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Comments

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited February 2008

    Darn Blinx...I hope they caught your Dad's cancer early...  Bummer that he has to potentially have hot flashes...  :(

    Had my MRI- it's over...that's a good thing...now we wait for results... 

    Ok, I'm heading for the Bar Car (firguratively as I am at work!!)  One of the screening questions before the MRI was if I took any drugs or alcohol to relax myself...lol...I wish...

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited February 2008

    Hello to all you ladies,

    Sorry I haven't posted in a few days but had a scare on Friday.  We got a letter from the breast center that said mammo and u/s results were "probably benign".  I freaked out!  My husband was here with me and immediately picked up the phone.  To make a long story short -- they said that they had to use that language so that I am back on my normal mammo schedule -- annual in Aug.  They also recommended a bi-lat MRI.  It made me not so confident as I was when I left there last week. 

    So I had my 6-month appointment with my b/s today -- good timing.  He's not sure that an MRI is needed but will order if we want .  We needed to check if insurance will cover.  They will but only after we meet the deductible and then at 80%.  That puts the cost pretty high. I'm not sure if I should do it or not.  In the meantime, the b/s did drain the seroma which there were two -- side-by-side, one at surgical site, the other at biopsy site. Not as much as last time.  He did say that the discomfort I'm having may be just from surgery, not fluid build up.  That it may be a year before I'm feeling more normal.  This sucks! And the draining hurt like crazy.

    OK, I've unloaded -- onto you guys!

    Lynn,

    Great news!  Have a great trip and treat yourself with something.

    Virginia,

    Love the new picture.  Sorry about your brother.  I have two also so I get it.  Hope your dad had a good day today. Glad the MRI is done.

    Welcome to the new riders.  You've gotten in with a great group.

    Sorry if I missed anyone right now -- this blathering of mine has gone on long enough. 

    Have a great evening everyone! 

    D

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited February 2008

    D- I think it's fairly standard procedure once you have a history of BC, that they do more than one test moving forward (e.g. mammo, followed by either US or MRI).  I've heard for really high risk, they do all three every 4 months so you have tests often...

    I know what you mean about the insurance and deductible.  I am now in the same boat as it's the new year....so it's meeting that blasted deductible...money I would surely rather spend on a cruise!!

    My pic is 8 months to do the day from my last chemo...  I take my picture monthly to document the hair growth!!

    :)

    Hugs to all....

  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 211
    edited February 2008

    Hi, ladies--

    Lunch break at my conference so thought I'd drop a line.  I have a weird thing to report...after weeks of minimal little occasion hot flushes, and almost no joint pain, I've been having big-time night sweats and more and more pain in my hips, esp. at night.  This has been since I left home on Sunday morning.  What gives????  I was beginning to think that this tamox. stuff was a breeze; of course, I guess I should have been stressing that minimal SEs meant minimal effectiveness.  Sigh...it's always something, isn't it?

    I've been sleeping w/ the heat off, and, at least at the last hotel, the window open at night (temps were close to freezing).  I've been tossing and turning as I wake up and my hips are killing me; at least I'm awake so I can blot off the sweat.  WTH???  Anybody else have an ebb and flow of symptoms like this?

    Hope everyone riding along smoothly.  Back to a discussion of how best to teach vocabulary to learning impaired kids.  Take care!

    Lynn

  • Blinx
    Blinx Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2008

    Arrrgh! My first week was rough, followed by 2 weeks of being normal. Even last week I had a few days of real energy. Now I feel like I was hit by a truck. I blame the snow -- never should have shoveled -- it melted in a few days anyway.

    I wonder if this is going to be my new cycle -- 3 weeks of being somewhat ok and 1 week of just barely being able to tolerate it. My neck and shoulders really ache. Caffeine usually does a real number on me, but it is barely touching my fatigue. Exept now it's 11:30 pm and I'm in no mood to go to bed.

