Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thanks for the tip Summerb, I will definitely give it a try on my next prescription   Daisy xx ... View more

Will definitely take a look, always good to get new ideas or I do get stuck in a grove doing the same old thing.   Got hooked on Jamie O's 15 minute meals for a while, although it always took me 45 mins Ha Ha but it goes give you the food values and calories which really helps   Happy cooking   Daisy xx ... View more

Thanks CG!   I haven't seen this site before, had a quick peak at some of the recipes, they look very promising.  I'm aiming to lose about 1/2 stone so not too much but it will get me well inside the healthy BMI and hopefully deal with any IGF 1  issues as well.   Thanks again   Daisy xx ... View more

Hi Jo, that's the one, thanks very much!   Daisyxx ... View more

Hurray! Jo BCC gave me this link, thank you Jo!   I have just embarked on the 5:2 diet and would be interested if anyone else is/has some tips for the"Fast" day.  Just finishing my first "fast"day, it's been a bit tough and can't wait for dinner (poached chicken and steamed veg).   If anyone has recipes for filling breakfasts under 150 cals, please let me know! 500 cals does not go very far:(   Daisy xx ... View more

Hi CG   GP has given the go-ahead for the 5:2 diet but could not offer the IGF 1 test on the NHS as "there was no justification".  Got a similar reaction when I asked for the vit D test in 2012 but she did at least ask for the test to be done (it came back normal).   I'm seeing the Onc on 04/04 and might touch on the subject with her and see how enlightened she is!   There used to be a thread where we swapped recipes but I can't find it, don't suppose anyone has the link?   p.s. GP definitely thinks I'm bonkers but humours me 🙂   xx ... View more

Hi everyone   I have been keeping a record of the different brands of anastrozole, currently taking Teva brand.  The only difference between the generics and Arimidex that I can see is the Arimidex contains macrogol 300 but all the others contain Macrogol 400 and macrogol 6000.    I have constant joint pain and for the last week the pain in my hands and wrists has increased significantly.  My thumb also swells up during the night and clicks at the joint when I move it and is very painful.  GP has ordered full bloods and x-rays of hands and wrists before referring me to a Rheumatologist .   To counteract all the s/e's I now take: For joint pain: Glucosamine - recommended by Onc Naproxen  anti-inflammatory - prescribed by GP Paracetamol - desperation For bone density: Vit d3 and calcium (so don't take cod liver oil) - prescribed by GP/Onc For hot flushes: Sage Leaf tablets - recommended by BCN Venlafaxine (also for depression) - prescribed by GP and Omeprazole to coat stomach because I am taking Naproxen and Venlafaxine - prescribed by GP   Sometimes it is difficult to see the bright side!   DG xx     ... View more

Thanks CG, it will be interesting to hear what my GP says 🙂   I'm also going to ask if I can have an IGF 1 blood test to see what my current levels are, she will probably think I'm bonkers but that's nothing new!   xx ... View more

Hi Everyone   I lost this thread when the site was changed and so I am delighted to find it again!  I have not posted much over the last year as now back at work and moving forward!  However, I have recently become interested in the 5:2 diet and in particular the effect this has on IGF 1.  I did not really understand the issues at the time but have just watched the 2012 Horizon programme that explains this in detail.   I am going to ask my GP before I start the diet, but was wondering if anyone else is on the diet and perhaps we could exchange experiences and recipes.   Daisygirl xx ... View more

Thanks Jane, I think I will give it a go and see if it helps 🙂   Daisy xx ... View more

Hi Everyone   I have been taking anastrozole for 7 months and I have had considerable problems on and off.  I too have been given a number of different brands and (sad person that I am) have kept the leaflets.  I will have a look and see what differences there are in the ingredients.   My worst side effects are the crushing depression (I now also take venlafaxine) and the nightmare sweating which pours down my face and hot flushes.  My BCN has suggested that I take a sage supplement and I was wondering if anyone is taking Sage and if it has helped?   The aches and pains are now under control, I take calcium and vit D3 tablets prescribed by Onc and Glucosamine.    DaisyGirl xx ... View more

