Four days since I finished radiotherapy and chemotherapy but I haven't noticed much improvement yet in how I'm feeling. Still feel a bit dizzy, my vision is sometimes out of focus, my legs feel like jelly because my knees tremble, and my hands shake.
Visited the GP surgery as we had to sort out repeat prescriptions for some of my medications. Mentioned these symptoms and she thought it might be the clomipramine, though it is too soon after all the other treatment to be sure what is to blame. In case it is the clomipramine she prescribed another tablet to take that should stop the trembling. So fingers crossed that it will do the trick.
My former employer has already written to my GP regarding whether I would be eligible for early retirement on medical grounds so hopefully I will find out about that soon.
Good afternoon Julian, yes I hope the other tablet does help out. It's great news that early retirement is being looked into....all the best with that.
ReplyDeleteGuess you have to give it some time for the radio/chemo to have an effect. A bit of your own internet research on the clomi side-effects would be a backup to the suggestions of the GP. Hope you start to feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteI took clomipramine (Anafranil) for several years back in the early 1990's for OCD. During the first few months, I had sleep disturbances, involuntary stomach muscle contractions, a dizziness, dry mouth, disorientation and extreme sexual side-effects. My ex-wife complained that I became detached and aloof (more so that usual) when I was on that stuff. And after taking it for a few months, if I did not keep a certain level of it in my blood stream (serum levels), I became nauseous, disoriented, dizzy and weak. My eye movements would not always track with my head, they felt like they were delayed. It did not seem to help me with its on-label use, and after over 3 years, I had the doctor take me off of it. It took well over a month to wean off the drug. Good Luck with your continued struggle.
ReplyDeleteThanks, RJ, even though it is not what I wanted to hear. Fortunately it isn't affecting me as badly as it affected you, so if there is no choice other than give up the clomipramine I'll just have to put up with it.
ReplyDeleteJulian,
ReplyDeleteI hope you took my earlier advice to watch Forks Over Knives. If you haven't yet then my advice may sound off-base, but the best thing you can do to reduce the tumor growth is to stop intake of all animal-based products.
73!
You mean the vegan propaganda movie, Casey?
ReplyDeleteI've heard these claims from vegans before. Most of them look pale, thin and unhealthy.
It's bad enough having to go without alcohol. To give up meat, cheese, fish, butter, milk - I'd probably die of culinary boredom. :)
I think you might want to keep an open mind, watch the movie, especially if you think that vegans are pale, thin, and unhealthy. Do you think I look so, btw? Just trying to be helpful and thought you had nothing to lose.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were vegan, Casey. You look quite fit to me. I'm grateful to you for drawing my attention to the movie. It's good to know what options there are.
ReplyDeleteIf I'd been a vegan for decades perhaps I wouldn't have got cancer. Who knows? But I think it is too late for a change of diet to make a difference now. The cancer is already there and it is not one that surgeons can completely remove, so it will come back eventually whatever I do. I don't know of anyone who has survived one of these grade 4 gliomas.
What I would lose is the ability to eat the foods I like for the remainder of my time. At the moment food is one of life's pleasures that I'm still able to enjoy.
Thanks again.