Breast Cancer Now Forum

Bless Google:- it found this thread, when all I'd asked it to look for was 'allergic reaction cosmopor'.   I have just had bilateral scar revision after mastectomy, never had any issues with allergies of any kind, but from day of surgery, chest was very Itchy (no rash)..     5 days later (one dressing change, same type: Cosmopor + Leukomed T) developed a bad rash corresponding to adhesive contact, so thankfully not involving scar area, and feeling unwell  😞   Dressing change to good old-fashioned Melolin & micropore, + Piriteze + Eurax cream and slept +++   If any of historic posters read this, can you confirm whether  ---  You were taking Tamoxifen / Anastrazole etc at the time ---  Whether the dressings allergy has continued as far as you are aware?   Cheers ... View more

Hi there moorcow and Sky2sea, hope you are doing ok with your treatment.. I'm on three FB groups:- Flat Friends UK; Lesbian Cancer Survivors and Caregivers, and QueerCancer, which are a little more active that the Lesbian / bisexual forum here. 🙂 Kath ... View more

Hi Pam, I think the previous posts are good, and give you some perspective. I'm on month nine of Tamoxifen, and unfortunately the brand I have found which for me has minimal side effects, seems erratically available at the chemists. The last packet (month 😎 gave me less hot flushes at first than my least favoured brand, but then as I came to the end of the packet, I started getting anxiety and cognitive problems.. Which I knicknamed #tamoxifog ! I'm going back to GP to see if they will prescribe the original version made "Nolvadex-D" which apparently is better for side effects, but due to cost isn't often prescribed.., or if not whether they'll try me on the oral solution "Soltamox". I haven't named the brands that are best / worst for me, as I have read a lot in trying to sort my situation, and learnt that each of us experiences the different brands differently, so what is favoured by someone may be someone else's nemesis.. I also have been recommended to a "Chillow" (chilled pillow)- easily found by Internet searching, and it arrived today.. Already it has made me feel much more comfortable / in control of my hot flushes, currently happening about every 90 mins, so an optimistic of improved sleep tonight. Hope this helps Kath ... View more

Well done Roloted..   🙂   I'm due to finish this Friday.. am staying in a hospital hostel as I live 3 hrs away, and it was very hard to drive down again yesterday for treatment this week..   I will be sooo  happy when I get the nod that treatment is finished and I can go home..   I hope the next 10 days is OK, and then you heal well thereafter without too much tiredness..   🙂 ... View more

Hi all,   Tattoos which seem tiny to us are very visible to experienced radiotherapists..  I can barely see one of mine, but they seem to have no problem lining me up.. Deodarant - I was told Bionsen (which I'd already changed to anyway) and is available over the counter from Boots and elsewhere. Skin care - I've done extensive medical literature search, and there is not a great deal of evidence apart from keeping well mositurised..  The radiotherapy units often offer advice such as E45 or aqueous cream or 99.9% Aloe Vera..  so I guess best to speak to your radiotherapists.. I'mm now 11 treatments, and skin is still holding up well... on a countdown to Friday, and I can finally leave the hostel for good (phew) ... View more

Hi jingo_x I am one of many "Flat n Fabulous" women out here, who are very happy to be so. I had cancer on one side (2 previous benign lumps on that side), but absolutely kew that I could not face another lump (i.e. no WLE), couldn't do reconstruction (felt like creating something false, which was not equivalent), and couldn't do prosthesis..   The thought of being lopsided was equally unthinkable for me, so I opted for bilateral mastectomy immediately, and was fortunate that my surgeon (though taking some persuading) listened and understood I just wanted to be flat, and did a great job, There is a UK closed Facebook page  which " This group is for ladies who have had a single or double mastectomy and are living life flat, or with foobs" and which has 79 members, and also a similar international page  with 1400 members. I get most of my cancer support from these amazing and uplifting groups. Hope this helps ... View more

Hi sky2sea I'm around too, and check the bcc forums every couple of weeks or so..   (Actually get most of my online support from Flat n Fabulous UK on Facebook) I'm currently having radiotherapy (Surgery was September), and staying in the hospital hostel as its 3 hrs from home.. Hope you are doing OK 🙂   ... View more

Hi Gill,   I started 19th December, so have had 6 treatments so far in Singleton (Swansea).   I'm three hours away from the hospital, so am driving back down tomorrow for four treatments this week, and then next week the final five.   The irradiated area is a little more sensitive, but no obvious reactions.. 🙂 ... View more