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Re: Feeling anxious about Letrazole and Radiation
@lslandgirl64 The tendonitis was very painful, it developed about a year after starting letrozole, l tried resting it which didn't help, so l started with wrist exercises and also strengthening, push ups, etc and it eventually went away. Sore feet were also a problem after chemo, l find walking barefoot and using a small ball to roll under my feet has helped. The sore joints are usually while trying to sleep. The painful sex is an ongoing problem, started almost immediately after starting Letrozole. I haven't figured out the best way to deal with this yet. I did not have radiation, so no advice there. I just recently (Feb) had a breast lift on my non breast cancer breast and a nipple created on my implant reconstruction breast. I did not realise how much l missed having a nipple until waking up after surgery and looking down. Also having both breasts at the same height is nice. My plastic surgeon did an amazing job. Good Luck with your radiation and the Letrozole. Karen
6 years ago Place General
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Re: Feeling anxious about Letrazole and Radiation
Hi @Islandgirl64, I have been on Letrozole for just over 2 years now. I was diagnosed with Osteopenia before l started chemo and my letrozole treatment. I am 56yrs old and was shocked to find out that l had osteopenia, as l have always been very fit. Because of my taking Letrozole which can have a detrimental affect on your bones, l have been receiving bone infusions every 6 months to increase bone density. Now about my letrozole side effects, shortly after l started them l got carpal tunnel, that got better, then tendonitis in my wrist, that also went away. I get a bit sore in the joints in the night, hot flushes, l have a little trouble sleeping, mainly because of the hot flushes. I feel a little fatigued at times, probably due to not sleeping well. Everything comes and goes. Lately l am having more pain in my legs and hips during the night or after sitting for awhile. I keep very active, in fact l changed career during my BC journey and did my Diploma in Clinical Pilates. I hate to think how l would be without my exercise regimen. Most of these conditions l can cope with, but the problems with having sex and the loss of my libido can get me down at times. My husband is very supportive thankfully. Just remember that not all side effects stay. I am too scared to go off the letrozole, although not sure if l could do 10yrs. Good Luck, Karen
6 years ago Place General
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Re: Letrozole
I am 54yrs old and went through a BC diagnosis Mastectomy and chemo last year. I have been on Letrazole for 12 months now. The one positive is that my hot flushes are not as bad as they been previously. One month after starting Letrozole l developed Carpal Tunnel in my left wrist ( a side affect of Letrozole l found out) a couple of months ago l started to get severe pain in my wrist, especially at night, l was having trouble sleeping, using my carpal tunnel brace has helped. Diagnosed as Tendinitis, again caused by Letrozole. Sex has become painful since starting Letrozole. I am tired a lot and have sore joints, especially in my knees at night. I am very stiff first thing in the morning. I have put myself through training as a Pilates Instructor this year and have recently qualified. I hate to think how l would be without my pilates exercises. I will continue on it for now, hopefully it will not get any worse. Good luck, Karen
7 years ago Place Hormone blocking therapy
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Re: Who else can't sleep?
Hi @kmakm, l had a lot of trouble with constipation, l would have a few prunes or dates or prune juice and if l was on any pain killers like oxynorm which would block me up immediately then l would use Nu-lax which is a natural fruit laxative, worked well for me.
8 years ago Place Managing stress and anxiety
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Re: What to do with my hair 5 months after chemo? Hair dyes?
Hi, @Afraser, it is hard to be patient. I thought that the hard part would be having no hair, but l did not mind wearing scarves, it was easy and there are some really lovely chemo scarves to buy. This hair on the other hand is awful, l hope that after l have it coloured on Monday that l will feel a bit better. l have always had long hair so it is a bit of a change for me. Cheers, Karen
8 years ago Place General
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Re: What to do with my hair 5 months after chemo? Hair dyes?
Hi, @onemargie, the hair colour worked well for you and it looked great. Cheers, Karen
8 years ago Place General
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Re: What to do with my hair 5 months after chemo? Hair dyes?
Thanks @Jen001, good to hear that the hair dye worked for you, l will see how l feel after Monday when l get my hair coloured by a hairdresser. Cheers, Karen
8 years ago Place General
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Re: What to do with my hair 5 months after chemo? Hair dyes?
Thanks @poodlejules, it's great to hear of your experience. l am having my hair coloured on Monday, hopefully it takes. After all of the treatment, loss of hair, you just don't stop to think about how long before your hair grows back, l had no idea that my hair would grow back a different colour, it was easier to wear scarves when l had no hair, l still felt somewhat like me, but this weird wavy gray hair that flicks out at my ears is crazy. I suppose that in a few months my hair will get to a more manageable length. Cheers, Karen
8 years ago Place General
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What to do with my hair 5 months after chemo? Hair dyes?
Hi, My hair is fairly thick now but still very short and a bit wavy, especially at the back, puffy on the top,flicks out at my ears. l am hating the colour, it is such a weird salt and pepper colour with a tinge of red. I did not have this much grey before, l am a natural redhead, l did get a few foils in my hair regularly before l lost my hair from chemo. Will my hair go back to it's original colour or am l stuck with mostly grey hair now? How safe is it to dye my hair and can l expect to get the colour that l want? I will go to a professional. I would love to hear from those that have coloured their hair after chemo, how long after and what results they got. I hate looking in the mirror, l feel as if l have lost myself. Cheers, Karen
8 years ago Place General
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Re: Letrazole and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Hi @Deanne, Thanks for your advice, l will definitely look into Curcumin. A friend gave me some turmeric powder and told me to add it to my meals but l keep forgetting. I guess that the tablets will be more effective. I will ask my Oncologist. I finished chemo 3 months ago so l guess that it would be okay. Cheers, Karen xx
8 years ago Place Hormone blocking therapy
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PRIVATE GROUP. This group is a safe, supportive space to talk about sexual health and emotional wellbeing during and after breast cancer. We discuss topics like menopause, vaginal dryness, pain during sex, UTIs, and changes in libido, and share ideas and products that may help. Whether you're navigating intimacy with a partner or reconnecting with yourself, you're not alone here. This is a place for open, respectful conversations and shared understanding.
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