Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi, I'm on Doccetaxel for a second time, first was when I had primary diagnosis. It seems easier this time, but memories can be tricky. I'm on my second dose so far, and yes, it's tough times. Day four is about right when you start to feel side effects, I also think, that is also when your body is most vulnerable, you feel weak and ready to flop because blood cell count is very low, white and red. As it was mentioned, take a lot of fluids( I know, easy said than done,but try), take some iron supplements, prebiotic strains and plenty of rest. I have 3 to 5 bad days at the moment, then it becomes easier, with second dose it was much better, less pain, quicker recovery. I also trying to eat soft boiled food those days(porridge, pureed soups, stews). It's very tough chemotherapy, but it's one of most effective ones, kills cancer cells in bone and tissues. I really hope your side effects will improve, but of course, do talk to your Oncologists about all side effects you are having.  Be kind to yourself. Olga xx ... View more

Hi Lesley I tried Capecitabine, but only for few days. Unfortunately, had chest pain as a side effect, it gave me blood vessels contractions, because of that have been taken off this chemo. Hovever, I heard it's very good one. Also, my oncologists said it's very rare side effect, but I managed to get it. Tomorrow will start Vinorelbin, which is also oral chemotherapy, fingers cross it will work. I'll try to update how I'm getting on after a week or two. Olga x ... View more

Hi Joel's Sorry to hear that you're in pain. Unfortunately, first jab of Denosumab always comes with pain, but good news are it will settle. Try to take Paracetamol if unbearable. I remember my first bone strengthener experience (not Denosumab), had very bad flu like symptoms after that, and half of the night been remembering that doctor said it should take pain away, it should make me feel better! Fortunately, pain and fiver didn't last for long, only couple of days, and then came long anticipated relief. I'm on Denosumab for 4 years now and had never experienced anything like that again. However, if you are not improving in a few days time, please contact your BC Nurse for advice. Hope you'll get better soon. Big hug. Olga x   ... View more

Hi Jo Very sorry to hear that you don't feel well. Unfortunately we all have to lieve with various side effects, some are luckier then others. I do understand how you feel, I was on Denosumab, Letrozol and Zoladex for 3 years, and yes, experienced hot flushes, hair thinning and my skin was also dry and lost elasticity, but not as bad as yours by the sound of it. It's luck of estrogen in cells, as far as I understand, it means that drugs do theyr job well, however this interfers with your quality of life. Have you tried Udderly Smooth cream with Urea? Another thing you can try to take some supplements: collagen helps with hair, nails and skin conditions; colostrum is good for balancing things out; Omega oils. Have a look, may be something will help. I also noticed that it was very important to take Letrozol at exactly same time, it helped me with hot flushes. My family not always understanding, especially when I'm vegetating on the sofa, as I look so well too 😞 Big hug  Olga xx   ... View more

Hi Walsh, I'm afraid you have to wait for the next scan. I don't have the same situation as yours, but something similar. Every time I have a scan, it shows a spot in my lung, and doctors never know what it is. They usually say, if it won't change until next scan it could be just scar or nodul, but if it'll get bigger, it's cancer. It was stable for few years now, however it's still counts as suspicious. Bone and liver results sound encouraging though, hopefully the next scan will bring good news. Good luck! Olga x ... View more

Hi Sib Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but don't feel bat about posting on here, we all need support and understanding no matter what age we are. Please don't suffer from pain unnecessarily, you need your sleep and rest, you need be pain free for that. Morphine won't make you addictive, same as Tramadol, which counts as addictive drug. However, not everyone can use all drugs just because we are all different. I can't take coding, gives me very bad stomach pai; have heart palpitations,sleepiness and feel sick from tramadol, but oral morphine is very tolerable for me. Plus, when treatment will start, you most likely won't need any painkillers. Also, I know how hard it is to cope in your situation, as a mum you always think about your children first, always ready to shield them from everything. I have a son, and I try not to break his heart too, he is only 10 years old. I plan to explain to him may be next year, to give him time to adjust to the thought, because cancer is so unpredictable, I don't want him to have a shock and not able to comfort him. I live with metastatic cancer from November 2016. I have metastases in both hips, pelvis and spine. I hope you'll get results back soon and will know what the situation is. Sending big hugs. Olga xx ... View more

Dear Helen It's so sad to hear this devastating news! Nicky was and, even after her passing away, still will be such an inspiration for so many of us. She has given constant hope and support to everyone! My thoughts are with her family and friends in this difficult times. Rest In Peace Dear Nicky, you will be truly missed! Olga xx ... View more

Hi Secondarysister2 From my experience size of metastases (especially in the bone) not always relevant to overall prognosis. Large mets in the bone can affect mobility: mets could be very close to the spinal cord; mets could be affecting the nerves. Most importantly, cancer makes bones brittle and very difficult to heal. That's why doctors trying to avoid broken bones at all costs ( pins, implants, cement), and keep patients mobile as long as possible. My metastases were discovered after I suffered with pain in my right hip for several month, bone scan picked up a large met there and smaller ones in few other bones. Had proximal femur replacement nearly 4 years ago to prevent the fracture. Otherwise having similar or same treatment as anyone with similar sbc diagnoses.  Warm hugs to you and your mum. Olga xx   ... View more

Hi icemaiden The AC-15.3 are proteins produced by cancer cells. By the amount of them in our blood oncologists can see that cancer is present in our body, or it maybe active. However, the amount of AC-15.3 in the blood doesn't indicate how many metastases someone has, or how big they are. AC-15.3 mostly indicates that cancer is active, but it's only guidance! In some case, like it was previously mentioned, the amount can change, but tumors would stay stable. That's why oncologists monitor us closely and order scans to get a better picture. I hope it will help a bit. xx ... View more