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Suggest Remedies For Pain And Exhaustion After Taking Tamoxifen

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Posted on Tue, 16 May 2017
Question: I have just finished breast cancer lumpectomy and a breast reduction on the same day...surgery was Nov. 14, 2016... all went great... my plastic surgeon and breast surgeon worked together...they were awesome...in fact, I saw my plastic surgeon post seven week radiation treatment, today. My stage 1 breast cancer was encapsulated, so my prognosis is great. Five years ago, I also had thyroid cancer which was also incapsulated and my entire thyroid was removed. I have also had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis for 43 years.... I have had awesome doctors but feel that I am slipping through the cracks....when I don't feel well my GP's office says that they can see me in a couple of weeks......Here is my dilemma...I was just taken off of Cymbalta, that I have been on for MANY years, and put on Tamoxifen.... I have been moody, sad, cry at the drop of a hat and even expressed to my son that I just don't want to live anymore....I would never contemplate committing suicide...but I am exhausted, my arthritis is painful...which makes exercise difficult... now in the last week, I have noticed that I do not have the breath to walk my dogs, a block down the street without returning and feeling breathless....My paternal family have all passed from heart disease at an early age...Should I go see an emergency doctor, where they have an excellent coronary department or am I over reacting? (The breast cancer was on my right breast....so radiation was not directed to the left side of my heart) any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...I am also on a statin drug to lower my cholesterol! Thankyou
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Cardiac dysfunction leading to breathlessness could be a possibility

Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am

After going through the medical details provided by you I understand your concern and your suffering. I will try to explain things in a simple way.

Taking into consideration all the medical issues which your body is dealing with and keeping in mind your strong family history of cardiac events, your high cholesterol levels, age, radiation therapy and now the development of breathlessness on exertion the possibility of having a cardiac issue is strong.

No Ma'am you are not over reacting and your concerns are genuine. It's highly advisable that you should get your cardiac evaluation done at least the basic cardiac tests like ECG and ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY to see the structural and functional integrity of the heart.

I hope this information will be helpful and will guide you in a right path. If you have any more doubts you can ask me back or else you can close the discussion and kindly rate the answer.

Kind regards
Dr Bhanu partap
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Bhanu Partap

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 4738 Questions

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Suggest Remedies For Pain And Exhaustion After Taking Tamoxifen

Brief Answer: Cardiac dysfunction leading to breathlessness could be a possibility Detailed Answer: Hello Ma'am After going through the medical details provided by you I understand your concern and your suffering. I will try to explain things in a simple way. Taking into consideration all the medical issues which your body is dealing with and keeping in mind your strong family history of cardiac events, your high cholesterol levels, age, radiation therapy and now the development of breathlessness on exertion the possibility of having a cardiac issue is strong. No Ma'am you are not over reacting and your concerns are genuine. It's highly advisable that you should get your cardiac evaluation done at least the basic cardiac tests like ECG and ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY to see the structural and functional integrity of the heart. I hope this information will be helpful and will guide you in a right path. If you have any more doubts you can ask me back or else you can close the discussion and kindly rate the answer. Kind regards Dr Bhanu partap