    Virginia -- yes, they caught my Dad's cancer very early, and a good thing too. His dad had the same thing, but caught too late. My Dad is trying to be very upbeat about it all, as well as my stepmother. But I'm sure in the back (or front) of their minds, is that they've already both lost a spouse to cancer.

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 236
    edited February 2008

    Hi all,

    You've all been so busy posting lately which makes me feel terribly behind. lol I see my onc on Thur. and will find out the results of my bone scan. I'm trying to think positively, but I'm not always successful. I also hope I leave my appt comfortable with my treatment and follow-up instead of worrying that more should be done. I'll also find out what tests I can expect and when. I had my yearly mammo already, but I'll probably have another on the cancer side before my next yearly, I'm assuming. I'm so regretting now that I didn't insist that they order an MRI for me and now it's probably too late. I can't help but wonder what the mammo isn't finding. I did have a post tx CT scan at least. I also have blood work every 3 months which I'm sure include tumor markers, but I'm not sure what else. I'll ask this time.

    My brain has refused to work well this week. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not sleeping well, or what, but I'm having a hard time understanding what I read, and my memory is shot to hell.

    I got my first post-treatment hair cut yesterday.  She left it longer than I usually wear it because she said I should make the most of the curls while they last.  lol  The curls feel even tighter now than before.  She also gave my son his first haircut.  It was so hard for me to watch her cut most of his curls off, but she left it a tad long so he'd have some curls left and not suddenly look like a little boy instead of a toddler.   

    Lynn - I'm sorry you're feeling so badly. My side effects are still pretty mild, but sometimes I have much more achiness than usual especially in my hips and the front of my upper legs. My hot flashes really vary, too. They're always worse in the evenings and night, but I don't really have them in the middle of the night (yet). I hope this is just a temporary experience for you. Glad to hear that your mammo went well!

    Cheryll - Welcome aboard! I've had (have) swelling in my hands and no where else. Weird, huh? It's gotten better, I think. It used to be much more noticeable than it is now. As for tests, I think the fact that you had negative nodes probably is the reason you don't need as many as us positive node gals.

    Cat - I'm doing good! I'm glad you're feeling okay after all that surgery. Welcome back to the Tamoxi Train (oh, joy, huh?).

    Melody - Glad your palps have stopped. Mine have lessened a lot in the last couple of weeks (knock on wood). I finished the 30 day holter monitoring yesterday, but I won't see my cardiologist for a couple of weeks to see what she says.

    Blinx - So sorry to hear about your dad, but relieved to know they caught it early.   I remember being really fatigued after I finished rads.  It didn't even peak until sometime after I was finished.  It really caught me by surprise.  Of course, since then I've learned that Ativan really makes me tired the next day if I take it to sleep and I'm pretty sure I was taking it during rads.  I hope you feel more energetic soon.  

    Virginia - I so hear ya on the deductable/out of pocket!  I would so rather be using that money for something else.  I still haven't paid off the credit card I put last year's on, and now it's time for this year's.  My bone scan will probably take care of all of it because it's so expensive.  I hope I don't have to have a scan every year.  I'm glad to hear that your onc isn't in favor of forcing early menopause.  I keep thinking that I should consider having an ooph if it would give me a better chance of dfs, but I just don't feel I know enough to make a decision.  Everyone who knows my onc says that I'm in excellent hands, but it's hard for me to trust someone with my life.

    D - sorry to hear about your scare.  That is just wrong that they HAD to use that language.  Morons!  I'm so glad you weren't alone at the time and your husband was able to get the details.  

    Basha - how did your appt for possible lymphedema go? 

    Welcome aboard Rosie, and all our new riders!   

    Take care all,

    Cynthia 

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited February 2008

    Hi Dears,

    Lynn, My se's on Tamox vary a lot too. Killer foot aches and then nada. Hot flashes every day and then none. I just reached the magic 3 mos period where they tend to kick in. Must say I appreciate that the Tamox is being metabolized.



    Cynthia et al; I seem to have more of a breast than arm lymphedema. Massage for 3 weeks and then a sleeve when I fly or work out. Doesn't seem to bad to me.

