the next step

[julianne]

Hi Lilac
I think what you're experiencing is quite normal - whatever normal means! I remember when I was first diagnosed both my surgeon and the breast cancer nurse I saw said that often people keep going through treatment and then get an emotional reaction to it when it's over. I think you have done really well with the treatment - it is so much to go through, so don't beat yourself up.
I have 4 more rads to go and started Tamoxifen this week so could be joining you next week!
With love,
Amanda

[Guest user]

Hi Lilac

I think, as you say, it is delayed reaction. You have to stay very focused during treatment that sometimes other thoughts dont enter your head. Probably the sheer relief of having some normality back into your life can be overwhelming. Perhaps they are tears of relief. It all sounds pretty normal to me and I dont think you are losing the plot at all. You have been through so much and the disbelief that the treatment has finally come to an end is unbelievable. Spring/Summer on the way. Rebirth. Hope you are feeling more upbeat soon. xxx

[Lilac]

I was happy to reach the end of rads and celebrated that weekend. Unfortunately, I haven't stopped crying since. Don't know if it's the tamoxifen or a delayed reaction to all that's happened in the past 9 months - whatever it is, it's bloody annoying! Anybody else experienced this? Sorry to be so negative, but I really feel like I'm losing the plot!
Lilac x

[ChoccieMuffin]

Just a little suggestion to check with your onc, or perhaps radiotherapist, regarding complementary therapies, even oils. I can't remember because I've read so much about this disease and some of it's got a bit scrambled inside my little head, but I think I've read about some of the oils that are generally available that might not be recommended for certain types of breast cancer.

[CheshireCheese]

Normal pattern seems to be that the short term SEs, i.e. the pinkness, tenderness etc, peak about 2 or 3 weeks after finishing rads then gradually subside over several more weeks. But then, just when you think it's all history, the longer term effects start to show up - stiffening of the chest muscle due to radiation fibrosis. I finished rads at the end of Sept 2010 and started the late stiffening effect in January and it's still continuing.
Sarah x

[Guest user]

Hi

Sorry to hear that some people are having SE from Tamox. I have a few joint aches but they may be due to being pulled around to get in place for rads. Am now on my 11th rad no. 12 tomorrow. Have 8 more to come. My breast is looking a little bit like a triffle with a red cherry on top and very slightly uncomfortable. Does the redness get any worse? Also I was told that it can keep working 2 weeks post rads. Good old aqueros cream!!! xxx

[Guest user]

I've just started starflower oil (supposed to have more of the active ingredient than Evening PrimroseOil). Mainly because they were cheap in Asda! Hoping that they'll work as my hot flushes have gradually got worse and hate looking like a beetroot when out.

[julianne]

Hello all
I am three-quarters of the way through radiotherapy now and doing OK. My skin is a bit pink but not sore and I am feeling good. Not sure for how long though as I start Tamoxifen tomorrow! I saw my onc on Friday and she said the hot flushes I've been experiencing a bit since the latter stages of chemo may get worse for a while.

Bird, I was interested that Venlafaxine had been suggested. I've taken them for depression - in fact I've been on a low dose while I've been having the treatment. Despite being able to tolerate most drugs reasonably well, I reckon I am the world's worst when it comes to anti-depressants and my GP eventually decided I must be hyper-sensitive to them as I get really bizarre side-effects. However, Venlafaxine seems to be the one that I can tolerate the best. The first few days of taking it aren't great but the SE's seem to go quite quickly. I know these things are all very individual but thought you might like to know my good experience of it - though I agree probably best to keep it as a last resort. I think it's SSRIs that are a bit dodgy with Tamoxifen whereas Venlafaxine is an SNRI so works a bit differently. I had no idea it helped with hot flushes though. I was thinking of coming off it soon but think I'll stay on it for a bit longer!

Good wishes to all,
Amanda

[Rustyharas]

I finished my first month of Tamoxifen this week and the SE's seem to be worse. Certainly the flushes are stronger and more frequent. Someone said they take a while to kick in, and a few months to settle down. But how long is this particular piece of string I wonder....?

