Breast Cancer Now Forum

I used to use it prior to diagnosis. It does work but tastes not nice. I then stopped taking everything. I will be commencing Tamoxifen in next few weeks and have been exploring how the herbs I previously took may interact. This may be useful information https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/ashwagandha. Hope it helps.x ... View more

Hi Steph03. I'm 37 Her2+, Er+ and have a 4 cm grade 2 idc and ILC. Herceptin is only licenced to be given with chemo for us. Hence why it's been suggested. I have had three chemo of Ec and start my first taxotere and Herceptin on Wednesday. I can feel the chemo assaulting my tumour, as I am having surgery afterwards. As Her2 cells tend to divide and spread more quickly, the chemo and Herceptin will zap any stray ones in your body. On my view, we have years to live a healthy and happy life and I want to have as much chance as possible. Hope this helps.xx ... View more

Meant blog by Cynthia Murphy ... View more

Hi Tracey The anxiety and worry is so understandable. I was diagnosed on 27th June. I'm 37 with a 3 and 6 year old. My anxiety was so bad between diagnosis and my first chemo which was 13th July that I lost half a stone and did not sleep during that time. I agree with the other ladies. Go to the Doctors. I gave in and it helps. The ladies on the chemo forum are all very helpful and can answer any questions. My anxiety affected me more than the treatment. Each person is affected differently. i have been able to still be their mummy. And you will be too. There is a blog by someone called Contain who lives near me which might help called Silver Linings which might give you an idea on how people write about their experience. She's 32. Xx ... View more

Hi everyone. One thing I forgot to ask is that I notice that everyone is doing Fec. But I'm doing Ec x3 and then tax and herc x 3 before surgery. What is the f and how does it differ? X ... View more

Ps I've managed to do a poo! Yippee. 10 days is a long time. I feel like congratulating myself like a toddler using their potty for the first time!!! 🙂 x ... View more

Hi Bella Boo. Thanks for your concern. I feel surprisingly well today. I even went to the allotment and played basketball with my 3 and 6 year old. And looking back over the last ten days, I think they were all made worse by my anxiety issues and overdoing it and not letting people do things for me. I feel like I can manage the second one in a couple of weeks a lot Better as hopefully got a handle on what to expect. However all your help, chat and concern has really been good for me. In terms of sickness, I have done yoga for fifteen years. Full yogic breath is good for concentration and sickness. Sometimes we do not breathe properly and we need to use our bellies more. Especially when we are anxious and have been ill I.e. Sick. Google it. Lie on the settee. Also yoga nidra excellent. There are many apps available. Alternatively lie on your back with legs up the wall. . I'm not trying to say it's an alternative to meds. But it may help. Love to you all. Xx ... View more

Thanks Floppy and Pookie for the reassurance. I do think my anxiety is getting worse. But at least I've recognised it. It is day 10 after my first EC and feel rubbish. Is this the lowest point for the blood cells? Will I feel better tomorrow? Also it doesn't help that I have my period as well. Does this affect it? Thanks all. Hope today is a good one for you all.x ... View more

Hi all. Hope the hot weather is not affecting you all too much. I hope I'm not being stupid by what I say. I can't seem to get rid of the anxiety and paranoia that it has spread. Every twinge panics me. My stomach hurts my back and shoulders do. I Google things too much. Despite the BCN phoning me earlier to say that the breast mri didn't detect any new unseen cancer or any in my lymph nodes. I still think that it is everywhere. I know i am lucky. But does these feelings go at all? I know it's not been three weeks since diagnosis and it might be the chemo. But I can't stand feeling like this. My head and body feels like it is going to explode. Also, does ec chemo make you have greasy skin and hair? Mine isn't dry at all. More like a teenagers. Sorry for bothering you all on this thread.x ... View more

Hi J. Sounds to me like you are going through the same process as me. Chemo first to shrink the tumour. I had my first one on Weds. The forum ladies have told me that it has worked for them in shrinking it which has helped me stay positive as all the nurses at the hospital don't appear to have done it this way before. Good luck with it all. Xx ... View more

Hi Ladies. Thanks to everyone for your comments. May I dare say that I enjoy dipping into this forum. As when you are thinking is this normal to feel this etc I can be reassured that someone somewhere has been there, done that and worn the t-shirt. Always helps. I am trying to keep my energy levels up by watching World's Strongest Man at the moment. Rahhhhhh!!!!. Xx ... View more

Hi all,   I'm new to this bit of the forum.  I started my first Chemo (EC) on Weds 13th.  Apart from the anxiety, sweats and sore throat I am not doing too bad although the fuzzy head is a constant.  I know it is only early on in the cycle.  Is anyone else having Chemo prior to their operation?  They have told me it is very successful for younger women in their thirties at shrinking the cancer.  Also, I'm not enjoying the white blood cell jabs I am having to administer, the bone pain is horrible but doesn't last 24 hours.  Anyone else have these? Thanks, ... View more

Hi everyone.  Thankyou for all your messages.  To be honest, I turned off my internet on my phone, as when the anxiety was bad, google led me to some dark places which I wish I had not read. It has been a very fast process, the anxiety is still there but more about my family and being there for my children.  I have a lot of support thankfully.  I cannot fault the NHS within 16 days of diagnosis I had my first Chemo (two days ago).  All going ok so far, apart from a sore throat and a fuzzy head (and night sweats), although I keep thinking maybe tomorrow will be the bad day to expect because it sounds like everyone will have them.  So I am being realistic that it might get worse.  The only thing that appears to be horrible is the white blood cell jabs I have to self administer.  The bone pains are bad but they are gone the next morning.  I suppose being in my 30's and not having surgery yet, holds me in good stead for dealing with this part of the process.  I must admit you are all a lovely bunch of ladies on this forum, keep up the good work, I will certainly return and check up on everything.  Apologies if the above is all jumbled.  Its the fuzzy head!  Hugs to all xxx ... View more