    Got a freaking foot of snow last night!!!!

    Love, Basha

  • CeeCee
    CeeCee Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2008

    I had DCIS in 1999-lumpectomy- radiation--recurrence in same breast in 2004-invasive, and mastectomy .I will have been on Tamoxifen, now tamox, for 4 yrs in November this year.

    Since I started taking it, I went through mild flashes, and a few other symptoms like bone pain,weakness, fragility, etc.

    Now I have put on at least 20 lbs, have low energy, increased arthritic pain, and muscle spasms, and memory loss, irritability, painful aching hands,  but the worst symptom I have is nerve damage in my feet,and The doctor doesn't know the cause because I am not diabetic.

    I take Lisinopril for B.P., lipitor for cholesteral and the tamox, plus 4 ext st. tylonol a day, along with calcium, and vitamin b100 .

    Has anyone else experienced the nerve damage or numbness in feet? Do any of you have an idea what causes it?

    regards CeeCee 

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited February 2008

    Hey y'all

    Cynthia,

    Your post really helps me.  You bring things up that I just hadn't thought of.  Thanks!  Enjoy the curls while you can.  They'll straighten out as they grow -- I know, I have very curly hair but not so much when it gets long. Bask in your glory, girl!

    Basha,

    Sounds like you have a game plan.  That's always a good thing. I feel your pain with the snow!  I think we might get more next week. URGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

    CeeCee,

    I don't have numbness but I've heard of several people who did get that from one of the meds they were on during chemo.  Just a thought.

    I'm feeling a little better today.  Not so sore from having seroma drained.  Surgeon said that pain might continue for up to another year.  That sucks.  But at least now I can start to get my head wrapped around that idea and figure out how to fit it into the rest of my life.  I think, because of the deductible, I'm going to wait until August to do the MRI, when I'm due for my annual mammo.  We should be closer to meeting deductible if we haven't already and that way I can spread the tests out some.  I just had mammo and u/s on surgical side.  So do mammo and MRI on both sides in August.

    Anyway, just thinking 'out loud'.  Hope you are all doing well, staying warm.  I have been hitting the dessert car VERY hard the last few days.

    D

  • sirsmom
    sirsmom Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2008

    I started tamoxifen a few months ago after a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation. I too experienced joint pains and stiffness which seem to be better now. Hot flashes are a real problem. I have been prescribed effexor but my oncologist is still doing battle with my insurance company to get it approved. Does it really help? I am worried that it causes insomnia. I don't sleep well now. I saw a comment from someone that she needs ativan to sleep. I thought that was only me.

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited February 2008

    sirsmom,

    I have been taking Effexor, and believe me, it REALLY HELPS with those hot flashes!


    However, my onc asked me if I was getting hot flashes, and when I told him YES, but they weren't too bad...  he told me that I have to stop taking it.  The reason?...  I didn't get a reason from him, but my guess is that since I told him that I am not "sweating like a pig", he believes that the Effexor is interfering with my absorption of Tamoxifen.  So, I have been weaning myself off it but I am not happy about it.  I am NOW getting hot flashes, especially at night, so it is interfering with my sleep.  I have read that if we don't sleep well, that may cause the bc to return.  Because we need the restorative sleep, which I am NOW not getting, because of the freaking' hot flashes!

    Good Luck!

    Harley

  • Miss_Lolli
    Miss_Lolli Member Posts: 72
    edited February 2008

    Harley...I still just don't get that. I've heard sooo many say they are taking effexor with their oncs blessing, and seen so many links to research articles showing that the effexor does not interfere with tamoxifen. I dunno...I just feel bad that you have to give up something that seems to be so beneficial to you....especially w/o good reason.

    Sorry to but my nose into your biz though. Embarassed  I just hate to see anyone suffer and know there's not a lot of options for helpng with hot flashes.

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited February 2008

    Lori,

    I am almost all weaned off the Effexor, I think.  I just don't want to do anything to stop the Tamoxifen from working 'cause I am so scared of mets!

