weezie's Cancer Blog
February 26, 2008
| AREDIA OR PAMIDRONATE | Views: 368 |
I am on my second session of the above drug via IV. My veins are almost non existent so I am considering having a plug inserted above my breast to make it easier to have the drug administered every month. Anyone had this done and if so what if any side effects should I look out for. Also I am a green horn on what it really is supposed to do for me. I heard I will be on it for life which if lucky that is a long time. However I’m not sure I like the sounds of this object under my skin forever though. Also side effects? I seem to feel lousy the next day such as a headache, diareaha and just feeling kind of weak. Is that normal. The Dr’s don’t really tell you much. Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated. I know only that there appears to be signs that my cancer metastisized to my spine. I’m not upset since I am on Arimidex which basically weakens the bones so I am glad that this drug should conteract the arimidex side effects. Thanks to whoever is listening. Louise
06.22.08 - 
Thanks for your support -
Hi Louise,
I understand about your veins. Mine are terrible also. The plug you mentioned sounds like the same thing I have now. Only my doctor called it a port-a-cath. It is round and is surgically inserted under the skin as you said above the breast area. There is nothing to it except for being a little sore right after it is inserted. I had it inserted on the right side one morning in 1994 and used it to get my chemo that afternoon. I kept it in for 5 years until 1999. When I got cancer again in the other breast in 2005, I had another port-a-cath inserted on the left side and it is still there. I have had no bad side effects and it is much easier than having them sticking and resticking me trying to find a vein.
My oncologist tells me that there is no problem with me keeping it in. That must be true since I kept the first one in for 5 years. You just have to make sure that you return and let them flush it out every 2 or 3 months if you stop getting the chemo.
It is normal to feel lousy during chemo. Just how bad you feel depends on what you take and how much. I am not familiar with the drugs you are taking. Maybe someone else will be. I hope I have helped you a little with the decision you have to make about the port-a-cath or plug. Hang in there. My prayers will be with you. Love, Joyce
Dear Joyce; You have been very helpful and I might add a pillar of strength. How you cope I do not know. I am just new to the game but it sounds like you have been through it all and back again. The drug I am on is for the bones. Having the delightful task of being on arimidex, the Dr’s want me to continue the dose of Aredia for I guess life. It appears that there is some metastis to my spine, but they aren’t completely sure it is not an old injury. As they can not biopsy the spine due to lack of technology in the machines, we have to just image (MRI) my back over time. If my back stays the same then it was an old injury, if it spreads then another treatment will likely be introduced, if it recedes then the Aredia is working. They say it is not chemo but sometimes I wonder …hmmm. I’m sure I am not imagining side effects here. I have to explore more web sites to find out side effects. I went to the Arimidex website and found a stream of 10,000 comments on their side effects. That was the best website and made some email friends there too. I hope you are doing well and that there is a clean bill of health. So easy to say when it isn’t you but I know that anxieity is the killer here. I need to find ways to calm down and take one day at a time. Thanks for all your help Joyce. Will probably watch out for your next post. Anything I can do to help I would gladly like to. Take care from up north in winter wonderland. Louise
My mom has a groshong catheter in the left side of her chest. She has been on chemo for around 14 months and can’t imagine getting the chemo without having the port. And it makes giving blood so much easier, faster and less painful. It just made everything less traumatizing because she isn’t constantly being poked and prodded. We highly recommend it!
Julie or Aimee; Thanks for your response. I saw your photos too. My heart goes out to you two as it seems there is always a new mountain to climb for your mom and yourselves. She is lucky to have you. My Mom passed away in 1970 of breast cancer and I was the ripe young age of 20. I helped her in many ways for the last 3 years of her life. We became like one. It was important to her that she live as normal a life as possible. My brother was in Germany working, during her final year but came home to find her quite sick. He felt so guilty for being away and didn’t realize how sick she really was. Guilt was the illness for my brother. This disease touches many people but it can also enhance relationships and make us better people. I hope this is what I get from my fight. Thank you for your honest reply regarding the porto cath. I’m Still hesitating till I get more information from my Oncologist. I will keep watching for your Mom’s progess. You are great daughters to be with her and I know that you feel the pain of helplessnes. Just realize she wants you both to be happy so keep smiling and joking as best you can. It is a kind of pain reliever for the person who is doing the battle. Thanks again … from Canada eh…. Louise