Oh the joys of BC treatment.
X

[Guest user]

Half way through rads now and am counting the days. No SE from rads or Tamox YET? xx

[Rustyharas]

There is an interesting new thread on tamoxifen and hot flushes, I for one am going to follow what others have to say.  Quite a few of us taking it, I think.  It doesn't hurt to find out the alternatives, at least you can then discuss the best option with the professionals rather than just take their first offer.  And it is scary that while even I had heard about not taking some Antidepressants with tamoxifen they are still being prescribed by GP's.  I find that very worrying.

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/hot-flushes-%22getting-worse%22-t29783.html

Have pm-ed you Bird (Ps I knew you were joking really!)

Rusty

[Guest user]

Hi Rusty

I actually thought the dinner lady comment was funny! My response was in humor but its difficult to express that by t'interweb things - same as text messages. So don't worry you haven't offended me or anything. I still don't think I would ever make a good dinner lady though - for one I am not a lady ( I do try but I just cannot do it!) and two it involves children (putting me in a room full of kids is my idea of hell) LOL (:o) Going back to work a week after rads is just crazy. Maybe your onc team or breast care nurse needs to have a word with them. I saw my onc today and she hopes the night sweats and hot flushes will calm down in approx 5-6 months - 5 TO 6 B****Y MONTHS!!!!!!! JEEZ! I explained that I am concerned about going back to work and having rubbish sleep - but I was offered venlafaxine (an antidepressant) which can reduce the night sweats but she didn't want me to go on it unless I felt I really couldn't cope. To be honest I do not want to feel like a zombie and groggy. I was on an antidepressant before to help with the post-op nerve pain in my arm but I hated feeling out of control and drugged. So I think I will just have to go with the flow. Going to re-start the evening primrose oil though to see if it helps. My onc also thinks that in a few months my periods will return - no thanks I am very happy not having them!!!

I don't think your silly to worry about going back to work and dealing with people who like to work in the tropics. This person is going to have to learn to compromise - she doesn't own the office! I am also concerned about the heat at work thing - as you know hospitals are always too warm - my ward is a nightmare in the summer - so dreading that. GOing to need a tank of water strapped to my back I think and maybe shoes filled with ice!!!!!!

I did enjoy my lie in - slept until 10:20! Lovely. Didn't get much done today though - oh well never mind! Right well hubby has just arrived home and I should get off my backside and think about cooking some tea.

Take care
Bird
xxxxxxx

[Guest user]

Had my eighth rads today. They seem to get me in place pretty quickly - although I do lie there like a "stiff" for them to do so!!! Then I was told I had to see the Doctor (onc). He was very upbeat and churpy. Hadnt seen him before. He assured me that it was very unlightly that the cancer would return and that it hadnt shown up on the mammogram (as 10 per cent dont) just the benign lump that got me an ultra scan - which then showed the cancer. Also have to be checked up for next 5 years. Again he said that the HRT I had taken had almost definately caused this. So much for the youth drug.Thought I was on my way for a nice shopping spree ( funny how you feel you have to reward yourself daily for enduring the treatment) when I was told had to have a simulation (not stimulation - shame) for the booster. Another 45 or so minutes with being pulled and prodded and written on. But I know its all for the best of my health and they are all doing a wonderful job. So I can winge on here, but not to the team helping. I didnt have chemo so I understand how that is a separate journey and not a very nice one. Hugs to you all. Ann xxx

[swallowtail]

Hi Donna I had rads after my mx was told as the margins were close to the chest wall it would be better to have the rads as a precautionary measure,
Celia.c

[Rustyharas]

Hi ladies
Bird, that dinner lady comment obviously struck deep. Didn't mean that you looked like a dinner lady, just that the rads tunic looked like it was the kind of outfit that dinner ladies wore. Oh dear..... Please don't hold it against me?

I am getting comments too Lilac, about being back to normal soon, ie next week!. Work are talking about me going back a week after rads finish and I cant see how I will be ready. And my back is soooo sore, woke up in the night with it and I could have cried with the pain. Can I sit at a computer all day?

