Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thanks - it was a Boots pharmacy I went to; they ordered Teva for me, but the supplier sent Wockhardt - the pharmacy went back to the supplier and managed to get Teva so I have another two months of this brand.   I still get hot flushes with the Teva, but not the joint aches; whereas the Wockhardt I had the hot flushes, night sweats and aches and pains.     I'm asking my pharmacy to order my next lot of Teva a little earlier next time.   Hope everyone finds the brand they can take with as few S/E's as possible. ... View more

Took naproxin for a pulled back a couple of years ago and keep some in, in case of twinges.    Really helped but you need to take a protection drug for the stomach if you take naproxin for more than a few days.   ... View more

Interesting thread.   I was on Wokhardt for about 14 months but struggled with the flushes and sore joints.   Spoke to my surgeon at my last check up and she recommended trying a different brand.   However in Oct/Nov last year my pharmacy gave me RelonChem and within two weeks I felt terrible.   Didn't just ache in the ankles but seemed to ache all over, but the worst thing was that I was really weepy and felt so depressed.  Went to the GP and explained how I was feeling and asked her to prescribe a different brand.   In the past many people on this site have said that Teva was best for them, so I tried Teva.   Still get the flushes but not as bad, and ankle pain is just first thing in the morning.   BUT due my repeat prescription, called at the pharmacy yesterday, they told me they had Wokhardt and the dreaded RelonChem, I asked if my GP had continued to specify Teva (which they had, the pharmacy showed me the prescription) so pharmacy said they would order and could I collect tonight.    Called tonight, and lo and behold still no Teva - I've got three tablets left, so am pretty upset that I might have to go back onto Wokhardt.   Is anyone else having problems getting hold of Teva? ... View more

An update - been taking Teva for 11 days.    Yes still getting hot flushes and sweats but after the morning ones, they tend to be a bit more manageable (fingers and toes crossed).     Ankles still a bit sore but other aches have gone, the low mood seems to have gone too.    I'm hoping that as I get used to Teva maybe the flushes will die down a bit.   My GP and pharmacy have noted that I dont want Relonchem under any circumstances and hopefully should continue to get Teva. ... View more

After bein on Wokhardt for 14 months, my last prescription from the pharmacy gave me Relonchem, but I thought I'd try them.   Day 1, was like a constant hot flush all day - not good.   Then seemed to calm down a bit, so thought maybe I'd be ok with them, however from day 5 of this brand, my ankles and wrists felt so sore, I got cramp during the night, sweats were horrendous - just dripping down my neck and side of face - hair stuck to my head, a headache that seemed to be there constantly, and as daft as it may sound a really sore tongue,. but the thing that really did it for me was how tired and low in mood I was - really tearful.  I stuck it out for 2 1/2 weeks then I got an appointment with my GP and asked her to give me another prescription - at first her response was that they just had to prescribe tamoxifen and it was up to the chemist which brand they provided, but I said I couldn't cope if I had to be on the Relonchem for the next 3.5 years.   She called up all the different brands on the screen, and I asked if I could try Teva.    Pharmacy didn't have them in stock but because GP had actually specified Teva, arranged to order them for me.    Will take my first tomorrow morning, so fingers crossed that s/es reduce!   Will see how I go on. ... View more

I've been on Wokhardt for 14 months and have had s/es hot flushes sweats joint aches and a lot of weight gain, for the most part have put up with them but for the last couple of months s/es have been worse.   Then I read the horror stories about Relon, spoke to my onc who suggested that I ask GP to prescribe different brand as she said there were different s/es with each brand and I might be better on a different one.    Opened a new packet from the pharmacy and found that I'd been given relon.    Really scared now that I'm going to feel worse than I do already with the s/es.    Will try for a week, but if s/e's bad I will go back to GP and demand a new prescription.   I would be too scared not to take tamox, but I don't see why we have to put up with s/es that affect our quality of life so much.   Anybody had any good reports about Relon? ... View more

Thanks everyone, will talk to pharmacy and see if the can get the Teva brand - and then tackle the GP.    I take cod liver oil, primrose oil, splitting the dose might be an option; I take mine in the morning early but still have flushes in the evening, but night sweats aren't every night so guess thats something to be grateful for.   Thanks again JB ... View more

Hi I had mx last July, then reduction on right side on 3 March this year.   I was told op took about 1 1/2 hours.   As I was first down the nurse told me I might be able to go home the same day but due to a bit of a bleed through my dressings, I stayed overnight (more for my peace of mind) and was discharged the following day. Reduction has been sorer than mx was, but really pleased with what they've done.   Just waiting for my new prosthesis now - had a fitting on 4 April but they needed to order the one I wanted, so hopefully should get that soon - currently wearing my swimming prosthesis!   Good luck with the op x ... View more

