Community

This is a hard topic to write or talk about, but is a really live wire issue on US and UK breast cancer support sites. Since treatment for breast cancer my desire for intimacy dropped dramatically, but with tamoxifen on top it is now non existent. I've been on tamoxifen for 2 years now and my Onc has told me he wants me to stay on it for 10 years. I have brought up my complete loss of libido at every check up and he has at least acknowledged that tamoxifen can do this, but as to what can be done or any other help is as non existent as my libido I know I had some problems with body image after the mastectomy, but that has improved and what would help now would be some interest in sex. I am a young fit 52 year old and was pre menopausal before the cancer diagnosis 2 1/2 years ago. I've lost 2 stone since then, and have worked hard to regain my health and fitness, but I reckon there is not a speck of oestrogen left in my body and parts of me are now aged 80!!! We are women and this is an integral part of who we are. We hear lots about 'holistic' approaches to recovery, well this is part of our whole being, but it has never been approached unless I've brought it up and then it gets brushed over with talk on lubricants blah blah. But the real issue is a complete and utter lack of desire. Has any one out there found any help for this issue? It's not about pain on intercourse (tho' that 's true too), or using lubricants, we never even get that far. Any help?

Hi well taste is on a good run at mo thankfully!now I have started to get (keeping me awake )bone pain straight down front thigh.i am assuming that is tamoxifen and all the lovely joys it brings to the party!!!had an MRI for back issues last wed still waiting on results so could be from back.wAlking up stairs is particularly sore and as a mother of 3 you can imagine the stair trips. So should I just put up with it see if it passes,or ring hospital and see if the have results of MRI .who do I ring thought my breast nurse or oncology who ordered it.am at a loss as to who I can ring now that I'm out. Thanks girls Xx

Hi Girls, Now that chemo & radiotherapy are over I'm beginning to look at my diet/exercise etc. Have any of you tried juicing and growing wheatgrass ? What diet changes have any of you made? Has anyone attended Bernadette Bohan's 3 day wellness programme in Cork? Appreciate any advice/tips which you can give. Shirls

I need to vent. I have completed all my cancer treatment, which is great, but I naively assumed the road to re-construction would follow. I feel I cannot get my life on track until all surgery is complete. I understood there would be a waiting list but at the moment I can't seem to even get on the list! The first obstacle is that I need a referal to Beaumont as I need a diep (my back is too thin for LD) and they don't do Diep in Limerick. I assumed I would get my referal last October when I attended the breast clinic for the first time after Chemo was completed. My consultant was on maternity leave and the locum refused to do the referal in her absence - I still don't understand why as it was already in my notes that I needed Diep. I reluctantly accepted an appointment to see her in January at her first recon clinic. That was the 15th, but instead of the consultant I saw the registrar, I did ask if the consultant was in, she was, (I should have insisted on seeing her) but the registrar went through all my details and promised that my referal would be sent by the end of the week. I have rung a couple of times to see if that happened and found out this morning that the referal was not done yet and the secretary wants to speak with the consultant before she does anything. It just seems so unfair I have already waited 3 1/2 months since I thought I'd get my referal (and it's 8 months since I finished RT).

Chemo two has been, and it was nowhere near as nerve wracking as number 1. I got to chat loads to Dee today and met Darina, so all in all a good day! I'm on stronger anti sickness drugs this time and although may not stop me feeling totally icky, may help the cause!!!! 2 down!

Hi Girls Had the lymph glands removed from my right arm at the same time as my mastectomy last October. After the surgery I did all the physio and exercixes and abided by the recommended do's and don'ts etc and have been absolutely fine until last week ...but this week my arm is beginning to swell and its feeling heavy and tight... .. Did anyone else develop lymphodoema a while after surgery - is it possible to get rid of the swelling again??? Any tips? Liz

Hi all, This is my first post even though I have been following this forum for the last year and half ! My journey started in 2011 but even now it still feels like yesterday . I have finished all my treatment , have gone back to work and am trying to get on with my life but I am so paranoid and so worried about recurrence . I have been suffering with back and leg pain since before Christmas . I had a bone scan in Nov which was clear but it's constantly on my mind that the cancer is back now in my bones or something . I tested positive for the brca1 gene a few months ago so I think that has me feeling like a ticking time bomb now to be honest. Think I'm just having a bad day today . Glass of wine should cheer me up

Hi all just wondering if anyone out there had rads after recon. All the doctors are telling me is that 1)there will be some changes to your left breast, and it will look different to the other one [not great when all you want is a matching pair] 2)there will be a level of damage but it depends on the individual. 3) capsular contraction, its not a rare chance but they dont know to what degree of damage to expect. They won't given my a gerneral idea of what to expect and I tend to panic if I don't know what's going to happen. And they know what will happen ok general terms, they have seen this before!!! Does anyone even know where I could get information about this? I would nearly skip having radiation altogether, they are shooting at thing that they don't know are there. They could just be killing good cells, and destroying my skin in the process, and my recon. I want to get all the treatment thats out there, but some of it I find hard to see the point. The recon is so important, it's for the rest of your life. Maybe I should get another plastics opinion???

Hi girls op over and Jane visited me after and said it all went well. She will see me next Monday but she's very happy even thinks what she to away may be clear (confusing or what?) she's making an appointment to see consultant dr mcveigh about my radiotherapy and I'll start in 6 weeks. It's all happening here. I'm relaxing in the elm ward and the nurses are wonderful. Going home tomorrow. Xxxx

Deefed won the make over isn't that brilliant can't wait to see the photos love good news xxx