Best Of
What do you do for joint pain?
I have been taking Anastrozole for about 8 months. My most serious side effects have been stomach issues which has basically forced me into the most bland diet available but I'm dealing with it. Recently I have started having pain in my some of the fingers on my left hand and my right ankle. I tried talking to my Oncologist's PA but she implied it was probably just my age (67) or something else. Afterall we all know that there aren't really any side effects to these drugs it is all in out imagination or caused by other issues. 🙄I would rather not starting taking a lot of Advil or Tylenol or those sort of drugs for as long as I can. So what do others take for the joint paint associated with aromatase inhibitors?
july31
Re: Seeking Advice After Being Newly Diagnosed with DCIS
@heike69, Hormone negative DCIS unfortunately does limit your options. Would having a mastectomy rather than a cleanup lumpectomy and radiation be an option you could ask your doctor about?
More than 99% of people get through radiation without serious side effects. I was one of the unlucky few. The pulmonologist I was referred to told me that a lung cancer radiologist would have seen the red flags in my medical history (upper GI bleed and Barrett’s esophagus.) I still think radiation is an effective treatment for preventing localized breast cancer recurrence. I would make sure the radiation oncologist is aware of any medical conditions you have, especially anything that affects your heart, lungs and neck area since scatter that does not affect most people can have adverse effects when another issue is present. There are newer radiotherapy protocols for women over 50 like FAST and FAST Forward (clinical trials done in the UK) where five or six treatments are all that are needed.
In general radiotherapy for DCIS reduces the risk of invasive cancer recurrence by about 15% (50% for DCIS recurrence.) These percentages change over time. Your doctors should be able to give you a percentage that is more personalized. I always look at these numbers the other way to help me decide; 15% chance of recurrence is 85% chance of no recurrence.
I understand how overwhelming this decision is. All you can do is decide what is best for you right now. I did that and even though in hindsight I would have done something different my outcome goes into the category of things that are out of my control. Good luck with your decision.
maggie15
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
We tend to think of age only in time, but I don't think it has much to do with time at all; there's a whole load of other things. I've met 16-year-olds who are old and 90-year-olds who are young.
betrayal
Re: Should I find a new oncologist
I switched oncologists after my treatment was completed. I felt like I was being lumped (no pun intended) in with a group of women and as we all know every cancer is different - there just was too much generality when she spoke with me. I was fortunate to get the name of someone at another institution, a little further away but I am so much happier with my new Oncologist and feel she is very much aware of me and my specific issues and concerns and she is very responsive. I kept the same surgeon at the other institution and since both hospital systems use Epic, information seems to flow well although I still check at appointments that my recent testing was seen. Sometimes advocating for ourselves may feel uncomfortable but you are all you've got! If you are uncomfortable find a different oncologist. If you intend to stay at the same institution, maybe start with a nurse navigator or a nurse in the office who can give you a rundown of the different Oncologists who practice there.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@cookie54 It was a decadent night out, a dessert place but on a pedestal. I took a digestive enzyme and couple of immodium. I had a super thick chocolate and caramel milkshake. I knew I was full so no dessert but my friend had a crepe that covered a sort of lava cake, she was able to finish hers, my hat is off to her. Lots of good conversation re family, old work stories etc. It was a really nice night for sure, glad to see her. Known her since 2006, trained her for a bit when she started at the call centre.
It did snow last night but it will warm up this week though and melt some hopefully.
Nothing on the agenda, got some laundry on the go, cats need food and as always, floors need a sweep with possible mop. Picked up more immodium at walmart, get 84 tablets for reasonable price.
Planning to make some black beans that are chopped in my chopper to make it more like ground beef and prepare in regular fry pan. Thinking will make up some rice, prepare the queso pasta and chicken bowl, may add more canned chicken to it will be added first then heat up the queso and pasta and get a few meals out of it.
EDIT I am making a meal of 1/2 cup pinto beans, 1/2 rice as well and a package of queso noodles. I made the rice on stove first, got it on low while the pinto beans, they were chopped with croutons this time, makes beans smaller like ground beef, heated for 8 mins. Will let them cool a bit then scoop it all out and add the rice and see what dressings or such may be added. I do believe this will be a couple of meals worth.
EDIT 2 I did make the meal above. Chopped 1/2 cup pinto beans into somecroutons. The rice was seasoned with taco and garlic seasonings added to the water and kept the rice on low whilst the queso bowl with beans was put into the microwave to heat up. I went with 8 mins since 700 W is almost half the power they talk about in the instructions. I put everything once it was done into a large bowl, the chopped pinto beans were like beef which was good, less than half the stuff left over, dishes are soaking in the sink.
Am also wearing my cheap wig, honestly does not look bad to me but still needs thinning out but for 30 bucks, it looks good.
Hope everyone has a great day, in pockets for all.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@cookie54 - Absolutely fingers 🤞 crossed for you and your family to have good health and a fabulous bridal shower next week! And isn't enjoying the sun and warmer temps, and sitting outside, just the best after a storm? It's my favorite time to go walking too. Have a great weekend and I will be in your pocket all week and beyond.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Yes. Last night I slept well. Did not move my hand for several hours before bedtime.
I didn't post this morning. However, I drank a heavy dose of caffeine after Mass, then could do nothing else but take a np.
Cindy, did you see any polydactyl cats there?
Betrayal, when I read Les Miserables, I lived in revolutionary France for a week. Took four years of French in high school, then one semester in college. Wanted to read it in the original, I think. I wanted to major in French, but thought that a semester in France was necessary but unaffordable. So what did I eventually do? Dove into early French-Canadian history. Oh, well.
Ignoring current events right now. Just a lot of prayer.
mcbaker
