Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Smilodon, I am also a late starter to radiotherapy after having a second operation to remove all the lymph nodes on the affected side.  Im having 15 whole breast and clavicle area and then 4 or 5 boosters to the lump area.  Had one session on Friday as a starter, wasn’t too bad but was in there a bit longer than I expected, an hour rather than the 15 mins they said 😂  Good luck with yours  Sandra ... View more

So very sorry to hear this sad news feline. I lost my dad to cancer 12 years ago xx  I had the first of 3 docetaxel last Wednesday after having 3 x EC. I’ve had a lot of pain in my joints, bones and muscles which started Saturday. The worst of it lasted for 48 hours all Saturday and all Sunday day and night excruciating pain. I took paracetamol and ibruprofen Saturday night to get some sleep and managed a couple of hours. We rang the on call team on Sunday and they said I shouldn’t be taking ibruprofen so had only paracetamol on the Sunday night, needless to say I was in agony and if I slept for one hour I’d be surprised. On Monday morning I rang my GP and she said that I can take ibruprofen I just need to protect the stomach with food and she also gave me a drug to help protect the whole gasto intestinal tract. I already have stronger than over the counter ibruprofen from my lumpectomy and she was happy I take that along with paracetamol and codine, again a stronger version left over from the op. She also did me a prescription for Niprene which is a stronger anti inflammatory in case the ibruprofen doesn’t cut it. I checked with the Macmillan breast nurse and she was happy with me having ibuprofen too. So not happy with the on call service at all!!  The Macmillan nurse also said it’s likely this reaction is from the injections I have for 7 days after each chemo rather than the chemo itself. Ive been taking paracetamol/ibuprofen since Monday at night only, the pain magically disappeared Monday morning for most of the day time hours!! Seems to come on in the evening when I’m relaxing. Today’s Thursday I’m going to try going without but will take in the night if I have to.  on the docetaxel I’ve also been feeling unwell in my upper chest around my heart and top of my lungs just feels bllluuuggghh! Don’t have any motivation to do anything!  How is everyone else fairing on these treatments? Xx ... View more

Hi Jo, I’ve hopped over from November chemo starters to get some pre warning on what is to come next for me. I’ve just had the third and final dose of EC and feeling pretty low and head very fuzzy. I wanted to know what Dotaxel will be like as I have three rounds of that next, again with three weeks in between, any insights you have would be helpful for me to mentally prepare. Hope I have the name of the drug correct!  ... View more

Hi everyone, I had my second EC chemo yesterday and it’s kicked my arse up until this evening. I’m still feeling tired but starting to come out of feeling unwell. At the worse today I did a temp check and it was 37. It started to slowly come down though. I asked for my lovely husband to make me a veg juice, he put pear and grapefruit in with celery and it made me feel better. Hair falling out all over the place, despite having the cold cap both times. I’ve lost well over 3/4 of it. Up until yesterday I had good coverage but too scared to look today!!! If I start looking bald I’ll get hubby to buzz it and start wearing my wig. mercifully my next round is 30th December so should fingers crossed be well enough to enjoy Christmas with my family. xxxx ... View more

It’s day 18 since first chemo and using the cold cap. I have lost an awful lot of hair from day 15. I needed to wash my hair today and that resulted in even more loss. However up to now it just looks a lot thinner no bald patches that I can see. My next chemo is in three days, so all being well will use the cold cap again ... View more

Sorry for late reply, yes I’m on injections. Still have a sore back now but it did ease a lot after that first day! I called the hotline about it the following day because I just wanted to know if it was the chemo or the injections and they said either or both. They wanted me to go see my GP about it but I didn’t (naughty) I’ll see what occurs next time. It feels more like sciatic pain now it has settled down c ... View more

I woke up feeling pretty normal today after feeling lethargic the past few days since first EC on Wednesday although my tongue feels gross! I’ve noticed a few stabbing pains under the arm where the three lymph nodes were removed and in the breast where the lump was removed. I liked to think this is the chemo killing off the remaining cancer cells. Then this morning I feel like my lower back is literally about to go!! It went doing Joe Wicks workout during lockdown and it feels exactly like that is about to happen again! So now I’m worried that there’s cancer at the bottom of my spine what with the stabbing pains in the cancer sites! I think I’m getting paranoid!! I had a ct scan which was clear but this is really low down at the back of my pelvis.  ... View more

Thank you Ann, I keep telling myself that I need to pull my big girl pants on! I feel sorry for my husband as I’m sure I’ll be insufferable. I’ve been practicing these past few months and he’s getting on well up to now.  Glad to hear you are through the chemo and well on your way now. My first is tomorrow, hence my insomnia! good luck with the rest of your treatments. Sandra     ... View more

Hi I’m brand new to the forum and feeling totally defeated! I should have started chemo on Friday last week but they couldn’t find a vein so now having a port fitted in my chest tomorrow with chemo starting Wednesday. That’s not why I feel defeated.  I feel like I’m on a rollercoaster I can’t get off with the only options being the recommended treatment. I’ve looked into lots of alternative treatments but there’s no support for them in the UK and no results to see if they actually work. I’m married with two children and feel overwhelming guilt like I have to do all the treatments for my families sake despite the possible long term effects it has on health. Sandra x ... View more