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Susan1's avatar
Susan1
Member
15 years ago

Chemo finished

Hi everyone,

Well I havent been on for quite a while , many excuses for which I will not go into.....

I have finished Chemo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Thank God , Last dose put me in hospital, was extremely ill, but now am on the up and up, so much so I am going back to work for a couple of days each week, and my hair ............ is finally growing.......what a relief........

 

I havea question if anyone can answer , I am on Tamoxifen daily for the 8 -10 year stint, but I now have my joints in so much pain, as in knees, it stops me walking down stairs, this happens every few days at the moment, not daily.  Also i have developed a couple of lumps that Dr said is a cyst, does anyone else get reactions to tamoxifen like this and if so what do you take for the joint pain  for example...

Thankyou so much for your response....

 

Cheers Sue

 

 

8 Replies

  • Di_BCNA's avatar
    Di_BCNA
    Member
    15 years ago

    Haha, good for you.  You probably brightened everyone else's day, too! :)

  • hdubs's avatar
    hdubs
    Member
    15 years ago

    Thanks Sue.  I won't complain if I have to be on Tamoxifen for life even.  Aside from the annoying joint pain and the hot flushes that I would have had anyway in a few years, it's pretty painless.

    And thanks too for your reply to Di about your Yippee dance in the chemo suite loos.  Made me laugh and I need it today!  Saw my oncologist yesterday for my third last herceptin infusion.  I love everyone there to bits but it's a bit of a downer afterwards for a couple of days. 

    Helen.

  • Susan1's avatar
    Susan1
    Member
    15 years ago

    Thanks Di,

     

    It's a milestone that I am so glad to be this side of .

    Life starting to get back to normality, it is a great feeling, if I feel this positive after chemo, I must be going to explode when i finish treatment... 

    I must tell you on the last dose of chemo I went to the bathroom in the chemo suite and did a dance of absolute happiness....no more chemo !!!!  I let out a Yippee and when I came out the other patients clapped...(rather embarrssing, but had to do it.....)

  • Susan1's avatar
    Susan1
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Helen,

    Thanks for getting back to me, just in response to your question, my oncologist explained to me that every week after further rigorous testing the time you are on Tamoxifen can change, as they find out more and more about this drug. Oncologist also said treatment could change during this period ie: transfer to another drug as the scientists discover new remedies,

    I too was under the impression 5 years flat, but totally made sense when it was explained. 

     

    Hope I have explained this clearly.

    Have a good day

     

    Sue

     

  • Susan1's avatar
    Susan1
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Helen,

    Thanks for getting back to me, just in response to your question, my oncologist explained to me that every week after further rigorous testing the time you are on Tamoxifen can change, as they find out more and more about this drug. Oncologist also said treatment could change during this period ie: transfer to another drug as the scientists discover new remedies,

    I too was under the impression 5 years flat, but totally made sense when it was explained. 

     

    Hope I have explained this clearly.

    Have a good day

     

    Sue

     

  • hdubs's avatar
    hdubs
    Member
    15 years ago

    Sue

    I've been on Tamoxifen since February and from the day I started it I've had sore hands.  If I stop moving them for a while, eg sleeping, watching TV, etc, they get stiff and sore.  Occasionally, I get sore elbows and one knee.  I've been on  a lot of fish oil and glucosamine since even before diagnosis as I started having arthritic pain in two fingers.  I'm still getting the sore joints though, but I guess it could be worse.

    Do you mind me asking how come you're going to be on Tamoxifen for 8 - 10 years.  I thought it was just 5 years.

    Helen.

  • Di_BCNA's avatar
    Di_BCNA
    Member
    15 years ago

    Congrats to you, Susan. That's a great milestone to get past! :)

    ~Di

  • Susan1's avatar
    Susan1
    Member
    15 years ago

    Thanks Maria,

    I heard about the Fish Oil, I will give anything a go at the moment, went to GP the other day and they gave me Non steroidal anti inflammatory tablets, not what I am looking for, bandaid solution not the way to go I don't believe as at the end of the day its still there just hidden....

    I see oncologist next week so will discuss further, thanks again...

     

    Have a nice day

     

    Sue :-)