Breast Cancer Now Forum

Sorry it’s 10 days I’ve been back on Accord, hence  me saying one week /two week. ... View more

I think my change for one month proved everything to me,  I thought I would give it a go. It’s really no fun changing from an active 50 odd year old, contributing to society, etc etc, to an individual who had to be helped out the car.  It’s emotionally devastating - and I don’t think people get that.  I was walking round the kitchen gripping the sides.  Two weeks back on accord and i am definitely better, although not perfect.  I will be going up to the Hospital if I don’t get what I need. ... View more

Hi all   i have been on Accord with side effects, but bearable.  Last month I was given Aventis, as pharmacist can’t get supplies of accord.  Results utterly un-describable, could barely walk.  Now back on accord for one week, and nearly bearable again.   our pharmacist has said he only has 3 packets left.  I am going to get these next week, and if they are gone, I will be ask8ng for Femara. ... View more

Thanks Ann.  I think predict says it gives me an extra 1%.  Hardly seems worth it.  I think I will talk to the team,  I think I read somewhere that if you can get to 3 years it gives you sufficient.  All the best. ... View more

Got to admit I had the same re-action.  Just re-enforced the way i feel about myself after taking letrozole for two years.    ... View more

Ah thanks LB. makes me think I should probably chase up and ask for a two year scan then, as that makes sense to me.    All ok my friend,  got over the scary re-call, which I can see on the site is a real issue for us alll.  Very scary, but as always our community helped.   Hope you are recovering well my friend. Xx ... View more

Really interesting, about the balance of gain etc.     It’s made me think does anyone know how often you are supposed to have a dexa scan?  I’m in the usual 5 years of letrazole and my initial dexa scan was ok. Should I be asking for a repeat scan at some point? ... View more

Oops March to May. ... View more

It’s weird isn’t it.  I don’t get how the joint and muscle pain symptoms change.  I spent March to Maynwitg my right knee, and June to October with my left knee and left Achilles heel.  No explanation, in both instances woke up one morning to fine pain has gone away.  The o my thing that is keeping me on it. Is it’s reputatio. Of preventing re-currence.  What do your oncologists think? ... View more

Hi Shefgirl.  I wish I could have a magic wand for us all.  I am not going to dress it up, I found it very very dificult with this re-call, even worse than first time round.  I think it is because we know the impact, and the what ifs etc.   I did reflect afterwards and think  "you cant control this", there is absolutely nothing you can do, so just go with what you have to do.  It didnt help that the re-call is all in the same unit, so you see people just on the start of their diagnosis and people receiving diagnosis.   I have asked for next years mammo to happen within the normal population screening which is in a different hospital, and they have done this.  I dont know if this will help.   I hope you can find something to keep your mind off things.  Let us know how you get on. xxx ... View more

Hi shefgirl.  Yes I had this quite recently at year two though, it really freaked me out.  I would say a numbe4 if things:  They are ultra cautious with us, so we get called back for any change.  Did someone use the “ word “abnormality?”, as that would be unusual? in my experience anyway.    I rang the BC nurse to try and understand why I was being called back.  Usual stuff, however they did say it was likely to be nothing, And I got the understanding that they thought it was just “different”.  Anyway, it was all clear, normal glandular tissue.   Its a real downside this close monitoring.  Fingers crossed for you. @Shefgirl wrote: I finished bc treatment in February (lumpectomy and rads) on right breast.  Had my first year mammogram on 24th October and been asked to come back in this Thursday as scan has shown possible abnormality!  Absolutely terrified the cancer is back! Anyone else experienced this?    ... View more

Marla, really interesting post, thank you for sharing. It has helped me think to keep going with the letrozole. Good luck and would b v interested in hearing progress. ... View more

Yes. I was going to say similar. Oldspice, you sound like you are doing pretty well tbh. What health experts worry about us “in-activity”. Which is not the same as “you have to go to expensive gyms every day”. Walking is as good as anything. I make sure I do the stairs, and stretching at odd times. Hope you have somewhere nice to walk. ... View more

Hi.  Yes I do.  I take the calcium tablets from H&B with vitamin D combined.  I think they are really helping me, so not just in terms of healthy bones, but my legs and joints.  I stopped taking them for two weeks in the summer and I could hardly walk.  I have no idea if this is scientifically proven. But this is what I have found.  Good luck. ... View more

Dutch ... View more

Hi Marla, I heard of a case like this literally last week from a colleague at work.  Like someone else has said, I am always v sceptical of stories commencing with “my friend... etc”. Anyhow she stated her sister found a lump, had chemo to shrink prior surgery and this irradicated it, no need for the surgery.  Got to admit I am really  sceptical, but wasn’t going to cross examine her.  I looked through the cancer network guidelines, and could not find this as a recommended pathway of treatment, so I can only assume it is highly un-usual.  ... View more

Hi there.  It is Plantur 39.  Think you can get it in most pharmacists, I got mine from our local. ... View more

Hi. I have been on letrozole coming up for 2 years, I’ve had just about every SE possible, including hair loss.  I found that the hair loss settled down after about two months - although note I havent stopped taking it.  I did use the shampoo in a green bottle (called planter I think)  it’s a bit expensive but I definitely think it helped.  must admit I do have very thick hair so losing some of it has done me a favour.  It’s back to normal now.  All the best. ... View more