Has Anyone Else Had an Onset on Symptoms after Chemo?

General
1

This may be a strange question. I have had symptoms for many years and doctors have always shrugged me off but I found that everything got much worse after having Chemo for breast cancer in 2002. After that, I just blamed everything on the effects of the Chemo.

It wasn't until my daughter was diagnosed with Lupus at the age of 17 that I was even considered for blood work. Finally, I got my blood work and to this day, I still don't quite understand what it meant (I was told that I tested positive for Lupus and RA but that I didn't have all the proteins for either). That's another whole story. In the end, I would learn that I have UCTD. My other daughter was diagnosed with MS a year later.

So, my question is basically: has anyone else had Chemo and then learned that they had UCTD or Lupus afterward?

Thanks,

Cathy in MD

2

I have no input, but I wanted to tell you I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through. I pray your troubles ease.

3

Rose,

Thank you, your prayers are greatly appreciated.

Rose said:

I have no input, but I wanted to tell you I'm so sorry for all you've been through. I pray your troubles ease.
4

I was .diagnosed with lupus then one year later I had chemo which made a terrible flare up and seemed to ruin my lungs. It’s taken over a year of oxygen 24/7 n justnow getting strength n better breathing… my cancer was endometrial.

5

Thank you Debbie,

I'm so sorry for what you have had to deal with. Chemo is so hard on the body. I'm glad to hear that you are getting some improvement and hope that you will continue to move in that direction.

I am starting to wonder if my UCTD was already there; I had symptoms for years but could not get a doctor to listen. I think the Chemo just brought it to the surface. I was diagnosed with sleep hypoxemia about four years ago, in which my oxygen levels fall as low as 80% at times during sleep, and I have to sleep with oxygen.

I can't help but wonder if any studies have been done on the topic. I'm not suggesting that I believe Chemo was the cause of my problems but I can't help but wonder if it put things in overdrive.

In addition, I have trigeminal neuralgia, which also became increasing worse over the years after my Chemo treatment.

6

Hi kathy :slight_smile: so sorry for your hard times. … im the opposite in the fact chemo (cytoxin ) has been the only drug to keep my diseases( relapsing polycondritus , vasculits and systemic lupus ) in check for a little bit. I was able to have 2 decent weeks out of the month for a few months out of my 6 month round. Unfortunately my drs don’t want me on Cytoxin for extended periods of time because of the high risk of bladder cancer with it and some of my issues definitely making me more susceptible to it .ot so oxygen dependant and less blood clots. I’ve figured out any surgical procedures especially if im intubated will set off a serious flare, like off the chart inflammation affecting every connective tissue and all my cardiolipin antibodies positive causing my platelets to stick together. i really believe autoimmune diseases can be dormant in a body forever until it finally encounters the whatever spaciffic trigger/s in a person to set it off weather it be chemical, stress, infection and or diatary. Every " body " is different. Hope you feel better soon xo

7

Thank you - Oh wow, when I read what so many of you are going through, I feel like I shouldn't complain. It sounds like you have found some good doctors though.

I think I am just trying to figure out what is going on after so many years of looking for answers and not finding a doctor that has actually taken the time to talk to me. I really do appreciate the responses and this group is really helping me get on track to looking for the right doctor!