dragongal

Does anyone have any info on the benefits/hazards of taking resveratrol (potent antioxident) while taking tamoxifen?  I have come across conflicting studies about estrogen receptor positive breast cancers and the effects of resveratrol on theses receptors.

I had early stage IDC treated with lumpectomy and radiation.

Thanks

I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy (2 nodes removed) in Dec 2007 and received 4 weeks of radiation, which finished March 20,2008.  I started tamoxifen April 4th (initial mood problems, now resolved).  However, I have noticed that the area in my right axilla and the lateral side of my  right chest wall feel tight and stiff, like I had worked out a little too strenuously, and my muscles were sore.  This has just been going on for the last 2 weeks, and despite my gentle stretching, does not seem to be improving.  Is this commen?  I also thought that the axilla felt a little swollen, but I don't see any big difference.  Is this something I should be concerned about, or should I just chalk it up to scarring/fibrosis as my body finishes healing from the radiation?

I have been on tamoxifen 20 mg since the 7th of April.  By the end of the first week of this therapy, I thought I was on the skids heading into a deeply sad and empty place.  While I haven't had any more suicide fantasies (2 nights worth was enough!!) my mental state is sluggish and my mood swings back and forth.  I feel ready for bed by 6:00PM.  I do have a history of mild chronic depression but am on meds for this.  Does it seem reasonable to expect that some of this effect is just me getting used to the med? And if so, does this side effect subside?I would like to have the beneficial bonus of increased bone density that comes with tamoixfen, and the plan was for me to be on it 2 years then start on arimedex for the remaining 3 years.  Any one else had this fairly extreme reaction?

Hi I live on the Sunshine coast, BC., which is just a 40 minute ferry ride from big bad old Vancouver. 

What is out there for women who have had a lumpectomy, and now have unequally sized boobs and nipples that just don't line up any more?  I found getting bras a royal pain even before BC, and now I am more frustrated.  Hoisting the larger breast up by its bra strap, and leaving the remnant breast drooping in its now baggy bra cup in a vain attempt to achieve a semblance of symmetry is not really working!

Hi.  I finished my radiation therapy  (16 full breast/3 boost) on March 20.  I was told to start my tamoxifen in 2 -3 weeks.  I am about 1 week post treatment, and have noticed my mood plumeting.  I am teary, sullen, tired and so completely apathetic that I despise myself!  I am already on Effexor XR, having increased from 75mg to 150mg in Dec 07 when initially diagnosed with IDC.  I should count myself lucky, because I just had to have a lumpectomy with radiation, and had an early stage cancer with no nodal involment, and have good benefits through work, so no financial worries.  However, I really do feel down in the dumps, capable of bursting into tears at any time, and I just don't understand this!  Tamoxifen can worsen symptoms of depression, so I am quite concerned.  Has anyone else already being treated for depression been able to successfully be on tamoxifen?

Hi Donnatom.

I live in B.C. Canada, and have been told I will need 16 whole breast radiation treatments, followed by 4 "boost" treatments to the tumour bed.  I am 55 and have IDC Stage l , grade l, negative nodes, ER+, and had my lumpectomy on Dec 20 2007.  Several other women I know with either early stage invasive ductal  breast cancer or DCIS, also have had 3 to 4 week treatments ( 5 days a week, Monday to Friday), so this practise appears to be an acceptable one in Canada.

I have been asked if I would be willing to participate in The Canadian R.A.P.I.D. trial, which is investigating standard whole breast radiation versus partial breast radiation.  While whole breast radiation takes place over 3.5 to 6 weeks, partial breast involves having two treatments a day, each at 6 hours apart, for 5 days in total.  the study restricts particiapnts to women over the age of 40, with IDC or DCIS, with negative nodes, no other mets, and a partial mastectomy (lumpectomy).  Has anyone else had partial breast radiation to treat their breast cancer?  The study is in its third year of recruiting subjects: the total will comprise 2128 women.  More radiation is delivered to a smaller area of tissue, and the query is whether this is as effective in the long run, whether there are fewer side effects, and whether there is any improved sense of "wellbeing" between the two groups.

Anyone had any experience with this?  I have to travel to a larger centre and don't relish doing this for 4 weeks, especially as I have to time it to the times the ferry runs, as well as the drive, but, at the same time, I want the most effective treatment.  The amount of radiation given is a little less ( 42 Grays of radition for the 16 whole breast, 38.2 for the partial breast but it is directed to the surgical tumour bed only).  The oncologist was vague when I enquired about results so far.  I like the idea of it being "over" (is it ever really over?) in 5 days, but wonder if I am exchanging convenience for cure.  Opinions?

Hi .  I saw the radiation oncologist on the 31st, and will be getting the CT Simulation in about a week and a half.  I have been offered the opportunity (? !!) to participate in a study comparing whole breast radiation  to partial breast radiation, and will be randomly assigned to one of two groups.  The whole breast radiation protocol will be 20 sessions Monday to Friday; the partial breast radiation group gets a total of 10 treatments, 2 a day, 6 hours apart, for 5 days.  In the partial breast, the radiation is directed primarily at the surgical "bed"; there is only a little difference in the total amount of radiation received between the two protocols.

My question.  Has anyone heard of this or participated in this study?  It is in its 3rd year and will involve a total of 2128 women.

Hi everyone!

I finally will see a radiation oncologist on the 31st of Jan, and will have an 1 1/2 hour consult with the team.  My surgery was the 2oth of Dec (lumpectomy, 8mm IDC. Grade l, stage 1,or so I think, sentinel node biopsy neg).  I am very interested in hearing about everyone else's experiences as they move through radiation treatments.  It is so wonderful to feel like things are starting to move again.  I believe there will be another session to map and then another wait to get the actual treatments started.  Anyone have any ideas on how many treatments i can look forward to?  I've heard anywhere from 15 to 33.

By the way, I live in BC, Canada.