Breast Cancer Now Forum

Have just stopped taking Anastrozole on Xmas Eve 5 years after starting. Trying to monitor withdrawal symptoms. So far I've had heartburn a few times and a bit of cramp.  Have not wanted to go out. Ache all over but don't think my legs ache as much but my feet are still stiff. Had a painful and runny nose, however, the drug affected my sinuses so think they may now be clearing at last.    Has anyone else noticed withdrawal symptoms? If so, what and how long did they last?   Definitely had a foggy brain on this drug. I eventually became depressed and anxious so needed anti-depressants which have helped. Apparently, this is common but when I spoke to my consultant at the time he said the drugs don't affect the brain. I hate to differ with him but this is not patently incorrect.  ... View more

I couldn't plan ahead either which was a pain but you just have to put up with it whislt going through chemo. I used to think of the cycles in fractions. Having 6 cycles meant that once I'd had my second lot I was 1/3 of the way through. Try to think in positive terms. It takes a few months to get your head round it but you will. There is not othr choice.x ... View more

Go for it if the veins become harder to find. I had mine for cycles 5 & 6 as by then they were struggling to find the veins. It was much quicker for administrating the chemo and less painful as they weren't puncturing in search for veins anymore. However, the thin line can be a little irritating but this can be mitigated.  ... View more

Love the football sock idea. Think I put a square padded bandage across mine and held it in place with surgical tape. But mine was on the chest. I had a cold cap too and believe it has to be for all cycles. Retrospectively I'm not sure I would opt for it again. I still lost most of my hair but it did mean I had a little bit of a head start when it began regrowing. ... View more

Drummerswidow, Do what you can but be prepared that there will be periods where you have to stop, leave it alone, rest and put yourself first regardless. I did find I could exercise. I cycled which gave me the freedom to go at my pace and not come into contact with too many others. Swimming was forbidden by the oncologist. I also walked a lot.   I had 3 breast cancer ops including a mastectomy. FEC-T chemo with a pict line for the last 2 cycles, radiotherapy, 3 reconstruction ops. and Anastrozole / Arimidex with calcium drugs for 5yrs. Have just finished the drugs. So in theory on my way back to normal.    It is a long journey with ups and downs along the way. Life is never quite the same again. As somebody said to me when I began my journey 'you now belong to an exclusive members club'. Dig deep, have the courage and challenge yourself, you can and will do this and come out a stronger person for it.   ... View more

Mary, Watch your teeth. Take extra care. I had a lot of treatment during and after. Sorry but chemo will impact them.   Rhubarb x ... View more

Forgot to say... You will almost certainly get chemo brain for quite a while after - not painful just a bit foggy, vague and forgetful. You will also feel very tired for some time after too. So pace yourself and sleep when you can. ... View more

LOL ... View more

Tip: You can always get your wig trimmed/styled. My friend was is a hairdresser and did this for me. Wig washing: Gently wash the wig with shampoo e.g. Simple. Rinse, use non-bio clothes conditioner to condition wig and of course rinse.  ... View more

 think this Hi, I was a contractor at the time and my contract ended just before chemo began. My surgeon advised me not to work and this was good advice, Financially this was a nightmare as I had no income.  Looking back I could probably have worked through cycle 1 & 2 BUT it is accumulative and you will feel much worse with each cycle. Also, there will be a period in each cycle when you have little or no immune system so you need to keep away from those you don't normally come into contact with, infections and be careful if you have an accident. I went for a cycle and ripped off my toenail. Had to call the hospital and was advised to get to A&E urgently. Tests showed no immune system so they injected me with something that cost £1000.00. They were going to quarantine me but sent me home providing I stayed there. - BEWARE.   My advice - don't work.     ... View more

Hi ladies,   Having been through 6 cycles of FEC-T and now back to normal I thought I would give you a few pointers.    Cycles meant 3 cycles of FEC and 3 of T. These are abbreviations for the drug regime and names. Decide if you are going to wear a scarf, hat, wig ASAP and purchase. Hair drops out after about 2 weeks. Starts as if you are moulting. Then comes out by the handful. I used to feel fine for about 36-48hrs post dose and then rotten for about a week.  The week after was ok and by the third week I felt fine but then got another dose, The treatment is accumulative so by cycle 5/6 you will feel very rough. I stayed in bed for a week. Doctor gave me something to knock me out. See 1, Hair drops out with FEC. Eyelashes and eyebrows with T - cycle 4 onwards.  Learn to draw on eyebrows. Works a treat, False lashes, did not bother. Don't use baby shampoo. Simple range works well. Continued to use Simple products for a year. You may become allergic to things you were not allergic to previously. so don't colour your hair for at least 6mths. When your head starts to itch and you need to scratch it this it means the follicles are growing hair again. This started when I was on 'T' in cycle 5/6.  I stopped wearing a wig after 6mths. Had hair styled to a short pixie cut Hair grew back with tight curls, white and multicoloured like a tabby cat. It was blonde?  So after 6 mths I used a natural colour with no additives Naturalle in a green box from Holland and Barrett. As my hair grew longer it was thicker and with a wave - just as it was as a child. Very happy as it was fine and dead straight before. Side effects. Ensure you know them all. There is a huge range from thrush, to metallic taste to upset tums ...Mine varied by each cycle. Seemed to have 3/4 per cycle but strangely never the same 3/4. Use a dedicated mouthwash wash and soft toothbrush - teeth and gums will suffer. See your dentist regularly. See oncologist / GP /pharmacist to recommend a mouthwash. Eat plenty and a balanced diet. Drink plenty of fluid. My friend suffered from diarrhoea whilst I had constipation. She wore pads whilst I used Vaseline. Sorry to mention ladies but if you get really awful constipation, smear some vaseline around and just inside your anus. This aids the evacuation and reduces pain.    Nails became discoloured brown and split. Look after your hands and nails. They will return to normal. I have nerve damage to some of my toes as a result of chemo. Some feel a bit numb as it I've come in from the snow. This is permanent but a small price to pay.      Hope this helps some of you,        ... View more

Hi annoying yes but I found it did pass. Cut out tea, coffee and eating near bedtime or being hungry.  Also, stimulants like your mobile, TV or computers. Try using an app like Headspace to help you relax, You've been through a lot and your body now needs to settle into a new routine.  ... View more

Hi ya, this is quite normal. It is scar tissue and will become less frequent over time. I had it a lot but 5 years later only rarely now..Hope that helps. ... View more