I've been taking tamoxifen nearly a month now, and was hoping the hot flushes would settle down but they seem to be getting worse, certainly this week have had more in the day time and the night time are stronger too. That is something else I am not looking forward to about going back to work. I had issues before in my office with the temperature because I work with a lady who likes the heating up higher than I am comfortable with. She wont have the air conditioning on in the summer either. I can see this is going to cause problems!

Silly thing to worry about, isn't it?

Hope you enjoyed your lie in bird. Am staring to think about where I want to go for lunch next Tuesday.
X
Rusty

[Guest user]

Just done day three of fifteen of rads, I too find it very tiring, and have a fussy head feeling, anybody else had this? It seems a long way away to the end of the treatment, using E45 and doing exercises given to me by BCN, find the wall exercise with your arm on the wall for 20 seconds hard, but will carry on. Will let you know how I am doing!

[dancing_girl]

Oh Lilac, I'm sure there must be a leaflet about coping with getting to the end of treatment which you could send to your'friend'. I know people can't possibly understand what it's like - but that sort of comment shows thy're not even trying.
From reading posts, I'd say you'd been less tired than most. Well done for nearly getting there. Now give yourself a good rest to get over it all.

Stella xx

[Guest user]

Hi Rusty

The gel pads are just amazing! Could've done with some of those after surgery! Am so happy to have returned my dinner lady out fit LOL! Dinner lady indeed - can just see me doing that - scarf on head and curlers in (well obviously not at the moment!!! ) yelling at some snotty child to stop putting chips in little charlies ears!!

Didn't find anything I liked in town - so no treats for me 😞 although lunch was very nice - thank you hubby!. Am enjoying a glass of red at the moment and have decided to leave the bubbles chilling until Friday night. Hubby can get squiffy with me then cuz he doesn't work saturdays. Shall enjoy celebrating!

Lilac - small man with lawnmower! LOL! What an image I have in my head of that! LOL! As for feeling guilty for snapping at your friend - don't. She or he should be feeling guilty for making such a ridiculous suggestion! Mind you it is hard for those who haven't endured this to understand how it makes us feel. I guess alot of people think that cuz the treatment has finished then we must be fighting fit straight away! I guess we can't be angry at them for not having a clue - but I would still be p****d off though - we are allowed!

Bird
xx

[Lilac]

I'm near the end of rads now too - 2 more to go, yay! Starting to get some soft regrowth like you, Rusty (mine is greyer than I was hoping). My daughter (8) had a conversation recently with her friend about how they thought my hair would grow back. They decided green would be good, then I could get a very small man with a very small lawnmower to trim it for me. I've been imagining bowling green stripes on my head ever since!

Feeling guilty, though not guilty enough yet to apologise, about snapping at a friend who suggested today that my tiredness was psychosomatic because I can see the end of rads now.

Lilac x

[Rustyharas]

Like the new hair Karen. Mine is similar, a bit longer if anything (difficult to see on the photo) I will change my profile when I get round to taking a picture. I have a folder of pictures on my computer, a sort of diary of my hair loss and now I'm keeping a record of it re-growing. Only for my own personal use, and the odd profile picture update.

And it isn't curly so far, although everybody told me it would be. No it is short and bristly, but oh, such soft bristles!

The gel pads are wonderful, arent they Bird? So soothing.

Four more to go, four more to go....
X
Rusty

[Guest user]

Hi Karen

I finished my rads today! what a great feeling! Although I have to say that whilst waiting to go in I felt a little down and a bit like - ok so what now. But after it was done - woohoo! handed back tunic with much pleasure! I have appt with onc tomorrow avo but thats it until 1st march! Fandabidozy! My diary is somewhat empty for the next few weeks - weird 😛 but I am sure I can fill my days with no problems! Such a nice feeling knowing that I do not have to get up tomorrow!

Re-growth is looking fab! Mine is coming along just nicely - still a bit patchy but I have a noticable front hairline - yipee!! My hair is very soft and my hubby cannot stop stroking my head! I keep telling him to not rub too hard cuz I am worried that he will wear away the new stuff!!

Well I hope you have a fab couple of 'normal' weeks.

Take it easy
Bird
xxx

[ChoccieMuffin]

Donna, I can only regurgitate what my BCN said as I haven't had your treatment but I have asked as I'm still waiting to hear whether mastectomy is on the cards for me.

