Breast Cancer Now Forum

I started Tamoxifen in Feb and put weight on immediately particularly across my stomach - i joined slimming world and since May have lost 2 stone so it's definitely not a problem weight gain issue if you nip it in the bud as soon as you realise ... View more

Hi Sue - I'd had the mirena coil in for 4 years when I was diagnosed and had it removed just before my mastectomy in February - I was ER+ PR+ HER2 neg and because the coil produced progesterone I just had it taken out without really enquiring with the breast hospital - couldn't stand anything in me producing hormones! I didn't then have a period for 3 months and wasn't quite sure if it was the Tamoxifen or just in general - well........ I then (after 3 months) had the period from hell! Bled so much I nearly thought I needed medical help. In the end I was fine and since then have had a heavy period each month since - my coil was in place for heavy periods in the first place rather than contraception so i've just returned to my pre-coil menstruative state unfortunately 😫 ... View more

I'm on Tamoxifen too and other than Tamoxifen tummy (where I put weight on round my middle) I've had no side effects at all - sorted the Tamoxifen tummy out with Slimming World and lost it all x ... View more

Oh grogcat I feel your pain so much as this was me a week before xmas last year - told me before biopsy it was cancer - she could tell from the mammogram. The awful AWFUL wait over xmas and new year was just horrible, trying to be festive but failing miserably! Wind on 9 months I wrote on another similar post, i'm now back at work following a successful mastectomy (due to 10 lumps) no spread and hardly ever think about BC now. Just pop a Tamoxifen tablet daily. It WILL get easier like everyone says, the early days are the PITTS. I can now say i HAD breast cancer, it all gone now and i'm back to my new 'normal' and living life to the full - even changed my lifestyle and lost nearly 2 stone with Slimming World - keep your chin up, onwards and upwards and you will do it x ... View more

Hi Shep - just popped on to say all the best for the birth and if it's any consolation i'm a midwife and have seen successful treatments for BC in pregnancy in my career - keep strong, you are in the best hands and so is your baby xx ... View more

When I was recalled following a mammogram i could tell by their faces that it wasn't good news and this was before the biopsy. It was clear that the consultant radiologist present could tell from the mammogram it was BC - I suppose some are more evident than others. I did ask when she was doing the biopsy if it was BC and she told me "yes" - and she was correct. Wind on 9 months and i'm now cancer free and back living my life 'normally' after having a mastectomy for 10 lumps, not 1, 10!!! They know what they are doing and your treatment plan will be tailored. I remember the consultant radiologist saying to me that day "you have to look at this as a positive, it's been found and now we can treat it". At the time I was in a blur of shock but she was so right x ... View more

I had a mirena coil in situ at the time of diagnosis last year (I'm 49). I had had it in nearly 5 years and because my cancer was hormone receptive I had it out - not sure if I NEEDED to have it out as I didn't really ask, I just WANTED it out as didn't like the fact I had something in me producing progesterone. I've heard it's only locally produced (i.e. in the cervix/uterus) but I still didn't want it in. Did it cause my BC? I've been told no, but suppose i'll never know. Once it was removed I had the period from hell (I had it in place for heavy periods in the first place rather than contraception) so I suppose i've just returned to my menstruative state pre-coil. That was in January and since then they have settled, still heavy but i'm glad it's out. ... View more

I put quite a bit of weight on with Tamoxifen particularly across my stomach. I didn't weigh myself but I could tell by my clothes that I had gained. I joined slimming world and have lost over 1.5 stone in 12 weeks - i'm slimmer than pre-BC diagnosis because I've had to buy a dress size less. So it is definitely possible to lose weight on Tamoxifen if you put your mind to it c ... View more

I had the mirena coil and they said it was up to me if I wanted it removed - i had it out purely because having hormone receptive BC i didn't want some alien thing in me producing progesterone so it was more psychological for me x ... View more

I was invited for a trial mammogram for under 50's (I was 48 nearly 49) last Nov. Found one lump of IDC grade 2 and sent for MRI that found another 6 small lumps therefore mastectomy. Pathology found another 3 so had 10 lumps altogether and didn't feel ANY! One lucky lady and thanks to Public Health England and the NHS for the trial x ... View more

PS they told my my lymph nodes looked clear and they were xx ... View more

Hi Bushy49 - your post could have been myself posting in November last year (I'm 49 not sure if you are) - same thing, biopsy and radiologist said it looked like cancer. Horrible time, waiting around for results but i'm sending you some positivity - after confirmation of grade 2 invasive ductal I had a mastectomy and am currently sat on a balcony in the Canaries with life almost back to normal. I had an immediate implant (you may not need a mastectomy though) - you are at the 'zombie' stage where you walk about in a blur convincing yourself the worse - every twinge etc we've all been there. It will get a lot easier soon so keep your chin up and head held high and you'll get through it x ... View more

I went on my own for mine - the nurse accompanied me in the room. If you took anyone they wouldn't be allowed in the room anyway I don't think? The nurse and radiographer went out the room behind a screen but could speak to me through a microphone. ... View more

Hi Peedles you certainly are not alone. If it's any consolation i too bad invasive grade 2 and had a mastectomy (didn't go down the lumpectomy route as they knew they wouldn't get clear margins) and i'm now back at work 8 months on and cancer free. I'm also in the NHS (midwife) and to think i am trained in the physiology of the boobs yet couldn't seem to look after my own! 😱 Anyway best wishes and you will get through it x ... View more

That's made me LOL - reason being I had an immediate implant and I went for a spa treatment and laid on my front and when i got up my false boob had all the imprints in from the pattern of the bed i was laid on! It was like a memory foam mattress and eventually all pinged out after 5 mins!! It does wrinkle up if i lean forward in the bath etc 😂 ... View more

If it's any consolation my USS showed by nodes were normal and they were after surgery x ... View more

I was chatting to my boss at work when i had returned after been off for 4 months due to mastectomy etc and she asked me if i'd had chance to go on holiday - I said no as being off sick i didn't think i would be "allowed". She said it's fine to go on holiday when off sick and the only way it would be an issue would be "if you were off with a bad back and went on a hill climbing holiday" lol! ... View more

Hi Fiona - same here, selected for the trial aged 48 and diagnosed with 17mm invasive ductal carncinoma in left breast (no palpable lump), ER+ PR+ HER2- so know exactly how you feel. I also sit and think someone was looking down on me to be selected for this trial as I understand it was random. In fact when i got the appointment it was a day off from work and if i'm honest I don't think I would have gone if I had been rota'd to work as did think "ah i'll be going next year anyway"!!! 😳 My MRI results showed other areas (10 all together) so had to have a mastectomy - even more grateful I was selected! Glad to say that was 8 months ago and now back living life to the full cancer free with a pill to pop daily. Best wishes Alex xx ... View more

Jojums i'm sure you will be fine for Reading! A goal to look forward to x ... View more