Disability pension

Brenda, I am so sorry to hear of this plight still you are on. I too am wondering, is it an option to discuss changing your medication? I was on Tamoxifen for 4yrs and can say I had zero side effects but I was pre menopausal then. You had chemo in October 2015? I had mine in August 2015. January 2016 I was placed on Arimidex but before being on anything through chemo I plummeted into horrendous menopause as is usual, so my hot flushes have had nothing to do with the medication. My side effects of joint pain and muscle was shocking, so much so that my Oncologist trialed me 6 weeks off Arimidex and keep a diary, there was a difference in pain. He then changed and Im now on Aromasin, they are very similar...however this is what I believe....For me??? Chemo has taken 2yrs to get to quite a good normality, I have limited pain now, due to Aromasin? NO I don't believe so, I think a combination of side effects of Chemo are continually lessening. I've been on Magnesium, Vit D, Vit C for 18 months. The hot flushes have lessened, but even when I stopped meds for 6 weeks I had them?? I have also been lucky to work with an exercise physiologist through my income protection and its all just been stretching not alot more. I had to learn to walk again thats how severe I was, mentally well don't have to tell you how beaten I felt. All these things and time have given me much improvement. Something that surprised me was, I didnt care to go back to work, but I did Jan 2016 3 days a week and til now apart from mastectomy/diep flap recon in feb this year I had 3 months off and now am 3 weeks off post revision was another hefty surgery. An OT that was organised said how important it was mentally for me to go back to work...I scoffed!!! but she works with people for a living in all arenas. I did go back and I agree mentally I've become sharper, less stumbling in my thoughts and getting my words out.  I had chemo brain BAD!!!!! but Ive noticed a significant improvement. 

Brenda we are absolutely all different and I don't suffer from Lymphedema so that's hard! I do Elevate on my phone, brain training is another good thing on a Nintendo DS. 

I'd definitely speak to your oncologist about changing your medication and see if it helps, time will I believe help alot. I did look at one point at Disability but there was no way I'd be accepted even after a recurrence, unless I was terminal...it's ridiculous as there are many facets to not being able to work. It's hard!!! 

Let us know how you go, thinking of you Brenda,

Melinda xo