Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi girls just wanted to report some positive news... I went to a pharmacist in desperation after my last post and was recommended Dormeasan valerian drops. I take 30 drops in water half an hour before bed and so far this week I have had better sleep than I have had for weeks. Might be worth a try. Thinking of you all X ... View more

Thanks for antihistamine tip at jobey68. Will give it a go! ... View more

Hello I have been moved to look on the forum after dreadful insomnia recently. I am hoping to sleep tonight as I have been awake for 37 hours straight and am looking for a way forward. I have had 2 nights in the last 5 with either no sleep at all or very little light sleep. This is getting progressively worse since Istarted Letrozole at the beginning of September. I wondered if it was the Letrozole so thought I'd check what others might be saying. See it's not just me. I am struggling with all aromatase inhibitors due to chronic joint pain aggravated by arthritis. I started with Anastrazole in 2013 then Exemastane for 9months and now Letrozole. I take paracetamol 4 times a day plus anti inflammatories. My BCN said 'please don't say Letrozole is giving you the same side effects' at my last oncology appt as she said my oncologist would be disappointed ! Glad they're so concerned about how I feel. I know I have to stick with the AIs as I am ER+ but without sleep on top of everything else I am struggling. The last night with no sleep left me with a raging migraine after work and I have had to take time off work this week. I work pretty much full time in a stressful education job. sorry for the rant everyone but I am rather at my wits end. I share your pain riversidedawn catokitty and feistyflora and will perhaps try something via earphones to help. I read before bed and do yoga relaxation exercises to help prepare for sleep but to no avail. am considering putting the Letrozole in the bin but know in my heart of hearts that won't help long term. I am also going to look at herbal remedies and poss a gp appt to get a fresh view on things. Perhaps I should go back to Exemastane as that didn't give me insomnia. Good luck tonight everyone. Sorry to moan. Will be thinking of you X ... View more

Just looked on the website and they are called Comfort Bras x ... View more

Hi Daisy I am in a similar position and have found the soft bras from Asda absolutely great. They have padded inserts which are removable but I find they even up my lip sidedness really well. They are the only bras I have felt comfortable in since my treatment ended last year. I hope that helps your Nan. Good luck with your wedding plans x ... View more

Hi Lydia Poor you! It sounds as if you are being treated pretty badly by your employer. It's my understanding that once you have had cancer, you are covered by the Act. It might be worth contacting Macmillan for advice, as I believe they offer support on this kind of issue. I'm no legal expert but I think you certainly have a good case to fight here. You have had cancer and are now receiving treatment. End of. No need to quibble about dates. I wish you all the best with this and hope you get the right kind of advice to see things through in your favour. Scbgirl xx ... View more

Hi Ali- Been sounds similar to me. See another post on here about different makes of Anastrazole - I have just posted about Bihar yoga helping with s/es of Anastrazole. Your neck pain may be cervical spondylitis, which is general wear & tear really but gives me symptoms much as you describe. Physio certainly helped me, as does the yoga. When it is really bad, nothing really touches it as the shooting pains are so strong down my arm, but overall I am managing it now just with yoga and painkillers. Maybe you could discuss with your GP and see if you could get referred for physio? All best to you xxxx ... View more

Hi rospet I was on Anastrazole for 9 months but have recently been taken off it for the second time due to various s/es and am going to start Exemastame in a week or so. I totally empathise with you about the aches in hands arms and shoulders. I have been having physio and my physio recommended Bihar yoga as the best form of exercise to stretch out all the muscles and aching joints. I have been going for 3 weeks and can highly recommend it. It doesn't make all the aches go away but it certainly seems to help. Might be worth a try? It's very gentle and works on all different parts of the body and you do as much or as little as you can manage. I also take cod liver oil tablets and high strength glucosamine and chondroitin, plus painkillers. With all of that, I find I can generally cope day to day. Hope that helps. All best to you - scbgirl xx ... View more

Hi JB thanks for your lovely reply - you are certainly right about the tiredness being one of the worst parts of this - & you definitely aren't a hypochondriac! The impact of this disease spreads far & wide and we end up with such a range of s/es afterwards. So glad that your appointment went well and that you are taking positive steps to alleviate some of your discomfort. Good luck with that and the physio. I'm sure before long, you will be feeling so much better. All the best SCBGirl xx ... View more

Hello JB I too am suffering from post operative shoulder problems, very similar to a frozen shoulder. I had a haematoma after surgery and after a period of doing the exercises, I was told to stop as it was causing more fluid to build up. Consequently I have dreadful trouble with pains in my shoulder and shooting down my arm , much as you describe. I was referred for a bone scan and this showed cervical spondylitis, so I have been having physio since September for shoulder, neck and back pain and this definitely helps. Also on painkillers 3x a day and have started yoga recently to see if that helps. Too early to say yet. My onc has also just taken me off Anastrazole for the second time as he thinks that it isn't agreeing with me as it is known to aggravate / cause aching joints. I have been off the Anastrazole for just over a week and have also just stopped all painkillers as I have been having IBS like symptoms for over a month which may or may not be linked to all the medication. Running in and out of the loo on tip of everything else!. I am just trying to eliminate possible triggers. However, without painkillers I am in a lot of pain. A bit of a wreck all round! And to think I was fit as a flea before the diagnosis! I don't really know what the answer is.... I am starting to resign myself to living with it, as I can't see much alternative. I have to take the hormone suppressing drug so am coming to terms with the side effects. I'm not sure how long taking painkillers is an option, and couldn't manage without the physio, but hoping to alleviate symptoms with yoga. Sorry I'm not much help - just wanted to say that you aren't alone and send you a big hug. I haven't any experience of Tamoxifen, but many others on the forum do, so I expect they will be along soon to help on that one. I feel b* ggering on is the only option as many others have worse to deal with, so onwards! onwards! Keep smiling and wear good lipstick! Xxx ... View more

Well girls I'm back on this thread again... My onc put me back on the Anastrazole when I finally saw him in September. Not quite sure why as symptoms gradually built up again after initially seeming ok. Saw him last week for routine check and he has now decided to take me off it for good. I have had IBS like symptoms for about a month or 6 weeks and bad pain in shoulders, arms, neck and collarbone. I have another month off before going on Exemastane. Am hoping it suits me better as have been on painkillers 3 times a day since about September to cope with painful joints. Am hoping this will do the trick! Hoping everyone else on this thread is now feeling much better since it's all gone quiet.. All best to you xx ... View more

Hi Jenny I just popped on the forum and saw your question about Anastrazole & IBS like symptoms. I have been getting similar symptoms and have just been taken off Anastrazole for the second time because my onc thinks it doesn't agree with me. I am also suffering badly with shoulder & joint pain. I am am having a month off to recover before starting Exemastane. I have been off it a week now & am still getting the same symptoms but hoping they gradually subside. I hope you have now found some relief from your symptoms as I see your post was quite a whole ago. All best xx ... View more

Hi Rachel glad you have your union rep supporting you. Hope you have managed to find a way forward. X ... View more

There are plenty of people on here to offload on and who understand Rachel. I hope you hear something from your union soon so that you can get some peace of mind and a way forward. X ... View more