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poppyj
Member
since
24-07-2015
78
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16-03-2016
10:17
Hello Sue I had mastectomy & immediate recon. in Poole General 2 years ago. All the Ladybird Clinic team were very understanding and supportive. Hope you receive the same care at Dorchester. Very important to do the excercises regularly, and apart from lack of feeling in my back, where they took the tissue, and in the breast itself I don't really pay it much attention anymore. When you come to the stage of looking for post-mastectomy bras, I can recommend M&S at Castlepoint - maybe ring in advance to book an appointment with a trained fitter. They have some very nice "normal-looking" bras which can help enormously with your self-esteem after surgery. I wouldn't recommend buying on-line - i think this is one occasion when you need a proper fitting. Best to wait a few weeks after the op. for it all to settle down. Best wishes to you, and hope it all goes well. PoppyJ
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11-03-2016
10:36
I am so sorry to hear your news, and I know it is hard to remain positive with so much going on. I do hope things improve for you soon. PoppyJ
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05-03-2016
12:59
Hello Jillybee Annoying, but have you tried M&S? They have quite a good range (and some quite pretty ones too) and their fitters are very helpful. M&S also give a refund of the VAT which makes them quite affordable. Worth a try - good luck.
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22-02-2016
09:41
Hello Gay I've read your post with interest as I too have had awful s/e's from taking Letrozole, having tried several makes and finally persuaded my GP to prescribe Femara specifically, even though it's more expensive. I have to say that s/e's from Femara are not so bad as the generic makes, BUT I have terrible pains in my knees, and have been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis (keyhole surgery in Oct but made little difference). Having never taken pills before, I'm currently on Femara, Omeprazole, Ibuprofen (pills & gel) Glucosamine & Chondroitin, and feel like a walking pharmacy. I, too, have had to give up golf, and walking, and struggle with stairs. After all that ranting (sorry) can you please let me know what (if any) s/e's you had whilst on Tamoxifen, and is it worth my asking to change just to see what difference it makes. Don't want to jump out of the frying pan into fire, but another 3 years of this isn't my idea of living. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, PoppyJ
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14-02-2016
02:05
I believe you mentioned going to Canary Islands. Are you certain you actually need jabs? Unless the rules have changed since Christmas (when I was last there) I wasn't aware that it was necessary. Worth checking up, if only to set your mine at rest. PoppyJ
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13-02-2016
05:24
Lizzie - I've just posted a reply on the other post re: your query. PoppyJ
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13-02-2016
05:21
I've never packed my meds in hold luggage in case it goes missing. If you take them in hand luggage you know where they are, and if challenged I would just explain that they are essential prescribed drugs. Having said that I've never been questioned either at an airport or dock. Maybe your GP could give you a note to take with you if you're still concerned. Hope you have a nice break. PoppyJ
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23-01-2016
04:48
I have had an ongoing problem with my nails due to Hormone tablets. The only thing that helps is O.P.I Nail strengthener, which is Formaldahyde free, together with keeping my nails quite short. Hope this helps. PoppyJ
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26-12-2015
08:32
Sorry to hear you're having such a tough time Dawn. I've had the same result on my reconstructed side since early last year and have also been offered further surgery but don't know if I want to go through any more if it isn't necessary. Sometimes the shape of the "new" breast can change when it settles down so just stay in touch with your breastcare team and I wish you well. PoppyJ
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11-12-2015
08:14
Sorry to hear about your Mum. I would say that front opening pyjama top/nightie is essential, preferably cotton as wards can be very warm, plenty to read - paperbacks/Kindle/magazines to (hopefully)take her mind off things, a non-perfumed moisturiser - I was advised E45 lotion by the nurses, little treats such as a lidded container with ready-prepared pieces of fruit and perhaps small bottles of favourite soft drinks and maybe a sleep-mask as wards aren't really dark. She will also need to wear her post-op bra which should be provided pre-op by the breastcare nurse. Wishing her well.
