Community

Hi all, I know one of you very, very kindly gave a tip to those of us starting chemo on the importance of not using Corsodyl as it blackens teeth and one of you mentioned a mouthwash that you got in a health store which was better and it had cloves in it and other good ingredients too. I have searched through all the posts and I can't seem to find the details, I know my brain isn't very good at the moment anyway. In fact, the oncology nurse was surprised yesterday that I was prescribed Corsodyl, as not alone does it stain the teeth, it can also irritate the lining of the mouth and obviously this is something we want to avoid when having chemo. Also just wondered if any of you found KIN mouthwash good. I lost my aunt to cancer in September and when she was undergoing chemo, she found this good also. Thanks a million, Mxx

Hi ladies another question for ya! I have had 11 sessions of herceptin to date. Just before my 10th one I developed an itchy rash on my head and I thought it was just my new hair. Now just before my 11th I have an itchy rash all over my face and chest. Nothing like this before, could it be a reaction to the herceptin? Anyone else ever had a reaction to herceptin?

Hi Girls Just wondering about something. Just had my fifth chemo, three more to go. On your chemo day does your doctor come around to you and check you? I didnt see my doctor yesterday and three before that either - that means by next time it will be nine weeks. I feel a bit put out about it as I feel I go in on chemo nobody tells me about my bloods if they are good or bad asked once and they said you wouldnt be getting chemo if all not ok. I know they are all really really busy but sometimes I wonder am i missing out something. Doc said on first meeting they will of course be keeping a close eye on me and she will know exactly how I am doing. How does the doc know how I am doing do they read my file or something? Should I ask to see my doctor all the time? Is it normal to see a doctor all the time? Should I get a clinicial examination all the time? I go in once every three weeks. Have MRI, Mammo and Surgeo Meeting week after next so of course thats my big meeting to see if the tumour is shrinking. Let me know that I am not being paranoid........ I just feel sometimes like being in school afriad to speak out when I saw her yesterday with another patient I should have said something like are you coming to see me or? Thanks xx

Hi I've been on tamoxifen for a year now. But my sleep has been gradually getting worse, last night I woke up every 2 hours. Am wrecked then all day, have two kids and am back at work full-time. I hate the thought of sleeping tablets as I fear their addictive nature, but not sure what other options are open to me - does anyone else take them??. I take my tamoxifen tablet in the morning, it improved things for a while (used to take it at night) but doesn't seem to make a difference now . Any advice/help?

Hi all Just wondering I got thru chemo with no infections and finished herceptin in November.Since I finished all treatments I have had kidney infection,chest infection,flue and am now heading downhill again with either flu or infection I feel rotten!!anyone else find they picked up sickness easier after treatment? On a positive note head back in good place without drugs thankfully but have them there as back up if needed. Xxx w

Hi guys, New here, as found a lump at Christmas (2 weeks after my dad died of a very aggressive cancer). I went to my GP last Tuesday and she found it too so referred me to the Breast Clinic in Limerick. Now as ye all know, this is an anxious time. I rang the hospital on Friday to know how long the waiting lists are to find that they never received the fax . So I rang the GP and she faxed it to them again. I rang again, and the lovely girl told me that she got it, its marked urgent but the consultant won't see the letter until Tuesday (Tomorrow). Then the consultant will deem me urgent/not urgent from the letter? Is this true, has anyone else experienced this? As you can imagine, i'm worried sick. If he/she doesn't deem me urgent then its a 12 week wait. I've the lump near my breast bone (just on the edge of left breast) and its size of a 2 euro coin. I can feel it through my clothes. I'm a 44 year old single mum, so I'm sure you can imagine how anxious I am. Regards Annie

Hi there, I am new to this discussion so forgive me if I ramble on. Had right mastectomy Sept 2011 followed by chemo and RT. I know cancer can hit anyone but my diagnosis was a shock as no family members had cancer and I thought I wasn't in any high risk group till I looked up links between overactive thyroid (which I had years ago) and breast cancer. I Discovered a medical paper saying radioactive iodine (which I had to treat my thyroid in 2006) doubles the risk of breast cancer 5 - 10 years after treatment. Now I am really worried that I may be at higher risk of cancer appearing in the left side. I have asked to have a prophylactic mastectomy and then double diep reconstruction. Has anyone else had this? I am not suitable for LD as no tissue on my back. Diep is not done in Limerick so I am to be refered to Beaumont. Anyone know what the current waiting list is like? I feel I cannot get my life back together till this is done. I already had to wait an extra 3 months for the referal because my surgeon was on maternity leave and the locum wouldn't refer me!

Hi Just wondering if anyone on tamoxifen have any issues with their taste?I have noticed that every couple of weeks my taste changes and although i can eat nothing is enjoyable which is a disaster when it comes to my cup of tea!!!!I had thought it was left over side effect of chemo but am now wondering if its tamoxifen related. Thanks W

Hi guys Can't do Tamixofen because chemi has given me Clots so they are starting me on these next week. A few questions for anyone who has has these - what were the side effects and how did you deal with them. Was it better to take first thing in the morning or before bed? With or without food. Thanks guys any tips or hints gratefully Received.

Hello all Before I was diagnosed had got lots of sore throats and lost my voice regularly. This continued through every Chemo session. Bit concerned about it but medics ignoring my concerns. Anyone else experience this at all?