Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi susanmary   I had lymphodema in my breast due to the radiotherapy. I was referred to the hopsice as they are the ones who run the clinic. They showed me massage and exercises. I am delighted to tell you that it more or less got better on its own, ok it took four years but it's fantastic to see the improvement, I don't have to do the massage or exercises now. Good luck! ... View more

Yes thanks, I am fine now, Mary. Good luck with your results! ... View more

I was not having liver function tests because of Tamoxifen, just because of other meds but these have not been stopped and yet my liver function returned to normal and has remained so once my time of taking Tamox was over. They say that liver problems are rare when you take it, and indeed my gastric consultant was reluctant to attibute the problem to Tamoxifen as he said it is not one of the usual suspects. He also found it hard to believe I had had no other symptoms eg yellowing, or pain, with an ALT level that high. ... View more

Hello RoadRunner, I am almost ready to come off Tamoxifen and very glad of it and have been anticipating that I would feel a bit weird. After all, it blocks oestrogen and I guess when we come off it, the hormones start again. My BCN said she found that most women start to feel better three months later when the T is finally out of their system. Good luck to you ... View more

Thank you all for this information. I have a general appointment anyway with my BCN in the New Year and will see what she says. Just wanted to know what had been other peoples' experiences. I see the point that going through the NHS and paying might be better because of the experience of those looking at the results. I don't mind paying. Three years is an awfully long time for another tumour to be growing. ... View more

I just did not use any deodorant until all the post-rads soreness had gone on that side. I am convinced I did not smell! Biggest tip I can pass on is: after a shower or bath, lie down and dry your armpit and under your breast with a cool hairdrier. ... View more

Holland and Barratt or online from Healthspan but as it is expensive you might want to see if it has helped anyone else first, I would not want you to spend your money needlessly....although I have just looked at Healthspan and they have a half price offer on for £4 for enough to give it a try. ... View more

I am halfway through my 5 years of Tamoxifen, the thing that has really helped me is Rose Hip. It is expensive but worth it to me as my fingers were very painful before. ... View more

Hello I had this after rads as well (August 2008) but it has gone away now ... View more

Hello Tessa Are you on Tamoxifen or Arimidrex? I know these medications can give joint pain. I am on Tamoxifen (three years since dx) and find that Rose Hip tablets really help. Other ladies have said to me that the Tax chemo can give residual probems especially in the hands and feet. I had 6 EC but no Tax. It's a horrid thing to say but I have never been the same since chemo and now have an irritable bowel and my right foot has been affected, with a revival of an old ankle injury, pain and cracking skin, but hey it is much better than the alternative, which was a return of BC. You may find a less than sympatheitc hearing about your pains from your onc as they seem unwilling to accept a connection between the meds and pain, but have a chat with your BCN and then your GP, I don't know your circumstances but it could be that if you are in a "false" menopause, your bosy is aching with that, and they may order a scan to set your mind if not at rest, at least in an informed state. Wishing you a Happy New Year, too! ... View more

Hello Kate I ended up with two very dry sore patches of skin on my upper chest. I finally got it under control by using aqueous cream after my morning shower and Body Shop's Dream Cream when going to bed at night. The secret is not to rub it in much, just put it on. I would say if that does not work then go to the GP because it might need a little help along the way with a steroid cream. ... View more

Great that we are all being creative with our bedding! We tried the two single quilts idea but the thicker one (belonging to OH) kept falling off the edge of the bed, lol ... View more

Hello, haven't got a solution but since being on Tamoxifen, I wake up more often in the night, not so much from flushes but because I need the loo, I used to go once in the night but now I go twice most nights. My BCN says this is because chemo and Tamox have put me into the menopause and if it is a mega problem there is a tablet you can take, don't want to take any more pills though. Also, just think of the hormonal change that Tamox is wreaking and it is not surprising we wake up. I am not minimising your problem; I think so many of the side effects of the various hormone treatments are glossed over by the medics with the "well, it is stopping your cancer coming back so put up and shut up" approach. Hope that you will feel more settled soon ... View more

Hello Karis I had WLE rather than mx but have lymphoedema in my breast and the skin under my breast is still sensitive from rads two years on. During/after rads, the only thing I could bear was the top half of a swimming cozzie, you know the sort with foam cups, then I just cut it off at the waist, you would have to try one on to see if the cup brushed against your scarring on the mx side Nowadays with the lymphoedema, I wear a crop top instead of a bra most of the time, and it is fine, even though I have a really big bust. Hope you are soon more comfortable ... View more

Hello susie No I don't feel like me either. I blame the Tamoxifen, before BC I loved sex and now although when we actually do it, I do enjoy it, I don't feel motivated at all to bother very often. I have a fantastic husband and he says all he cares about is that my BC was treated and that I am still here with him but I feel so guilty towards him (and despite his devotion, worry sometimes that he will get fed up of me). I am torn between feeling grateful that my BC was treatable and resentful that I got it in the first place, and I wonder if in three years time when the Tamoxifen ends, whether I will stop feeling I am 100 years old. Good luck with the genetic testing. My Mum died of BC earlier this year and with me having it too, my sister has started the investigation progress to see if she needs genetic testing ... View more

I did a post some time ago about Tamoxifen asking if people's side effect had gone after they finishes taking it for 5 years or if they knew anyone who had done their 5 years and really I did not get much information, I am wondering if most people are no longer on the forums by that stage? Hope you get some feedback this time! ... View more