Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Jill and Quail, many thanks for your replies and sorry to hear that you are having these issues too. I still haven't found out much more, but I'm sure that it is not recommended for a compression garment to be in place over a joint which is flexed for long periods of time. I have now been away from work for a week now, and cannot believe the difference to my arm - much better! As I am at home, I am able to avoid doing activity that aggravates my LD, and more importantly, when it is aggravated I am able to STOP and REST, which I can't do at work. XX ... View more

Hi all, Thank you so much for your comments. I decided against using the oestrogen cream - I had a highly oestrogen positive BC and having spent many years trying to wring out as much oestrogen from my body as I could, i couldn't bring myself to volutarily put any back into my body! I rebooked my test with one of the most experienced practice nuses, had a chat with her and she explained that she would use a different type of brush (for the cervical canal) and have a go that way, to try and get the necessary cells. She was brilliant - I can't deny it wasn't uncomfortable, but I would have much preferred this shortlived discomfort to the oestrogen cream. I had my results back last week - it worked, and all fine!! I wish there were clearer guidelines on this (I have really looked). This is going to be an ongoing issue for many women. I do use replens (for day to day comfort) but it does not help the cells on the cervix to reproduce in the event of an inadequate sample, which the oestrogen cream does. i was very lucky that I had such a great practice nurse who was prepared to go the extra mile to help!! XX ... View more

Thank you Jo - I will try not to be so impatien next time!! XX ... View more

Dear all, Thank you very much for your replies, and I loved your story Jane - good job we can laugh about these things!! I have since been searching for anything regarding cervical screening, vaginal atrophy and taking a sample without the use of topical oestrogen - there's not much info really - all seem to refer to the use of oestrogen to enable the cervix to provide sufficient cells, but no info when oestrogen preperations are contraindicated. I am going to try to get some advice from the colposcopy department, as perhaps they would be more successful than GP practice nurse without the use of oestrogen. I can't believe that I am the first woman to have encountered this problem! i will let you know what I find out! XX ... View more

Hi Hymil, Good to hear from you again, hope you're OK. Thanks for your advice, that's a really good idea to ring the helpline which I hadn't thought of. Yes, that's so me, I come out of the meeting and then remember all that I wanted to say and didn't. One thing that concerns me is that what if they think my lymphodema isn't bad enough? It is only me saying it's uncomfortable and achy, but to look at, you wouldn't really see a problem. One minute I feel OK about going for ill health, then I completely panic and worry that I'm not going to get it because I'm not bad enough. My last LN knew about all the problems I was having, and suggested I went back to clinical work. After I explained about wearing a sleeve she said it was a load of rubbish, and of course I can wear one because it would be discriminating against me if they didn't let me wear one!!! I didn't wear one when I was clinical, becaues of my concerns re:infection control (I would wear it to work, remove it in the clinical area, and put it back on after work - not really useful and now look where it's got me - a swollen (non visible) arm! XXX ... View more

Hi Katyb, Hope your return to work is going OK and things aren't getting worse. I have gone back to work after 3 weeks off sick (mainly due to ? fracture vertebrae- I have OP as result of AI and LD). My LD is really quite mild I believe(sorry Norberte, I know you don't like me saying mild!). Since I have gone back, have noticed it worsening again - my arm feels heavy and achy and trunk area feels tight and uncomfortable.I actually forgot to wear my sleeve the other day, and after about an hour or so of computer work, I was nearly beside myself with the discomfort. Thng is, it doesn't LOOK swollen (except for area on top of forarm by elbow), but sleeves on clothes feel tight, and when I wear gloves, my thumb and index finger on those are tight. I am due to go back to OH end of May, and am due to see LN in 2 weeks time for them to do a medical report for OH. Thing is, I have never met this LD nurse before (other has left) so am getting into a bit of a state about this really, and making sure that I get across properly what I need to.XXX ... View more

Thanks for this Lemongrove- much more attractive garments XXX ... View more

Hi Tors, Sorry to hear about your negative experience and hope you are feeling better. Unfortunately I have had a few negative experineces (but also some positive ones). the "best" one yet was after I had just been examined by the Registar at routine appointment- she then asked me if I was still having mammograms on my "good side". A reasonable question - except I have had bilateral mx- and she had just examined me!! XX ... View more

Thanks very much for all comments, I certainly feel more confident going ahead with taking these supplements and am hoping that they will be helpful- can't get worse!!! With regards to Omega 3 and 6 -Lucinda, thanks for the info re: omega 3, does anyone else know why you shouldn't take omega 3 if Er +ve(which I am)? Also, I have found some supplements contain soya - should this be avoided if poss with ER +ve/ Sorry for all the questions, just want to make sure I'm taking/not taking what I should!XX ... View more

Thanks for your advice too, Jane and Revcat - I will go shopping again on Tuesday and am really hoping this will help. Do you take any other supplements at all, in addition to these ones? X ... View more

Hi Vercors and chickengirl, thank you very much for your replies and it's great to hear that you have had benefits from taking glucosamine. I have now got some from H&B - they are 1000 mg, take 1 or 2 a day and will start them tomorrow - fingers crossed. I will look at Omega 3 too - is that the same as cod liver oil, chickengirl? X ... View more

Dear Mrs Sparkle, I am so pleased for you and your family, that's fantastic news!As ChoccieMuffin so rightly says,you're leaving the waiting room through the best possible door! Make sure you tell at least 10 friends re:breast awareness, and that each one of them tells 10 friends, and so on. You are a great advert to them that by being breast aware doesn't always have to be bad news. I wish you and your family all the best, XXXX ... View more

Dear Sunshine, That's fantastic news, well done you! I'm so pleased to hear a positive outcome and your dedication has certainly paid off. I really hope it remains stable - I'm sure it will. XXX ... View more

Hi all, Just wondering how you are all getting on with the issues of wearing a sleeve and working in clinical areas? I am off sick at mo as lymphodema getting me down and have to say, the break from the computer has really helped. Due to see OH next week, and am not sure what my options will be if they decide to suggest redeplyment. Just spoke to infection control at the local hospital (if I was to return to clinical) and was told that compression sleeve is a "no" due to being unable to properly was hands. thing is, if i wear sleeve alone, then my hand gets swollen, so sure that I glove would be out of the question. just wondering what advioce you have all been given re:sleeve and clinical work? XX ... View more

Dear Jay, What a wonderful, thoughtful and caring husband you sound (and you largerbloke). I am so sorry to hear about your wife, and think you have been given great advice. When I was dx,and through my treatment my husband was not so good or supportive and I found that really hard to deal with - I was 39 at the time, with 2 children aged 6 and 7 and no-one else to turn to. So I would say you are doing just great and what a lucky wife and children to have you there whilst you all go through this. I hope that all goes well with surgery and treatment and let us know how things go - the support on here is just amazing and I really don't know what I would do without it. XXXX ... View more

Thanks all - let me know how you all get on with it and whether you find it helpful. i am due to see GP tomorrow so will ask whether they think it would be beneficial - do feel pretty low with everything to be honest, and I'm not very good at asking for help - hence struggling on for so long. good luck to you all XXXXX ... View more