Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi, I have just read your comments and they are a breathe of fresh air as I thought it was just me! I hadn’t associated Letrozole with the odd symptoms I am getting - leg pains especially after sitting/ lying down, dry hair, dry cough (not COVID). I also have very dry itchy skin and my face has come out in blotches which is why I was searching BCN, I think it is caused by the lack of oestrogen as my face is really dry and I can see lines I never had before. thank you for reassuring me that I am not alone! Sunnybear ... View more

Hi Sally63,   thanks for update, I have registered but my GP hadn’t updated my r3cords to say I had cancer and going through chemo, so my credentials are being questioned! As if having cancer and chemo isn’t bad enough I am now trying to educate the GP! Luckily my son has done some shopping but I haven’t had any other information. However I did find that the charity Breast Cancer Haven is running some yoga and Qi Gong classes via Zoom which are really good, so I am getting some exercise. Just find trying to keep safe from the virus on top of everything else difficult, especially in this lovely weather. take care everyone, Sunnybear         ... View more

Hi Ladies,   I hope you are all as well as can be expected. I have had 11/12 Taxol and my treatment has now been stopped, the oncologist said I had had enough and she is concerned about the neuropathy. My nails are going balck and falling out and my fingers and toes are numb. I still need the Herceptin and am not sure how or where they will be given yet but the next one is not due for 2 weeks so hopefully that will become clear. It is a difficult time and like others, I am worried about the virus, going to hospitals and my treatment. Has anyone else registered as a vunerable person? At first I thought the guidelines covered people with lung or blood cancers but have recently seen something that implies all cancer patients having chemo! Luckily I haven't been shopping anyway but not sure how long I can last. Take care all and keep safe, Sunnybear ... View more

Hi Sally63, allotments are the best for mental health and so absorbing. My husband knows if i say I am going for an hour he won’t see me for 3 or 4! different this year and like you I am waiting for the warmer weather to see what I can have hopefully all the soft fruits will look after themselves. hugs Sunnybear   ... View more

Hi, despite the dose reduction my feet are zinging, I mentioned this to my BC nurse who said they may reduce again but I am concerned that the treatment won’t be as effective, anyway I will see what they decide for next week. My hair is also falling out, I have lost about 80% but it is an even loss and I can’t decide whether to have the rest cut off or leave it to nature. Though I guess I am starting to feel self conscious when I am out. Hair is such a defining part of us. i am starting to get tired now and can’t walk as far as I did which is depressing as I know it is important to get out - I am frustrated that although planting loads of daffs in my allotment in the autumn I haven’t had the energy to go and see them! Hopefully  the other allotment holders are getting the benefit. take care and best wishes to everyone Sunnybear  ... View more

My oncologist has reduced the dose of Taxol this week and it helped but now the joint pains are starting to come back which is weird and my fingertipsare numb which is annoying as I can't pick things up! Does anyone else have cold feet? I am finding it really difficult to keep my feet warm even when sitting with a blanket round them! Good luck to everyone who has chemo this week Sunnybear ... View more

Hi Daisy D so sorry to hear you feel so bad and hope you improve soon. Pain is so enervating and makes you feel so low. Good luck with the wig fitting, I can’t decide whether to get one or not so keep putting off the decision while I still have some hair! That’s the coward in me! I thought the hair loss would be the worst thing but I think the pain beats it as it is unrelenting. take Carr and best wishes for Tuesday. Sunnybear ... View more

Hi, my hair is also shedding and very  thin. Also terrible pain in my knees and hands and feet. I see oncologist on Monday so  will see what she says  sunnybear ... View more

Hi Frenchie_77 Taxol is the only chemo I have had, so I can’t comment on whether it is better tolerated although it is supposed to be kinder! I guess everyone reacts differently. all the best, Sunnybear ... View more