    I will just gut it out, and pray that God will help me with these hot flashes!  I can't think of anything to take for the hot flashes, since I can't do estrogen....

    Thanks for the concern, though.

    It DOES seem to make sense to me that if I don't get hot flashes, then the Tamoxifen isn't working properly...  just another think I have to deal with...

    Harley

    P.S.  strangely, my onc says that using topical estrogen cream vaginally is o.k.   I thought that was also a no-no.   So, I guess I will be an old withered old woman, who can't sleep and can't have sex...

  • sirsmom
    sirsmom Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2008

    Harley, Thanks for replying. I have never heard about effexor interfering with tamoxifen. Regarding hot flashes, I did have some success in reducing them  after chemotherapy using Peridin-C. It was given to me by my radiation oncologist. It doesn't seem to be working so well now that I am taking tamoxifen but maybe it would help you.  

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited February 2008

    sirsmom,

    I had not heard about Effexor interfering with Tamoxifen, either, and that is why I requested it at my pcp dr. appt.  I asked a friend who looked it up in her medical books (she is a nutritionist, but has access to lots of medical information), and she said that IF Effexor DOES interfere with Tamoxifen (it's very rare, but it has been known to happen), it is a case where the person isn't metabolizing Tamoxifen even without the Effexor.   But, in my case, since I am now having hot flashes again, I guess it's working.  I don't sweat, either, BTW, I just get HOT HOT HOT, and then COLD... hot, then cold...  I am really sick of this!

    Thanks for the info. about Peridin-C.  I guess I'll go look it up.

    Harley

  • Miss_Lolli
    Miss_Lolli Member Posts: 72
    edited February 2008

    I can't say I blame you about not wanting to chance it, if you're at all in doubt. I was going to mention the buzz about black cohosh I've been hearing, but then read this article on web md and changed my mind on that.

    http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/75/89785.htm

    I guess we can only hope that your flashes lessen with time as I've heard they do with some people.

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited February 2008

    Lori,


    Thanks for the info. on black cohosh.  I was not considering it, since it is estrogen, but now I am even more sure that I need to stay away from that one.  I already have some auto immune issues, so I would be the one who would get that syndrome, too.

    I am seeing my pcp tomorrow, but I doubt that there is anything else I can do. 

    A friend told me that I could take Welbutrin, but it is a WEAK SSRI, and there again is that term...SSRI... 

    Thanks

    Harley

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 236
    edited February 2008

    Hi all,

    I saw my onc today and my bone scan was clear.  What a relief!  So, according to him, I've been in remission (or NED) since my lumpectomy/node dissection a little over a year ago.  It was so wonderful to hear him finally say the "r" word and I had no idea it would be retroactive, too.  

    He said I won't need another mammo until it's been a year since my last one, so this Oct. I didn't get a chance to ask him if/when I would have other scans, but I'm thinking that it'll be on an as needed basis.   He's pretty low key when it comes to scans.  He asked me about Tamoxifen side effects, listened to my lungs, felt my nodes, checked my breasts, pounded on my spine, and pushed on my internal organs.  He asked if I was having any swelling, but didn't seem concerned when I mentioned my hands.  He said my blood work was normal - my hemoglobin is slowly climbing back up (it's only up to 12.9, wow), my wbc is now normal (wasn't last time, still under the affects of rads), and my estradial level indicates that I'm not even close to menopause and should be menstruating again soon (I knew it!).  I didn't ask specifically what the tumor marker numbers were, but they were normal.  

    I asked him about having my ovaries out, and he asked me if I had any family history of ovarian or breast cancer (nope) and he said it was up to me but he didn't feel it would offer me much benefit.  He said if I was done having children and wanted them out, I would then be able to take an AI.  He said that Tamoxifen works pretty well, and after a few years he would switch me to an AI.  He thinks that I'll be menopausal within 2 years, so that would work out well, if I decide to give the AI's a chance.  His comment about whether I was done having children amused me.  Let's see...I'm 45, and I have to take antiestrogen meds for 4.5 more years so unless I want to give birth to my own grandchild, I'm done whether I want to be or not.  lol  He such an optimist.  

