Breast Cancer Now Forum

I know too what you mean by meltdown. I went to the Dr to renew tablets and mentioned my bad back which I assume is my usual disc problem but he said to be sure it is nothing else he wants a blood test. I hadn't even thought of any problem but now I am worrying. He even said not he didn't want to freak me out. In my heart I know it's ok but there is always that niggling at the back of your mind even 8 years on. ... View more

Hi all. Jill,you describe my situation completely but when I went for my 1 yr mammogram they sent me for ultrasound to check it and said it was breast lympho. and I was referred to the lymphodema nurse who has taught me massage, exercises and is treating it with 'chip bags'ie.pouches filled with little offcuts of plastic foam which massage the area. I have also been going for taping to try to pull my 'bad' breast up and get the lymph moving. I have found this has helped with the orange peel skin but I still have very solid areas around the scar and she is going to try some intense massage over 2 three day sessions. I am expecting that to be quite painful but as you see I am very lucky to have such good care. The nurse says she is seeing more and more cases of breast oedema. Does anyone know why this is? ... View more

Hi to everyone. Bling444 possibly the pins and needles are a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome. The side effects listed on my pack of Arimidex give CTS as one of them.I have lots of the aches and pains mentioned before and I have to have an epidural steroid injection for a disc problem that is much worse since starting the drug. Anyway, lokk up CTS on the web and you may solve your problem but not cure it. NHS direct is useful. Jenny ... View more

Hi all I went to weigh last night and I put on 4 lbs over Christmas. That's what I usually do but this year I am going to get rid of it. having last bit of defrosted turkey in acurry tonight. I am finding that in this cold weather i want to eat to warm myself up so have to step up the will power. The jug for water is a great idea and it works apart from meeting up with it nearly full just before bed. I am bad enough at nightly wandering or should I say hobbling, courtesy of Arimidex, and half a jug at bedtime is just what I need!! It does help with bowels or at least I keep being told it does. My tip is keep to portion sizes by saving a pot or container that you know is the correct size and using it all the time. Love to all Jenny ... View more

Hi everyone i agree with so much of what has been said. What works for me is cutting down on fat by choosing foods with less than 5% fat I also hate low fat versions of things like cheese so I try to cut it out altogether and when I am feeling very virtuous I even eat cottage cheese!!! argh! What doesn't work is having anything with chocolate in the house even though I keep trying to tell myself that it is pure fat and tastes like lard. If I see the stuff I can't help guzzling. Back to the weigh in on Monday oh dear and I have a party to get through tonight and much indulgence at New Year Dinner tomorrow. Perhaps the effort of cooking it all and worrying about it will help with the weight. ... View more

Hi, may I join in too? I wasn't using the forum so much but this is just what I need. I started ata Rosemary Conley class about a month before Christmas and lost about half a stone to get back to where I was ayear ago when the BC kicked off. Of course I have put on at least 2 lbs so far over christmas and the New Year is still to come but I realise I was feeling so much better doing the low fat diet than now. I don't know whether my joints like the lack of lubrication but I know they will like the lower weight. I can't do the exercises yet as waiting for result of MRI on back as my sciatica is getting steadily worse. Maybe the Arimidex is affecting it ? I'll be brave and admit I welgh 14 stone 3 lbs so there is a long way to go. good luck to all of you and I hope we can help each other. Happy New Year to everyone. ... View more

Hi Mandy I know that one. After last chemo in June I was in hospital fot 2 weeks while they pumped in blood and antibiotics for an infection that turned out to be blood clots in lungs. They used every vein in arm and both feet and lines were lasting two infusions at best but they couldn't do a Hickman central line because it was either the weekend or no-one was available. I was so glad to escape and now I view needles with great caution. love to all Jenny ... View more

Hi all I just thought i'd join in too as I seem to be having most of the same problems especially aches and pains. i wake up each morning and wonder which bit will ache worst today. I am also having urgency problems and too many nighttime loo visits and I also thought it was my age. Oh well only 4 years and 9months to go! love to all Jenny ... View more

Thank you all for your comments . Yours was very helpful V. as it was the mammogram that I was worrying about. i think I'll wait until I am called for it and then contact breast nurse. Best wishes to all. Jenny ... View more

Hi I finished rads in Aug.after WLE and chemo and now I am finding my breast and underarm tender, lumpy and painful. Part of my breast on the underside has gone hard and has the texture of orange peel. It tends to get worse as the day goes on and is painful at night especially when turning over but it seems softer in the morning. I thought it must be connected to fluid retention but I am thinking of calling breastcare nurse. I too would like to know if anyone else has this kind of problem. Best wishes to everyone. Jenny ... View more

