Breast Cancer Now Forum

Yes! I have been taking anastrozole since September and some days it is horrendous :(.  I take amitriptyline  an the strong cocodamol which helps but I am like an old lady!  ... View more

Definitely the anastrozle, I went for my first wax since chemo and she asked whether i wanted the sides waxing also!! I looked like I had a big red beard when I came out !!! ... View more

Hi pineapples, it can feel pretty grim at this part of your "journey"  and the fear is overwhelming at times.  Just to say that I was were you are at this point last year and it does get "easier" to manage, I had surgery,  chemo and rads and have now returned to work  and it all feels a bit surreal now. I still have wobbly times but it feels a different kind of wobbly which probably doesn't make sense but it will at a later date!!! Sending a gentle hug your way xxxx ... View more

I went back to work last week after 10months (we get a very generous 2 weeks phased return so will be using holidays!) and have to say i felt like someone had slipped me some fec i felt that fuzzy and tired so you have my sympathy! I think you can restart your esa claim within a certain timeframe without the faffing around macmillan will be able to advise. My gp prescribed amitriptline for the nerve pain which has made a difference dont know if youve tried it? Good luck xxxx ... View more

Hi do you have a maggies or macmillan centre near you? They have welfare rights advisors who are excellent if not i would contact macmillan via the helpline. The indicators for pip are different from dla and you could do with some support. In the first instance you need to request a mandatory reconsideration so you are able to appeal and this is time limited. Good luck x ... View more

Hi tina if you have have paid enough ni during the past two tax years you are entitled to claim contribution based esa when ssp runs out it doesn't matter you are getting paid from work. The only thing they take into account are pensions and some kind of group insurance which i had never heard of and they will make a deduction in those cases. I had an asu insurance policy which they got a bit confused with but after taking in bank statements it got sorted. I ran out of ssp, was in 1/2 pay from work, insurance policy and was still entitled to cb esa this automatically switched to the higher rate after a set smount of weeks when they had the esa form bsck. Dwp have got a bit confused! ... View more

It certainly seems to be a bit of a postcode lottery! I  asked about iv zometa and luckily my centre was just about  to start  providing it so had my 1st dose  end of August,Mitchell seems very hit and miss.  ... View more

Hi niknac welcome to the forum although sorry you find yourself here. I finished chemo  in august and radiotherapy  last week, I found the chemo tough but doable and found taking each day as it comes the best way to get through. I was given emend for nausea on the the 2nd cycle which helped enormously and can't stress enough about strict oral hygiene through out chemo.  There is a very useful hints and tips thread  in the chemo section and loads of support in the monthly chemo threads.  It probably feels a huge mountain to climb at present but you will come through this I am sure there wasn't one of us who thought we wouldn't see light at the end of the tunnel at some point.  Good luck x ... View more

Sorry you have found yourself here especially at your age. This is a descion only you can make after full discussion with your oncologist. At 30 with a young child I would finish the chemotherapy it wouldn't enter my head not to but that is me. The taxane component greatly increases survival for node positive disease and whilst there are no guarantee that it will never come back your treatment plan will give you the best chance of being around for as long as possible. I had 2 doses of docetaxel before being switched to weekly taxol and whilst not side effect free I found it much more managable . Don't mean to offend by being to the point and good luck with what ever you decide 🙂 ... View more

Ah hazel bless you I think it would be unusual not to have the occasional wobble!  I am 19 down with 4 to go and you be honest as the others have said it does go very quickly.  Apart from an itchy rash and I am now feeling really tired it's been fine and the radiographers have been fantastic x ... View more

Lucy, sorry you find yourself back again that is pants (to put it mildly!), the waiting is the worst, will be thinking of you and good luck with not googling 🙂 x ... View more

Hi bodies mum, sorry you have joined  a not so exclusive club but welcome :).  I was diagnosed in January (48 at the time) after a bit of a protracted journey and just coming out the other side finishing radiotherapy next week after surgery and chemo. I think and many ladies would agree that this is the worst time as  you have had life changing news and there are so many unknowns, it gets better when you have a treatment plan and get started. Is it normal  not to be frightened? I would say this is individual to each of us whatever "normal" is after diagnosis.  people cope in different ways and emotions tend to peak and trough. There will ve good times and not so good through treatment and beyond but it is all doable.  I still find it very surreal have to say!  Xxx   ... View more

Hi, I was told that the radiotherapy mandatory for breast conserving surgery. (also having  underarm as +node). My surgeon/oncologist gave the  % which u can't remember what they were but quite significant. X ... View more

Jackie,  that's sounds a lovely time with your family. Congratulations to those that have finished. I have had 3 weeks with 8 boosts to go and seem to have hit a fatigue wall and feel quite "foggy" along with a terrible itchy rash on my chest and have been given hydrocortisone cream.  On the flip side  i have 2 matching boobs as the naughty one is swollen so should enjoy that whilst it lasts  :). Hope everyone is having a good weekend xxx   ... View more

I had this which I was also surprised about but it seemed to calm down. I've had  14 sessions (another 9 to go) and although  the boob is red and a bit itchy it's holding up well x ... View more