Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Emi Sorry haven't been on for along time just seen your message. I would say it was worth doing it but alot depends on what treatment you will be having as some chemo it will not work with. I had FEC and it worked well for me. I was very careful with how they prepared you for the cold cap as i wet my hair and put conditioner on. I made sure the cap was tight to my head and no gap on top. It is not pleasant it made me feel sick but my results were worth it. I had fine hair but alot of it and had it cut to shoulder length and layered before i started to help make sure the cold could get through. I was very gentle it my hair only washing once a week and avoided brushing so had a shaggy look most of the time. You will still loose loads of hair and when you was do ot really gently i combed theough with simple conditioner really gently once a week and left it to dry. Luckily my hair fell out evenly and no bald patches so for me it was great as no one would of known i was going through chemo and after treatment my hair was there and just thickened up quit quickly. I wish you all the best and hope you have success all round good luck hun and if you need to ask me anything just messsge xxx ... View more

What brand was you taking and which brand are you on now. I've only been taking it for a month and they are wockhardt I get the hot flushes and achy joints but had that before taking them so can't really say if they are adding to them or not yet. I'm sure someone will be along to offer you some advice soon sorry you are having bad side effects maybe tomorrow take the tablets back to chemist and ask for the other brand and speak to the pharmacist for advice as well xxx Tracy ... View more

Hi I've been taking tamoxifen for nearly a month and it's been ok so far. I was getting hot flushes and achy joints before taking it from the chemo I am still getting thus but it is manageable god luck xxx Tracy ... View more

First day today all went well really quick only took about fifteen minutes but they said it will be even quicker after the first few days as they will have all the machine set up. Xxx Tracy ... View more

Thanks Julie xxx ... View more

Hi Paula I can't really offer any advice as I am starting tamoxifen on Saturday. I've been getting the hot flushes brought on through chemo which I've been finished now for nearly five weeks. I'm also concerned that tam will make them worse and would like to know if there is anything to help ease them I hope people will offer advice to you soon as I will also appreciate it also xxx Tracy ... View more

Thanks julie_L for your reply would you say its worth asking GP for something to help with hot flushes they seem to be slowing down a bit now but suppose will increase with tamoxifen. I'm really glad to hear the aches and pains in legs ect ease off as this is starting to get me down. I to have not been able to exercise and start rads on Wednesday so won't be able to start swimming for a while yet I hope I'm lucky and get min side effects xxx Tracy ... View more

Kirstycat I'm so sorry to hear you had such a horrible experience today. I would of totally freaked out as well as it's hard enough getting your head around what to expect with your first chemo but to be hit with no cold cap when you had mentally prepared for it poor you! I'm glad you didn't do anything you may of regret I think I would have done the same as you to. I hope they arrange your next date ASAP to stop you worrying. The person how you rang for support was not very helpful! How you are feeling is perfectly normal I have just finished 6 FEC 4 and half weeks ago and how you describe your anxiety levels is exactly the same as how I felt. I built myself up before starting as it is scary not knowing I couldn't sleep it was on my mind all the time especially at night time and I had anxiety attracts when trying to sleep where I felt I couldn't breath. I did consider needing to get anti depressants but decided to wait and see how I was after the first chemo I also used the cold cap which was a great success. Your dx is the same as mine grade 2 no lymph involved. My experience in FEC was no where near as bad as I thought it was going to be you can still have a life and function you do get tired towards the end but all manageable and if you do have side effects there are medications to help so make sure you tell your breast care nurse or chemo nurses and they will sort you out. I hope you can relax and get some sleep your next start date I hope goes smoothly sending a big hug xxx tracy ... View more

I'm due to start tamoxifen on Saturday and after reading some of the side effects I feel like I'm on them already. My sleeping is really poor I'm exhausted I have pains in my lower back legs and feet hot flushes. I'm just over four weeks since last FEC. How can you tell these are side effects from tam or chemo ??? Xxx Tracy q ... View more

Well Wednesday is fast approaching I've ordered some udder cream from a uk Moogoo stockist so it should be with me by Wednesday I've also got h&b aloe Vera gel as well so I'm hoping these will keep my se at bay. Is anyone else starting rads this week? Xxx Tracy ... View more

Hi Nenny66 well done on getting on so well so far not long to go now! I was told I would have to avoid sun exposure after rads for about a year. This would mean having to cover up in the sun and to use a high factor 50 to that area. It might be a good idea to ask the radiographers the next time you go up to get their opinion. I was also hoping to get away and relax after treatment has finished so I'm looking to go somewhere not too hot and with places to visit as sun lounger is out for this year. With the itching did they mention about antihistamine as they stop itching as well? I'm glad you have joined this thread and you will be one of the early ones to finish as I start on 26th feb so you will be able to let us know more about it especially with the time after rads has finished as it is supposed to continue afterwards for about 10 days. Where are you having your rads done ? Xxx Tracy ... View more

I used simple shampoo and conditioner worked well for me xxx Tracy ... View more

Hi I didn't loose my eye brows or lashes on FEC even my hairs on my legs and arms continued to grow and with useing cold cap I have 2/3 inch regrowth xxx tracy ... View more

Thanks for the advise Beatrice sorry to hear your skin broke down they say it carries on working up to ten days after so we def need to be mindful of slapping on the cream before during and afterwards. Hope your skin is on the mend now xxx tracy ... View more

Yeah me to with the fatigue! I went to London yesterday so wiped out today . I hope this improves soon as it's hard being tired all the time. I've got the aloe Vera from holland and Barrett they also gave me aqueous cream to use I've also heard udder cream is supposed to be very good too! Also cabbage leaves ?? Think I'm going to stick with aloe Vera and aqueous cream and maybe give the cabbage a go if it starts to get hot lol xxx tracy ... View more

Hi Liggy yes I have felt the same after last chemo completely wiped out! I'm just starting to get a bit if energy now but if I do something one day the next I have to rest I hope this doesn't last for to much longer it would be nice to syart to feel. Little bit like I used to again. I know what you mean about the time when going through it it seemed to drag but when I finished it seemed to have gone quickly but July seems a life time away now . I think we have had so much done to is and have been through so much in a relatively short space of time that it seems a long time ago. I'm so glad we are in this side of things and I just want to get rads done and dusted now. I am also starting tamoxifen. On 1st March which I have to take for 10 years! Oh the joys ! I'm already getting the hot flushes from the chemo so I'm hoping they don't get worse especially with summer coming I think I'll be cooked lol. I'm not working either at the min I'm probably not going to go back until may as I want to get over everything and get my energy back a bit and have a nice holiday I think we deserve a bit of normal time now xxx tracy ... View more

Great to hear from you Liggy I finished my last chemo on 24th Jan so glad that part of treatment is over I was lucky and didn't have too many side effects compared to some people. Where are you having your rads done? Do you know how many you are having yet? I have had my rads planning and had my tattoos done ready to start it wasn't that bad just have a blue dot in middle of cleavage now lol. I'm glad you have come along to join me it will be good to share how we are doing and support each other through this part of our journey Xxx Tracy ... View more

Hollykins0212 congratulations on finishing your rads and 25 of them ! I am due to start on 26th Feb and I'm having 18 rads 15 +3 boosters. I'm having them done at Mount Vernon. How did you find having treatment ? Any tips you would recommend? Where did you have your rads? Xxx Tracy ... View more

Are these makes of tamoxifen? ... View more