Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Everyone Feeling very guilty about not keeping in touch although first FRi of every month I am thinking of you all. My full time working has been extended until possibly the end of summer term, This is not set in stone but I will be back part time after that so I will be able to make the meetings again. I was very saddened to hear about Angela. My heart goes out to her family. I only met her a few times but she made a deep impression on me. I hope Roz, Pam and Su are keeping well. Although I sent Anne a text to thank her for telling me about Angela I didn't get round to enquiring about her health too. Hope you are keeping well and that Venice last autumn was a fantastic experience. Will be in touch again soon. Love Annys xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ... View more

Hi Anne I hope to be there on Friday. Look forward to hearing about your holiday. Annys xx ... View more

Hi Su I've been called into work this Friday so can't make it. I'm going to be working full time from Sept to Dec so I will be missing a few autumn meetings too. Hope to see you all soon. Annys x ... View more

Hi madkiki Thanks for the message. It's nice to know I'm not alone. My mother didn't have and my sister isnt having hot flushes so I assume its the tamoxifen that's causing them.My mum didn't have them because she was on HRT for years and years. She developed breast cancer when she was 76, had a lumpectomy and 6 yrs on is thankfully in good health. The HRT probably didn't help but in those days ignorance was bliss. She sailed thro the menopause years. I unfortunately had to have a mastectomy at the age of 50 even though I hadn't been on HRT. She was luckier than me in just having the lumpectomy and still has her breast looking reasonably ok. I'm continuing with the citalopram because they have reduced my stress considerably and I'm scared of returning to the freaked out , weepy wreck that I was when I was perimenopausal. I tie my hair up to keep my neck as cool as I can as I don't want to cut my hair short just yet. Not many years left when I feel I can have shoulder length hair!! Thanks again for being so supportive. Annys xxx ... View more

Hi everyone I'm also hoping to meet up with you all on 1st JuneAnnys x ... View more

Hi there Looking forward to meeting up on May 4. How did your results go Daisy May? Annys x ... View more

Hi Firecracker I've just come across this thread and have read everything with great interest. I've been on tamoxifen for two and a bit years now. Like you I was terrified of taking it because of the side effects. I had a long chat with a BCC counsellor and my family and decided to go ahead. It was several months before the hot flushes started but they were bearable. I had no mood swings or feelings of agression at all. I went on citaopram anti depressants because the cancer had realy affected me and I had stress issues in work. More recently I've had aches in my feet, ancles, wrists and hands. I was worried that maybe my bones were being affected as the ache seemed to be in the bones. I don't have an onc to discuss my concerns with. (I had a mastectomy with no node involvement so I was lucky not to have chemo or rads. However I miss not having a specialist to discuss my worries with.)I only see registrars at my annual clinic appt and they seemed unconcered. If it's a tamoxifen SE I won't mind.The hot flushes are now pretty horrendous but again it's something I can put up with. In a long rambling way what I'm trying to say is that if I hadn't tried it I may never have known that I can actually tolerate the drug. Maybe you will to, if you give it a try. If not, then you can re evaluate your decision. However, you have to be totally happy with the decision you make. I'm not saying you should take it,just offering my experience for you to consider. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Annys x ... View more

Hi there I'm feeling really cheated reading these comments about citalopram. I'm on 30g, having increased dose from 10 than 20mg. My flushes are terrible and really affect the quality of my life.I'm normally a cold person so most of the time I have to wear lots of layers to keep my self warm and then bang! a flush comes along and I'm stripping down to the last possible layer. The sweat is pouring off me and I have prickles running up and down my arms. A few minutes later I'm freezing cold so its back on with my layers.This happens about 20 times a day and in the night. It's become a joke for the children in my class but I find it embarrasiing and a nuisance. My doc put me on a drug they treat migraines for as it does something to the blood veesels but I can't remember the name of it now. That didn't work either but I'm still on citalopram as it keeps my stress levels on an even keel. Annys x ... View more

Hi Miss Q I was at the lunch time meet in Cardiff last Friday and we would love you to be part of the group. I'm a fairly new member, having only been twice, but I find the meetings are both comforting and inspiring, as well as having a good chin wag. I had my mastectomy two years ago and like you was stuck at home for 9 months. Having said that, I found the time at home was needed as it really helped me to come to terms with what had happened to me, both physically and emotionally. I've ad lots of reassurance from other ladies about side effects of the drugs I'm on and what to to expect from an up coming op I'm due to have in May. I'm also inspired by the courage and fortitude of some of the members, who have experienced far worse times than myself. Our next meeting is on friday May 4th at Trenchers Deli Cafe in Windsor Place. Anne S has organised the meetings and like Tob explained to you all posts for the meetings appear on South Wales meet ups. If you need any further info I'd be only too happy to help. Look forward to seeing you in May. Annys xxxx ... View more

Hi Anne I'll be coming on Friday. Look forward to catching up with everyone then. Annys x ... View more

Hi Anne. Thanks for organising yesterday's meeting. It was great to meet u all. I had a full session of retail therapy after we all left which was terribly naughty but awfully nice!! Nice to meet Daisy May too and the other ladies. Looking forward to the next meeting in April. Annys x ... View more

Hi Anne. Thanks for the directions. I'm coming in on the train so I may not b there dead on 11.30. Looking forward to the meet up. Annys x ... View more

Hi Everyone Looking forward to meeting up on Friday 2 March. Hope I'll find Trenchards ok. I thought I knew Cardiff like the back of my hand but I haven't heard of this place. Annys xx ... View more

Hi everyone Hope I'll be there too on 2 March. Annys xx ... View more

Hi Anne Ive only just come on here for the first time since before xmas so missed your plan to meet on 6th January. I can't make 3rd Feb as I'm going to Ireland for the rugby. I have a physio appt on 13th unfortunately but now that a definite date of first Friday of the month has been established I can steer apts away from that date. It's a brill idea and will save you having to organise dates all the time. Sorry to hear you've been unwell. I hope you're feeling better now. I'm so looking forward to meeting you and all the others in our area. Annys xx ... View more

Hi Everyone I posted a comment last week explaining why I can't make nest Thursday's meet up. Somehow it didn't show up as a posting, as I've only now realised. I'm sooo disappointed not to be there but I've been asked to dosome extra days in work and as my hubbie has recently been made redundant I can't afford to turn down work. But I'm so disappointed! Hopefully I'll be able to make the next one. Hope you all have a great time. Annys xx ... View more

Hi Everyone I'd be up for Thursday 8th Dec. Look forward to meeting others there, Annys xx ... View more

Hi Everyone I'd be up for Thursday 8th Dec. Look forward to meeting others there, Annys xx ... View more

Hi Anne Sorry to hear you're under the weather. Don't worry about postponing Thursday. As long as we can make the next one a Thurs or Fri I don't mind. Any of those dates you mentioned are fine for me. Hope your piano event goes well in London.Keep us posted to let us know how you got on. Annys xxx ... View more

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