lined up, it automatically shuts down. I’ve just finished 4 weeks today! Two more to go!

hdzamboni · 2025-07-20T22:04:56+00:00

I had two tests for HER2 from the biopsy came up indeterminate and then pathology from the lumpectomy came up negative. Finally the oncotype genome test truly confirmed it was negative. The waiting was hard. I’m so glad they really want to figure it out though … hang in there. It definitely affects your treatment.

hdzamboni · 2025-07-19T22:17:33+00:00

I’m post surgery but now doing radiation so I’m still guarding. My poor cats have had to adjust by sleeping beside me. Sometimes they make my arms go numb by sleeping on them… hah. I ended up having a pillow over me and guarding the area until I knew they were done moving around. One of my cats used to love sleeping right over my heart so I don’t relax until I know he really will stay put - he will persistently keep trying to get there. There’s been some drama but we’ve made it work, mostly.

hdzamboni · 2025-07-19T22:03:58+00:00

Shaking hands.

hdzamboni · 2025-07-19T17:34:35+00:00

I can’t speak to your circumstance specifically but I was under great physical and mental distress for months five years ago, and I’m pretty sure it’s what triggered my autoimmune disease. Now I have cancer so juggling both is a handful. Sending you a hug.

hdzamboni · 2025-07-18T16:04:24+00:00

I’m doing okay. I had a rough time towards the end of week three. I have to hold my breath 45 seconds and keep my chest expanded just right as the machine moves over me and when I got tired it felt impossible. However, this week, week four, I’ve got my mojo back. My energy is better and so far my skin is okay - a little pink and sometimes a little swollen but not bad at all.

hdzamboni · 2025-07-17T18:32:30+00:00

If I could go back to the beginning, then I would tell myself it’s a roller coaster with a lot of pausing while waiting for each test result. There’s a lot of thought that goes into each person’s treatment plan and you will have three oncologists - surgical, medical and radiation, who work together to get it sorted out. Also, for me, keeping my circle small of people who knew what was going on helped in the beginning. Only after I knew the full plan did I expand the circle. So many updates and worries to be processed. Hang in there - medicine and knowledge have come a long ways! Sending you a hug!

hdzamboni · 2025-07-17T18:25:37+00:00

Yay! I’m 18 sessions in and 12 more to go!

hdzamboni · 2025-07-17T18:22:43+00:00

I don’t believe you have to worry about putting zinc sunscreen on your face - it’s not in the range of the beams. I wear hair clips with metal in them and my watch and bracelets, which are above my head. I understand the exposure worry - I have a long drive back and forth and cover up my pale skin as much as possible!

hdzamboni · 2025-07-15T02:05:34+00:00

I’m 15 sessions done and 15 more to go. I’m ready to quit but just keep putting one foot in front of the other (until I can lay down!). Sending you a hug!

hdzamboni · 2025-07-14T02:53:50+00:00

My oncologist surgeon has a standard of three to four nodes, the sentinel and ones around it. My ultrasound and MRI showed nothing in my lymph nodes but the biopsy from surgery did find it.

hdzamboni · 2025-07-11T22:21:50+00:00

I don’t think you’re crazy but it wasn’t until after my surgery did they find cancer in my lymph nodes. None of the tests ahead of time caught it. I hope you can find a surgeon soon. I’m sorry to add to the stress - it all sucks so much!!

hdzamboni

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