How do you cope with multiple symptoms from metastatic breast cancer?

Managing multiple symptoms at once can feel incredibly overwhelming, and it's completely understandable to feel this way when dealing with so many challenges simultaneously. Many community members have found that focusing on one symptom at a time, creating small daily routines that feel manageable, and working closely with their healthcare team to prioritize which symptoms need the most immediate attention can help make things feel less daunting. Others in this community who have navigated similar experiences may have valuable insights to share about their coping strategies and what helped them through their most difficult days.

For mouth sores drink Mylanta then hold it in your mouth before swallowing. Also, coconut oil in the baking department can be drunk, held in your mouth then swallowed.

They prescribed a special mouthwash rate prevent sores.

My doctors prescribed medications for all the side effects. I followed the instructions as prescribed and have done well. I try to go for a walk whenever I can. I also will get out of the house to run small errands with my sister. I give myself grace when my body tells me I just can’t do those things today. Naps are a help too.

For the anxiety and depression, see a psychiatrist. Mine started with 25 mg of Xanax for anxiety. It shuts down my rambling thoughts at bedtime so I can sleep. For the depression, he started me on Cymbalta 30 mg, next month 60 mg, 3rd month 90mg. My bone lesions were on almost every bone. I lit up like a Xmas tree. The Cymbalta helps with bone pain. In 10½ years, I've had almost no bone pain. Good luck.

I have also taken Cymbalta for over 10 years 60 mg a day for neuropathy. Yes it also helps with moods. I do acupuncture once a weak & my acupuncturist uses this mild pulsing machine that helps me tremendously with exhaustion. I’m also doing chelation 2X a month. I’m on Itovebi, Ibrance, Zometa, & fulvestrant because I have the PIK3 mutation. I read up on the mutation & it’s caused by your cancer developing a way around the aromatase inhibitors.

Mbc can cause anemia which causes fatigue and shortness of breath. Keep an eye on your Hemoglobin, 12 is low normal. The lower it gets the more fatigue and short of breath you will get. In most practices (due to health insurance) you can't get a blood transfusion until it gets to 7. At 7, I can barely walk 3 steps without a rest. You can deal with this. Knowing more about your cancer side effects helps you separate them from therapy issues. Praying for you to be able to handle this journey.