Breast Cancer Now Forum

Ditto Kelly, I think the last time I had a decent nights sleep was over 4 years ago! But I feel good that I am no way alone. I've just watched a programme about sleep probs with Toyah Wilcox. She says that she has been an insomniac for 36 years! Sleep probs these days are apparently very common, so we are in good company. Like you, most nights I go off ok, but then keep waking up . On a bad night like the last 2, I wake up every hour. The menopause plays a big part, with the night sweats. Even with these cold nights I feel hot and restless all night and can't seem to cool down. I end up dangling my feet out the bed! I have a chillow pillow, that helps a bit. I agree with you it is very frustrating, especially when you have to get up for work feeling c***p! Lets hope we all manage a few zzzzzzzz tonight Sweet dreams 🙂 (hopefully) Cynthia xx ... View more

Hi Susan, glad I was of some help. Its great that we have this brill website to offer support and advice to everyone suffering from this awful disease. If you feel run down all the time, you may need a top up of iron. I buy spatone iron supplements. They cost approx £6.50 for 28 sachets. You just need one a day to give you your daily iron requirements. You can buy them from Boots, Holland and Barratt or on the Spatone website. They are a lot gentler on the stomach then pills. If you are thinking of taking herbal supplements best to ask your bc nurse or you can email the nurse on this website. They are very helpful, All the best, Cynthia xx ... View more

Hi Susan, I have had to come off my meds as I was experiencing severe side effects including the usual ones. But they also seemed to affect my immune system. I was run down all the time and kept going down with infections, colds, chesty coughs, continuous sore throats etc. I now boost my immune system with, garlic, omega 3 and iron supplements. The iron I take in liquid form in sachets which is a lot gentler on the stomach! I defo feel a lot better now I'm off the meds.Like you I felt like a 90 year old!! But now I'm not on anything I also take Flax seed/oil on a regular basis, which has been proven to help suppress cancer tumors! Hope this helps, Best wishes, Cynthia ... View more

Hi Andrea, Yes, I suffered blurred vision after being on Tamoxifen for 14 months. It got so bad, I mentioned it to the onc and he took me off it. Blurred vision is listed as one of the side affects with Tam. But you should report it as the problem could get worse. I have just read on another thread that a lady aged only 44 has been diagnosed with a cataract! And they say it was due to the Tam. Defo mention it when you see the onc and he will probably change you to something else, All the best Cynthia xx ... View more

Hi Janice, funny you say about large blister on your lip. I had mouth and tongue ulcers and sores at the corners of my mouth. They've all cleared up now I've been off Arimadex nearly 2 weeks. You could be right about the immunisation allergy, because on all 3 hormone drugs I developed infections which inspite taking echinea, garlic and eating lots of fruit and veg I am finding hard to shift. I still have a sore throat and feel below par. I am now off the Arimadex, because I can't stand the thought of being ill for the next 3 years or so! They seem to affect my immune system, it seems its affecting you the same way, though I don't think you've been on it long enough to be experiencing side affects yet. These drugs take at least a week before they get into your system. I've never heard of the Stevens-Johnson syndrone though! What does it mean? I hope that you don't suffer to much with the side affects, Cynthia xx ... View more

Hi Freedomrunner, I'm really sorry about your mum and what shes going through right now. I can totally sympathise with her,suffering with depression.. 4 years ago I went through a very severe bout of depression. I had very bad anxiety attacks to start with. I couldn't sleep sometimes it was 5 0 clock in the morning before I at last dropped off, then 3 hours later I had to get up for work!!. Then the depression set in. I thought I was going mad. It was the worst thing I had ever suffered, worse even then the breast cancer! It is a terrifying illness.I couldn't eat, sleep or function at all.II lost nearly a stone in weight. I couldn't even answer the phone.I had to take a couple of weeks off work. I just felt as if I was in a permanent fog. I really didn't think I would come out of it. But I did go to the doctor who diagnosed severe clinical depression, and put me on Cipramil a antidepressant. I had to go on quite a high dose. After about 2-3 weeks the black cloud started to lift and with help and support from a close friend my hubby and family, I at last started to feel more like my old self. Talking about it definatly helps. You are really helping her, just being there for her and doing little things, and I'm sure the walks and drives help brighten her up a bit. Hopefully with spring and summer on the way she will start feeling a lot better. I would definately recommend cipramil. It is a mild antidepressant I didn't suffer any side affects while I was on it. I really do hope things improve for your mum. Take care, Cynthia xx ... View more

Thanks Yvonne. I'm going to ring them tues for results. I know that I'm worrying unnecessarily about lump. But there definately feels like a lump there. I mentioned it to the doc and he felt it and the other arm,but said it could be muscle inflammation. He's probably right. The steriod injections have helped with the pain, but it still gives me gip at night. Hope everything ok with you, and that your still having good nights kips:-) Are you still having palpitations, or have they eased off now? It could have been the worry and stress that caused them, Cynthia xx ... View more

