Breast Cancer Now Forum

My oncologist told me tamaxofen does cause weight increase as a se so not sure why people have been told otherwise! Ive done 7 years of examastane (Aromasin)  and cant tolerate it anymore the ses have become so severe no QoL. Hes offered me a break and then if I want can switch to tamaxofen. He told me weight gain and hot flushes are se of this drug. Not keen and not sure its worth pursuing for the small percentage benefit I wil get from it. I feel Ive done my time!! ... View more

I had lumpectomy 38 days ago. I have a scar below the armpit, so that will be a node biopsy I guess. The cut for the lumpectomy is on the upper areola. The lump was tiny apparently and picked up on a regular mammogram. The pain I experience is on the outer side of my breast mostly. The lowest pain is a burning-type pain, which I would gauge at a 3 and is continuous. The stabbing-type pain is at a 7-8 for me I would say. For this pain I am taking 2x paracetamol 4x daily and codeine at night so I can sleep.  I have read some research and it seems it is neuropathic pain and is more likely in people who already have nerve pain, which I do as diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Of course it is better than cancer, but daily pain is something that effects life and how we live it (work, activities, family, wellbeing etc).  So I intend to speak about my pain to the GP if it is still there once the radiotherapy is over and I feel I should be on the mend. I have read a physio can help, so perhaps look into that. Of use be this leaflet about chronic pain after breast cancer by PainConcern UK https://painconcern.org.uk/breastcancersurgery/   ... View more

Hi  I would like to say thank you very much for the reply it was very useful x ... View more

Hi if your wound doesn’t extend as far as your armpit, it’s safe to use deodorant/antiperspirant. If it does, then no deodorant! I can strongly recommend the crystal deodorant, which you can buy from Holland & Barrett, health shops and Amazon. One will last you forever (literally) and they aren’t expensive. You dampen the end and then rub it under your arms. It has no smell but it acts as a deodorant and antiperspirant and has no harmful ingredients - it’s just a crystal. I had full axillary clearance and had no problem using this. It’s only a fiver if you don’t like it but if you do, you’ll never need to waste money on antiperspirants that are known to have some link to breast cancer, through the aluminium or the parabens (though the jury is out on whether this is anecdotal or proven - my friend was obsessive about avoiding parabens on the advice of her oncologist; my breast care nurse at the same hospital said it’s nonsense - make what you will of that!). Hope that helps xx ... View more

I put up with letrozole and another one in the same 'family' of drugs then oncologist said to change to Tamoxifen.  Might be worth you asking. Not that Tamoxifen doesn't have it's side effects but not the pain in joints I got with Letrozole. ... View more

Hi there adoptedmanc, Thank you for your reply and great to hear that you've got things sorted out. Hope that makes you feel a bit more reassured - at least you know one way or the other now for definite. Interesting what you say about you having a different hormone test in 12 months - did they say what this was? All the best. ... View more

You're right we do sound to be in similar circumstances and thinking along the same lines. Nice to know that it's not unheard of.  I've seen breast cancer nurses during Covid but not the physio or oncologist as they work out of a separate hospital and don't come into the Breast Cancer unit. Which is very understandable. I've been told it's the nerves regenerating, so let's hope that's the case. Let's hope it improves with time and we have to think positive that at least the cancer was discovered in time.   Hugs, Suse ... View more