Has anyone experienced adrenal crisis after breast cancer chemo?

Thank you for sharing this challenging experience and bringing awareness to adrenal insufficiency as a potential side effect after cancer treatment. While not commonly discussed, some patients do experience adrenal complications following certain chemotherapy regimens, and it's important that others know to watch for symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and blood pressure changes. The thorough care received at the specialized cancer center highlights how crucial it is to advocate for proper testing when experiencing concerning symptoms. Wishing continued strength as treatment planning moves forward, and hoping this story helps other patients recognize when to seek additional medical evaluation.

Hi Mary, Thanks for sharing. I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. I also had similar symptoms in February of this year. I was hospitalized three weeks for neutropenic fever. The hospital couldn't figure out what was wrong after I was discharged. They couldn't get my pressure up and I was so dizzy, couldn't walk anymore, just like you. I went to my oncologist the week I was discharged and she suspected it was endocrine in nature. I got my labs done and yes, I had adrenal Insufficiency. I was actually their first patient to have it. It came from keytruda. May I ask what steroid did they put you on to treat? I'm currently on prednisone, but as of July, it is not working anymore and my cortisol is still almost at zero. The endocrinologist said to stay on it while I'm on chemo, as it's acting like a bandaid to prevent an Adrenal crisis. I've had two crises before.

I am on hydrocortisone up to 30 mg a day. have had 2 crisis since been diagnosed and had to go to hospital to get treated. I joined a Adrenal Insufficiency group and have learned so much more about this disease and how they use the circadian rhythm.and I started doing that way and it helped me way better than just taking it twice a day as prescribed.

I have to also have special Steroids when have any type of surgery and updose on sick to stay stable .

Thanks! I couldn't tolerate hydrocortisone so I'm on prednisone. Once a day, but a high dose (10 mg). I have to stay on the stress dose, which is what you were mentioning you would do if you're sick or having surgery. They said if I go any higher, I'll have to be on prophylactic antibiotics. I'm just at a loss because I still have no cortisol, but am not having crises because I take the steroid , which is like a bandaid. I tried to split the dose into two, like five mg morning and five at night. But it was worse. I'll try looking into the circadian rhythm information. Thanks!!!

You are welcome and join that adrenal Insufficiency group they have so much useful information .

I think great you shared because for us we can advocate for ourselves if we have those symptoms and ask for them to test. Mary I’m curious why no radiation first time?

Because after my Surgery and I I was grateful its was all clean margins but i so sick within a week and had to be admitted in to hospital because i was having Adrenal Crisis and was admitted to local hospital and then had to g to bigger hospital to get diagnosed correctly and stayed in hospital for 7 days and even after they got me on right medications and found out I had pneumonia and sepsis and had to have physical therapy even after discharge it took me months to get my strength back and i decided at that time it haf been so much time between surgery and time to have radiation after surgery I just decided to wait for my six month mammogram since it was close to having and it clean back no cancer and I Was elated second mammogram clear also.It was not until Latter part of September my third mammogram it showed up a little spot 1.4mm but i will definitely have radiation this time already had surgery and just waiting to see my medical oncologist and discuss it on October 23

Thanks so much! Yes, the best thing you can do for yourself is advocate. I used to be nervous because I felt like I'm bothering them. But advocating for myself and basically forcing them to do certain labs and imaging, has helped me tremendously. And I'm happy I can share my experiences with others as well. Thanks again Mary and Mary

Oh I didn’t realize that all happened so early in Mary

Yes I just couldn't take my radiation therapy in 2024 , I asked my surgical oncologist if she think it would have made a difference If I had radiation therapy and wouldn't have not had that recurrence and she said no she think it was just something that happened think it had nothing to do with not taking radiation especially since it's a different type this time .I will be discussing my options with medical oncologist on October 23.

Oh different kind that scares me so much

She said my biomarker are so much better this time .