Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hi,   I have exactly the same question as have been offered lipofilling for reconstruction.  Feel quite nervous about it but seems the best option.   Would be grateful for any words of encouragement.   Thanks ... View more

Your Doctor can specify your preferred brand on your prescription, the chemist then has to supply it.  I have teva on mine. This hasn't helped with the company being out of stock though so still on different brand this month.   I was at the hospital on Monday and mentioned that Teva were out of stock. The doctor said that suppliers sell their drugs abroad too (for more money). So this is not an uncommon situation. I hadn't thought of that before.     ... View more

Hi Everyone,   I also use teva Tamoxifen and my chemist can't get hold of it either.  I phoned Teva and they have said they are out of stock and will be back in middle of April although they told the chemist end of May.   As you've all said we get enough problems and SEs without having to change brand.  My local chemist, bless her heart, tried everything to get me Teva but there doesn't seem to be any anywhere.   Now on wockhart this month - which I don't like gives me headaches and I can feel so low on it too.   Ho Hum, the joys.   take care all   J xx   ... View more

Hi Hueyl,   My experience is very similar to yours. I'm two and a half years down the line. First cording two months after surgery. I was given exercises to do and over time the cord seems to ping and is gone. I had cording a couple of more times after that.   I haven't had anything for ages and then I pulled something in my surgery side a couple of weeks ago and have a bruised feeling running in a line from armpit to wrist. Initially I couldn't feel the cord but felt it yesterday.    Hopefully by doing the exercises again the cording will go.   Best wishes J xx ... View more

Hi,   I've been so fed up over the last two summers with what I can and can't wear that I am determined to lose my stomach overhang. Parts of my body look rubbish now which I can do little about so am trying to change the bits I can so I can wear some cloths that I like.   I was already overweight and I put on half a stone during chemo but have gradually lost it and more (18Ibs) but it's taken over 14 months.  I follow some of the skinny rules diet most of the time and have invested in a nutribullet and try and have a veggie/fruit shake for breakfast - I have found this has helped stop my sugar gravings and makes me feel fuller for longer. Exercise wise I walk the dog every day for about 40 minutes and when I remember I still do my lymphoedema exercises and a few situps. I don't tend to sit down till lunch time either as once I sit down find it difficult to get going again.   Just thought I'd let you know it is possible, but there is no denying it's a slow process and not easy.   Sending you all warm hugs   BB      Forgot to say I've been on Tamoxifen since June '14       ... View more

Completely understand where you are all coming from, absolute agony. Please have a look at this thread, I found it so helpful.   https://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Sex-and-relationships/Painful-intercourse-and-safe-lubricants/td-p/772274/jump-to/first-unread-message ... View more

Hi Angiebobs,   I'm sorry to hear that you are still struggling with these symptoms.   I finished my treatment in June 2014, am about the same age as you and can relate to many of the symptoms you have mentioned.  I forget words, appointments, names (well just about everything really) am not as quick thinking and get tired very easily.  The conclusion I have come to is that these are mostly menapausal symptoms exasperated by the chemotherapy and now the tamoxifen. Many of my non BC friends  are also going through the menapause too and quite frankly we're all as batty as each other forgetting all sorts.   As for work, I took voluntary redundancy last year and am really glad I did.  I feel like I would be a liability if I tried to do the job I had before, I don't trust myself to think clearly and quickly. Some of my BC friends also feel the same.  The lack of brain function has knocked our confidence in the work environment.   Local government pensions can be taken early or on the grounds of ill health but I don't know the process for this.  I attended the BCC moving forward course last year and a finance person from BCC (I think) gave a chat on what benefits etc we might be entitled too  - I'm sorry I can't remember exactly but if you contact BCC directly they would be able to put you in touch with someone to help.     Big hugs   BB         ... View more

Hi K,   Thanks for posting about your experience of facial hair.  My head hair seems to be taking ages to grow but I too look like I have a downy beard - only noticed in the sunlight yesterday and now it's all I see.   Good idea to use threading to get rid of it.   As if all the treatment and body changes aren't enough!  I guess it all takes time, I still have the bose lines on my finger nails but at least they can be covered up with nail polish.   Thanks again   Jxx ... View more

Hi,   My normal temperature is pretty low too, similar to yours usually 36.5 ish haven't noticed it go a lot lower than that.  If you have any queries like this best to discuss with your BCN or the team that you are being treated by.  I have found the teams are quite happy to explain everything and what you should be watching out for in your individual circumstances.   On my last treatment cycle my temperature was going  up and down like a yoyo. Always at the weekend when our chemo ward staff were not available so I gave the A&E department a call and they advised me to go in as my temp had gone up to nearly 38c. (sorry that doesn't really help with a low temp)   All the best   J xx         ... View more

Hi amtw,   I use the ladycare magnet and have for ages.  Since chemo I've gone into menopause and although I get some hot flushes their not horrendous and don't last very long.  Mostly the worst one is first thing in the morning just after I wake up.   Interstingly I've started taking my vitamin tablets again and have noticed that since taking magnesium at night the hot flush in the morning has all but disappeared - I'll be monitoring this to see if it's just coincidence or has genuinely helped.    Haven't started the tomoxifen yet, can't say I'm looking forward to it bit the tips on here are invaluable.   best wishes Jx ... View more