Have just looked up Pomelos. It looks very much like a grapefruit and is apparently an ancient ancestor of it. It is commonly called a Chinese grapefruit. I'm not sure about if there is any risks with eating it. But as it is closely linked with grapefruit, it might be best to err on the side of caution!! ... View more

Hi everyone, I have just read an article on the Telegraph website, and this is part of what it says about the risk of eating grapefruit in post menopausal women: As little as 1/4 of a grapefruit can increase risk of BC by 30 per cent, in post menopausal women. It boosts blood levels of the hormone oestrogen Researchers from the universities of South California in Los Angeles and Hawaii in Honoluo, done studies on 50,000 post menopausal women, including 1,657 with bc. They concluded that eating grapefruit, was ,significantly associated' with increased risk of bc. They say that, since it is well established that oestrogen associated with bc risk, it is plausible that a regular intake of grapefruit, would increase a woman's risk of bc! I don't know how much truth there is in this, or whether its just more scare mongering, but I've avoided grapefruit and anything with grapefruit in it, to be on the safe side, Cynthia xx ... View more

Hi Yvonne, Things going fairly well, thanks. Hope that they are with you.Sorry you had a crap night. But glad your having better nights now. I've had fairly good nights, but still being woken in night by either the urge to go for a pee, night sweats or my shoulder giving me gip!!! The Steriod injections helped take the edge off it at first, but the effects seem to be wearing off already! I hav'nt had my X ray results yet. I'm going to ring the docs tuesday as I've got to go back to see him. I expect they may send me for a scan, as its not improving at all. I was worried because I could feel a lump in my upper arm, and as with all us that have suffered bc you get paranoid about every lump and bump! Cynthia xx ... View more

Hi Alison, That's wrong about your mammogram. You should have one every year up to 5 years. But you do have to remind the onc team when you go for your 6 monthly check up! I had to mention it to the registrar who I saw last summer. And within a month an appointment came through. So as usual you have to push for it. Same with a bone scan. I didn't have one before I started on Tamoxifen, but when I was changed to Aromasin I tried pushing for one, but didn't get anywhere. That is one of the reasons I have come off it, because of the high risk of osteoporosis. Since my hysterectomy I've had more aches and pains. But at my age I have to expect it. Its the shoulder and arm pain thats given me most gip and its gone on for so long! I also had no bloods taken. I find it strange that with your cancer you didn't have any chemo or rads Whats adcal and whats it used for? Anyway Alison you push them for a mammogram and bone density scan. I think whether you get certain treatments or not is down to postal lottery! Anyway, good luck xxxx Lots of love, Cynthia xxxxxxxxxxxxx ... View more

Hi Yvonne, Congrats on having four good nights in a row! I spoke to soon, had a rough night the other night, but thats mainly due to my arm prob and night sweats! I have had to have another 2 steriod injections in my shoulder to see if it helps, the first one had no affect at all! Got to go to hospital to have another x ray as I have been suffering with it for 7 months now. Thats good also, that your palpitation attacks are easing up. Do you think it could be worrying about stuff that kept causing them, as it can be a vicious circle. Anyway I hope that things keep improving for you Cynthia xx ... View more

Hi Yvonne, Hope that you are still sleeping ok!! Ive had 4 fairly good nights in a row now, which is brill. The sleep advice and tips that I said I'd post for you and Jo are to many to list, but if you or Jo are interested in the book its called: Sleep Soundly by Barbara L Heller. You can find it on Amazon- New or used, prices are from £1.14. Its a very informative book, everything you need to know about sleep probs. Advice and tips on how to get a good nights kip. tips from fellow insomniacs, Alternative remedies etc.. Are you still suffering from palpitations? It could be the hormone drugs that you are on. How long have you been suffering from the palpitaions? If you only get them at night, I'd say that its anxiety causing them. Perhaps councelling would help. If you have a lot of things that you have been worrying about, including all what you've been through with the cancer and not sleeping etc.. I think that its important to get to the bottom of whats causing the palpitations. I know how distressing they can be! The weather at the weekend was ideal for walking. Almost Springlike. We went for a walk and there was lots of daffs etc in flower, birds were singing. Things like that make you appreciate life, don't they? Take care, Cynthia xx ... View more

