Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Emily I'm in a similar position to you. I had my last Zoladex in March and no periods as yet. When I had my last check up, the oncologist seemed surprised that they hadn't come back which had me worried as I would also like to have kids. I had a blood test and luckily the results suggest that it is still down to the zoladex. I know that, like me, you had a lot of side effects with zoladex - maybe that is why ours are taking longer to return. He did also say that in some cases they don't return until after finishing tamoxifen. Hope this helps a bit and that you have managed to get a blood test arranged. ... View more

Hi all I have now been on tamoxifen and zoladex for about 18 months and my main side effects are tiredness and night flushes which started a few weeks after starting them. It is so hard to figure out what is the cause of what, isn't it? I spent hours agonising over whether I was feeling sorry for myself, was it work or was it the meds or was I depressed? Especially as some do not seem to have many side effects. I think probably a little of all of them but mainly the meds. The good news is I certainly feel better now than I did at the start. However, I haven't got the energy I use to have and have had to slow down and build more rest time into my life. Now that I have accepted this I feel that my quality of life has massively improved. I take starflower and that seems to help with the hot flushes. Brenda, I know how you feel. I was 31 when diagnosed and felt I'd aged 60 years over night!! I feel a little younger than 90 now! I hope this helps a little, good luck all. ... View more

Hi I Know what you all mean. I know people feel awkward and don't what to say and consequently say something stupid but the insensitivity some people show is shocking. Some friends of friends were talking about 'Race for life' when her boy friend said, he was glad he couldn't take part because he could watch all the bouncing boobs from the side lines! Although he didn't know my situation I was shocked that someone would make this comment about a race to support cancer especially as many of the people taking part have had breast cancer. Sherbert ... View more

Hi Liz We have compared notes on zoladex before so can understand how you are feeling. I can't really help but just wanted to say that you are definitely not moaning and you will certainly not be failing by asking for help. You have so much to get your head round and that is not easy to do when you have hormone treatments to deal with too. I always feel like hormone treatments have taken away my ability to cope with everyday stresses. I think you should arrange appointments with your BC nurse and doctor. My surgery has the same policy as yours over appointments but I always ask to see the same doctor who knows my situation and understands. Take care Sherbert ... View more

Hi Julie I can relate to how you are feeling. I was told I had BC almost 18 months ago. I was 31 at the time and found the lump when on holiday for our first wedding anniversary! I was just starting to consider the whole children issue and although hadn't made any firm plans was very upset when realised all this could have an effect on fertility. I know what you mean about egg freezing. It was a difficult decision but I just wanted to get the treatment over and done with and get rid of the cancer. My mind was also made up when they said that egg freezing meant an increase in hormone levels which didn't seem like a good idea as my cancer was very hormone positive. My oncologist suggested a chemo regime of vinoralbine and epirubicen which he had used with younger women who then want onto get pregnant.I was still just about having periods when I finished chemo which my oncologist said was a good sign. As others have said I was also told that the younger you are the last likely you to become infertile. My ovaries have now been temporarily turned off with Zoladex so will have to see if everything is still working when I come off that. Do you know what chemo you will be on? He didn't seem concerned about the effect pregnancy could have in the future so I wasn't too concerned about this but others seem to have been given different info - very confusing. Good luck with your decisions and treatments. Sherbert x ... View more

Hi You are most definitely not a whimp. We all cope with this in different ways at different stages. When I was first told I had BC I was offered a sick note straight away and was told that many people DO take time off before treatment. At the time I decided to carry on working until op which helped me cope. I then took 6 months for operation and chemo. However now I am really struggling at work and cant cope with anyone putting pressure on me. I have had to take more time off and reduce my hours. Like you I feel very guilty.In my case because I was diagnosed about 18 months ago I feel like everyone else is coping so much better than me and that I should be back to normal by now. I have finally accepted that we have to give ourselves the time when WE need it, whenever that might be. We need to look at the long term picture and do whatever we need to do keep ourselves mentally and physically well both now and in the future. Giving your body a rest before an operation and possibly other treatments is very sensible. Look after yourself x ... View more