I am soo.. relieved. This is the thread I have been waiting for. I thought I was doomed to become a fairground exhibit too. I even have hairy ears! So far I have tried waxing (ouch and scarlet skin), facial depilitory, (useless and too much to cover) and shaving ( velcro skin and a bit risky before going out). I finished chemo in June and my head hair is doing well apart from the fact that people keep wanting to pat me and I was told my fur was like s'one's cat! My eye lashes are now smearing my glasses. I feel abit like the sorcerer's apprentice, wishing it would stop please at least everywhere except my head. Like Jen my only hair that stuck through it all was on my knees. I agree with littlemrs about the side effects. I won't even begin about nails. I suppose I ought to be grateful it's over but it does knock your confidence. Jenny ... View more

Hi all. Your comments make me realise that the blood clot thing is quite common. I also developed them in my lungs during chemo. but it took 10 days in hospital with temperature and cough (at first supposed to be hayfever then chest infection) before they diagnosed them. As I was on an oncology ward I would have thought they were aware of this possibility especially as they were giving everyone preventative Clexane jabs every day. I am now on Arimidex which was prescribed before the clots and Warfarin for 6 months. As I am going on a long (for Britain) car journey on Sunday I shall get out the compression socks we were given before surgery and which happened to get into my bag when I went home. Best wishes to all. Jenny ... View more

129 When you never thought you would have the shiny bald dome before your other half. He was so chuffed! 130 When you didn't look at each flower and tree and wonder at their beauty as if it was the last time. You know it isn't but you seem to appreciate them more now. ... View more

If it hurts when you swallow could it be oral thrush? I have had this since I stopped chemo in June and though Nystatin soothes it it comes back when I stop the treatment but when it was at its worst it made my throat very sore on swallowing. Just a thought and I may be way off the mark but you could ask Dr. ... View more

Hi all I have been given Flamazine today for splits under boob. I am on boosters now only 3 to go and i have found leaving my naked breast open all night makes it easier to sleep but it does split again when I get up. I hope the flamazine does the job. I am finding the boosters make me feel more tired but the radiologists say they are shallower. Does anyone know if they are stronger ? I am going to look up emu oil on the web but I am afraid I might be killing off a special species. love Jenny ... View more

Hi all. I went in for 8th rad yesterday to find that my machine was not working. Luckily i was 1st in so did not have too much of a delay but had to phone today and was told to have a day off and one tacked on to end which is my little grandaughter's 2nd birthday. so much for a day out at Longleat! So far boob just pink and a bit achy but the scar has gone very hard and seems to stand out more and the skin marks very easily. I keep looking at it as if it will explode any minute and plaster on the aqueous cream at least twice a day. It's funny how you worry about the slightest thing. The team on machine two lined me up very quickly so I was thinking they were rushing it and how could I tell if they got it wrong etc. Talk about paranoid but I have learnt not to take anything for granted nowadays. Hope everyone is ok. love Jenny ... View more

Hi All I took my first Arimidex yesterday so I am waiting to see what happens. I can't afford to gain weight as I am constantly trying to fight the flab. I have also just started Warfarin for 6 months so I am a bit anxious about all this new medication. I am afraid I will be so convinced I am going to have side effects that I will get them. So some positive thinking is required I reckon. Best wishes to all who are beginning their 5 years. love Jenny ... View more

Hi all I had my first rad. last Thurs and I am getting used to the meat on a slab feeling. It seems to take more time to get me in position than the the treatment. I soon got bored with counting the pink blossoms on the projection on the ceiling and have discovered all the numbers on the status screen so i watch them instead. We are finding that my request for early morning has backfired as have to get up at 6 to get to Bath for 8 o clock but I am counting down to the end now. Bit worried about the big boobs thing though as on recent experience with chemo if it can go wrong it will. Sore ribs from chest probs don't like the bare table much but if that's the least prob I am not complaining. ... View more

Hi all, I start rads on 10th but although everyone says it is easy after chemo I am a little less reassured after my recent experience. For my last 2 chemos I had a persistant cough which surgery said was asthma which I do get sometimes in hayfever season. At my planning session the onc. listened to my chest and sent me for x ray but all was clear. The day after my temp rose to the dreaded 38 and I went to surgery they sent in bloods all ok. Still temp over 38 so rang hosp. told to wait till day 10 and call again if still up. Day 9 my son took temp 39.2 and rang again so hosp said come in. I was finally diagnosed with chest infection and put on antibiotic drip. My blood count flatlined on day 10 and while i was tried with every drug my temp still stayed up. I won't even mention the struggle to find veins except to say it's not fun with a drip in your feet. Having been told there was one more drug to try (my imagination went wild at this point) I suddenly coughed up a blood clot and asked the nurse if it was normal. Oh yes i was told but when I mentioned it to Dr. I was sent for scan and finally after 10 days in hosp they found clots in both lungs and now I am on warfarin for 6 months. I came out of hosp last Thurs and still feel very weak. So don't blame me for feeling nervous about Thurs. and a warning to keep pushing for help when you know something is wrong. I certainly waited too long. ... View more

Best wishes Liz for the next stage. I have had some problems with asthma and temperature going up and down in the last few days so I am a bit worried that they might put off Fridays chemo I'll know when I go to hosp tomorrow but I hope I'll soon be 'graduating' too. Love to all. Jenny ... View more