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Hi there I'm due to have a mastectomy on 25 still coming to terms with it. My question is about the tamoxifen if you remove the ovaries would you still have to take it?

I am wondering if anyone has had shoulder surgery that had previously had a full clearance of lymph nodes on the same side. I had a lumpectomy and full clearance of lymph nodes February 2012 followed by chemo, radiotherapy and Herceptin. I am now on tamoxifen. I had a great recovery with full movement of my right side. I returned to work April 2014. I was put into an administrative role as my previous job was considered too high risk. Within weeks I was in agony with pain in my hand, my arm and my shoulder. I did physiotherapy for months, ended up on pain medication that I could hardly function mentally on. (I have three small kids so being spaced out was not always a solution). Driving caused a lot of pain to the point that by evening I would have to prop my arm up on a pillow to just get comfortable. Physiotherapy and acupuncture helped to keep some movement going and relieve some tightness. Eventually an MRI showed Shoulder Impingement Syndrome. A Spur has developed which is impinging on the tendon that is inflamed, probably from radiotherapy. Being right handed I am quite limited in what I can do now. I have not been able to return to work as they have no alternative for me right now. I have been offered a great job that is nearby but was not certified as medically fit so had to turn it down. I got another phonecall this week offering me another job but I know it will be the same story again. I am on unpaid sick leave now since November last and need to get back to earning an income. I have had steroid injections twice in the last four months to relieve pain with little benefit so the next stage would be surgery to remove the spur and relieve the impingement. The problem is that I have no lymph nodes on that side. I am terrified of going ahead with the surgery for fear of triggering lymphedema. I would love to hear from anyone in a similar situation please.

I recently had my 1 year mammogram (following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment since aug 2014. I had been back to the breast clinic in the meantime with cysts and lumps in both breasts - which I was told the results were normal. When I was diagnosed initially I was told the mammogram was clear even though the tumour was disgnosed as invasive tubular cancer, and then later again after more mammograms DCIS was found and I had a re-excision. I was told I was just unlucky to be in the 10% who don't show up on mammogram. Now I got the results from my latest mammogram of the treated breast (which continues to pain a lot, is swollen and lumpy) and it said 'recent radiology investigations were found to be within normal limits'. Does anybody know if that means 'ALL CLEAR' or something did show up but it was within 'limits'??? I know the tamoxifen makes me over anxious,( and the night sweats, leg cramps and sleeplessness continue!), but I constantly worry about the cancer coming back and not showing up on a mammogram. Any clarification or suggestions would be really appreciated.

Any suggestions for what people used for bras during rads? It's uncomfortable underneath but I can't go without. I have one t shirt with built in support which is good . No idea where I'd get another. Got this in UK .

Hi I have just started taking Tamoxifen 2weeks ago and am completely exhausted all day every day. Anybody else go through this? My oncologist dud say it can take time for my body to adjust but I am shocked at how tired I feel. No other side effects.... Any body else deal with this and how long did it last Thanks

Hi Ladies Is anyone thinking of going to this in the Aviva in September? Dane

Hi all, I've been reading all your posts for the last few months and finally registered. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July and have read some great advice on this forum so far. I just want to say hi prior to posting any specific questions in the coming weeks. I'm starting chemo tomorrow and I'm sure I'll probably be looking for advice / reassurance on symptons in the next while! I dragged my husband to the cancer forum 2 weeks ago and saw lots of groups of woman together, so hopefully next year I'll be able to leave him at home & meet up with some of you instead! Best wishes to all! Pamela

I am sure many here have read about the Scottish study, reported earlier this week in the Examiner, which showed that up to 40% of women on T did not complete their course because of side effects (though I did a bit of reading online, and it is not clear that the Scottish study actually enquired as to why women were stopping or not taking their treatment consistently). For those who missed it, here are a few links worth a look: http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/wo ... 42039.html http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/i- ... 42153.html http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v109/ ... 3464a.html It is clear to me that the medical teams need to listen to women more, and offer them support and options. I thought it interesting that the Examiner's journalist's oncologist told her she'd feel 10 years older. Mine told me that if all drugs were as well tolerated, and had as good a pro to con ratio as Tamoxifen, the world would be a healthier place. Not sure what to make of it all... What do you wimmin here think? Also, I am on day 16 of 5 years worth of the stuff. So far, nothing to report. How soon did those of you on T notice side effects, if any? My ears feel slightly hot as I type this.... does that count? Hope we all feel good today! Catherine

I am awaiting a response from the Breast Care Nurses and the Nurses at the RT centre in James, but they are taking their time, and I need to decide soon, so I thought I'd check the collective wisdom here. I get the option of a flu jab each year in the office, and take it each year, though I am not (normally) in an at risk group. I don't get any side effects from it, and I have not had a (real) flu in years. However, I am wondering how wise it is to take the flu jab now, two days after finishing RT and with the Tamoxifen. My googling seems to suggest that it is actually a good idea as cancer treatment (even RT without chemo, apparently) depletes one's immune system. However, I'd like a little advice. Has anyone here been in that position and been given a proper med opinion ? TIA, and I hope you are all feeling well today. I am TIRED, probably a lot less than many reading this, but more than I've been in years. I had completely underestimated the effects of RT, and was happily sailing through it congratulating myself on how well my skin was holding up! Anyway, thanks again for any light you guys can cast! Catherine

Hi - not sure if there is a typical point when arm movement gets back to normal ? I am 4 weeks over surgery for right side mastectomy and also had a senitel node biopsy. Started driving again yesteday and generally movement good apart from upper arm and inner elbow area when I raise my arm. BC Nurse says it is still the nerve endings repairing, but I just dont see it improving at all despite doing my exercises. Maybe I am expecting too much too soon. Thanks LL