Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi CW This may or may not help as I am only 2 years on from surgery.I had chemo an rads with 18 herceptin. I am now on arimedex till 2016. Anyway since surgery I had localised sore scar tissue but also pain . I was told it was due to rads and to be expected. I could not bear my clothes to touch me and no way could I sleep on that side.After 12 months I could stand it no longer. I had a long chat with my B.C nurse.Upshot of this is that I was referred to a surgicial consultant who was great.He gave me an injection as close to the area of pain that I could tolerate. He said it would 'unscramble' my nerves which were joining up incorrectly hence pain.Believe me it worked! I had another jab 3 weeks later an can have more if need be.That was 4 months ago an I have not had 'pain' since.He said it can work for some and others may need more but that no woman should have pain. Hope you too can get some relief Good luck xxtecho ... View more

Yes thanks to everyone who have responded to this post. It hasn't changed stuff on a day to day basis but when I have bad days I know that many others are dealing with similar. For sure I will come out the other side of this but 1 day at a time. Knowing that I can always find words from others who know where this 'mad' place is and help me relise I'm not losing the plot. I'm hanging on in xxtecho ... View more

I started this post so a update everyone - I survived the dreaded christmas and birthday family get togethers. it wasn't as bad as thought infact had several memorable days. but I feel exhausted mentally which on reflection I think its because I was in such a state about it all. Was it just that - no as even now as I say I had some good hours I am glad its gone and I can retreat into myself. No pressure to put on a 'show'. This cant be right and even now I feel guilty for such a feeling. So the cycle begins.... i know I aint in a good place in my mind and its the strain of holding it all together that impacts. It can only get more manageable?? xtecho ... View more

Very apt - yes all who living with breast cancer post the immediate treatments and who are living with an dealing with the 'future'may 2012 be a positive year xxtecho ... View more

My resolution is if only i could understand why I feel so negative.It is 2 years since diagnosis and subsequent op, chemo an rads. have had heceptin all of 2011 an ongoing with arimedex for next few. Everything is looking good but I seem to have a black cloud following me and everything an is an effort.Christmas has been lovely with family an today I have had a memorable birthday with children an grandchildren. And yet I have this sinking feeling in me which I keep to myself for there is no rhyme nor reason to it.So many of you have had much worse - I feel somewhat of a fraud. but hey anyway to all , wherever they are with there treatment I raise my glass and wish a happy new year xtecho ... View more

Hi Jane & Mo I have simular issues with my skin an nails although I finished herceptin early November. This has only really developed within the last 3 weeks. My hand nails have always been good an strong but they have taken to spliting if I dont keep them very short. But my skin is so irritated it drives me mad. I have a few odd rashes - elbow crease an on my back an legs which bleed if I give way an scratch them. My chemo was FEC but I wondered if this might be s.e that takes some to show after herceptin. Or is it to do with hormone tab arimedex I take. See my consultant in the new year who I shall be hoping can give me some answers. In the meantime I am using a aqueous skin lotion which gives me some relief. xxtecho ... View more

hi thought I'd just update this post as the most odd thing has just happened.I am in the same way as put in previous posts in that my s.e have hightened since being on generic anastrozole( 3 months +) instead of arimedex. Anyway went and got my prescription filled and what have they given me.....yeah Arimedex!!! I had to share this with you - I had done all my protestations about being taken off it an had been asked to take it for longer before a review. I had resigned myself to the decision an then I'm just given it. Lets hope I dont get any adverse s.e when resume hey ho techoxx ... View more

Hi -my update on this topic Well my wait is over and I have seen my consultant. I managed to explain how in the past 7 weeks I have felt my s.e geting worse after having almost 10months on Arimedex and now taking generic Anastroloze. Every s.e has hightened but reading recent posts yes my mood swings are awful. I know I'm behaving unreasonable or I feel weepy and the next its ok but mostly I remain a 'grump' for longer.Anyway we had a long chat about it all and she has asked me to continue until the new year to see if things settle down - and yes the tablets are exactly the same apart from there coating but of course Arimedex is more costly.I reluctantly agreed to carry on. She has given me some alternative thoughts to ponder on in the meantime. I can have a rest period from the drug to let my body normalise or she could chnge my path of treatment to Tamoxifen or Letrozole although she says that anastroloze is the best course for me in her opinion. I will experience similiar s.e to a greater or lesser degree either way.I am up to giving it a go as for sure I want the best result from my treatment.Will let you know how it goes.Thxs lizcat,rossco,libby2010 for your input techoxx ... View more

hi all Quick update - finally have an appointment for begining of November as my consultant was on holiday and the nurse / clinicians said they need to refer me to one more knowledgeable although they assured me in there opinion that it was not unusual.Only concern is that my appointment naming a doctor I have not met before. Have decided to go with it as they have all got a good reputation ( talked to many whilst awaiting treatments)Symptoms still the same but no worse or maybe I am just use to them! The waiting continues...... xxtecho ... View more

