Hello there

Hi Lynne, good to know that so many stories have helped you feel a bit better.  You may find it surprising how many people have similar feelings and questions.  It helps when you know that your thoughts are not so different from other people going through similar stuff.  Use the blog, it is good to use it as a way to vent and you can keep it private if you like. 

Take care and feel free to add me to your contacts if you like.

Tracey

hi Lynne,

i am so glad you have joined us, and this is exactly what we are trying to achieve here, i believe that by helping others we can help ourselves, which in turn makes us all feel better. There are a lot of inspiring women on here, and even though we all go through our journey differently we all have bc in common, i am sorry to hear about your bipolar, and you know we are open to any conversations and support here, please dont ever feel alone, come on here and vent, chat or laugh, remember we are here. Please add me to your contacts and keep in touch Regards Moira

hi Lynne,

i am so glad you have joined us, and this is exactly what we are trying to achieve here, i believe that by helping others we can help ourselves, which in turn makes us all feel better. There are a lot of inspiring women on here, and even though we all go through our journey differently we all have bc in common, i am sorry to hear about your bipolar, and you know we are open to any conversations and support here, please dont ever feel alone, come on here and vent, chat or laugh, remember we are here. Please add me to your contacts and keep in touch Regards Moira

hi Lynne,

i am so glad you have joined us, and this is exactly what we are trying to achieve here, i believe that by helping others we can help ourselves, which in turn makes us all feel better. There are a lot of inspiring women on here, and even though we all go through our journey differently we all have bc in common, i am sorry to hear about your bipolar, and you know we are open to any conversations and support here, please dont ever feel alone, come on here and vent, chat or laugh, remember we are here. Please add me to your contacts and keep in touch Regards Moira

It's really interesting hearing your stories and I'd  like to share my notes about my experiences on ant-oestrogens. Five years on Tamoxifen and then Herceptin came more widely available during that time. So having had oestrogen +ve tumour I asked my oncologist why wasn't I being offered Herceptin,  he said even if it was around when I was commenced on treatment he wouldn't have recommended it and was really confident I was on the right stuff for my particular situation & type of tumour. So I got to the end of the 5 yrs with anticipation of coming off drugs, but also trepidation that I'd be on my own. Lots of yucky side-effects but what the heck I was still alive! Then I developed high blood pressure and got hooked on Celebrex (anti-inflammatories for all the joint pains.) Eventually got off that with the help of my chiropractor and tried to stick with Panadol, brufen, aspirin, whatever helped. Then I was offered Femara (another five years, oh no- but am I going to risk not taking it? No way!!) So had to have bone density studies first and shock horror- thin bones, had to start on Calcium & Vit D, and back to oncology for  Zometa infusions, six months apart, which made me really sick, just like have a small dose of chemo again. Had that three times, now just waiting to have another bone density check and keeping on the Femara. Like Tanya, I am finding that Glucosamine & Fish Oil & Panadol Osteo really help with the stiffness in the morning especially the swollen fingers, plus I'm going to a ladies gym which is fairly gentle (no lifting wieghts). Swimming & walking is harder  to fit into my schedule, but I found out the hard way, small amounts of exercise often really helps. I still get some really bad muscle cramps at times. Keeping fit seems to be a real key to feeling well and being able to cope with the hot flushes, cramps & so on.  Because I have turned into such a pill popper, I've got two of those pill dispensers to help me to remember all the various medications I am taking, LOL. I also have discovered that a regular lymphatic drainage massage helps me, as it's amazing how much fluid that shifts, that is otherwise  just hanging around my body and weighing me down. Despite all this, I really do feel great , happy and healthier than I have for ages.

Go Girls!

