X all young in rads for me too and like you thought I would move just because I’m told not to. Nervous tic. It got better. I counted from the beep and that occupied me. Usually got up to 90 and done. Good luck x Lorna
Hi Cesrabbit. I had young student radiographer in amongst older ones. You had a long wait for rads. Good luck. Jill: I spoke to the ex-onc nurse today re meds. She said 50% of women come off meds because of side effects (official figures say 25% but not everyone tells their doc). She’s sending me some info on an alternative which is out of patent and not prescribed in hospitals. Recent study shows it’s v effective. Side effect is raised endorphins, which would be a nice change! I’ll let you know what it is when I get the info (have to wait to be paid first so I can pay for the consultation). I thought I’d spend less being off sick but am more overdrawn than usual. Have been referred to occupational therapist at work.
That’s interesting mf… be good to know what she recommends as an alternative. Big percentages there x
That’s really interesting re the stats on meds Marcella,I’m not really surprised people don’t tell their docs ,there is a subtle pressure to tow the line isn’t there,50% is a lot wonder how that impacts on research funding re efficacy if the drugs?
Hi E,glad rads are going ok for you so far.I only really started noticing my hair last week after 7 weeks on Tamoxifen ,doc thinks could be impact of stress and treatment ,but I’m not that convinced.Going for haircut next week so I will see what my hairdresser thinks.
That should be research findings not funding.
Hi E. I have just been switched to Anastrazole from Letrozole but haven’t started taking it yet. Not sure yet whether I will. Glad you’re doing ok on it.
I was switched fron letrozole to Anastrazole… and I found SE the same even though Anastrazole waa a lower dose thought I would have been ok when seen lower dose but only took about 5 and couldnt cope decided not to take any tablets … x
christine x
That’s interesting, Christine. Onc said I might well have same SEs but just to stop if that happened. Unfortunately it seems to take weeks to recover, which is why I’m reluctant to take them.
I tried 5 and stopped taking them I was ok after a week or two…got them out of my system…why dont you give them a try for a week see uf SE. come back x
christine x
Hi guys. Managed to track down Accord from little independent pharmacy about 8 miles away…I may have been fine on another brand but psychologically I just needed to stick with Accord. It’s strange how we measure side effects? I was on HRT until I was diagnosed. Took it from 50 after a surgical hysterectomy (I wasn’t menopausal at that time either so had no experience of it) and took it for 4 years. It was a wonder drug. I felt fab. Lovely skin,hair,energy. Was happy and felt young I suppose. Now I’m off it and on an anastrozole…well I don’t ache, I am a bit more wrinkly, but diagnosis of bc aged me overnight, and I feel tired. Hair very dry and my scalp itches.Nothing major. Lost 5lbs tho…so that’s good but have adjusted diet as now have pre diabetes and high cholesterol! Anything else?!! I’m only 8st 5lbs too but GP said ‘you’re probably fat on inside’. Wanted to punch her at that point. Anyway, I too shall keep you posted of any developing se with this drug. Also on Adcal altho I notice they contain soya oil and I thought that was a no no? Thoughts? Ces x
What’s adcal for? The cheek of your Dr saying that! She would have me put down if she thinks 8 stone is fat! Lol x
Adcal is calcium and vitamin d which is prescribed alongside anastrozole as it can ‘strip your bones’ and can cause osteoporosis!
Oh I’m on same suppliments as dexa scan showed osteoporosis…Will check ingredients on mine as I’ve heard the same 're soya x
Crikey, Ces, you’ve been through it healthwise. My scales haven’t seen 8st 5lb since I was 16. I was told I was overweight by an obese nurse!
On the supplement front you will find a lot have soya or corn oil base,I ended up “allergic” to both after taking supplements with them in for years .Holland and Barrett have a range that are free from both,also Solgar vitamins are free from these and other potential nasties too.If you have to pay for them and the others are prescribed that is an issue though.
Hi Jennifed. Spoke to BC nurse today re swollen lymph nodes after exercise and onc dismissing this. She said it’s not a normal response to BC treatment as it’s not just in armpits and to see GP for poss blood tests or referral back to onc. Thought I’d share this as you had similar prob.
Hi!
I read the tread about Accord. I am looking for info about meds (5-10 yrs, an eternity) so I would like to know the pills options. Why is Accord preferred? How different from Taximofen? Why are so many women not taking the meds? Who prescribes? Grateful for your experience sofar.
I am still on rads for another 12 sessions with an ABC rigid breath tube stuck in my mouth. The mouthpiece is trouble. There should be four different sizes available XBig, Big, Medium, Small according to the product website (from what I gathered) but ***sigh*** I must endure a “one-size-fit-all-to-big-for-my-small-mouth”.
Today is one of those days when I just want to pack up. I am so SO tired, exhausted of trying to go through for the past 7 and 1/2 months (12 mths for my hair despite the torture of the cold cap). Yes, I fear pain in my gum, yes I am good at controlling my breath, staying stock still with the indignity of boobs out, but it seems to me that at each step some new hidden “torture” are looming in wait. I am now more anxious about “treatments” - (next Taximofen or some other ghastly meds with side-effects?) than I am afraid of bc!!! I might well be one of those patients not taking her tablets for the duration, because I have enough of the “one-size-fit-all” approach, and the dustbin label of “moderate discomfort” - yeah. Fed up. Sorry, ranting. It helps. Egret x
Hi Egret. You’ve had a long haul - feel free to rant at leisure on here. We all do from time to time. Don’t worry re meds; you might well be fine. As far as I know, Tamoxifen is usually for pre-menopausal women, and the aromatise inhibitors (Anastrazole, Letrozole, etc) are for those post menopause. Accord is the brand, I think. Usually it’s best to stick to the same brand, which is why people on here were wondering where they could get Accord. I hope this helps.
Feel free to rant Egret, it’s a long hard slog this cancer business.Rads take it out of you, the sheer relentlessness of it ,Groundhog day, day after day.Don’t worry about the meds yet ,get rads over with ,some people are lucky and get side effects that are completely manageable ,you need to give it a go and see how you feel.Different brands of the same meds appear to have differing side effects, but again it is not the same for everyone ,some people notice no difference .Every day you go is one less session,keep going ,the light at the end of the tunnel will become visible soon!