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Just Diagnosed with Cancer? Chat with Experts

Thursday, June 03, 2010 love2boat asks

Q: Can a Her2+ patient who has had a double masectomy, chemo, and radiation have recurring cancer?

I hurt all of the time from the top of my head to my ankles - all of my joints.  There are days I can't do anything.  Migraines to boot.  I am exhausted all of the time and depressed as well.  My weight continues to increase even with better diet and exercise.  Are there any tests my doctor can do or I could suggest and what would they be looking for in the test results?

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PJ Hamel, Health Guide
6/ 3/10 2:41pm

Yes, unfortunately, a cancer recurrence is never out of the question. However, these symptoms sound more like fibromyalgia, or an after-effect of chemo and radiation, than they do cancer. Or side effects from any current drugs. How long ago did you go through all of this? Are you taking an aromatase inhibitor (e.g., Arimidex)? Are you still doing the Herceptin? What does your oncologist say? I'd hope your oncologist wouldn't let you suffer like this without helping you pin down what it is - even though it's almost certainly not cancer, it's no doubt a side effect (or lasting effect) of treatment. So if you haven't had a GOOD, long-enough appointment with your oncologist - schedule one, OK? S/he will determine what diagnostic tests you might need. Good luck - PJH

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By love2boat— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 06/03/10