I asked whether I'd need to have rads if it turns out that I do need a mastectomy, and she explained that IN MY CASE I probably wouldn't because the lump was near the surface and when they did the WLE they got good "deep" margins, i.e. heading in towards the chest wall. So they wouldn't need to zap the chest wall, which is what usually gets zapped after a mastectomy when they need to. I asked why they sometimes did give rads and she explained that if the tumour is quite deep, if it's close to the chest wall or if excision/re-excision/mastectomy doesn't give adequate clear margins, they want to zap the site just in case any spare cells haven't been mopped up.

You might want to speak to your BCN to ask her, why they sometimes do and sometimes don't and why they're looking to give rads in your particular case.

And you're likely not to have rads until chemo is over, if you're like most of the people I've read on here.

[Guest user]

Finished the Rads today - YAY!! The strangest feeling though. I have been waiting for this day since last July but sort of felt safe while it was all going on, as if everything was being kept at bay as long as they were drugging me up or zapping me. I'm sure I'll feel differently tomorrow when I leave work and can go straight home to chill instead of driving along that blasted dual-carriageway and then stresssing about parking!
No more hospital appointments until March thank goodness.
I did go and collect the Tamoxifen today, but the Onc said not to worry about starting for a couple of weeks until the Rads have stopped doing 'their thing'. So. for just a couple of weeks I can feel 'normal' again.
I hope you are all doing well and nearing the end too.
Have updated my profile pic too - this is me with some much longed for 're-growth' 🙂

Karen

[Guest user]

thankyou so much
love and hugs

[Guest user]

Hi donna P

No I have only had rads. Im sure someone on here will be getting back to you. I wish you lots of positive thoughts. xxx

[Guest user]

HELLO LADIES
ive been told i need 4 weeks of radiotherapy after my mx, but first im starting my chemo on thursday, has anyone had radiotherapy after a mx?
thankyou so much ladies

[Guest user]

Hi girls

Six days into 20 sessions of rads and have a rotten cold. Not feeling too tired or have any effects of the rads yet. Does anyone else feel fed up with the pushing and prodding pre radiation? I am always worried that they wont be able to do it as it seems to take ages to get you in the right position, coupled with biro marks. I find some of them get it done quicker but one young girl seems to take a lot longer. Wouldnt bother me too much but its keeping that arm up for so long. I suppose also its the routine of the day. Something which takes lierally 15 - 20 mins per day still dictates the whole day to you. Mustnt complain as all this treatment is for the best. I apply my aqueros cream religiously after each session and have plenty of fruit and veg. So far so good. Good luck to all who are having treatment. xxx

[Guest user]

Sorry to hear about your weekend, Ann, and hope you will feel a bit better tomorrow. I had a couple of bank hols in mine so missing one a week is lk. They did tell me that it would be a problem if I only did 3 a week and so they worked one of the Christmas bank hols so people could go in.

[Guest user]

Hi girls

Having a bad day and dreading tomorrow going back to "Hitlers Bunker". Have a terrible cold and am completely blocked up. Cant sleep for runny nose and cough. Feeling very sorry for myself. Thought id have a lie in but the toilet handle broke and a hinge on the door went. So these two things seem to have taken over my day along with a huge box of tissues. Nice white nose with sudacream spread over it. I live with my grandaughter - she is 12. Long story but I have had her since a baby. Husband died some 12 years ago. So am a single parent. Think her hormones are running a muck so dont get a lot of help there. What happens if you are too ill for rads one day? Do they just lop it on the end? Probably will drag myself down there and sniff all over everyone. This bc treatment does dictate your life doesnt it? Windge windge winge Ann xxx

[Guest user]

Hi Rusty

Poor you with your back! Haven't you been through enough! good grief!! I hope it gets sorted very very soon.