HI Frenchie_77 Good luck with the taxol. I found the first one was the worst - nausea, headaches, joint pain, sore feet and the side effects lasted longer on the first. Now the first 2 days after the treatment are the worse, normally nausea, headaches, general dizziness and feeling chilled. I have problems with the soles of. my feet which ache and feel sore and the palms of my hands but no pins and needles in my toes. my oncologist suggested taking B6 50mg 3 times a day and that does help a bit. The other problem is joint and bone pain in my knees and legs, I have Napaxen for it but you need to take something like omeprazole as well to protect the stomach. And nosebleeds which gives you a stuffy nose, need plenty of hankies, this started last week.  I find by day 3/4 I feel a bit better, I try to walk every day but really know if I over do it! However I meet up with friends and have been to exhibitions, shopping etc. I think that everything is compressed so you feel bad then better and then you are into the next one, so it can be a whirlwind. The key is not to commit to too much each week, if I get to do one thing on 2-3 days each week then that is good, however some people sail through without an6 side effects. I hope this helps and all the best sunnybear   ... View more

Hi All, My hair is also falling out, I have had 4 cycles of weekly Taxol and didn't get on with the cold cap, so I was expecting it but still distresing. What is surprising me is how much hair there is! I always thought I was a brunette going grey but the sad truth is I am grey with a bit of brown based on my hair loss! I can't decide whether to go for a wig or just stick with hats and scarfs. Good luck to all those haing chemo this week, my next one is tomorrow and i am slightly dreading the cannula after the problems last week but there is nothing I can do about it and I have a very inventive nurse! hugs all round, as we deserve them, Sunnybear ... View more

Hi Bod, thanks for info on Herceptin as I have felt bad all week, glad to hear the flu symptoms will get less as I can’t do a year of feeling this bad! sunnybear ... View more

Hi Helsbels20, glad to hear it is not just me that is eating everything insight! I am a little concerned I will put on loads of weight though. does anyone know if Herceptin makes you feel as if you have flu? I had first Herceptin with taxol this week and feel really unwell. good luck to everyone who is having chemo this week ... View more

Hi just found that my tumour is HER2 positive after being told it was not! So I start Heceptin on Monday. just feeling overwhelmed by everything and cold cap is not for me so trying to get a wig!  all the best to those others going through hair loss - embrace your difference! ... View more

Hi Wishuponastar, so sorry to hear you are still in hospital. It is very hard when you have young children as you feel you should be there for them. Hope the ct scan is ok and you get home soon. ... View more

Thinking of you Wishuponastar and hope you recover soon but you are in the best place. Hope you have help for your little ones. Keep fighting and smiling ... View more

Hi mini mad, thanks for your kind words, it helps to know that someone else had same issues especially re the loo!  We’re you able to unplug while the chemo was going in? My nurses were reluctant to do that. It is good to hear that you didn’t loose all your hair despite not using the cold cap as I used it but found it very uncomfortable and am debating whether to continue! I also get headaches and now have a migraine, so not a good sign. Actually getting thicker hair as a result of loosing is an incentive as mine is quite thin! i am feeling shaky but determined to get outside for a walk today. take care and good luck to everyone on this journey Sunnybear   ... View more

No longer a chemo virgin, I had my fist taxol yesterday! The meds were fine except the taxol irritated my vein and needed a saline flush part way through. I used the cold cap (paxman) it was very cold and very heavy. I know others have said the first 15mins is the worse but I found it uncomfortable all the way through and still have a headache. I will see how I feel next week and decide whether t9 try again, although I think it will be easier now I know what to expect. One thing I didn’t expect was how cold the rest of me would get. I was cold to the point of shivering to my waist! Luckily the nurses kept bringing me blankets and I warmed up. I am an older lady (60+) and all the saline and fluids being pumped in made me need the toilet badly - something I hadn’t thought about until I had the nurse unplugging me from all the machines for the third time! Anyone else had this or is this just my cheap bladder? last night I was exhausted, slept for 2 hours and then wide awake - I assume the steroids kicking in. I will see what today brings, good luck to all especially those doing chemo today. love sunnybear ... View more

I am starting 12 weekly cycles of Taxol on Jan 7, following a mastectomy in November. Glad of any support and vey apprehensive of the next few months. ... View more