It's really interesting hearing your stories and I'd  like to share my notes about my experiences on ant-oestrogens. Five years on Tamoxifen and then Herceptin came more widely available during that time. So having had oestrogen +ve tumour I asked my oncologist why wasn't I being offered Herceptin,  he said even if it was around when I was commenced on treatment he wouldn't have recommended it and was really confident I was on the right stuff for my particular situation & type of tumour. So I got to the end of the 5 yrs with anticipation of coming off drugs, but also trepidation that I'd be on my own. Lots of yucky side-effects but what the heck I was still alive! Then I developed high blood pressure and got hooked on Celebrex (anti-inflammatories for all the joint pains.) Eventually got off that with the help of my chiropractor and tried to stick with Panadol, brufen, aspirin, whatever helped. Then I was offered Femara (another five years, oh no- but am I going to risk not taking it? No way!!) So had to have bone density studies first and shock horror- thin bones, had to start on Calcium & Vit D, and back to oncology for  Zometa infusions, six months apart, which made me really sick, just like have a small dose of chemo again. Had that three times, now just waiting to have another bone density check and keeping on the Femara. Like Tanya, I am finding that Glucosamine & Fish Oil & Panadol Osteo really help with the stiffness in the morning especially the swollen fingers, plus I'm going to a ladies gym which is fairly gentle (no lifting wieghts). Swimming & walking is harder  to fit into my schedule, but I found out the hard way, small amounts of exercise often really helps. I still get some really bad muscle cramps at times. Keeping fit seems to be a real key to feeling well and being able to cope with the hot flushes, cramps & so on.  Because I have turned into such a pill popper, I've got two of those pill dispensers to help me to remember all the various medications I am taking, LOL. I also have discovered that a regular lymphatic drainage massage helps me, as it's amazing how much fluid that shifts, that is otherwise  just hanging around my body and weighing me down. Despite all this, I really do feel great , happy and healthier than I have for ages.

Go Girls!

Thanks Tanya ... I shouldn't complain...I'm still the right side of the grass! lol

I'm taking Vitamin D to help with the bone density and I am trying the new Panadol Osteo pills for the pain and they seem to help. I was always such a busy, busy person always on the go and now I feel like a cranky old Turnip...

I haven't had noticeable hair thinning in fact I reckon I'm getting hairy on my face but my sister jokingly says all old girls (I'm 68) get hairy on the face so I suppose this could be normal! lol

As for my Mum ... they made 'em tough in the old days ... lol

Hi Rennay

Yep I am on Arimidex too and have been for three years and counting down the hours minutes and even seconds...lol

It was funny, when I was reading your post, I had to go to the bottom to see who wrote it cause I thought it may have been one that I had written, but my Grandma is only 83!!!! And yep, she is a power house too!!!

I was suffering really bad from the side effects too, aching joints, thinning hair, dry eyes etc.  But I have been taking Fish oil and Glysomine (not sure of the spelling) and have lost 20 odd kg and do swimming and exercise and the aching joints have subsided.

What I worry about is what damage this drug has done to my bone density!!!  I still have a hell of a lot of living to do in the tired ole body and I am not even 40 yet!!

But they are keeping cancer away and I will arrive at my grave at a very old age in a worn out body skidding in sideways yelling "holy shit what a ride"  .  (I think I may have lost something in translation, but you get the picture).

So sorry I have no great words of advice when it comes to Arimidex, I am jelous that you only have 6 months to go.  I did read on the arimidex website from women that their thinning hair thickened up when they went off it, so here is hoping that maybe other parts improve too.

Building muscles around the bone helps apparently, personally I don't do nearly as much exercise as I should to be beneficial, but I have made a pact to do more. 

Tanya

I'm thinking of you...we are stronger than we realise ... I too have had moments when I wanted to curl up and hide ... we can get through this! xx

Hi Sara,

I haven't found the Zoladex too much of a problem for myself.  Once a month I go to my GP and he gives me a local anaestethic in my stomach and then he gives me the zoladex.  The Zoladex that I have comes in a syringe type thing.  It is a small pellet inside of this that the inject into your stomach.  Apparently not all docs give a local first, but my GP has done this right from the start so I don't know what it would feel like without the local.  I get hot flushes.  In winter they are welcome in summer they can be a bit of a drainer especially if you have been working hard and already worked up a sweat and then one decides to happen, then you can feel really hot.  I find mine only last about 30 seconds.  If I get them in bed, I just stick my legs out from the covers for a few minutes and they settle down.  Apart from that, and maybe the odd mood swing, but with everything else I'm taking, I can't just blame one thing, I find it reasonably bearable.  Unfortunately, being female means that we can only get the monthly one on the PBS and they recommend that women have the monthly one only due to us having periods.  So it means that it is an extra cost for us again and it has to be done by a doctor.

Good luck to you and your family with everything.  Feel free to ask more questions and you are welcome to add me as a contact if you wish.

Tracey