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helen1971
Member
since
07-02-2016
193
Posts
61
Hugs
30-08-2021
10:28
1 Hug
I am on tamoxifen but also have vaginal atrophy and have been living with painful sex and general dryness and soreness for 3 years. Having had hormone positive breast cancer in 2016 i was told oestrogen cream and HRT were both were a no no. Ive tried all the usual creams and gels but nothing worked. Then out of the blue an advert popped up on facebook for Vagivital. Its a non hormone gel to be used every night for 12 weeks. Its not the cheapest but I have been using it now for 10 weeks and can see a massive improvement. Its by no means back to how things were pre cancer but I can now have sex without being in pain. Hope this helps xx
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28-06-2021
05:05
Evening ladies I am almost 5 years since mastectomy and immediate reconstruction left side. For about a year I have been experiencing discomfort in my implant side and feel that something has moved. Its a dull ache but its there all the time. Simple things like getting out of the bath or picking up my grandkids are difficult. Finally got to see plastic surgeon today who was quite dismissive and said nothing was wrong. She said she couldn't say for definate that the pain is from my implant. But I know my body and I know that something isn't right!!!!! So she has given me 3 scenarios. Leave it and put up with the discomfort. Opt for a new implant and still be in discomfort. Or opt for a new implant and be in even more discomfort. I know they have to make you aware of these things but I dont know what to do for the best. Anyone been in this position? What did you do? Thanks x
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04-03-2021
10:59
1 Hug
Morning ladies. I had mastectomy with immediate reconstruction in August 2016. About 12 months ago I started to get discomfort in the implant side and noticed a change in shape and size. Due to covid I have been waiting ages for a referral but finally had an ultrasound yesterday and was told the implant has ruptured internally. Has anyone else had this happen? I'm freaking out a bit at the thought of more surgery and was hoping someone could tell me what happens next. And what the recovery time is like. Thanks Helen xx
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11-02-2021
04:44
2 Hugs
Hello ladies. I had mastectomy and immediate reconstruction in August 2016. After nearly 5 years I still experience daily discomfort. Some days are worse than others (especially when it is cold) but I always have a tender or pulling sensation under my arm where the muscle was brought round and the implant area just constantly aches!!!! Over the last few months it has also started to feel softer to touch too. I did wonder if it had a leak at one point!!! Is anyone else in the same boat? I've mentioned it the surgical team at my last appointment but they were very dismissive of my concerns. Would love to hear your experiences x
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11-02-2021
03:44
Hello ladies. I had mastectomy and immediate reconstruction in August 2016. After nearly 5 years I still experience daily discomfort. Some days are worse than others (especially when it is cold) but I always have a tender or pulling sensation under my arm where the muscle was brought round and the implant area just constantly aches!!!! Over the last few months it has also started to feel softer to touch too. I did wonder if it had a leak at one point!!! Is anyone else in the same boat? I've mentioned it the surgical team at my last appointment but they were very dismissive of my concerns. Would love to hear your experiences x
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13-02-2020
10:21
Evening ladies Has anyone had their periods start again after treatment? I had chemo and herceptin back in 2016 and have been on tamoxifen for 3 and a half years. I've had no periods since February 2016 and have all the menopausal symptoms associated with tamoxifen. For the last few months I've started to get a very watery discharge at certain times of the month. GP did swabs and no infection. Each month the discharge gets darker in colour and today it was definately blood. Hoping this is normal but guess I should go see my GP just in case. Thanks
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09-01-2018
08:11
EVENING LADIES I HAD CHEMO IN 2016 AND HAD A PICC LINE DUE TO A BAD NEEDLE PHOBIA. IT WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID!!! HOWEVER, I DIDN'T LIKE THE NETTING THE NHS PUT OVER IT AND HAVING SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR SOME PRETTY COVERS I ENDED UP BUYING A SET OF THREE FROM THE USA BUT ONLY EVER USED ONE OF THEM. I HAVE A PINK AND A PURPLE ONE WHICH ARE BOTH BRAND NEW. I AM HAPPY TO GIVE THESE FREE TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE THEM. MY UPPER MEASURES ABOUT 11 INCHES BUT THEY ARE MADE OF A LYCRA MATERIAL SO HAVE PLENTY OF STRETCH. PLEASE SEND ME A PM IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. WOULD BE A SHAME TO THROUGH THEM AWAY AND I HOPE I WILL NEVER NEED THEM AGAIN!!!!
