Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thanks so much for your replies. I went to the doctor about it and she prescribed some kind of cream. It looks like it's getting better, so most likely is just an infection or something. I really appriciate your replies. Thanks, Cat ... View more

Hi ladies I know its been ages since ive been on but would like to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR ... View more

Hi. There is hope for all us "fatties". I was talking to two friends who have had bc. One 18 years ago and one 12 years ago. The first one put on 4 stone whilst on tamoxifan but lost it over 9 months as soon as she stopped taking it after 5 years. The other couldn't remember how much she put on but again said that it came off naturally when she stopped taking the drug. Both said they did not alter their eating habits at all!!!! I am on Arimidex and now weigh nearly 15 stone, after having a double mastectomy I look 11 months pregnant and have that "apple" shape. I have to look on the bright side - apart from the weight I'm fit and healthy! Keep your chins up! Sharon ... View more

(blush.............) thankyou.................. ... View more

I am in Carbis Bay St Ives used to live in Cheadle, I also used to have pubs Yew Tree Rochdale, Chapel House Heaton Chapel, White Lion Manchester to name a few! Love Debsxxx ... View more

Just adding to my post. We did think long and hard about whether to go for a baby or not, given the possible future and risk of secondaries. But we felt that you have to live in the here and now. What's worse - to have a baby and then develop secondaries and risk leaving that baby motherless at a young age? Or deciding against having children even though you really want them, and then reaching a ripe old age with no recurrence of cancer .. so that if only you'd known you could have had children after all? No easy answers there I know and everyone's answer will be different. I feel desperately sad knowing what my husband and daughter will have to face, but do feel that we made the right decision for us. And my daughter was conceived three years post primary bc with no suspicion of secondaries. Alison ... View more

Thanks for flagging this up, Jan I've always played safe and kept my hands away from everyone except trained lymphoedema therapists. Without wishing to nit-pick too much, I would say that the 'cause' of lymphoedema following breast cancer treatment is well known; a compromised lymphatic system. What we have here is an external event that could possibly have been a trigger - 'the last straw' for the lymphatic camel's back. The nurse team are right when they say that there is sadly 'little good quality scientific evidence' available to guide them in their recommendations - it's a reflection of lymphoedema's low status within the wider medical profession. From personal experience, I would also agree that massage to other parts unaffected by surgery, radiation or lymphoedema is fine. I had terrible shoulder and neck problems following radiotherapy four years ago and got a great deal of relief from having these areas treated. X S ... View more

Wired sounds like the steroids - I'm taking them and I'm having the same sort of side effects as you. I binned the Ondansetron this time on the advice of my chemo nuse so I'm not feeling anything like the levels of nausea and sickness of FEC 1. I have to take steroids twice a day, do one set first thing and the second at around 2pm, was told not to take them later than 3pm! ... View more

Vezza Just wanted to say hope it's a true representation as this paper has been far from honest in the past (I am the 4th on here from Liverpool, and we will never forgive or forget the torment this paper caused our city after the Hillsborough disaster) Best wishes Irene ... View more

Sorry your suffering Fiona. If it's any consolation I hit my low point around the 4th dose too. 5 wasn't so bad and 6 was similar but more drawn out, ie took longer to go but wasn't so bad in intensity. I'll search out the book, Thanks for that Fiona. There's a lot more info I'm reading and evaluating than I'm ever mentioning here simply because we all have to live our live and make our choices and it's not necessarily up to our oncs or anyone else to push us down one route or another. I'm evaluating all choices by the same criteria, which is old fashioned risk vs reward. Or course the risk elements of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are much more than taking a few nux vom for nausea! Anyway just wanted to say thanks for posting the info I shall have a good read. ... View more

Thanks Jo ... View more

Hi everyone Great thread! I am also overwieght since treatment, gained another stone! Was overweight before and am interested in observations that this can cause recurrence. I have a theory about my BC. Could be away with the fairies, but will run it past you anyway. I was given the Mirena coil 8 years ago because I couldn't have hysterectomy due to PE and DVT. Within a very short time started getting cysts on a regular basis. Didn't have periods from begining of coil being fitted, they also produce hormones? I asked if there was a link between the cysts and the coil but it was brushed away!! If anyone has any information would love to here from you. Meanwhile, I think it takes a really strong person to be able to change their lifestyle/diet as well as coping with everything else. I finished treatments/hysterectomy in July this year and started Arimidex side effects are so awful I am rarely going out ,as for exercise, walking is a problem, ther is'nt much of me that doesn't hurt. I hope this will improve but to be fair it has got worse each day. I have ordered a swimming costume to start getting myself motivated ans someone suggested yoga on one of the forums but I feel like my bones will break if I try and get in the LOTUS POSITION!!!!! Sorry for going on Laffeyj2008 Have you got a BC group near you that you could join. I have been to our local one quite recently and believe me the support is excellent, because everyone is in the same boat I feel it will boost your self esteem just feeling like you are part of a 'family'. Love to all Elaine I ... View more

Hi Mary if you have secondaries you can have them on nhs not sure about primary though. I have a stinking cold at moment it just wont go. Check with your gp. Love Debsxxx ... View more

I took garlic tablets all the way thro chemo and continued post treatment (finished in Feb). I ran out a couple of weeks ago and I now have the most horrible cold - may be coincidental but it's the first one I have had for over a year! I'm off to buy some more today! M ... View more