LouiseIndigo

Kerry, I hope the taxotere gets easier for you.

It is the weidest sensation, falling over especially first thing out of bed in the morning. Also, i do a 4 mile walk twice a week with some friends and it really embarasses me when i sometimes head sideways into one of them. My feet just kinda of keel over. Thankfully though that doesn't happen all the time.

It's a kind of mad aging of the body -- I'm 43 this year and this thing can make me feel like I'm 83. I agree so much with you not wanting to spend the rest of your life jumping at shadows. I was so determined not to do that at all and now i'm trying to stop -- I will get over it -- honest!

 The support here is just great. Love your hair in the pic by the way!

 Louise

<font>Hi Juniper</font>

<font>Thanks for your response. Not on either herceptin or hormonals. I know i probably should discuss it with the doc but it's fear that keeps putting me off. I suppose i just want to know that it's all a "normal" side effect of chemo and rads. I hope your own pain isn't too bad. It's a different reality isn't it, having to adjust to constant pain, and, at least in my case, not wanting to take anything for it as pain killers wreak havoc with my stomach. The joys!</font>

Louise

Hi all

Marylou, my diagnosis in May 2007 was very similar to your own. I finished treatment in March of this year and along with the dreaded hand and foot neuropathy, there are so many times when i could just crawl under a rock i get so exhausted. What i do find however (this on the advice of a nutritionist) is that when i stay off sugar (difficult i know!) and eat a high protein diet my energy levels are so very much better. It means ensuring i eat protein with every meal, which seems to balance my blood sugar. for what it's worth ....... Louise

Thanks so much for your recent kind comments Amber, Patience, Scorpio and Kimberly. I was surprised to see this thread pop up again when i logged on.

You know, a recent visit to my oncologist really fascinated me. I thought i was in for a session of persuasive argument from him. Instead i was told that he strongly advised me to take Tamox but because i had decided against it, i should forget about it and get on with living my life. He knows i haven't made the decision lightly and it meant so much for him to acknowledge my right to make it. A lot to be said for a man who is a pure medic.

God luck all

Louise

Althea, it's difficult for me to be very precise about why i'm opting out of hormone therapy and i suppose i run a bit scared of so doing as it's funny how cross some people get with me when i mention that i'm taking this route -- i tend to get blinded by science and reasons why my reasoning is flawed, I'm ill-infomed, jeopardising my life, etc. I would never encourage anybody to take the same decision because as other people have suggested here it is a very personal decision.

I have a very happy contented family life but have suffered a few bad bouts of depression over the years, each of them purely hormonally based. Once the hormonal balance has been corrected I've sprung back full of life again. I have tried taking various forms of the contraceptive pill in the past, and not only did my body really not like any sort but each put me in a bad place mentally. It was only when i stopped trying to find a pill that suited that my hormones went back to normal and my depression completely dissapeared, and never returned.

The figures tell us that 30% of people taking tamoxifen will suffer depression from it as a side effect. I can take an awful lot when i'm not depressed. I can take nothing when it hits me.

Tamoxifen is anti-estrogenic on the breast but it also has estrogenic effects on the rest of the body. My body goes into stop mode when my estrogen levels are high. I can almost feel it physically. Too low and it also stops. Even walking can be an effort and i'm of slim build.

I have been attending a nutritional therapist for the past year and part of my regime is to take I3C daily. My balance currently is very good. I've given up the booze, I've given up sugar and i eat the kind of diet Dr Weil would be proud of, every day. I eat nothing processed. I exercise daily. It makes me sound like an awful bore but it's actually really liberating. I feel very good inside. I'm happy and my kids are happy. I still don't have my full energy back as it's just four weeks since i finished radiotherapy, but I'm getting stronger by the day.

Didn't mean to go on so much!

Louise

Really great feedback Anom and Erick. Thank you. I am currently taking I3C daily but hadn't heard before that it could make cancer worse in presence of carcinogen nor that it is a thyroid suppressant. any more info you could provide on that Anom would be greatly appreciated. Also very interested in Iodoral -- haven't heard of it before and would love to know more and how/where you came across it.

Best wishes, Louise

Many thanks for your replies. My diagnosis was stage IIIb so its a scary decision.

Anne, did you have bad side effects from the hyst and ooph? That option has never come up with my oncol. I'm 42.

Louise

I'm starting radiation on 18 February -- would also like to join. Haven't had treatment since mastectomy with nodal clearance in mid November (had chemo before surgery) so hate having to go back into it but so looking forward to being finally finished treatment. Also told best to go without wearing bra. I'm still looking for the right support top with bra effect for the duration -- something to give some shape but without the pressure. Louise

I can only thank Seadog for starting this conversation -- and to you all for your responses, particularly those are already taking Arimidex. I have read "end of life" type description of the side effects of this drug on other boards but you have all been so positive, you're fab. I am much more inclined towards it now than i was before. I do want to live as long as i can -- i just want real quality of life too! Would that we didn't havet to make this choice. You are great, each of you. Thank you again.

Thanks Candie. I will keep you posted Seadog. It's is such a tough decision. I'm right with you when you say you are feeling so good now -- that's exactly where i am too. I've read of some people having awful side effects so it's very good to read that Candie has not had any. I would love to know what it is that determines whether or not it will be difficult.

Good luck with your decision.

Louise