I seem to be having a few low days again. I thought my episode of depression during chemo was a one off - it seems not!!! I think its a mix of stuff, rubbish sleep, spending too much time on my own, getting fed up with appearance ect..... just having a woe is me time - hopefully I'll snap out of it very very quickly - hate feeling like this. Also it seems that everywhere I look I see beautiful people with long shiny hair and great clothes and lovely figures blah blah blah!! I wish they would all p**s off! LOL!! My poor hubby doesn't know what to do or say at the moment. I can be happy as larry then he can say the tiniest thing and whamo - low mood and tears!! ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! I think the need for many drinks is in order tonight! We are just going to chill tonight with a dvd, maybe a takeaway, chocolate and some booze. Maybe I have been over doing things too. I seem to have been partying for the last few weekends and maybe this is my body saying Oi Bird calm it down! So a nice cosy weekend in for us.

When you see the nurse she should give you some lovely cooling gel and some dressings - heaven in a tube I call it! Works well but when its dried it looks like flaky skin - gross!! Still if it gives relief then who cares what it looks like! I have noticed that underneath my boob the skin is looking dark pink and feels a bit bobbly! Doesn't feel sore, so I guess I have better ditch the underwired bras for a bit. Thank god for sports bras I say. Got two from Primark for £3 each for when I had my surgery - the best £6 I have ever spent I think.

Right well I am going to get into my overalls now cuz me and hubby are working on his car today - love getting under the bonnet! Going to put many layers on underneath overalls though - will probably look like the Michellin man! LOL! Its brass monkeys weather here to day. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr 🙂

Well have a good weekend and I hope your back starts to behave itself.

Take it easy
Bird
xxxxxxx

[Rustyharas]

Bird, you feeling ok now? Didn't see your message Thursday, didn't know you'd had a bad day when I saw you Friday. Hope you and OH get to do something nice this weekend.

My two down days during rads have been both Tuesdays, is that a bit weird? Just feeling negtive and sorry for myself. See how next Tuesday goes.!

Interesting stories about how redness and soreness continues. My nipple is sore and swollen, but manageable, must ask the nurse for cream if it is going to get worse. My skin is getting quite a dark pink, but not sore at all. Just two more straight rads then five boosters.

I had an emergency Physio appointment yesterday, my blooming back is so sore. Can't get comfortable, cant get into any position where it doesn't hurt. Don't know if it the driving or the rads position that has set it off. Can't wait till I don't have to do either. Endless hot baths, it is the only time I can get any relief.

Bad back, short of breath from chemo still, sore boob, no hair. Just think, before they started treating me I looked and felt quite well!
X to all, have a good weekend
Rusty

[Guest user]

Hi, I finished rads 3 weeks ago, I had no idea that the last 3 were boosters until the day of the first one, it was explained to me then that these last 3 concentrated on the spot where the tumour was. I had thought my skin was coping well, boy did I get a shock a week after. Now three weeks on the soreness has stopped, redness is still quite prenounced and my skin is now peeling. I had no idea all of this was going to happen.
I continue to use the Aqueous cream and shall do untill all my skin has peeled and probably longer to help the new skin underneath.

I hated having the rads, most of the time I had young men giving the treatment, with my arms in the rests exposing myself made me feel so vulnerable. Sometimes they forgot to cover my dignity.
Over with now though.

Lesley

[Guest user]

HiGirls

Yes I have always moisturised my skin - its a daily ritual. I use E45 cream too. Am going to use Bio Oil for the scar tissue. Have a good rads free weekend all. Ann xxx

[Guest user]

Hi Springblossom

The boosters are just a make sure thing. But instead of treating the whole boob they just concentrate on the area the tumor was removed from. They attach this contraption to the machine that I guess directs the rays straight onto the scar. It only takes 30 seconds!! It takes the radiographers about 5-10 minutes to draw on you and get the machine lined up. There is no pulling you about with these either. I think the only adjustment they did to me was move my arms together slightly.

I will defo carry on with the e45 for a few weeks. I am a big fan of moisturising anyway so its no big deal for me really. I have been applying cocoa butter to my scar every since it healed anyway. Got to keep it flat and smooth!! I can't stand the feeling of dry skin so I'll make like cleopatra and bath in milk if I have too!!

I will defo enjoy my duvet day - bet you any money though that on that day the postman will decide to deliver something at 7.30 am which needs a signature! or a neighbour will start doing noisy house improvements or something!! LOL!!