Thank you both for your quick replies and sensible comments. ... View more

Hi Em and everyone else This is a really interesting thread. I am in a similar situation to many of you. I was diagnosed aged 31 with a grade 2, 2.5 tumour. I had chemo now on Tam and zoladex. I too didn't want to rule children out so was recommended to consider taking them for 2 or 3 years which I was quite happy with. I saw a different oncologist recently and I felt he was less keen on this plan and reminded me that it was usually five years. I too am now confused but I have only been taking them about a year so have got a bit of time to decide. Is anyone thinking of going to the younger women's forum in Nottingham, maybe this is something that we could bring up? Em, I hope you have managed to find some information and support. Sherbert ... View more

Hi Maude I'm sorry to hear you had such a negative appointment. When I have gone to follow up appointments the oncologists have always been open minded about side effects and recognize that we all respond slightly differently for me its mainly tiredness and my moods tend to be up and down. I went to one of the breast cancer cares information days a few months ago which was really informative. There was a doctor from a menopause clinic and she said anxiety is a side effect of the menopause. It therefore makes sense that the meds can have this effect on some of us. My doctor said that anti- depresants can help some people with the side effects(I haven't tried yet so can't comment but I might go down this route when I increase my hours at work.) Have you tried anything like starflower oil? I think there mainly to help with hot flushes but I'm sure I feel generally better since taking them. I would go to you GP or oncologist and ask what they recommend. Good luck Sherbert ... View more

Hi Laura Like Mairead, I get quite a lot of side effects with tam and zoladex. I get tired every few hours which usually goes away if I can rest for a short time. However I also seem to crash every few months and feel similar to you described, cold, hot, shaky and very tired which in my case then seems to follow with catching an actual bug and I end up having to take time off. I recently went to the doctors and she said she wasn't at all surprised I was feeling like this and that people often feel run down if taking these med's individually, never mind taking both. She has signed me off work for a few weeks to recharge. Take care Sherbert ... View more

Hi mairead I can sympathise with how you are feeling. I'm not having an easy time on these med's either. How long have you had this treatment for? I about a year along now and feel better than I did a few months back, although still real struggle if I do not take things easy. Just wanted to echo what poddle said. My onc assures me that most people feel a lot better when their course of zoladex finishes. Good luck ... View more

Hi Marykate I was wondering this too! My arms get shaky if I'm over tired or stressed, I wondered if it was to with the changes in blood sugar due to drop in hormone levels. I sometimes get shivers in the night- I think after hot flushes. I read somewhere that during the menopause the body doesn't know how to control body temperature so we can go from one extreme to the other. I can relate to not getting the right words out. This is something that I really struggle with, particularly when tired and it is starting to effect my confidence. I went to OH a few weeks ago and she said that this is probably an effect of both the chemo (which I had a year ago!) as well as the hormone therapy. Sherbert ... View more

Thanks for this encouraging post. It is good to get reminders that it is the med's that make us feel this way and that we are not going mad! ... View more

Hi Bertie and James I really like the idea of a Newsblog. I always seem to manage to miss information in the press and end up hearing about it second hand. I like the idea of going to one place to find information. I also really like the idea of the videos. I do not know anyone else who has had breast cancer so it is great seeing and hearing others experiences. One question, is it possible to view the complete video clip? I was interested in the video by 'Kate' but I could only find two short extracts. Thanks Sherbert ... View more

Hi I know the feeling. I started taking evening primrose oil quite a while back and it made some difference. I have now switched to starflower oil which I'm sure has lead to a bigger improvement. It is worth checking how many mg to take with your team as there seem to be a lot of different opinions out there as to how much we should have. I think the post you are after is called, 'Nolvadex d does it really work' and it is under 'undergoing treatment hormone therapy. Hope this helps Sherbert ... View more

I certainly had pain in the chemo arm which I was told was due the meds irritating the veins. I used ice packs which did help. I also used various products with menthol which is suppose to cool the veins. My pain doesn't sound quite the same as what you are feeling so worth mentioning to your team. Take care Sherbert ... View more

Hiya Vodka PLease do not go back until you feel ready. I too am a teacher and know only too well how difficult it can be. I went back about 2 months after chemo which I now think was far too soon for me. I have now been back about 10 months and I am really struggling. I feel like I am now crashing and maybe this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't rushed back. You have got a lot to cope with especially now that you have got to have yet another op. The sec comments were at best insensitive. This sort of attitude is also so short sighted. It will be better for you and the school if you go back when you feel ready. Trust your instincts. Good luck Sherbert ... View more