    I had a bone density scan today, too.  I can't wait to get the results from that.  It'll help me decide what I want to do with my ovaries.  There are just so many factors to consider.  I'm going to start a pro/con list based on what I learn.  I see my gyn on Monday and the intravaginal u/s will give me more info to consider, too.   In the next couple of months, we should be getting a gyn-onc to town and I plan to get a consultation with her.  I figure she's young and probably more inclined to be aggressive with tx, so I'll be interested in what she recommends.

    Harley - I've been thinking about your situation with the Effexor.  I'm thinking that as long as Effexor doesn't suppress your hot flashes by using the same pathway as Tamoxifen, then it won't interfere with how Tamoxifen works.  We take other meds to control it's other side effects and don't worry that they are interfering with Tamoxifen's effectiveness, so why should this be any different just because it's controlling hot flashes?  Does that make sense?  I think some doctors just error on the side of caution rather than doing their homework and knowing what meds we can and can not take.  

    Sirsmom - welcome to our train!  I'm sorry you're having such troublesome side effects.  I still have trouble sleeping, but it varies from not being able to fall asleep to falling asleep and waking frequently.  I so miss how well I slept on the Ativan, but it made me feel bone tired the next day.  I should have known there would be a price to pay for such wonderful sleep.  I've been planning to give Melatonin a try, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I hope you get approval for the Effexor.  There's also another med for hot flashes that I've read about on this board, but I can't remember exactly what it's called.  I'll find it and let you know.   

    Take care all...I hope everyone is doing well!

    Cynthia 

  • honeygirl
    honeygirl Member Posts: 136
    edited February 2008

    Cynthia , Yeah!!!! Happy dance for clear scans!!xxxx

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited March 2008

    Cynthia,

    Woohoo for clear scans!! My condition is more a pre lymphedema than a real one. Massage and compression are all I need. We got another 10 inches of snow last night! Shoveling in store for me today. Really burns those chocolate car calories.

    xxxBasha

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited March 2008

    Cynthia!!  YAY for the clean scans!!  Whoo hoo, yippee!!!

    MMMMM...I wonder if the slight swelling I have in my hands is a mild case of edema.  Not too bad, but annoying...

    And, all this talk about the pain in the hips...I had that, but attributed it to laying on my couch too long!!!!!  That's so interesting.  It never dawns on me to blame any of my aches and pains on the Tamox...  Golly, I need to pay more attention...

    Lynn- did your meds ever come??  Been thinking of you!!

    Dad is back in the hospital.  almost a relief so he's seen by a "real" doctor.  We took him off some psych meds they had put him on to calm him down and he seems MUCH better.  Here's crossing my fingers that he stays that way.

    Hugs to all...Happy Saturday...

    V 

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited March 2008

    Cynthia,

    Glad to hear that your bone scan turned out good.  YAY!! 

    I am having a back x-ray on Monday for this lower back pain I've been having.  I'm kind of scared!  I will also probably need a bone density test.   I know that I have low bone density, because I can't drink milk; it makes me vomit.

    I felt weird not having any tests, but now that I AM having them, I feel SO SCARED!  Maybe I should just be blissfully ignorant!

    Thanks for your ideas about Effexor.  I went to my pcp yesterday, and she called my onc, right there, in her office!  It always amazes me, that they come RIGHT to the phone, if another dr. calls them!  Anyway, they laughed at me (I don't know what they said, since it wasn't on speaker phone), and then she told me that my onc is concerned about me with Effexor because "I am just so young!"  I'll be 45 in April... 

    I wasn't sleeping very well, even with the Effexor, but at least I didn't have the hot flashes. 

    Congratulations on OVER a YEAR NED!!!

