Breast Cancer now MS...Please Help!!!!

[Kmoss67]

2 and 1/2 years after a breast cancer diagnosis I get hit with MS. I put off Betaseron for almost 10 months but thanks to a 2nd event my neurologist strongly suggested I start drug therapy. My only hesitation was that I am still still receiving cancer treatment and I am afraid of compromising my immune system. Oncologist is on board with MS treatment but I'm still scared. Is there anyone out there that is a cancer survivor?

[Sequoia]

Welcome to MSWorld, Kmoss67!

I've moved your thread to the "General Questions and Answers" forum where more women will see it and, hopefully, respond. I know one of our Administrators/Moderators is a breast cancer survivor.

Best wishes to you.

[gomer]

I am a 32 year C survivor (& beat bad odds) as of Jan/Feb 2012, surgery in Jan found out C Dx in Feb.

Actually via documentation my MS specialist determined my MS dates back to my teens, even before I joined the Navy. I was not formally Dx'd with MS till decades later, so I did not have to deal with both at the same time. You said your oncologist is "on board" and with them working together, sounds like a good mix.

I know you are scared, what sane person in you shoes would not be scared?

I was Dx with my cancer about 2 years after being hospitalized & Dx'd with diabetes. My diabetes was not in good control, horrible hell to me. My fam doc did not want to bother putting me on insulin, even tho he noted my diabetes was worse than he thought, because I was not expected to survive the year anyway. I felt like I was dying, but it was mostly due to my diabetes.

Another doc who saw me in the hospital did not approve of my fam doc's diabetes treatment, so he took charge. He sent me and my wife to diabetes classes and I started insulin. It was still a huge battle, but I felt so much better, I quickly got over being a needle phobic.

I know my situation was quite different but also similar in ways. Best advice I can give, FWIW, is do what YOU are most comfortable with. I think I would give them a try and do both, talk to BOTH your oncologist and MS neuro to get a better understanding, and explore in advance what options you may have, and possible conflicts.

I wish I could be more supportive and give better answers, good luck.

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

[fixitgal88]

Cancer and MS

I am a Breast Cancer Survivor (and now CURRENT warrior), and happen to have a great team that takes care of me. When I was diagnosed with Triple Neg Cx in 2008, I was on Rebif and doc took me off worried about immune issues. This time I was on Copaxone.
It's best if both docs work together on your issue. I am off Copaxone only at the moment because I had a couple of celullitis events that required IV antibiotics. The daily needle stick concerned them at the time. My MS is stable at the moment-I believe because of the Copax, so the docs are more concerned with chemo side effects.

The point I wanted to make is, write down any symptom, side effect, even down to bladder/bowel issues, and discuss with both docs so they can work together for your best care.
Your health and well-being depend on it.
If you have any questions, let us know! This site lets us be there for one another.

[Thinkimjob]

Have your neurologist and your oncologist had a talk about this?
Specialists tend to favor their speciality. If they have compared notes, and you trust them, then go for it.

If it were me, I'd go for Copaxone, which isn't an immunosupressant.

[Scooter24]

I was dx with tongue and neck cancer shortly after being dx with MS, My oncologist and nuero spoke every two weeks during my treatment and nuero would not allow me to take anything until it was discussed between him and the oncologist. My cancer was HPV + which is most likley from my wife having cervical cancer 10 years prior, she was not tested for HPV as it wasn't as well known or discussed then.

I just got my appt for my pet scan in april, it will be my 3 year check, I was given 65% chance of 5 year survival. The radiation really hit me hard and I am just starting to get past some of the major effects of it.

[jessiesmom]

MS THEN Breast Cancer

I was diagnosed with RRMS about 6 years ago and was put on Rebif by my neurologist. Then 2 1/2 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Hit the medical jackpot haven't we? After my mastectomy I had 16 rounds of chemotherapy - no radiation and no hormone treatment. My neurologist and my oncologist talked prior to me beginning chemo. They determined that it would be OK for me to do both the chemo (4 rounds of A/C followed by 12 rounds of Taxotere) and the Rebif simultaneously.Taxotere was specifically chosen over Taxol as it was thought to be less problematical for those with neurological issues. I did both for several months and then I chose to stop the Rebif until chemo was over. I just couldn't bear injecting myself 3 days a week on top of all the other poking being done with the chemo and bloodwork. My neurologist wasn't particularly please but he understood. Once all my treatment was over I restarted Rebif.

It has been 18 months since my last chemo infusion. I currently have No Evidence of Disease. Rebif was restarted many months ago. My most recent MRI shows no new lesions and my MS symptoms are pretty minimal. I worry more about cancer than I do about MS.

I know there are a few women on MS World who have had both breast cancer and MS. It is always good to know you are not alone. We have so much to share. Keep posting.

[MarkLavelle]

I had lung cancer (chemo & radiation) in 1996 and then a metastasis to the brain in 1998 (resection & 'cyber knife' radiation), so my neuro @ the Stanford MS Clinic would only prescribe Copaxone, because my immune system is already compromised and C doesn't suppress it, like all the others do.

He's mentioned a couple of times that soon there will be better DMDs I'll be able take (I presume BG12)...

Having been through chemo, I can't imagine willingly piling interferon-fueled sx on top!