Hi
I have been taking topical oestrogen pessaries (Vagifem - a couple of times a week) for a good few of years now and that deals with the dryness and pain. I also had the discharge and the gynaecologist recommended Relactagel (several times a week) to maintain the ph balance and that eliminates the runny discharge. I have secondary spread BC but was assured that the topical nature of the oestrogen would not give my system any significant increase in oestrogen so I would be ok. It’s a quality of life v risk equation and I have decided the risk is therefore negligible and gone for the quality of life thanks very much.
blondie
I’m sorry Nina, I said I would let you know what my GP would say once I phoned her, well haven’t phoned her yet. Can’t bring myself to it as I think there is no solution anyway.
Blondie - haven’t heard of Relactagel but will have a look into this, thanks x
Hi, I don’t know if you realise but Dermovate is a steroid cream which if used a lot or regularly causes skin atrophy on any part of the body! I used it years ago for excma (sorry about spelling) it should be used sparingly
I see it’s a while since anybody wrote on this subject. I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy 2 years ago. I had already been through the menopause 10 years prior to this. My hot flushes have come back really badly and I suffered a lot of problems ( rawness and pain) down below, which my GP says is vaginal atrophy caused by the menopause. I think it has been caused by tamoxifen. I am trying new pessaries and creams but don’t like the idea as my breast cancer was hormone related and a lot of women in my family, including my two sisters died from breast cancer although they keep saying they don’t think it is genetic. I would like to know if this has happened with the tamoxifen with anybody else.
Hi! It’s so good that someone has mentioned the awful side effects of tamoxifen and chemotherapy. Like you I’m struggling with the same issues and I feel it is taking over my life. I feel thoroughly miserable and I have bought every cream imaginable. Initially one worked for a few weeks and then for no apparent reason it stopped working and I was back to square one. I have spoken to Mcmillan nurses and read lots of literature and it does seem the only way forward for me is to use eostrogen cream or pessaries and although it scares me so much I am reassured by the amount that is actually absorbed and I have decided to go for it.??. Also I will be having annual mammograms which help too. So sorry I can’t offer any help but thanks for raising the issue which doesn’t seem to be talked about but has such an impact! If you do have any success please let me know, I’d be eternally grateful.
Hi
I am new to this site
I had lumpectomy in 2016, then chemotherapy, and radiotherapy
My treatment finished in 2017, when I was put on Arometase Inhibitors
I tried to lots and got bad side effects, so was changed to Tamoxifen which I have been on for 12monhs now.
I have had severe irritation, so sore, and actually red raw downstairs which has been going on since January this year
I have been told that it is Vaginal Atrophy, and had several dreams etc but they don’t work
I am on Tamoxifen and my GP thinks this is to do with the Tamoxifen
I want to come off it, to do process of illumination, but oncologist said to stay on them
I am at my wit’s end and really can’t put up with this much longer
Wondering if I should get second opinion
Have been through menopause before cancer diagnosed
Can anyone suggest anything I can do
In my opinion this is not right, and been going on for far to long.
Hi
I am in same position as you and I am at my wit’s end
I have the red raw downstairs, and constant irritation
I am on Tamoxifen, and my oncologist said I should stay on it
I have been prescribed a low dose eostroge cream which I have not used, as I know there are risks involved
Spoke to my BCN about stopping Tamoxifen, and she said you can’t stop them for a while then go back on them
I know the risk of not taking them, but I really cannot go through this any longer
It is that bad it has me in tears
Hot flushes I can pur up with, but this is affecting my quality of life so much
At my wit’s end
Hi, I read this and felt as if the words had been taken out of my mouth! I too have been on Tamoxifen for 3 years and the side effects are getting worse. I, like you had a lumpectomy, rads and also 4 lymph nodes removed. My symptoms are exactly the same and I have tried most things too. Nobody tells you this can happen. I also have M.E. fibromyalgia and a few other illnesses but this has nearly finished me off. I am seriously thinking about coming off the tamoxifen altogether. I discussed my symptoms with my GP and my specialist nearly 2 years ago and they couldn’t really advise me. I just feel the side effects are too much to bear.
Hi, only just joined this forum after speakig to a McMillan nurse. I am 5 or 6 years down the road after chemo, mastectomy and reconstruction followed by Herceptin infusions. Have been on Tamoxifen since. Met a lovely man 2years ago after leaving a 39 year abusive marriage. I grudgingly accepted that we would have to use lubricant when making love but lately have been getting sore and itchy after a few days. We have tried so many different remedies my head hurts. He worries about hurting me, I fret about being so delicate. Yours is the first post that has echoed my frustration. My gp has said he’s referred me to a genital dermatologist but have heard nothing in 2 months felt like I was just whingeing and should be grateful for surviving. Feel slightly better to read someone else in a similar position
et a lovely man 2 years ago after 39 year abusive marriage. A
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