Breast Cancer Now Forum

I read something about sticking to the same brand of Tamoxifen.  I'm on my 4th pack and I've had 4 different brands!!!  ... View more

Hi there.  I was advised to take mine in the evening on a full stomach.  I've been taking it for about 3 months now - I started taking it just after my evening meal that has got later and later and I now take it at bed time.  I think it has affected my sleep but it's difficult to tell as my sleep is generally not what it used to be pre-diagnosis! I think - like everything - it seems that everyone reacts differently and it's a matter of experimenting a bit.  It might be worth trying taking it at a different time for a few weeks to see if that is better - but take it after you have eaten. ... View more

Hi all - was drawn to this thread by the title!!  I finished radio last week - having had surgery in October and November and chemo from December until May.  The shock of the whole "experience" has really hit me.  Like some others on this thread I've not been ill before and I've never had more than a couple of days off work and yet here I am now with medical notes the size of an encyclopedia and  9 months' sickness absence from work (so far).   ... View more

Just popped in to wish well to those still having radiotherapy.  I finished a week ago now - skin seems to be staying intact but I am definitely more tired.  Can't get through a day without a sleep and I'm not even back at work yet. ... View more

Last radio session for me today.  Feel quite odd about it really which I know is common when you come to the end of active treatment.  Like a lot (or probably all) of us I've still got daily tablets to take and I've also got to be reviewed for possible ovarian removal or monthly injections and then I've got reconstruction surgery to deal with next year so it doesn't feel like treatment is anywhere near "over" but at least the triathlon of surgery, chemo and radio is almost done... ... View more

DiKat and Absolutelyannie I've just looked over the notes I took when the oncologist went through the delights of radio side effects with me as I thought that he had mentioned coughing.  He said that if I developed a cough during radio (or within a few weeks of finishing) that I might need medication - antibiotics presumably - to stop it getting worse.  I don't want to say that to worry you but if your coughs persist I would see if you can get in touch with your oncologist about it??? - or at least mention it to the radiographers.   Hope that's helpful??? ... View more

Oots (and any other fellow Tamoxifen takers) - I started my Tamoxifen on my first day of radio.  I wasn't keen to start them as I had scared myself with the possible side effects.  However - I did as I was told and so have been  taking it for 2 weeks now and so far have had no obvious side effects.  I expect that they will appear later but who knows.  I'm possibly a bit more short-tempered and a bit more emotional but it's hard to tell if that is from coping with cancer treatment (and with people asking me if "I've got the all clear yet")!!   ... View more

Hi BernieD.  I've found the expander implant pretty uncomfortable (to say the least) since it was put in.  I don't regret having it but it's been a lot more painful/uncomfortable that I expected.  I've had 10 of my 15 radio sessions now - the implant feels tighter than it did but it's manageable.  It feels really tight for a few hours after each radio session and then kind of calms down a bit - until the next one!  That is pretty much what I was told to expect.   Skin wise I am just slapping on the moisturiser about 3 times a day.  I was also told to make sure I stretch my arm regularly during the day.  All fun. ... View more

Another session done today - so 9 down 6 to go.  I've got an early morning session tomorrow to make up for the one I missed on Monday due to the machine not working.  What a treat.  All still ok - still tired and definitely pinker and a bit sore (despite frequent moisturising) and my temporary implant feels much tighter.   Have had today's and yesterday's treatment with a bolus.  I had no idea what that was going to be - but it's basically a pliable kind of soft plastic sheet that they put over the area to be treated before they do the zapping.  Every day's a school day.    ... View more

Should have been session 6 (of 15) for me today but the hospital phoned to say my session would have to be cancelled for today as they had a problem with the machine.  They have just called to say that they are still waiting for a part so I need to go to another (further away) hospital for my session tomorrow and also have a session on Saturday.  Heyho. I'm feeling ok - but, like you, more tired.  Nowhere near chemo levels of draining exhaustion though.   I am happy to be getting through treatment but every so often find that my experience of the last 9-10 months hits me like a ton of bricks. ... View more

It seems that nothing is straightforward in this treatment malarky is it!? ... View more

Just back from round 3 - all still OK.  I'm doing the breath hold thing.  It's probably different for everyone but I have 3 zaps during my treatment session and I reckon I have to hold my breath for about 22 seconds for 2 of them and about 25 seconds for the 3rd one.  The tricky bit for me holding my breath for that period of time is that it's not a full lungful - it's about (I reckon) 80% capacity.  So - if you're going to practise at home (!?) beforehand just try doing it on less than full lung capacity. The machine cuts out if you start breathing so it's not a problem if you can't hold on. ... View more

First one done for me too.  Breath holding was a bit more tricky than when I'd practised it at the planning scan - needed to hold on for longer than I anticipated!  Fine though.  Have now covered myself with moisturiser so feeling a bit slimy. ... View more

Hope all goes well today - think it's me, Oots and Seaside Sar starting today.  Slightly dreading it but mostly want to get on with it now.  I am poised and ready for the next few weeks with my Simple soap, Aveeno cream and Aloe Vera gel... ... View more

I'm about 45 minutes away from the hospital I'm having radio at - but, as Seaside Sar said, the hospital is going to send a taxi for me.  I think it's because there's very little parking there.  I appreciate that I am quite lucky with that though. I have to start my Tamoxifen tablets on my first day of radio - dreading that more than the radio I think! Pjf0265 - well done for getting the first one over and done with!   xx     ... View more

Hi all - I'm starting my 15 sessions of radiotherapy on 8 July too.  I had a mastectomy and node clearance in October followed by 8 doses of FEC-T chemotherapy.  My last chemo was about 6 weeks ago and I am feeling more "with it" than I have done for ages so while I am keen to get on with radio it is a bit depressing to have to launch myself back into more treatment with unpredictable side effects.   Like Oots says it's got to be easier than the mastectomy and chemo though...??? ... View more

Thanks for your replies.  I guess I was being hopeful that I would recover some kind of energy levels quite quickly after chemo finished.  I'm 4.5 weeks from the end of chemo now and do feel a bit more human - although my legs are amazingly achey despite my lack of activity!  I'm nowhere near where I was pre diagnosis but I know that it's going to be a long climb to my new "normal".  I've been off work throughout this - I am in awe of people who manage to keep working during treatment.   ... View more

Thanks for your reply - it looks like I can delay any decision about this a bit longer (!) as my oncologist said I needed to get radiotherapy out of the way first.  I've just had my dates for that and I won't finish that until late July - so I'm willing the menopause on in the meantime!!  Crazy times. ... View more

Sorry for the delay in replying - yes I did moisturise my hands and nails - I just used Vaseline Hands and Nails Hand Cream.  xx ... View more

Hi there - yes - that's what I was told - for docetaxel.  I did my finger and toe nails - with Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails clear varnish as a base coat and then various dark nail varnishes on top.  I changed the colour every so often just for a bit of variety - I don't usually wear nail varnish.  I finished chemo about 3 weeks ago and - so far - my finger nails seem to have survived.  They are a bit ridged and have discoloured but none of them have split or fallen off.  My toe nails are mostly ok - apart from my 2 big toe nails which have cracked a bit but aren't painful... ... View more