Triple negative and menopause
Hi all, it’s been a while since I’ve visited this site, I have my 3rd year post treatment check up coming up in a few weeks, so far all clear 😁 I was wondering if any of you chemo induced menopausal women have any advice on skin care. I feel like my skin is ageing at a rapid rate. I’ve been taking silica, tried many lotions but nothing is helping. I’ve been told to be weary of taking collagen due to the lack of studies of its affect on TNBC. Any advice will be appreciated xxx
Feminine changes
Hi guys I’m going for my first mammogram since finishing all treatments I don’t know if it’s the stress of things but I’m post menopausal and started spotting the other day as if I need to add this to my already stressful week. I went to the GP and have gone for pelvic ultrasound but after googling I’m stressing that it’s going to be another cancer. my cancer was a triple negative so I’m worried about ovarian cancer (I’m still waiting on genetic testing) has any other post menopausal women had spotting since having had chemotherapy and been ok I don’t think I can take to much more stress and anxiety x
Periods returning after Tamoxifen
Hi lovely ladies, After 5 years of being on Tamoxifen I got the clearance to stop medication back in May19. I haven’t had a period for almost 3 years. Just recently I got my periods. Is this normal or should I see my GP/Oncologist? I didn’t have chemo only radiation after my lumpectomy back in May 2014.
Beating the blues without antidepressants
Just wanted to share with others feeling down and depressed as a result of menopause or post treatment.... My GP had prescribed an antidepressant for my hot flashes and low mood. Crying a lot and constantly anxious. Anyway stubborn me didn't want to take antidepressants as I live with a husband who has bipolar and I needed to keep my mind clear even with the tears. I've been taking NeuroCalm for months. 1 tab at night to help sleep. My naturopath suggested I take 2 or 3 per day to help with anxiety. Up the dose a week ago and I feel like a new woman. No more crying over spilt milk. Actually feeling rather chilled and don't give a shit about much. 🙄 Still have hot flashes but not as bad. Hope this helps someone xx
My first Gyno visit. What happens?
Hi ladies I have to see a gynocologist today to sort out my endometrium polyp - good times - and I have never been to one before. Shameful I know. At my age I should know better *hides under blanket* What happens when you first go in and meet the gyno? Is it a quick hello and then you get probed and prodded? Or is the first appt just talking? I am scared of anything creepy going on because I have no other experience with gynocologists and nothing to compare this to. Please tell me rational stuff that wont feed my anxiety :D
The Lost Libido Ladies
Hi everyone. If you're one of the many women who have lost their libido and are finding sex painful after cancer treatment, please do join us at the Lost Libido Ladies. Our private group had nearly 100 members but was unfortunately removed when the new website was set up. The group has been reinstated, but we can't access our old members. So please apply to join, and we'll get things moving again. Apparently some of our discussions are on other parts of the website, so we'll try to find them and see if we can add links or copy them across. I was going to do a broadcast post regarding an update on the Mona Lisa Touch for women in Melbourne, the successful outcome of using Yes Vaginal Moisturiser (new product) and finally getting DHEA pessaries from a compounding chemist in Melbourne, but I'll wait until we have got some of our old members back into the group. Hope to see you in the group soon, either as an old member or a new one. Best wishes, DaisyMarigold.
Bone fractures
They do say breast cancer is the gift that just keeps giving and I was rudely reminded of this over the weekend when I ended up having surgery to two broken bones in my forearm which were the result of a fall and my reduced bone strength due to chemo-induced menopause. After treatment finished in 2013 I was diagnosed with osteopenia (borderline osteoporosis) and have been staying on Tamoxifen rather than switching to Arimidex as I was concerned about further bone loss but am now wondering whether I will need to have one of the bisphosphonate drugs as well as my regular Vitamin D, exercise etc to help with this issue. My last bone scan about 18 months ago had shown that the osteopenia had stabilised and I was feeling optimistic that it was being managed. This latest episode has left me feeling physically and emotionally battered and I do wonder sometimes if I can ever really put this stuff behind me.
Getting fitter and healthier in 6 minutes a week
I watched a Catalyst program on ABC Iview which was very interesting. In particular is also a menopause study. Currently we are looking at a recomnended 150 minutes of exercise a week to have good fitness post diagnosis (and all of us really ). This program examines doing very high intensity exercise for 30 seconds flat out ..then resting. I actually thought in our post chemo recovery it might be more doable., especially initially. What is discovered is an overall fitness improvement. ...and more energy. Now for us undergoing treatment...flat out can be just a walk these days. But shows the value of doing just that. http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4319131.htm And the article mentioned regarding post menopause http://www.ptnational.edu.au/blog/hit-to-reduce-menopausal-weight Food for thought. Kath x
