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Late effects from chemotherapy
Hi everyone,
I’d like to pose this question to those who have done systemic chemotherapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer.
Since October of 2007 – 3 months after I completed 4 rounds cysplatin/gemzar – my abdominal MRIs have shown progressive liver problems…
10/07 – can see 2 micronodular things
12/07- micronodes are more defined
2/08 – add scattered calcifications
5/08 – arterioportal shunt presents
8/08 – shunt is stable at 3cm
11/08 – still have shunt, micronodules, calcifications and now have some ascites
I deal with strong fatigue – atleast once a week I lose a day just to lay around needing to rest. I still struggle with my appatite. My weight can go up or down by 10 pounds within a day or so. And the vomitting still happens often.My question – Are you dealing with liver problems that started long after you finished chemotherapy? I find it hard to believe that the drinking I did in my teens and twenties are suddenly affecting me now. In researching the late effects of chemo – particularly cisplatin – there is liver disease attributed to it but most is vague and addressed “not much information is known”. Incidentally, my chest exrays also have oddities they attribute to chemotherapy as well.
Thank you and God Bless, Holly -
3 Replies
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So far clear since my 04/08 bladder removal. I do have scans coming up in February. But I feel a lot of fatigue, never really up and going, have to force myself. But I am type 2 diabetic too, and that is a factor. Also take meds for muscle pain at night. That probably works into it as well. Good luck, sounds like things are under control for you.
BC diagnosed 01/2007
Cystoscopes and Miomyacin in 2007
R/C ilial conduit 04/27/2008
Hi Holly, I came onto the forum tonight, specifically to start a similar thread!
I am 7 months out of chemo and recently I have had several physical health problems.I completed 3 rounds cysplatin/gemzar, I am having thyroid problems and my doc thinks this is due to the chemo, which would also explain why I can’t gain any weight.
I have had rheumatoid arthritis since my late teens and have always coped well with little medical intervention. I had no symptoms all year (I think the chemo actually helped temporarily) even after the surgery I expected problems.
For the past 6 weeks I have had severe joint pain and now have to start second line drugs to help.
I also suffer chronic fatigue and feel like I am never going to get back to ‘my old self’Today I found a hard lump on my right side, just below my ribs which has me really worried. I am going to contact my oncologist tomorrow. If it is not one thing with my health it is another and sometimes I just feel neurotic about it all, but we can’t ignore these problems, I do blame the chemo! I am sure there are many others who have had multiple problems and I would also like to compare notes.
Take care x
ps…………. forgot to mention, memory problems, poor concentration and ringing /buzzing in ears!
Holly,
I finished my protocol for cysplatin/gemzar in Dec 2007. I have had x-rays in April and Oct of 2008 and did not have anything show up. My CAT Scan in Oct was clear too.
The only thing that is different for me is fatigue. I do not need to take days off, but I do get 8 – 10 hours of sleep each night.I too had many of my favorite beverages at least five nights a week from the time I was 18 until I was 28. I slowed down quite a bit from 30 – current though.
I am interested in seeing how others reply.
Thanks
Rick
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