Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Dis  I'm on this combination and take them together with no apparent ill  effects.  The main side effects I have experienced are insomnia with resulting tiredness had a few mouth ulcers initially but they have resolved now - used prednisolone mouthwash that was prescribed by onc.  Hope it has good results for you x ... View more

Ps a had a lot of discomfort after having the drain put in as they had a bit of struggle so keep on top of analgesia oromorph when needed etc xx ... View more

Aw that's wonderful news so glad you have finally had it done and already feeling some relief 😊 . So chuffed you are now able to go home and learn to adjust to things.  See the chat about living with a chest drain for some more info. Take care x ... View more

Hi jayrand  I'm so sorry you are still waiting for your chest drain to be sited - I can fully understand your impatience you must be feeling frustrated.  I just wanted to say hang in there - before I had my chest drain fitted I was very unwell and thought it was the start of my decline but things did improve a lot once I had it that was nearly 2 years ago.  I hope things get sorted for you soon so that you can get home.  Hugs Sarah x ... View more

I had a drain fitted during my chemo treatment of carboplatin iv without complications x ... View more

Hi I am so very sorry that you are going through such an extremely difficult time. Have the doctors mentioned talc pleurosis (talc is placed between the lung and lining sealing the space to prevent fluid build up) or perhaps fitting a permanent chest drain to manage the fluid? A nurse can come to your home usually X2 weekly to drain the fluid enabling you to be at home and prevent having repeated needle drainings.  There are many chemotherapy treatments you can try that may be more effective and I hope the Cape is more successful for you  Sending best wishes Sarah x ... View more

Vicky yes I can identify with what you said about family - for me that is the most harrowing heartbreaking part of all this seeing the worry and concern on my loved ones every time I cough. You seem to have adjusted to life with the drain hope your treatment has good results. Funny face you really are inspirational keep smiling 😊 . Best wishes Sarah x ... View more

Scrummy you really are going through the mill - I really hope you start to feel better soon and your treatment has positive results for you. I have always been a positive person trying to look for solutions to problems but I was very unwell at the time my drain was fitted and bedridden for 2 weeks that was a very low dark time for me as I thought there was no way back and I was on a slippery slope. It is far easier to be positive when you feel physically well. As soon as I felt physically better I wanted to make the most of every moment! 😊 . Keep hope and faith that things will improve with treatment. Take care sarah x ... View more

Hi scrummy I have a similar diagnosis to you - diagnosed 2 years ago. It is completely overwhelming being given that diagnosis and also having to deal with the chest drain. Give yourself time to adjust and try not to think ahead - I could only think a few weeks ahead initially now I do make plans in 3 months stages (around scans!). How long have you had your drain fitted? Have you or someone in your family/friend been taught how to care for the drain I found once my husband and I took care of the drain ourselves I felt more in control and gained confidence and freedom which allowed me to enjoy lots of holiday's abroad. What treatment are you on chemotherapy and hormone trestment (if you are hormone positive ) can help dry up the fluid so you may find you won't need to drain as often I went down to once a week which is more manageable. 10 months after having my drain I felt well enough to return to work.. I did used to hate doing the drain as it made me feel an invalid but once it was done in would get on with my thing and forget about it and it soon just became part of my daily routine you learn to find a new norm - that being said it is so hard letting go of some of the old. I had the drain for 18 months. Make nice little plans like going for coffee with friends so you have things to look forward to may help. Hugs Sarah x ... View more

Thank you so much for sharing Helen it gives so much hope and inspiration to read your story. It's been 2 years since my secondary diagnosis to lungs liver and bones and I'm feeling relatively well living life to the fullest. Here's hoping to many more good years for us all xx ... View more

Glad your cough is easing now Vicky. I also had an infection around the drain site 2 weeks of oral flucloxacillin cleared it up pretty quickly - hope it gets sorted soon for you x ... View more

Hi all hope everyone had a good Christmas. Vicky I had a rocket drain for 18 months and used to find i would start coughino when draining the fluid it would start when the fluid stopped draining - the pleura sticks to chest wall when dry which caused the cough. The cough would ease after a few minutes of completing draining so wasn't persistent . Has the fluid become a lot less. I would speak to your respiratory team if your cough is persistent. Take care sarah x ... View more

Hi baby star Hope all goes well today for you . I found I was uncomfortable for about a week after so keep on top of analgesia I had oromorph. I had my chest drain for 18 months and although daunting at first it soon becomes part of your routine . I have had mine removed now as after starting everolimus I had an infection - hoping that re commencing everolimus will help dry fluid out. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. Good luck Sarah x ... View more

Sorry to hear the sad news about mojan thoughts with family and friends RIP xx ... View more

Hi I am experiencing mouth ulcers as a side effect of e/e and have been prescribed hydrocortisone 2.5 mgs muco-adhesive tablets - the ulcers healed in 24 hours! . I also was prescribed a mouthwash prescribed to help with pain benzydamine but havnt used that yet as they have healed so quickly xx ... View more

Hi BJR I am so sorry you are in this situation and it is absolutely unacceptable that you are left waiting 8 weeks for scan results - I usually wait 2 weeks and find that unbearable. I would contact your oncologist secretary first thing Monday morning to arrange an earlier appointment as it seems likely she will be helpful. Wishing you good luck xx ... View more

I too have decided now is the time and am taking the leap to apply for serious ill health retirement - I too feel more peace of mind now I have made the decision. I am going to try and apply for the commuted lump sum have a meeting Friday with manager and HR will let u know how it goes x ... View more

Hi Janey I would have thought that if your symptoms were caused by liver mets that your bloods would indicate some abnormality in liver enzymes - have you also had tumour markers (blood test) taken if not you could also request this while awaiting for a scan. In my case my bloods were normal when tumour on liver was seen on scan (1cm) I had no symptoms from that but did have pleural effusions which gave me symptoms. I was put on letrozole but after 2 months scan showed another liver tumour at this point my liver enzymes were abnormal they also did tumour markers at this point which were also abnormal but I had no liver symptoms. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for a scan to find a cause for your symptoms. Best wishes x ... View more

Sending you best wishes and luck for tomorrow bon xx ... View more

Hi Kath Yes I can definitely identify with the feelings of terror and utter sadness when I was diagnosed with secondaries last may. I was very unwell at that time and honestly thought I was on a slippery slope and would never leave my bed again. Following chemo I again have a good quality of life and have worked until recently and been enjoying lots of holidays 😊 . At first I couldn't think further than a few weeks ahead as I found it too overwhelming but as time has gone on I will now make plans further ahead . I think at first it was like cancer had me gripped by the throat now it hovers behind my back!!! I also can identify with everything ftf said. As the other ladies have said once you have a treatment plan in place and start it you will feel more in control - the drug you are starting has had excellent results and many ladies on here have been living with bone mets for 10 years plus. Be kind to yourself try to keep busy and make plans to do nice things like meeting friends for coffee - I still find distraction helps and have a good clear out when waiting for scan results!!!!! Wishing you all the best for your appointment Sarah xx ... View more