Hello. I am new to the forum so hoping this is the best place to start. I am 48 and in Dec 2021 I found a lump and had a lumpectomy but due to not clear margins then got a mastectomy and all my nodes removed. 2022 was chemo and rads which finished basically a year ago. Because my cancer was hormone receptive I am on Tamoxifen and get a 12 weekly injection. My hot flushes are constant due to both of these. I also get a bone injection every 6 months. Most days I am fine. I am now back at work full time and have a 10 and 14 year old who keep me busy. But there are days that I feel down, worried, scared etc. My hair gets me down which I know is stupid but I have never had short hair so I just wish it was better! It will get there. I live in Central Scotland. It would be good to hear from anyone similar to myself. Thabks for reading. Marie.
hi Marie glad you’ve popped on the threads, a lot of us have missed our hair and going through the growing it out phase can be frustrating too, but hang on in there it’s worth it a good tip I got was rubbing extra dark Jamaican black castor oil on scalp before washing and leaving an hour, did this before every wash and it really helped get my hair back long and quickly we’ll 6-12 months but it did help it grow more quickly. I used sunny isle extra dark Jamaican black castor oil brand have a look might be worth a try. I also got a bit of chemo curl too which I straightened out with mini straightens till I could get my full sized ones on my hair hope this helps 
Shi xx
Hi Bandi! I’m similar 
At 48 in May 2022, a lump was found in my mammogram which led to a diagnosis of hormone positive, HER2 negative IDC. Ended up getting a double mastectomy, oncotype came back intermediate which met chemo for me, and now I’m on lupron injections and an AI. Most days I’m fine, too. In fact pretty great. I’ve recovered completely and feel good. But of course mentally there are always going to be issues that crop up. I think it’s normal and I try not to overthink anything. My kids are 18 and 16 so they are more of a support than a job at the moment and for that I’m grateful. As far as hair, I’ve got a headful of curls which should be cool I would think. It’s not. I look like an aging toddler. But it will get better at some point and at least there is hair now. But glad to meet you!! May your health continue to get better and better…
Hi Bandito I’ve had my oestrogen blocked also and have had hot flushes. I’ve tried all the alternative meds/herbs/diets etc to no avail. I was so desperate in the end, I even tried a stellar gandlion block, which again didn’t work. Then, I finally found something that reduced the flushes by about 90%. Gabapentin, which is available on prescription. It works on the nerve pathways and is a drug used to treat epilepsy, however, for hot flushes it’s prescribed in v small doses.
Hi Marie
I am also in Scotland in Glasgow. In May2021 I Had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy and I’m on the dreaded tamoxifen too and suffering from lots of side effects. I also have two kids of 14
and 11. Whereabouts are you based? Clare xx
Hello @Bandito17-and good morning from the sunny east coast of Scotland🌞!
Really sorry to hear you are having ups and downs but please don’t beat yourself up. If you take a look at the “Life after a breast cancer diagnosis” section of the forum, you will find how you are feeling to be a really normal reaction after all your treatment-in fact, you might find it helpful to repost there about some of the side effects you are having as so many ladies have experienced the same problems and might have helpful suggestions to help.
I am now 3 years post treatment so had my treatment during Covid times which was a strangely isolated and lonely time but I have since realised that this is so common for most women even during more normal times as you so rarely meet anyone else during treatment, even now .
One thing I would suggest you might find helpful is to attend a “Moving Forward” course, run by Breast Cancer Now.These take place over 2 days and are a great chance to meet other women in the same situation and swap tips and get support from each other, and there is also a chance to ask a specialist nurse questions and answers about side effects and treatment. (You are entitled to time off work for such courses as they are considered part of your treatment, if this is an issue).They take place either live or online.In southern Scotland, the live courses are run in Edinburgh, Forth Valley,Livingston and several locations in Glasgow. You will find more information if you look at the “Near You” section of the Breast Cancer Now website and filter the locations , and can register there,or give the helpline a ring .
Good luck! 
Hi Shi. Many thanks for your kind words and tips. It means a lot. Marie x
Hi Chrissy. Thanks for your message and advice. I’m glad you have found something that is helping with your hot flushes.
I also purely by accident discovered Gabapentin helps with hot flushes . I was prescribed it for neuropathy pain but after a few months it didn’t help ,when I reduced the dose in order to come off it my hot flushes went through the roof .
Hi Clare. Lovely to get your message. I am in Falkirk. Whereabouts in Glasgow are you? Sorry to hear about your hot flushes. They are rubbish eh? I have a hand fan which I have at work and cool mats that I use on my pillow at night. Need more than one to alternate them!!
Hi
I’m in uddingston so not that far from you really. I have my annual appointment with the oncologist on Thursday. Makes my stomach churn at the thought of it. No idea why as I don’t have any real issues other than the side effects. What sort of chill pillow do you use? Problem is I need a full body one, like dogs lie on in summer 
I follow dr Liz o’riordan on Instagram. She’s got some good tips etc x
Hi Clare
How are you today?
I can imagine your worry about your forthcoming appointment. Then the waiting afterwards for results. Will this be your first since treatment? I don’t get a follow up with consultant. Just annual mammograms and have to remember myself to get my injection prescription every 12 weeks and take to local health clinic then a bone injection at hospital every 6 months which is back in the chemo ward. I think the fear of what if is awful. Its in my head every day! I got in touch with my BCN to see if they had any advice so she suggested Maggies or a one to one through Macmillan which I went with. I had to fill in a concerns form and they will come back to me with some kind of care plan. Speak soon. Marie x
Hi I’m ok thanks. I spent a lot of time at Maggie’s. They do some brilliant courses along with relaxation, yoga etc. they are only open Monday to Friday though so if you work full time you’d need to get time off. Your closest one would probably be the one at Monklands. That’s where I went.
I am part time at the minute.
I find it hard to switch off from my diagnosis. Constant reminders and triggers. Some days that makes me feel strong and others it reduces me to tears. I guess that’s just how it will be x
Morning Clare. Just to wish you the best at your annual appointment today. Will be thinking of you. Take care. Marie xxx
Thank you. It was a bit overwhelming to be honest. New info and drugs prescribed. Feeling a bit flat to be honest.
She was however absolutely lovely and gave me great advice. I have absolute faith in her. How are you? [quote=“Bandito17, post:1, topic:112400, full:true”]
Hello. I am new to the forum so hoping this is the best place to start. I am 48 and in Dec 2021 I found a lump and had a lumpectomy but due to not clear margins then got a mastectomy and all my nodes removed. 2022 was chemo and rads which finished basically a year ago. Because my cancer was hormone receptive I am on Tamoxifen and get a 12 weekly injection. My hot flushes are constant due to both of these. I also get a bone injection every 6 months. Most days I am fine. I am now back at work full time and have a 10 and 14 year old who keep me busy. But there are days that I feel down, worried, scared etc. My hair gets me down which I know is stupid but I have never had short hair so I just wish it was better! It will get there. I live in Central Scotland. It would be good to hear from anyone similar to myself. Thabks for reading. Marie.
[/quote]