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29-11-2015
08:10
Hello Jan The only advice I can offer for your meeting with the Consultant is to write a list of all your questions in advance so that you can get a clear picture of what treatmen is being planned, and write down the answers. I found that because I was so worried I got home and thought of something else I should have asked. It also helps if you can have a friend/relative with you at the consultation who may pick up on something you've missed. I remember that I was so on edge I felt I was in a complete haze. Wishing you all the best.
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14-11-2015
07:33
Hello Jenny My local breast clinic has Moving Forward sessions. Your local GP practice or hospital could probably find out if there is anything similar in your area that would help you. Best wishes, Poppyj
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06-11-2015
10:00
Hello Sarah NOLA I've been on Letrozole since February 2014. I didn't recognise my symptoms as side effects at first as so much else going on (tests, surgery, etc) and felt that flushes/ mood-swings were part shock and part relief that the cancer had been discovered (hopefully in time). Joint pain however reached the "unbearable" stage. Over the next months I was given 3 or 4 different makes, and only recently persuaded my GP to specify Femara for a trial period to see if joint pain improves having read on this site of so many others in my position. I'm now on my 3rd pack of Femara but difficult to tell if it has helped as I've now been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis. I wonder whether the tablets have weakened my joints, as my knees frequently "give way". Feel I've aged 20 years in 18 months but trying to remain positive. I can cope (just) with the flushes and mood-swings. Will post again if I feel the change in meds has helped in any way. Sorry for the long post! Best wishes, Poppyj
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04-11-2015
08:18
Hello Nick Best of luck for Thursday, I had similar op in 2005, and clearly remember how worried I felt going into it. Happened to be shortly before Christmas and was able to go on a pre-arranged short break which meant I didn't have to cook, etc. Can't even see where the scar was now. Stay positive, and don't do any heavy lifting etc. Poppyj
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28-10-2015
10:23
Hello Tandy No, you're not being silly or over-reacting. It is cruel that you've waited so long and you are perfectly entitled to chase them for an appointment. As to your situation being passed around and discussed by your colleagues, the same thing happened to me with fellow club members, so I decided to be "up front" with anyone who wanted to know what had happened. It's a sad fact that what SOME people don't know they will make up instead. Don't feel bad about not looking "ill" either!!! Hope you have some good news very soon. Best wishes, Pammyj
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15-10-2015
10:06
Thinning hair, breaking/flaky nails, mood swings, flushes, any or all of these can be associated with this drug but for me the most distressing side effect has been joint pain to the extent that I can hardly make it upstairs now. Have had to give up sport and recreational walking. Of course you may not experience all the above, but certainly thinning hair is quite common. Of course some lucky ladies don't have any adverse reactions. I agree that a 1 month trial period isn't very long to ascertain whether it is the tablets causing it, but I'm sure your breastcare nurse will monitor your progress and I hope you manage to resolve and/or alleviate this distressing side effect. It's enough to contend with having the diagnosis and treatment without having these awful reactions too. Keep telling myself it's "only" another 3.5years of treatment to go but feel I've aged 30years in the last 18 months. Best wishes, PoppyJ
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14-10-2015
08:34
Hello Sue & Val Yes it is a strange feeling initially but will become less noticeable in time. I found M&S "tummy control" swimsuits very good - they come with a fairly high back - good for me as it hides my scar - and have good support at the front which is not too revealing. I think they also do post-mastectomy ones. Hope you will be feeling better soon. PoppyJ
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12-10-2015
03:44
Hi Roz It's not easy and we all have our "down" days. I can only hope that for each and every one of us those days will be fewer as time goes by. Just remember you are still the same lovely person you were before. PoppyJ
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12-10-2015
10:41
Hello Ros I too have the same outcome after mastectomy & immediate reconstruction (tissue from back & implant) last May. It does feel and look odd I agree, but having been offered a reduction to the reconstruction I don't really want to go through more surgery if not a medical neccessity. I manage the imbalance by wearing a padded bra which doesn't even out the 2 cup size difference completely but looks OK when clothed. I even swim wearing a cleverly designed swimsuit from M&S and I find that wearing scarves or something not too tight disguises it well. The main consideration for me is that I'm feeling well and getting on with life. This may not help much but you aren't alone and you probably feel it looks more obvious than it actually does. Good luck with whatever decision you come to. PoppyJ
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