Thank you for allowing me to join your community, I have read some of the threads and found a lot of support, information and advise is given.
I was diagnosed on February 14th 2018 and my life changed. As you will know the following months are filled with appointments and treatment and it is only really in the last few weeks that I have started to come to terms and accept that I have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
I am prescribed tamoxifen and have started to have a few SE the worst being indigestion. I have heartburn and belch and wondered whether anyone else has had this. My GP has prescribed lansoprazole which has helped.
Sometimes I wonder whether my levels of anxiety have contributed to my SE as sometimes I feel others think It has but they are kind enough not to say it to me.
i hope this post is ok and wondered whether others have similar experiences!!
Welcome to this group and sorry that you find yourself here.
There are varied side effects and not everyone gets them and it’s affects people differently. Indigestion is common.
On another note, what does it matter what others think? You have had a Breast cancer diagnosis and it can tak some getting used to. Anxiety is also a common side effect of some of the drugs. Might be worth looking at alternative methods of relaxation such as meditation, mindfulness etc. Talk about how you are feeling with others as this can help. I wish you well on the rest of your journey. Use the forum as it is a valuable source of information and support. You can also contact the Someone Like Me team and speak to a volunteer.
Good luck x
Hi Phillipa. I too found it - strike that - find it difficult to accept the diagnosis of breast cancer - my BCN suggested I contact a counselling service which I have and start next week - perhaps something like that would help you too ?
Good luck and the forum is a really great help x
Phillipa
Hello and welcome to the forum.
I know when I first started taking tamoxifen I experienced se like anxiety for the first 6/8 weeks I would cry if someone said something nice to me and would worry over things that I previously would not have done, however it did settle down. Dont know how long you have been on it however it is probably going to take a little time,
remember it is still early days for you and you are still coming to terms with everything that has happened to you in a short space of time, your diagnosis and treatment, try not to be too hard on yourself. It does get easier honestly, I am now 2 years post diagnosis and 20 months post final active treatment, I remember at the time of diagnosis looking at the sky and trees which were changing colour at the time, wondering if I would see another autumn, and here I am having seen two since then.
You are doing great and just keep telling yourself that, plus you have got us lot behind you now so keep coming on here whether it is to rant, rave, cry or even laugh and yes we do a lot of that on here.
Sending you hugs
Helena xxx