Have a good weekend girls
xxx

[Guest user]

A little warning. My radiologist said I had to put cream on after for a month! Stopped after two weeks as other people have been told 2 weeks and boob skin got tight after 2 days. So started cream again today and immediately felt ok. So still on cream! Kept getting tired for a week after too but staring too feel better now. Good luck to you all with the rest of them.

[Guest user]

hi girls

So far only have a mild pink mark and no tenderness as yet!!! You must feel so relieved seeing the end of this treatment. which never seems to end, unlike a normal operation. Its one thing after another, and if you are not careful can take over your life without you even noticing. Its not that I mind being on my own, in fact I dont mind it, but being left in that room makes me feel that i have lost control. I am not a control freak at all, quite the opposite, but i like to be in control of what happens to me. Its getting better now. Feel absolutely elated when over. I get there early and before Ive even "spent a penny" and put on my designer rads top im on that table. Told them today the room looked like "Hitlers Bunker". Its because there is nothing nice in there. What are the boosters you are mentioning? Think I have them last week. Originally I was only having three weeks or rads, but they added another one one for that, I think. Maybe because I didnt have an MRI. Those finishing rads next week - fill your boots up. Go girls. You deserve it. Ann xxx

p..s. Bird have a good duvet day.

[ickleme123]

Hi Ladies,
Just a word of warning to you ladies, my last radiotherapy session was 8 days ago, skin was pink and was told to carry on with the aquaeous cream for 2 weeks, which I have ,,,,,, I have just developed a blister, its only small and I have a dressing for it - they gave me a couple just incase. Its under the breast so very sore, so becareful and keep on with the cream for 2 weeks,,,,,, I am sooooo looking forward to a nice bubble bath once this has cleared up.

Hope you are all having a good day
Tracey xxxxxxxx

[Guest user]

Hi Karen

Isn't it a great feeling knowing that we are so close to the end of this. We must've started our rads at the same time cuz I only have 3 left too! Saturday, tuesday and wednesday - luvlee!! Am looking forward very much to thursday as there will be no alarm to set and I have every intention of staying in bed just for the shear hell of it! dodgy morning tv too. Fab! The rads girls are all so lovely but as much as I like them I won't be sad to not see them again! Apart from two appts in Feb the rest of the month is all mine! My occ health dept won't let me go back to work yet and have told me I need a month of after rads has finished!!!!! I can't say I'm sorry for that decision - to have a whole month of freedom and feeling good is going to be fantastic!

Its really good looking at my calendar and seeing that Feb has next to nothing written on it! Happy days 🐵

xxxxxxxxx

[Guest user]

hi everybody,
look up recovery skin cream, it was developed especially for skin sensitive from radiation treatments. recoverycream.com
i really believe this could help lots of women out there.

[Guest user]

I had the second of my booster sessions today, just three more to go YAY! Have noticed just in the last couple of days my nipple gettinga bit tender and the whole breast area is a bit pink. The Onc said today that the Rads go on working for a week or two and to expect a little more soreness before it improves. There's me thinking I could abandon the Aquaeous cream after next Tuesday and all would be back to normal!
What a lovely feeling today to be told that my next Onc appointment is in 6 weeks, the longest I've been away from N'pton General since July 2010!! I won't know what to do with myself - hmmm, I think not!!
I find that I am very tired by the end of each week of Rads and achey, so have decided tomorrow to take the day off of work and have a lie-in.
Hope you are all doing well. We are all so very near the end of all this c**p.

Karen

[ChoccieMuffin]

Just a thought, but would hypnotherapy be an idea for those who are particularly nervous on the rads table? I have a sneaky feeling that you should be able to get a great deal of relief learning how to relax and "zone out" when on the table, and a hypnotherapist seems like the ideal person. I know when I had an MRI it was very odd and I was able to float away (without help from hypno, but I'm not claustrophobic and was knackered from not sleeping the night before) so perhaps that would be worth a try. Ask at your local cancer support centre if they can arrange a hypno session.

CM
x

[Guest user]

HI All

Since starting the tamox I have found that I don't have a thirst but if I don't drink enough during the day then I wake up the next day feeling like I have had a few vodkas the night before! Mind you I don't know if I can blame all this entirely on the tamox cuz when I had finished my chemo and finally got back the ability to get drunk (!) then it takes my body alot longer to filter the effects!!