Hi all Just catching up after my hospital appointments. No futher forward with changing back to arimedex - my consultant is on holiday an I need to go through her to change back. So week 5 on alternative and s.e no better, in fact overall outlook I feel generally worse. Have emphised to the clinicians an nurses this week about such but have to go through the main person, so to speak before any action can be taken. So another 2+weeks and I have my appointment.S.e are worse in so much that I have had some time out from work and my mind is really 'confused, forgetful' in so much I am amazed that I can put this comment together.On that note I will sign off with maybe better news next time. Great news an well done to all of you who have not experienced a change - I really wish I was the same techoxx ... View more

Thanks Steris Yes seeing my consultant end of next week so will be raising the matter with her.This has been slowly increasing over the past 12 weeks or so - sometimes a bit better sometimes not but to the point that I cant ignore it.Will post how I get on Cheers xx techo ... View more

Thanks Lizcat & Wicca Am not a push over but wasn't sure if I wasn't giving the change a chance.You kind of get the impression you are being humoured when you raise issues about an alternative drug that they say is exactly the same. Appt. to see my consultant next week so will keep forum posted. No improvement at present so can't come quick enough. yes agree that my clinical team should have asked to see me and not by an unknown at the end of a phone.My faith in some of the system is being challenged. xxtecho ... View more

Hi all Just geting upto date with this post as I had some time back had issues with my GP / chemist giving me anastrozole instead of arimedex with no notice. It was reversed so no probs. A few weeks ago I was contacted by a hospital clinican on the phone who was somewhat anxious. She told me that I was the only one in my county left on arimedex and that percentage wise there would be no difference to my s.e ( hot flushes, aching joints etc)I did ask for some honesty and that the reason to change was cost which she agreed was a contibuting factor. Anyway I agreed to swap and give anastroloze a go. Am now in week 2 and all my s.e have been hightened and what was previously doable is becoming not. How long should I trial this alternative drug? She stated I could ask to be put back on arimedex if this occured but would need to go through my consultant.Welcome any input..... Techox ... View more

Hi - just read your post - me too - have been on Arimedex for 9 months and 6 weeks back had a slight bleed.I have not seen a period for 15 years - I'm 60 so as you can imagine was not prepared. No-one had said this might happen as a s.e. Have been for an ultrasound and results ( took 6 days ) showed fibroids ( small ) but a increase in uterus wall lining (more than is to be expected for my age group) I have been refered to a gyno/ onocology specialist but have a 3 week wait. My mind is in overdrive! have had no reoccurrence since and almost wish I had not mentioned it to my consultant.Please let me know how you get on - thought I was alone on this one. Hope you dont have to wait to long techo ... View more

Hi Lynne Not tried curves myself but go to Ladyzone ( just cos its closer to me) I started last Nov as hormone regime has made me put on unwanted pounds. It is doable as it comes in a 30 min circuit and you get out of as much as you want to put in ( hey sound like I ought to be on there payroll)No joking apart I feel so much better even though it is a slow weight loss ( but no gains!!)I find circuits good just like bubbletrouble and it doesnt take up all of your time. Enjoy xxtecho ... View more

just picked up on this thread as I sip my whisky... I cannot really identify with some of the thoughts expressed here. I am now in targeted therapy with Arimedex for the next 4 years. Prior to B.C I drank moderately , went to the gym and did marathon walks. I have 4 grown up children and 5 grandchildren and can honestly say didn't drink when my family was growing up. But now at this stage of my treatment I find I probably drink too much and find it helps me get through. I know I should be feeling more positive and for sure this new report should shake me up and make me want to reduce intake. I feel it is my way taking the pressure off but for sure I dont want a recurrence. Wish I could be a strong as you are.. techo ... View more