Phesgo (for HER2 positive BC) side effects and low mood

Hi Potty.   I went through the same as you ( HER2+).  The pain in the feet like walking on glass is likely to be peripheral neuropathy  side effect of chemotherapy.  I had this too and was referred to a neurologist and after painful nerve conduction test he concluded it was neuropathy resulting from paclitaxel chemotherapy.    Please do mention this to your oncologist who may reduce the dosage of your chemotherapy like they did with me. 

I am not aware of chemotherapy or phesgo causing depression although hormonal therapy medication for ER+ and PR+ breast cancer can cause depression which I experienced too. 

It may well be the reaction to the cancer and prolonged treatment which has hit you with low mood.  My treatment lasted  just over 2 half years and I felt like you too during the early stages of the treatment thinking how on earth will I finish this treatment.   But you will eventually get there I promise if you have a positive outlook and support network.  It is OK to feel negative now and again as you are only human and HER2+  cancer is a tough journey and awful.  But I saw an onco counsellor during my treatment and she said in her experience those who have a positive outlook and support network get through the cancer journey.

Try and join cancer support networks if there is one near you like Maggies , reach out to Macmillan hotline , try and get referred to Talking Therapy through your GP for counselling.      Keep active and busy as this will put you into a routine and help you overcome your low mood and speak to your GP when you are ready if it gets worse.

If you do the suggestions , you will get through this.  You can do this and I am rooting for you as well as everyone else on this forum.   

Sending you lots of virtual hugs your way.  

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply so thoroughly I’ll take your suggestions on board. I think I’ve been so positive through chemo and surgery that I had to have a bad day sooner or later. Tomorrow’s another day. 

Hi potty 

I am in a similar position in that I have completed chemo 17 weeks and two weeks post lumpectomy awaiting biopsy results 

I was supposed to have phesgo but I suffered DVT, and breathlessness which they found to be a PE so we have stopped phesgo for now 

I hit Rock bottom last week and told partner to leave etc because mood is low I think it’s the period of waiting and feeling like I’ve been left in limbo because since they stopped phesgo I have had no appointment to discuss other options or are they just not going to give me anything ??

please keep well and let’s both try and think positive and kick depression up the arse we don’t need this on top of the crap show we already have to face  I know it’s hard but I think chemo is the worse thing for someone to go through it strips you of your dignity, self esteem and isolates you especially if you suffer badly through it 

Hi Nikki, thanks for your reply. 
the waiting game is a whole new world huh? I’m waiting for results too. It can be a really stressful time all we can do is be kind to ourselves. I managed to force myself to shower and get out to a park for a very slow walk amongst the cherry blossoms on Monday and that made a huge difference to my day so much so that I’ve vowed to do it everyday. As you said we don’t need depression on top of everything else so self compassion, time in nature and connection with others is top of my list this week. 
Have you asked your MacMillan nurse about next steps? 
I do hope your mood lifts somewhat soon and you get the answers you want. 
sending good vibes your way 

take good care

Potty

I haven’t got a MacMillan nurse but I have another week for results, I’m just in limbo cos I was having phesgo but because of the PE and breathlessness it was just stopped but no one as said I’d be given something else