    Harley 

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited March 2008

    Cynthia,

    A big thumbs up from me on your scan!  Wahoo!!

    Virginia,

    Sorry to hear that Dad is back in the hospital.  I'll be thinking of you.

    Harley,

    I feel for you with the hot flashes.  I've been on tamox for 3 months now and am starting to get them too, but during the day.

    Basha,

    Take it easy shoveling that snow. I like reading your posts and wouldn't want to have you hurt yourself.

    We finally got a decent day but may have snow tomorrow night.  All I can say is:  11 days until Palm Springs!

    Have a great weekend everybody!!!

    D

  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 211
    edited March 2008

    I'm home again, ladies!

    Cynthia, so glad your scans were okay.  Woohoo!  And now you're on a yearly mammo schedule, too?  I hope to be joining you on that schedule soon.  Here's hoping your bones are very dense. :-)

    Basha, glad you don't have big-time lymphedema...from reading the books and boards, that sounds just awful.  Happy shoveling!  Don't overdo it.  We had a flurry last Sunday as I was leaving on my trip--guess that's it for the snow this year. :-(  Better than nothing...

    Virginia, so sorry to hear your dad is back in the hospital, but I can identify with your feelings....at least for the time being you know he's being watched carefully.  Re: meds and older people--it seems to be so common that drs. load up on the meds, and that causes all kinds of problems.  Glad he's responding to lessening the dose.

    Harley, so what does your age have to do w/ your onc. withholding the Effexor???  It seems to me it shouldn't matter if you're 24, 44, or 84...if it works and relieves your symptoms and doesn't screw w/ the Tamox., why not take it?  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....  Best of luck w/ your x-ray; you're in my prayers.  Keep a good thought... 

    Of course, thanks to the USPS, I'm STILL waiting for my prescription to come.  It was mailed 16 days ago, for heaven's sake.  If it isn't here by noon on Monday, I'll call the local doc at the clinic here and see if he can write me a scrip for a two-week supply so I can get started.  As soon as I do that, the prescription I've been waiting for will magically appear.

    Ouch...awful back, hip, and leg pain yesterday and today.  My gait looks something like Chester on Gunsmoke...anybody here remember old Chester?  Well, he's been reincarnated in Japan.  Basha, what's that about the 3-month time frame for SEs to really kick in?  I hadn't read that...or if I did, it went with one of the many brain dumps I've involuntarily had over the past six months. 

    Enough already from me.  Lori, sirsmom, Honeygirl--glad you're here!  Happy Saturday evening, everyone...it's Sunday morning here, so I'm doing laundry and then off to mass.  Sleep well!

    Lynn

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited March 2008

    Lynn,

    I guess my onc is taking the approach that since I am so young, he doesn't want me to take something that the researchers will tell us tomorrow is bad for us, so he just wants to err on the side of caution.  But I am not sure...

    My pcp dr. talked to my onc while I was in her office.  Then she told me "You are just so young!"  I heard the conversation, which was my pcp dr. saying that ALL her patients who take Tamoxifen are TEN years out, so she figures Effexor won't matter....  I am thinking that they must have mets, or they wouldn't be taking Tamoxifen, TEN years out.  Anyhow, that is why I am guessing that my onc wants to be cautious...  My pcp gave me a Rx for neurontin, but that scares the HELL out of me!

    Thanks for your help.  You are so sweet!

    Harley

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited March 2008

    Hey all,

    I have had the worst day all of a sudden; bad bad mood, angry, snappish and tired. Is this anyone else's experience on Tamox? My flashes have been increasing too.I had a fight with my son cause he didn't help me snow shovel. Hope this isn't a big slide down.



    Virginia, I got a referral from onc nurse at the hospital for lymphedema massage. First she measured my arms very carefully to rule out full lymphedema. So you can go do this to see if that's why your rings are tight.It's worth it as a preventative.