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26-09-2017
07:51
Hello ladies. Hope one of you can help me. I've been on tamoxifen for just over 12 months and am still struggling to lose my chemo weight. (Chemo ended July 2016 and I was also on herceptin till end of April 2017). The weight gain is all around my middle and nothing seems to be shifting it. Do any of you have any tips or suggestions for things I could Try? Or any success stories? I can't just accept the oncologist telling me it's normal for woman on tamoxifen to gain weight. I've gained well over a stone!!!! Thanks Helen
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26-09-2017
01:12
Hello ladies. Hope one of you can help me. I've been on tamoxifen for just over 12 months and am still struggling to lose my chemo weight. (Chemo ended July 2016 and I was also on herceptin till end of April 2017). The weight gain is all around my middle and nothing seems to be shifting it. Do any of you have any tips or suggestions for things I could Try? Or any success stories? I can't just accept the oncologist telling me it's normal for woman on tamoxifen to gain weight. I've gained well over a stone!!!! Thanks Helen
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09-03-2017
10:58
Hello Ladies. Hope you are all well. I had a left side mastectomy and immediate reconstruction using LD muscle and implant in August 2016. This was after a lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy in February and 6 months of chemotherapy!!!! I have recently started to wear "normal" bras and have noticed that under my arm where the muscle was brought through is very swollen. I am wondering if the bras are somehow lifting the implant causing the muscle to move. The discomfort is so bad that I have had to go back to the unflattering vest bras that I wore after surgery. I stopped doing the stretching excercises a couple of months ago as everything felt OK but I'm beginning to wonder if i stopped too soon. Has anyone else had this? Thanks Helen
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14-02-2017
08:03
1 Hug
Hello ladies. Hope you don't mind me joining your conversation. I had mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with implant on 11th August so six months ago. This was after a failed lumpectomy and six months of chemo. I've had extra fluid put in three times and my surgeon is now happy with the overall look. However, like you ladies I am struggling with the the constant pulling and heaviness and general uncomfortable feeling I have all the time. I've tried wearing different bras but nothing really helps. I was told it would tare a few months to settle down and I guess I'm expecting too much too soon. Glad to hear I am not alone with these feelings. Helen x
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26-10-2016
10:30
Hello ladies. I've been on tamoxifen for just over 3 months now and have found that my bowel movements are very soft. Not diarrhoea but very loose and when I need to go I need to go!!!! Sorry if too much info but does anyone else have this and if so have you found anything that helps. Thanks Helen x
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13-10-2016
01:02
Hello ladies. Been on tamoxifen for 8 weeks which I know is still early days but I am suffering really bad hot flushes particularly at night and they are stopping me from sleeping. I take tamoxifen at 7pm each night. Anyone got any tips or advice? Thanks Helen x
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27-09-2016
09:56
Hello ladies. Hope you are all doing well and recovering nicely from chemo. Pleased to report my hair and eyebrows are doing well although still not brave enough to ditch the wig!!! Has anyone been asked to take part in a clinical trial taking aspirin? My oncologist has offered it to me but it is possible I may be given just a placebo only. My concern is that at the end of the 5 years they will tell me that aspirin definately works only to then be told I've been on the placebo and therefore effectively "wasted" 5 years. I know I would be helping future breast cancer patients by doing the trial but obviously I also want to do everything I can to prevent a recurrence. Any thoughts?? Thank Helen xx
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23-09-2016
09:45
Hello ladies. Hope you are all doing well and recovering nicely from chemo. Pleased to report my hair and eyebrows are doing well although still not brave enough to ditch the wig!!! Has anyone been asked to take part in a clinical trial taking aspirin? My oncologist has offered it to me but it is possible I may be given just a placebo only. My concern is that at the end of the 5 years they will tell me that aspirin definately works only to then be told I've been on the placebo and therefore effectively "wasted" 5 years. I know I would be helping future breast cancer patients by doing the trial but obviously I also want to do everything I can to prevent a recurrence. Any thoughts?? Thank Helen xx
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21-09-2016
08:52
Evening fellow March 2016 ladies. Hope you are all doing well and recovering nicely from chemo. Pleased to report my hair and eyebrows are doing well although still not brave enough to ditch the wig!!! Has anyone been asked to take part in a clinical trial taking aspirin? My oncologist has offered it to me but it is possible I may be given just a placebo only. My concern is that at the end of the 5 years they will tell me that aspirin definately works only to then be told I've been on the placebo and therefore effectively "wasted" 5 years. I know I would be helping future breast cancer patients by doing the trial but obviously I also want to do everything I can to prevent a recurrence. Any thoughts?? Thank Helen xx
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11-09-2016
06:24
2 Hugs
Evening ladies. Hope you are all well and enjoying the September sunshine. I am 10 weeks since last chemo and was wondering if anyone else is experiencing painful sex. It's not a lubrication issue but more it feels like I am going to tear (sorry if too much info). The pain is so bad I end up in tears and we have to abort activities. My other half has been fantastic throughout treatment and I really want to be able to enjoy sex again but I just can't. What with no hair, a disfigured boob and gaining over a stone I don't feel very womanly and this is making things worse. Any one got any tips or advice? Thanks Helen xx
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09-09-2016
04:07
Hello ladies. I had my last Chemo 9 weeks ago and whilst my nails are very discoloured (look like I smoke 40 a day) I have managed to hang on to them. My question is how long should I wait before going a gel polish manicure (ie set under a uv lamp) as opposed to just ordinary nail polish. Thanks Helen xx
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30-08-2016
09:48
Hello fellow March 2016 starters. I'm now 7 weeks since last chemo and I'm concerned about my lack of hair regrowth. It's doing OK at the back and sides but is still very thin and patchy on the top and front. How is everyone else finding it? Thanks Helen
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