Afternoon everyone - another Christmas arrives soon !
I can’t quite believe that a year has gone by , this time last year I was sat in the chemo chair for session number two .
I’ve been a bit under the weather last few days , wondered if I’m fighting a bug off ..
@naughty_boob are you feeling any better ? Chest infections can really flood you , don’t forget to take some pro biotics after taking anti biotics x I’M masking up everywhere now , everyone seems to be coughing
@salbert I immediately think of THE Saltburn when that’s mentioned ! How was your trip ? As always you are on the go ! I’ve really enjoyed making wreaths etc and I’m going to try and push it more in the new year
@carrie5 Im hoping things come together for her in the new year
@lmack95 I gave up when I was diagnosed with cancer , best thing I ever did
@sms It’s exhausting being there for someone going through cancer treatment, you’ve been amazing and it’s no surprise you’ve cracked too .. it’s mentally trying as you are having to be the strong one x Have you got any support for yourself?
Hi all I completed my radiotherapy today and I rang the bell I can’t quite believe it’s all done! I just wanted to thank everyone on here for the support I’ve received throughout my journey. This is a great forum, you all get it when maybe no-one else does. I shall still follow all of you on your various journeys, and want to wish everyone a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS and most importantly a HEALTHY New Year! I’ve just been given the best present I could wish for
@arty1 thank you for asking. Feeling better than I was but still more fatigued than ‘normal’ and my ribs/chest hurts when I breathe deeply. I know from being asthmatic I need to take pain relief and encourage the deep breaths to help make it better. I saw a physio about some elbow pain after hitting my ‘funny bone’ in May, I’ve seen GP then Xray and waited for NHS physio. She said things can take longer to heal after chemo (finished two years ago) so don’t be too hard on yourself. Best piece of advice I’ve had for ages.
I have probiotic/live yoghurt everyday, didn’t stop the dreaded thrush which called for canestan. Might buy some kefir to top up.
Hello, I haven’t posted on here for ages but I was just catching up on posts I’ve missed and I noticed your comment/ query about itchy forearms…..I’ve just finished my chemo, like many ladies here I had 3 cycles of EC followed by 4 cycles of Docetaxel + Phesgo injections. I’m due to have a mastectomy + reconstruction early in January 2026 then on to Herceptin injections every 3 weeks for a year. Anyway, since starting Docetaxel & Phesgo I have been plagued by itchy forearms, scratching until I draw blood. It’s totally random, can be fine for days then it suddenly starts - it’s really unpleasant. Ice packs really do help, however when I mentioned it at my last chemo appointment (I couldn’t hide the fact I’d been scratching my arm in the waiting room) they prescribed some hydrocortisone 1% cream. It’s helped a lot. Hopefully you’re feeling a lot better now but I thought I’d reach out anyway. Good luck x
@hollyhock63 hi, I noticed your response to Maria, I to have itchy forearms/back of hands oncology and GP are aware but nothing they have given me so far has worked! I have also scratched so much its caused damage to my skin, I’ve been on docetaxel and phesgo too, I’m thinking there has to be a connection?
@naughty_boob - ooh I wonder if it’s left you either a bit of pluerisy , it’s basically inflammation of the pleuritic lining and is not uncommon after a nasty chest infection- the only remedy is rest I’m afraid .
I think we are just going to be creakier and a bit more susceptible now, kefir yoghurt is fab stuff , great for gut health
@sassy3 - merry Christmas! What a great pressie , well done on ringing that bell !
@hollyhock63 I had paclitaxel (finished earlier this year) and I’ve had issues with itching ever since I was on it , I still have to take piriton for it
I hadn’t made the connection until I saw the posts on here, though it only started when I began Docetaxel & Phesgo. There’s no rash though, just the intense itch. Perhaps it’s a type of neuropathy?
Hi, I’ve had lifelong eczema and am prone to itches and rashes. Two things help me - moisturising with Aveeno and if I have a flare up or heat rash or any other itchiness I turn to sting cream - it knocks the itch on the head very quickly. That might be worth a try?
Just wishing all you amazing ladies a good Christmas break, @sassy3 well done getting to your milestone. I decided to mark 1 year since I started treatment, in my case with surgery, by going pink. 5 herceptin to go next year that’ll be another one to mark. Hope everyone has the best possible break, that you can taste at least part of Christmas lunch and maybe even get in a bit of a rest.
Thank you for the suggestion, I do find prescription strength hydrocortisone cream helps sometimes. I haven’t had any luck with oral antihistamines but will try antihistamine (sting cream) .
Hi all itchy people! I have random itching too, my skin has never been softer to the touch but at the same time in my head I want to to scratch the dry burning feeling areas. Mostly my back and scalp. When I’ve remembered to take my (expensive) omega 3 recommended by my oncologist and I get a good run of it inside me it does calm down. Hoping this may help others. Its to tackle inflammation and I notice after every Kadcyla treatment when I cant tolerate eating anything other than plain food and fresh fruit and missed my supplements (guess the treatment could cause inflammation too) that it’ll set it off again.
Hi, I hadn’t considered omega 3, but as I’ve had BAD itching this weekend I’m going to contact the oncology helpline that my hospital provides either tomorrow or Monday. There’s an old thread on this site from last year, the culprit seems to be Phesgo (look up Violently itchy forearms .)
I have been quiet for a while but wanted to pop on here and wish you all a lovely Christmas whatever stage of this crazy, scary, shitty but also transformative journey you are at.
You guys will never know how much easier you have made this year for me and I send you all my love
Hi to everyone. I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas/festive season. Hope you all have a good one whatever you have planned.
Here is the link for the helpline opening times. The forum is accessible and will have some monitoring. To anyone in active treatment, If in doubt phone your helpline over the Christmas period. Two years ago I had just finished chemo and felt awful, so Christmas was a very quiet affair but last year was so much better. This year, we are hosting so will be busy. So if you are in treatment, just be kind to yourself this year, do what you can when you can, if you can’t then rest.
Hi all, havent posted for ages but i’m still here reading all the posts. . Just to jump in on the itchy forearms, i had a nasty rash and itching on back of hands and creeping up my arms whilst on Paclitaxol, nothing much helped sorry until stopped chemo. Since then i seem to get itchiness and soreness in between fingers, contact dermatitis, so no washing up, cleaning etc without gloves. Hydrocortisone 1% cream does help with this. @carrie5 Hair looks great. Ive kept my hair short as i prefer it, but not pink!
@naughty_boob i’m so glad your physio said that things take longer to heal as i was panicking a bit about a pain in my hip going on for over two weeks. It is resolving now though. I foolishly broke out into a run when out in a downpour and it was too much for my old body. I have had problems with this hip in the past, but it usually gets better qyickky with rest. I did speak to oncology nurse and she was unconcerned and advised physio, but i wish she had said that things take longer to resolve. Hopefulky i will be back to Zumba in new year.
I can’t quite believe it’s all done! I just wanted to thank everyone on here for the support I’ve received throughout my journey. This is a great forum, you all get it when maybe no-one else does. I shall still follow all of you on your various journeys, and want to wish everyone a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS and most importantly a HEALTHY New Year! I’ve just been given the best present I could wish for 
.
. Just to jump in on the itchy forearms, i had a nasty rash and itching on back of hands and creeping up my arms whilst on Paclitaxol, nothing much helped sorry until stopped chemo. Since then i seem to get itchiness and soreness in between fingers, contact dermatitis, so no washing up, cleaning etc without gloves. Hydrocortisone 1% cream does help with this.