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Russian_Blue23
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Joined 6 years ago
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Re: “Burning” feet
It never occurred to me that my recent achilles trouble would be connected to 4y of letrozole. And possibly an earlier episode of wrist pain playing table tennis. Not had either before and went to physio for diagnosis and treatment. My feet feel like inflexible blocks of wood every morning. I have symptoms of plantar fasciatus from time to time. My ankles are tender, my heels were incredibly tender. My reading online and on this site suggest my discomforts are another side effect of letrozole. Calf raise exercises have helped. Ibuprofen gel does not seem to make much difference. Heat packs when I remember do help temporarily. Wedge (low) heels definitely help. I am now avoiding bare feet for too long, also flat shoes as much as possible (abandoned my ecco sandals) and have a tennis ball handy to roll under both feet, but sometimes agony to roll under the actual heel. There are some research articles on link between AIs and tendinopathies. I have temporarily (hope not permanently) stopped playing table tennis which I love. And walking is quite painful if too fast or too far. Walking on an inclined treadmill I think set off the acute achilles and heel pain. I feel from my reading that changing to a different AI will not help. I have not had an AI "holiday" as yet. I will be asking my GP about this side effect next week. I do not see oncologist for a few months. No medical person or allied health person had made the link between AIs and tendon problem. But I will certainly ask them.48Views0likes0CommentsRe: Latest on using topical oestrogen creams like Ovestin while on Letrozole or similar
Thank you J-Nold for your helpful reply. I am hoping to see my oncologist to discuss use of Ovestin at low dose. I will also ask my GP about seeing a gynaecologist. I do not think we have those specialist GPs for womens health in Darwin but I will enquire.424Views0likes0CommentsRe: Latest on using topical oestrogen creams like Ovestin while on Letrozole or similar
Thank you Joanna. That is very interesting and encouraging. I am hoping to discuss this with my oncologist soon. It would make a big difference to my comfort. May I ask you something else? I seem to get UTIs a lot. Even after taking 10 day courses of Cephalexin, in a few weeks it comes back. Is Hiprex useful and does it work? Do you recommend any vaginal moisturisers to help with vaginal atrophy and dryness/soreness? I have been using the product Yes. I had never thought of asking to see a gynaecologist but would this be a sensible move? I used to use ovestin and vagifem before my breast cancer diagnosis and they gave me comfort and relief. They were a game changer. Then they got taken away.247Views0likes0CommentsLatest on using topical oestrogen creams like Ovestin while on Letrozole or similar
I've nearly done 4y on letrozole. My breast cancer was 6mm ER/PR positive. I had local wide incision followed by radiotherapy, no chemo. I was told to stop using Ovestin Cream and Vagifem. I get UTIs and vaginal dryness and soreness. I'd dearly like to recommence Ovestin. My GP said the medical thinking was changing a little toward allowing use of topical oestrogen creams while still on Letrozole etc. Has anyone else investigated this with their GP/oncologist? Since I was ER and PR positive I have held off but I'd like to know what other people's experience with this has been.1.1KViews0likes9CommentsRe: How long does the blue dye last?
Oh my - 2.5y and still blue - we'll glow in the dark for ages! My procedure took nearly 3h to get a result sufficient to help guide the surgery - I was on and off the table, massaging breast/nipple that many times. But joy of joys, the two nodes were clear. So no chemo and onto the intensive radiotherapy.15Views0likes0CommentsRe: How long does the blue dye last?
Sorry this is a bit late. I went looking for "how long the blue dye lasted for". My surgery was end Feb 2020 and my nipple is still blue. And more swollen than the other one. It took 2 or 3 jumping on and off the table and lots of massage before the node scan was adequate. I found the hookwire very uncomfortable. I had expected the local anaesthetic to prevent the pain of the wire but apparently they could not inject deep enough for the site of my cancer so the last bit hurt.10Views0likes0Comments
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Let's talk: vaginas, menopause & me
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.Invasive Lobular Cancer (ILC)
This group is for anyone diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC), which begins in the milk-producing lobules and accounts for around 10% of invasive breast cancers (US statistics). Connect with others, share experiences, and access peer support from people who understand the unique aspects of an ILC diagnosis.
