Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Penelopeanne I was interested to read your post. I have started on Letrozole and Zoladex in the last few months, after5 years on tamoxifen. Glad to hear you were able to receive the vaccine. I wondered if you knew whether it is one that is widely advised for women on Letrozole? C ... View more

Hi Stressy Messy Thanks for your post. Returned from first Zoladex implant appt today - your experience was first time I had heard that, but is exactly what team think has happened with me, hence starting on Zoladex.( An odd feeling having to do pregnancy test after recent tests showed I was 'very post-menopausal'... Negative!) I had hoped to give myself the injections after the first one, but have knocked that idea on the head after today! I am wondering about asking about the three monthly implants once I've had a few months in the four weekly. I hope you are getting on ok with Letrizole and finding the SEs manageable. Cx ... View more

Thanks for your reply Rosiecliff, Yes, I find the hot flushes worse now than on tamoxifen and getting some aching too. I am again experiencing heavy bleeding, just like a period, two months after last one. It feels quite odd, as has been established I am post-menopausal, and only had a few episodes of bleeding while on tamoxifen. Speaking to nurse next week... ... View more

Just refreshing ... View more

Hi Mac Yes, I developed terrible cramps while on tamoxifen. I really feel for you, it's horrible! Sorry, no great cures, but the only things I found were pushing my foot ( ball first, the bringing heel down ) onto the ground really firmly when they happened helped a bit, and I found hot baths just relaxed things a bit. C ... View more

Should also prob have added - periods stopped during chemo, I was 37, didn't resume apart from few ad hoc bleeds in past 5 years , thickened lining investigated in hospital a few years ago- was fine- am now 43 ... View more

Oh dear, predictive text and my clumsy fingers- that should be trans-vag scans! ... View more

Thanks Quail, Saw the GP today who told me I've been doing wrong thing by covering it up so well- making it ideal for the infection! Since I've uncovered it is feeling much better and swelling going down. ... View more

Thanks Caroline yes it does seem to b e persistent! ... View more

Just updatingI not sure if has worked, can't see thread as posted.... ... View more

Hi CrazyDancer Your experience sounds very similar to mine. I had skin sparing mx following chemo. I was offered a recon using my own tissue at the time,and told this would probably give the best result but I was on my knees by then and I opted for immediate implant recon (becker-saline injections), then had 25 rads. This was in 2008/9, and like you I now have quite significant capsulation. The breast is very hard, tight, and small, and I have moved to wearing a larger prosthesis. I have had to have an exchange of implant (smaller), following an infection caused by some further surgery, after which I was told there had been thin, damaged skin, and a lot of capsulated tissue, which was also likely with the replacement. My surgical team have been great all along, and I have been offered further surgery, but like you I really don't want more unless I absolutely have to. Physio has helped when mine was particularly bad-I had a referral from the BCN, don't know if that would be an option for you? Swimming has also helped my arm and breast. I have also been told that so long as the skin 'envelope' is kept open, surgery in future remains an option. All the best C ... View more

Hello Thanks to everyone for the responses-as always really helpful to get others' experiences and support. CT results back-all clear, and as you said sarahlouise they could see what they needed to without the contrast. Very best wishes to all C x ... View more

Hi Danica I would echo what others have said. I had mx with full node clearance, chemo, then 5 weeks of Rads, and the rads really was ok after chemo. There was a fair bit of faffing about getting started, but then I got into the swing of it and apart from a few delays at times, the actual time being zapped wasn't long at all. I was worried about my skin-I have sensitive skin, and was really rubbish with every SE on chemo, so I expected the worst!-but it was fine. The decision making in all of this can be so tough. I wish you all the very best with yours. C ... View more

Thanks sarah Louise That's really helpful-very reassuring to hear that they could read your scans so quickly without the dye. I'm glad your outcome was a good one. Very best to you C x ... View more

Thanks Julie and Midge for your replies, That's interesting to hear the difference between ct and MRI- I've had breast MRIs,, but not a ct scan until now. If I do need another sounds like I may need to ask to be cannulated in an onc ward where they are used to damaged veins. Mine are so much better than they were a few years ago, so I'm sure there's a way in! I'm waiting at the moment- I wasnt sgined off by onc at last six monthly check-who is awaiting these results before writing that appt up. I'm so lucky with the team, so once he has the results back I will trust what he says and go with that, it's just always that whole bit in between that's tricky! Best wishes to all C ... View more

Hi Dawn Many thanks for your response, that is helpful and useful. I think it also confirms my suspicions that I may well need another appt for an MRI! C xx ... View more