Hi Yvonne, hows it going? Hope you been managing to sleep ok!! I woke in the night to a horrendous night sweat. I couldn't seem to cool down. Night before, my arm was ok, but about 4ish my back was hurting!! Last night apart from the night sweat from hell I slept quite well. Concerning your palpitations. The docs wern't probably too worried as you had no symptoms. My doc a few years ago did send me for a ECG which didn't show anything amiss. Have you had an ECG? How long do your palpitation attacks last. The more anxious you are about them the longer they will go on for. Is it just at night you get them. It seems to be either the sleep prob causing them or the palpitations are causing the sleep prob. But I reckon anxiety is at the bottom of it. It's a vicious circle. If you report it again to docs, I think they may suggest putting you on beta blockers! Anyway I hope that you get it sorted. Glad your radiotherapy appointment went ok. I know what you mean about laying on a table half naked, with four people standing round you, while one of them is drawing all over your boobs!! Did you have to have a ct scan while you were in there? The radiographer came back in and said 'is it possible you may be pregnant??' I looked at her in horror and replied ' I sincerely hope not at my age (54)!!!' She said we have to ask all women under 56 years old!! When I find my sleep book, I will see if I can find any good sleep tips and post them on here for you and Jo. Take care, Cynthia xx ... View more

Thanks Deborah, I have no regrets at all about coming off the meds. I wanted my life back again. And now 5 weeks on I feel almost the same as I did before bc. I still suffer some menopausal symptoms, hot flushes, night sweats etc, but I tolerate them, just! I have made an appointment to see the onc on the 12th Feb.to discuss coming off the meds But I shall stay firm about my decision. I really feel that like you quality is more important then quantity! Like you I didn't make the discision lightly. You too Marilyn, have done the right thing. Cynthia xx ... View more

Hi Yvonne, Sorry to hear you had crap night. I had, for me, a good night again. Hey, thats 3 fairly good nights in a row. It can't last! Perhaps the Valerian tabs are helping! Those reflexology patches felt really strange stuck on my feet all night, as they were quite big! Have you mentioned to your doc about your palpitations? They shouldn't go on all night like that. Unless you are suffering extreme stress. Which you could be, as you have been through a lot with this awful disease. And not sleeping is also stressful in its self, Its a vicious circle. When I was suffering from anxiety attacks, I'd get very bad palpitations. amongst other unpleasent symtoms. Insomnia is actually a symptom of the menopause. I used to sleep really well before the menopause started. And of course the hormone tablets don't help you younger ladies as they cause menopausal symptoms! I get so tired sometimes that when I have a bath, I drop off to sleep!! Have you tried meditation or yoga? They are suppose to be very relaxing. I have a sleep book which I bought when I was really suffering from bad nights, I'll have a browse through it and see if there is any good tips, and I'll post them on here for you, Hope your appointment went ok today, I hope you have a much better night, tonight Cynthia xx ... View more

Hi Yvonne, yes Jo's right, do ask your BC team about Valerian. Its a real pain with this b****y disease that you have to be so careful what you eat or drink as it either increases re occurance of the bc or reacts with the meds we have to take!! I will be seeing the onc on the 12th of Feb so I will mention it to him then. You are so lucky being able to eat what you like. I used to be able to, before all this. Since my hysterectomy last Feb I have put on a stone! I only have to look at a chocolate and I put on weight!! I still have treats though. I have just cut down to smaller portions and cut certain things like biscuits etc out of my diet. I have lost a couple of pounds 🙂 By the way I had another fairly good nights kip. Glad you did? A couple of months ago I spotted a tiny ad in a mag, A clinic in Harley Street were asking people with sleep problems, to take part in a 4 week trial, to try natural reflexology patches, which every night before you went to bed, you stuck on the soles of your feet! I took part in it and it was all done online. They sent the patches and before during and after you filled in a questionaire and emailed it back to them. Half the patches that were sent out were placebos so you didn't know which ones you were getting. Anyway they did help after I'd been taking part in the trial a couple of weeks. I seemed to be waking up less often. They are going to send me a complementry supply of these patches. I'll try anything now, as I'm really p***d off now after 4 years of mostly very disturbed nights, especially having to get up for work everyday. I don't know when these patches will be on general sale. Good luck with your appointment with the radiotherapists tomorrow, Cynthia xx ... View more

Hi Yvonne, Hope that you manage to have a decent nights kip, last night. I had a fairly good night for me. Probably slept through sheer tiredness! My arm didn't play up too much. If the pain is bad, I take a couple of ibupafen, which take the edge off it. Though at 5 0' clock this morning excruitating cramp in my leg work me up!! I can't win can I? Like you I keep waking up a lot in the night, Usually because of night sweats or a feeling of being overheated. I found insomnia a very lonely condition, as you feel that you are the only one awake, which make things worse. And the night seems endless and you are glad when its morning! Do you find that worry or stress at night brings on night sweats? When my arm plays up in the night it brings them on. Try not to go down the road of sleeping pills. They are good in the short term, but not long term as your body gets used to them and thay won't be so effective. Ive never taken them, only once, the night before my hysterectomy when I was a bit stressed!! Do give valerian a go, but take them every night about half an hour before you go to bed. They do take a couple of weeks to get into the system though. But unlike sleeping pills thay are natural so are non addictive. Reading for a bit also helps if you have trouble dropping off, or if you've got an ipod, listening to some relaxing music. I started taking them again last night, as they helped a bit before. Hope you have a good night tonight, Cynthia xx ... View more