NIM41 - I am taking a generic brand, the Onc has said that if the SE's are bad she will change me to one of the other AI's so fingers crossed, assuming I still can, Milo1 - sorry to hear the problems you are having 😞 ... View more

Hi everyone I have also just been moved from Tam to anastrozole as the SE’s on Tam had become difficult to manage. Only a few days on the new meds but some of the joint pain I was experiencing has definitely subsided and I am hopeful this will continue but the hot flushes and night sweats are still bothersome. I did a straight swap last Friday as Onc said this was OK. Have bone density scan on Friday to see how my bones are and may be prescribed Calcium supps if needed. I have put on about 6lbs in the last 3 months following the change of Tam brand from APS Teva (no longer available) to one of the others. Does anyone know if weight gain is also an issue on AI’s? DaisyGirl xx ... View more

[color=#faa0e0]Thanks for that Cheshire! I'm taking the Relon brand at the moment which is better than WH but my legs really ache. When I mentioned the aching joints etc to the Specialist her response was that it was unlikely to be Tam as "that is not a known side effect", I think we would beg to differ! Need a new prescription so will see if the Pharmacist can source the 10gm Teva for me. [color=#faa0e0]For those who are interested, I recently read and article about Jennifer Saunders which mentioned low serotonin levels and so I did some research and found some that suggests that Tam can affect serotonin levels, one of the symptoms is depression. If you want to know more google serotonin deficiency, there are lots of foods you can eat to boost it, I have found it has made a big difference to my moods which were affected by the Relon in the beginning. Daisygirl xx ... View more

I also had cording which went from my breast area down my side. BCN advised an additional exercise which was stretching the arm up and back a bit like an aeroplane wing to “snap” the cord. I did this for a couple of days as part of my stretching exercises and it went. ... View more

I agree Swiss Annie, it makes me really angry that they are happy to supply us with drugs that cause completely avoidable SEs and it is down to the few of us who are in the know to ask for something else. From what I can gather W***t is the cheapest on the market and so that is what is always dispensed. The number of E numbers in them is shocking! I think it would be great if BCC was able to take this up on our behalf? DGxx ... View more

BTW, when I raised the matter of aching joints etc. being caused by Tam with my Specialist, they advised that this was probably down to the Menopause and not Tam as this was not a know SE and to go back to my GP for tests to see what else might be causing it. I think there are a lot of Ladies on here who would agree to differ but as our experiences are "anicdotal" no one recognises the reality. DGxx ... View more

Hi Everyone I have had the same problem, my local chemist can’t get it and Boots advised that both their suppliers are being advised that there is a long term shortage from Teva. I was mortified by the prospect of taking W****t brand as the side effects were much more severe & OH had been advised that he is likely to get a screaming nutcase who may spontaneously combust for Christmas! Anyway, my prescription says I must have a lactose free brand rather than Teva/APS (W****t has lactose in it) as this was the only way I could persuade my GP to avoid being given W****t. I took my latest prescription to S***brys and have been given RelonChem brand. This has far fewer extra ingredients than either of the others plus two that they don’t have. I will keep you all posted on how I get on! Happy Christmas everyone! DaisyGirl xx ... View more

Thanks EB, Tra also advised that they do post surgery bras, I was going to go this weekend but the weather was horrid, will def go there next week! Daisyxx ... View more

Hi Sheil I have been following this thread with interest as I too am suffering quite badly. Was told by my GP a couple of weeks ago that I have the worst case of atrophic vaginitis she has ever seen which probably explains why I’m in agony! I’m waiting for an appointment to come through to see the Gynaecologist and in the meantime the following are giving me some relief: 2 vit E caps + an out of date acidophilus cap inserted each night aided by a dollop of aloe vera gel, plus in the morning I fill one of the Replens (usless) applicators with aloe vera and whip that up there for good measure. It doesn’t make any of it go away but the aloe vera gel certainly stops the itching. What a life! Daisyxx ... View more