Rusty - I am having the boosters, just my paperwork didn't say that!!! Its alot quicker than the usual. More drawings! but they add some weird looking attachment to the machine and it concentrates just on the scar, it takes 30 secs approx!! They spend longer drawing on you! - might see you tomorrow if our times cross. Only 4 to go - hoorah! the last three the times get earlier!! less time in bed - eek!!

Springblossom - I can understand why you don't like being left alone in the room. YOu can feel very vunerable, and its quite a lonely few moments actually. I felt lonely today on that table, I think I was just having a down moment altogether actually. Also I think it might have to do with the reason as to why you are there in the first place. Since my diagnosis I have to say that I do not like being on my own as much as I used to. I can do my own thing for a bit but then I crave company and I absolutely hate being away from my husband. If anything I have become clingy - which is something I never liked about people much before but now I am one of them - this may pass as the months go by. So there is nothing wrong with you at all. Sending you a big virtual hug

Bird
xxx

[Guest user]

hi girls

Third day or rads and am looking forward to the weekend when I havent got to march down there with my "little rads" bag. I.e. attractive rads popper shirt, paper, aqueous cream, bio hand wash and rads timetable. Have no effect from the rads yet but still dont like being left in there. Whats wrong with me? Sorry to hear that some of you are having side effects from tamox. Havent noticed the thirst yet. I will probably blame every symptom on it when and if I get them. Ann xx

[Rustyharas]

That thirst does sound s bit extreme CCL, definitely mention it.
Rusty

[Guest user]

I was expecting to be hit by a barrage of SE when starting tamoxifen , I do keep thinking they are going to kick in at some point, even though I'm on my third pack!, so fingers crossed for you Ann.
Rusty - I find the thirst thing really odd, I'm drinking on average 2 litres of water a day, and some days, I just can't get rid of the thirst, I'm seeing the onc in 2 weeks, so will see what he thinks (dont seem to be peeing any more either), but if that's the only SE I have then I can't really grumble.

Hugs to all that need one x

[Rustyharas]

Hello ladies
I am on Tamoxifen, side effects started straight away. Hot flushes, abdominal cramps, thirst (now you come to mention it I am drinking a lot more now). But I have a friend who started taking it in September and says she has noticed no side effects at all. Maybe you HAVE got away with it springblossom! Hope so!
Rusty

[Guest user]

Hi crazy cat

Thanks for your advice. I am on tamox - Wockhardt and now been given tamox APS both 20 mg. No side affects yet - only been on them for 3 weeks. Expecting a bomshell - cant get off this easily. Your advice is priceless. Ann xxx

[Guest user]

So glad you found today easier, I'm sure 21 Feb will soon be here.

The tamoxifen is the same amount in the different brands, apparently the fillers the different companies use can cause different SE in some ladies, I've had one lot of generics and two lots of wockhardt, the only SE I have is an extreme thirst, no hot flushes, still having periods, so just see how you go.

Take care x

[Guest user]

Hi Crazy Cat Lady

Found today to be a lot easier and quicker and speaking to other ladies while waiting makes it easier. I dont know why I make the fuss about keeping still and the arm up as it is all over so quickly hardly worth the stress. Probably like you am ticking off the days until the last one on the 21st February is over. I do feel lucky though to have received such good care and also support from the staff involved and on here, where everyone is on this, what seems, very long journey. One question. When you get your repeat perscription, in my case, Tamoxofen, does it make any difference that the company is different, but is still Tamox.? Hope all are feeling more positive on this journey. Ann xxx

[Guest user]

Hi springblossom,

Not sure this will help, but I hated every single moment of rads, the feeling of not being in control, the radiographers talking over you, trying not to move, yet as soon as they left the room thinking oh no I've moved, maybe is better move back! So no your not a wimp, some people just handle things better than others. At least you've started now and hopefully it will pass quickly for you.

I'll be virtually holding your hand for todays session, I do hope it will become easier for you as the days pass 🙂

Be kind to yourself x