Recovery lumpectomy
Hi Lovely People At the end of November I had a lumpectomy for 5 invasive carcinomas and or as I refer to them, the bloody mongrels. It was not the NST kind and they were ER++ PR++ HER2--. The combined tumours were approximately 196g so I have a long and deep scar from nipple to my underarm and I completed radiation a couple of weeks to go. So far my recovery has been “as advertised” and I still moisturising, massaging and exercising. I also got migraines due to the change in weight. This week or so though, I have experienced significant increase in pain. I’m assuming it’s the dreaded nerve pain I’ve heard about and my lymph nodes were tricky to remove. It’s just seems that the pain is everywhere in the breast not just the surgery site and arm. I’ve returned to regular paracetamol and ibuprofen routine but can’t stand the thought of a cool compress. Are there any things other people have tried for nerve pain? I would love to start hormone therapy with better health so I can monitor its side effects. Thanks for your help.
Radiation Itch
Hello wise ones, I’m 9 treatments down and of course at the start of the weekend I’ve developed an itch and my breast is starting to get tiny red dots on it. I’m using StrataXRT twice a day as recommended but I’m wondering if there is anything else I can put on it to ease the itch. Thank you in advance DebBone and join pain side effects of chemotherapy
Hi, I’m new to this group and have only just started chemotherapy. I’m experiencing strong bone and joint pain from the chemo and wondering if anyone could suggest ways to minimise this. I’m taking Panadol but it doesn’t cut through. Im also doing the scalp cooling treatment. I’ve been advised to wash my hair only once a week. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep it looking fresh? It looks very greasy and bedraggled.
Pain meds post mastectomy
Hi everyone, I’m 2 weeks post mastectomy and wondering how long you needed your pain meds for? I’m still taking 2 Panadol & 1 Neurofen every 8 hours & still getting pain/tightness in arm/chest is this normal or should the pain be easing off now? I have my follow up appointment with surgeon tomorrow
Are you experiencing pain following treatment?
Register for the Persistent pain, addressing quality of life webcast on Wednesday 7 February, 7pm - 8.15pm AEDT. Register now (and if you miss it, we will email you the recording) This webcast will address types of persistent pain associated with early breast cancer treatments, strategies to manage pain and further resources and support that may be available to you. We will be joined by three experts on the night, Professor Paul Glare, Pain Medicine Specialist, Dr Charlotte Tottman, Clinical Psychologist and Naveena Nekkalapudi, BCNA Consumer Representative. Naveena will be sharing her experiences of persistent body pain and why quality of life is paramount to her. You will have the opportunity to put forward your questions when you register or during the event. For more information about the webcast and speakers, and to register, please visit https://www.bcna.org.au/event-directory/webcasts/persistent-pain-after-breast-cancer/ Please feel free to pop any questions below in the comments or get in touch with the events team via events@bcna.org.au. We look forward to seeing you there!
Pain after breast cancer
I am almost 2 years post breast cancer diagnosis and omg the bone pain is horrendous. I’m currently on Letrozole, Gabapentine, vitamin D and calcium my pain is 24/7 from my feet to my head and I’ve had a continuous pain in the middle of my back. I have an appointment to see a rheumatologist this week… but omg I just need some relief from it….I have looked in to medicinal cannabis what are everyone’s thoughts please
Recon with expanders wk 7
Hi warriors just wanted to ask if anyone had pains post 6 wk mark with expanders? I’m at wk 7 now and fully expanded and for the past 4-5 days have been experiencing dull but almost constant pain under my R boob (foob) not sure if I’ve been over doing it with my stretches or lifting heavy stuff and maybe pulled something. It’s in one spot and doesn’t move. No changes in the look of the breast. Having to take Panadol and ibuprofen a couple times each a day. Any ideas or advice welcome. I don’t see my PS for a couple weeks. x
Reacting to prescribed painkillers: Alternatives?
I am struggling with pain management during my B/C treatment. Yesterday I went to day surgery for port insertion and the procedure was fine. To manage post op pain, they sent me home with Palexia (Tapentadol) which is an opioid. In the past, I have taken Endone (Oxycodone), Tramadol, and Panadeine Forte, and all of them have made me vomit a la The Exorcist. I was told that Palexia was similar to Endone but it is less likely to cause vomiting or nausea. However, two hours after I took the tablet I vomited four times and was very dizzy :( I was told to take Olanzapine beforehand for nausea and vomiting. It stopped the vomiting but I had to lie down for two hours because the room was spinning and I felt waves of nausea. My experience does not bode well for my surgery (lumpectomy, lymph node removal, and partial reconstruction: seeing my surgeon again in October) in November. Does anyone else find they react badly to these types of drugs? If so, how does your team manage severe pain?
Tamoxifen side effects
I've been taking Tamoxifen (exemestane) for 3 weeks now. The hot flushes are manageable but the pain in my joints and muscles has been pretty bad. I was told it usually peaks at 4 to 6 weeks? Does it get easier then or just plato? Circulation seems to help but by the end of the day I'm sore and tired and the last thing I feel like is exercise. Nights are the worst, I'm not sleeping well and after a while laying in bed because pretty painful too. Does it get better or do you get used to it? It started mostly in my legs (feet, ankles, knees then into my calfs) and then my groin. Now my chest, elbows and wrists have started? My journey has happened quickly, 8 months since diagnosis, chemo, surgery and radiation. Stage 3. They said this is my best shot so I want to make it work. Does anything make it easier? Hemp oil? Vitamins? Anything?
Ongoing issues
Greetings all from Adelaide. Just wanted to ask you all quick question about any ongoing issues any of you might have after going through your BC journey. I was diagnosed in 2015 and had a mastectomy (with lymph node removal) and reconstruction. I have been luckily been given the all clear by my breast surgeon every year since. My concern today is that yesterday i started having this aching pain underneath the left arm. This was the arm that had the lymph nodes removed back in 2015. It feels like there is a bruise (there isn't - i checked) or that I have strained the muscle. It is still ongoing as of this morning. I did have a recent check up a couple of weeks ago where the breast surgeon gave the ok - noticed a little fat necrosis in the reconstructed boob, but otherwise ok. Is this something I should be concerned about? I understand that I will have these occasional 'twangs" ongoing - but this is different. It feels "raw" under there/side boob area. I dont have a breast cancer nurse (I got my BC early and went the surgery route) and had no chemotherapy/radiotherapy. I am thinking about ringing my breast surgeon and at least speaking to the nurse. Thanks all for your assistance/suggestions. Cheers Rachel H