What a minefield travel insurance is...  Last year after my dx and mx we booked a holiday to Majorca and I spoke to my existing travel insurance provider where we had an annual policy and was told that as the dx had been during the existing period of insurance, the insurance would stand and we would be covered.   Great I thought.   Policy runs up to 23 of April, so gave them a ring today and asked about renewal, explaining about dx and mx and that I was taking tamoxifen.  I've gone through all the ups and downs of dx, mx etc without too many tears, just trying to keep positive, but their response today really upset me.  I've been told my cancer has gone - surgery did that, I didn't need chemo or rads, just the tami, so why do insurance companies think there is a bigger risk because I was dx under 2 years ago.   They quoted £171 for single trip for me only (10 days to Majorca), with a separate annual policy for my hubby costing £55 (we paid £62 last year for annual policy for both of us!)  However, thanks to everyone who's posted on the forum about insurance, as I've phoned Insure Pink - quote for single trip for both of us £73, Mia £139 single trip - but they use state hospitals not private hospitals, LV £117 for annual trip, without covering my "condition", and finally Eurotunnel, who are fine with all existing conditions unless you've had a terminal dx, who quoted £71.50 for annual cover for both me and hubby.  Taking them up on this quote, policy cover looks ok.   Sorry for rant - but this really bugged me - and I hope that the quote examples help others. ... View more

Thanks for this.   Pain not as bad now, and went back to work on Monday (had four weeks off) on phased return.   Being careful with what I'm carrying etc,  but so impressed with my new reduced size!   Been for a prosthesis fitting today and gone down 4 - 5 sizes, so hopefully that will help going forward. Julie ... View more

You sound to have had a terrible time and horrid to have to had to wait until 8.30pm to go theatre.  glad you've had no pain.  re the wound under the arm, I had mastectomy last July and snb at the same time, I was also confused why I had no evidence of a cut, but I was told that if they can get to the nodes though the op site they do.   It seems to be normal to be sorer under the arm and most people seem to get numb feelings and /or pins and needles down the back of the arm.   I'd try again with the BCNs, and hopefully you will get to speak to someone.   Good luck for Tuesday with your results. JB ... View more

Yep, would agree with that - first thing I do when I get home from work is whip the prosthesis out!   With a big Ahh - just like putting on some comfy slippers.   Mine weighs 2lb too, so its a relief to get it off...   What a good idea for old tee-shirts and sundresses - I've two or three that I really thought I wouldn't be able to wear, so might just have a go at this - thanks.   Take care everyone, and good luck with all treatments ongoing or still to come.   XX JB ... View more

Hi - think going home the day after mx is "normal" now depending on what time your op is - and I think that if your op is first thing in the morning and all ok, then some hospitals believe it can be done as a day case!!!  I had mx end July last year - op midday on the Monday, and was home on the Wednesday lunchtime.   Before BC diagnosis I was a 34E and following my mx, which had originally been suggested with a delayed recon, my surgeon said that I didn't need chemo or rads, so could have recon if I wanted but also offered reduction on my right breast.   I didn't have to make a decision there and then, so have just been wearing the prosthestis I was fitted with three weeks after my op.   (If you're a bigger size, they are pretty heavy). (before that just wore the cumfy the hospital gave me)  Going onto tamoxifen gave me an increase in weight and my cup size went up to an F/G.   Before my mx I had never worn a non wired bra so before the op I bought some non-wired full cup support bras and sports bras from M & S  (didn't know Asda did them at that point)  I bought my size before the mx as the prosthesis is fitted to match your remaining boob.   I bought one post surgery bra from M & S which has pockets on both sides,   Your prosthesis comes with a cover which you can put it in if you're wearing a non pocketed bra so that you have cotton next to your skin.   Nicola Jane do a selection of post surgery bras but they can be pricey - think the cheapest is about £20, but they also sell pockets which you can sew onto your existing bras, and also bra extender pieces.     I saw the surgeon again in November to have a discussion about the reduction, and decided to go for it - had op on Monday this week, home on Tuesday morning.   Bit sorer than I was with mx, and difficult to say how much smaller I am at the moment as still bruised and swollen, but hoping for a C cup!  The breast care team say that once I'm unswollen they will fit me with a new matching prosthesis. Take care and good luck with all treatments. JB   ... View more

I think after dx and treatment the norm is to be seen every six months for check up for five years, and go for mammograms annually for 10 years.    Even if you are told mammogram recall every three years, you can request an annual one.   Hope this helps.   JB  ... View more