    I need some reassurance, tamoxisisters! Basha

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited March 2008

    Basha,

    I've had tamoxorages -- as I think Virginia calls it -- too.  I've taken off on my daughter.  Now that I know that it's possible, it's been easier to be aware and see it coming.  It seems to cycle in and out just like PMS, about the same time frame -- 25-30 days.  So you are NOT alone.  I'm standing right next to you, tapping you on the shoulder to cool off, take a breath.

    But tell him for me -- you should help your mom shovel!  My daughter shovels if my husband is travelling and I make pancakes for her. That's our deal.  See, I just can't get out of those train cars with the goodies in them.

    Make yourself a cup of tea.  I'll check back in later, if I can, to see how you are doing.

    D

  • honeygirl
    honeygirl Member Posts: 136
    edited March 2008

    Basha , Hugs to you!!! Sorry you're having a "bad" day. Well , if my son was home and I had to shovel , I'd be upset too! If this is really out of character for you , it might be the tamox.. And with the lymphedema , you know you shouldn't be doing it.(shoveling). So maybe you were just mad and had every right to be. Sometimes I think people think we are fine because we are not bed ridden with an IV in us. But this is an on going journey and we are gonna have our good days , and bad. I am taking effexor for my hotflashes. I saw my onc Thurs. and told him , I was good for about a month with the effexor , but lately , I started having some again. So he said to wait a little while , and see if they get better again , if not I can start taking one in the morning and one in the evening. But again , he takes the hotflashes as a sign the tamox. is working. I hope you're feeling better. Maybe  ,  if you're like me , I just need to see some sunshine and warmer temps! I would feel 100% better! Take care xxxx

    Virginia , sorry to hear your dad is in the hospital. Hope he is feeling better soon. I know the "psych" meds had my friends mom a mess. And she stopped taking them and she is better.xxxx

    Hi Harley. I am puzzled by the doc not wanting to but you on effexor. It is just something that , they accidently found out , helps hotflashes. It is really for , I think , anxiety. So that doesn't make sense to me. I just know , I have wicked , sweaty hotflashes , and am so glad for effexor. Oh , my ex-sister-in-law takes neurontin and it seems to help her.Good luck to you with your x-rays. xxxx

    Hi Lynn! Yes , I remember Chester , he is alive and "hobbling" over here too!lol If I sit for a while and get up , Chester appears! On my feet all day , running around at work , "Hi Chester"! While I'm moving , I'm fine. Its after I have sat and rested. Hope your aches and pains lessen. And what is up with ups!?! Its not like it is something you ordered at 3am off the tv that will help take stains out! Its medication for Gods sake. I hope it comes soon. Take care. xxxx Melody

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 236
    edited March 2008

    Basha - I'm sorry you're not yourself.  I've had a very short fuse since my dx, and there are times when it's definitely worse than others.  If I don't get enough sleep, or don't feel well in some way, I spend the day raging about every little thing.  I do seem to experience some cyclical moodiness, also.  My fuse is short in general, though, so it's kind of hard to tell how much is due to Tamoxifen, the whole cancer dx, other factors, and my personality. lol  It's so frustrating to need help and not have our children want to put forth some effort to help.  I have friends with teenagers and there are times when they don't even want to go home to them. 

    Harley - I'm glad you found out what your onc meant about the Effexor.  Still kind of strange, but at least you know what he's thinking.  lol  I'll be thinking of you Monday. 

    Lynn - I remember Chester!  I've seen the show recently even.  lol  Sorry you feel like that.  We're too young to be feeling like Chester.  And, where are your pills?  Wth?!!!  That's just crazy!

    I hope better weather is in everyone's future.  It was too cold today for my kids to play outside (we're wussies here) and my son was so bummed. 

    Happy rest of the weekend to you,

    Cynthia
     

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited March 2008

    Cynthia,

    I couldn't hear my onc talking, but I gathered from my pcp's end of the conversation that is what he was saying. 

    Thanks for thinking about me...  I am sure the back pain is nothing, I hope...  I was worried about not getting tests, and now that I am getting one, I am so scared!

    Hope everyone has a great weekend!

    Harley

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