Jenny, hope all goes well with your op.   I had right breast reduction on Monday this week following mx last July - was offered delayed recon, but so far chosen not to go down that route, but because I'm a large cup size onthe right side, thought that the offer of a reduction would help.    Last year my treatment was marvellous, all lead up stuff - recall for mammogram, biopsies and meetings with BCNs were in a separate breast care unit, with the mx being done in "sister" hospital on another site.   The ward was a specific ward for breast care, had two rooms with 4 beds, specialist breast care nurses, specific room for fitting cumfies and prosthestis, and because of a local bosom friends charity had its own lovely sitting room and kitchen where you could go and make a cup of tea or a slice of toast and feel "normal".   My husband was allowed to stay all day on the day of surgery, could walk down to theatre with me etc etc.   Because it was a specific breast care ward, all the patients and people with them were at some stage of their breast cancer journey, and I met some lovely ladies who gave me such hope and support.   Because my husband lost his mother when he was 16 to cancer, he'd just heard the C word and flipped, so for him, being able to talk to someone who was with his daughter who was have a lumpectomy, but whose wife had been dx with breast cancer some 20+ years ago (and still around) was really helpful.   However as with all NHS trusts they have to look at the money, and it would appear that because breast surgery has advanced so far and with all the surgery that is now being done as day cases, the powers that be have moved the breast care ward from its own little place, and added it on to the end of the gynae ward so no room for all the things that had been provided by the charity.   We now have breast care nurses during the day but the gynae nurses have to pick up the extra 8 beds during the night.   On Monday night one of the hospital managers (matron) was prowling round the wards looking for beds, and because the breast care unit had some beds available for patients due to arrive the following day, those beds were grabbed and 3 patients - not sure if they were gynae patients or other surgery - were brought in with the last one being admitted at midnight.   The lady in the bed next to me had just undergone a mx, following a series of chemo, and I did think that it wasn't great from an infection control point of view to mix us all up.  But the thing that bothered me, and this will sound so shallow, was that the last of these admitted patients had her partner/boyfriend/husband with her who seemed to continually stare at all of us with no boob, no hair etc, and its the lack of understanding of these side of things that now seems to let the hospital down.   My surgeon, anaesthestic and the nurses were absolutely fantastic, and had no problem with me staying on Monday night rather than going home as a day case as I had a bit of a bleed through the dressings and was worried about going home, but it's just a real pity that the brilliant clinical services are let down by the logistics of managers trying to find beds...  And the poor nurses on the night shift were run ragged, and I have to say, none of us got much rest!   Good luck for your op, and I hope the admission system isn't as awful as the last time.   Take care x x JB ... View more

hope all goes well for your mum.   I had left mx at end July 13, and sentinel node biopsy.   Had the op Monday afternoon, drain out Wednesday lunchtime and home Wednesday afternoon.    I've not had recon and still not sure whether I'll go down this route or not.   Initially I was told that I couldn't have immediate recon as they thought I would need radiotherapy.   I was lucky in that nodes came back clear, so no chemo or radio and when surgeon gave me those results she suggested a reduction on my right side.  So six months on  I'm back for surgery on right side to reduce size so will be able to wear smaller prosthesis.   What I wanted to say was everyone tells me that they have no idea that I'm wearing a prosthesis.   Obviously different when undressed at home, and I guess we all have different opinions of how we look without two boobs.   My missing one reminds me that I'm here and still kicking.   I was really squeamish when my dressings were taken off in hospital after the mx worried about what it would look like, but it wasn't half as bad as I'd imagined, and now six months on the scar is fading well.  Take care - hope your mums op goes well.  Big hugs and good wishes. @bumblegirl wrote: Thank you so much for all of your replies. It seems like there's a lot of difference in the times. Mum is having hers done tomorrow. Rather then the actual operation I think she's actually finding it really hard that she will have just one breast 😞 she isn't have immediate recon because they aren't sure if she will still need radiotherapy or not. I hope you are all well and those waiting for results get the results they want xxx . ... View more

Thanks everybody, I spoke to my GP who referred me for muscular skeletal triage - appt due 5 March - 2 days after I go into hospital for reduction on my "good" side.     Spoke to the physio I'd had for my froz shoulder on the other side, got another referral from GP and due to see physio tomorrow.   Ideally if I can get a bit more movement back before I go into hospital so that both arms aren't out of action! ... View more

I've been on tamoxifen for nearly six months now and had the usual se - flushes achy joints tiredness, and a sore tongue, but did have a nasty bout of heartburn and indigestion last week which I normally don't suffer from - I put it down to the tamoxifen, but haven't had it since.   I take mine first thing in the morning with a glass of water, followed on by a cup of tea and then breakfast. ... View more