Fall 2015 Rads
Comments
-
If it's any comfort, I've been on tamoxifen for a few weeks (reportedly the worst!) and haven't particularly been bothered by it. A classic example of "the ones that don't have problems, don't post about not having problems"
0 -
Thanks Queenmomcat. It is a comfort to read that you've not had any problems. I may work up the nerve to try 1/2 a pill tomorrow. Is there any best time of the day to take it, like with a meal or anything?
0 -
Karen....sending lots of positive energy your way. SO sorry you are having to go through this. Take good care of yourself and know we are here...please keep us posted as you can.
0 -
Elisheba: when to take tamoxifen is another one of these maddening "it depends" questions. On the whole, it's been FAR less bothersome than rads for me.
I dove in with the full dose on an empty stomach in the morning and was fine, but then I knew going in that I tend NOT to get side effects from medication. How do you tend to react to medication? (NSAIDS or Benedryl, if you haven't any prescription meds)
That said, starting with a half-dose is a grand idea. So is taking it with food--nausea''s one of the most common side effects for pretty much ANY oral medication. If it makes you dopey, then just before bed is fine too.
0 -
Karen - my heart goes out to you - you've been thru so much already. Prayers are offered up for you. Try to breathe.
Elisheba - congrats on being done. Feels great, doesn't it?
I'm DONE, too! They warned me that being 'done' doesn't mean 'it's over' since there's still some 'cooking' going on. Wow! Is there ever! My skin went from deeply tanned, to deep red, to burgundy.....very itchy in spots, swollen and tender. But.....I'M DONE!
And....I mean, I'm really finished. After much research, questioning, praying.....I've decided I am not going to take any further drugs (hormone therapy) and my med onc is okay with my decision. I'll see him again in June.....as I said.....hopefully 'just to say hi'. Good luck to all you lovely ladies and thank you for not only sharing your experience, but for calming my anxieties along the way.
0 -
Kbee- Sending major hugs and thoughts your way!
0 -
Elisheba - I was nervous about urine cancer, too, and my MO said he'd only seen 1 case in 20 years, and that person also had uterine cancer in family. My gyn said she's never seen a case of it with a woman on Tamoxifen. They both said all SE have to be reported, but if you look at the stats, that problem is quite rare. Glad you're done with rads. I start on the 28th with Tamoxifen.
Yay Suzanne!!
0 -
KBeee - My prayers are with you. This wait has to be excruciating after all you have been through. Hoping for a good report and a big sigh of relief. HUGS!!!
Congratulations Suzanne, Nana and Elisheba!
Elisheba - I just started Tamoxifen on Sunday. No problems at all - I haven't even had a hot flash, which have been still hanging on for me during the last 8 years of menopause! I take mine after breakfast with a full glass of water. My oncologist is in his mid 70's (looks 50
) - he has been doing this for a lot of years. He said that the incidence of uterine cancer is very low, and since we will be getting checked each year even if it did develop it is easily cured with hysterectomy only. He said the risk was too low to even recommend prophylactic hysterectomy. Tamoxifen has been around a long time so the package insert lists all the reported problems in that time and the list is ridiculously long. But don't let that scare you because the benefit to us much outweighs the small statistical risk. (And I also am more of a natural gal - usually don't take so much as an aspirin or Tylenol.) Here's a story putting into perspective risk assessment data - When I worked in a molecular biology research lab all the chemicals we ordered came with a government mandated hazard sheet listing all the possible toxic effects. We got in a test kit that also included a small vial of pure, sterile water. I was glancing at the hazard sheets and one caught my eye - risk of fire, asphyxiation, don't ingest, if accidentally ingested drink plenty of water and call poison control center, and much more - sounded pretty toxic - the data sheet was for........ wait for it........ WATER!
0 -
Hugs and good thoughts for you, Kbeee!
Octogirl
0 -
Congratulations Elishebajoy and Nana!
0 -
Keepwalking....thank you SO much for putting it all in perspective
0 -
first saline soak in the books. Really quite soothing on the skin. I'm off wok now til the 3rd of January. I see more soaks in my. Future.
0 -
Mollie...what ARE saline soaks...glad they are helping you! Would like to know more.
0 -
Ok, so those of you who "itched" when did it start? Have only done 7 of 23 but am itching tonight like crazy??? Also, my nipple (cannot BELIEVE I am "talking" about my dang nipple- damn cancer) is very tender and just feels weird. Anyone have suggestions for these issues? (Again, dammit...cannot believe I am asking peeps abt things to do with my breast ugh!!)
0 -
HappyHammer, I've done 20 of 25 and the itching started intermittently fairly early on. I've been using eucerin or a topical steroid (double-blind study; I don't know which), and that seemed to help. Other people on this list have gotten relief with a cooling towel. I also use an OTC lotion called Sarna, which the RO's office recommended, and that gives a lot of relief from the itching. I have to keep it in mind for the future, i.e. mosquito bites, rashes. The itching got steadily worse until the skin started breaking down, and now it doesn't seem as bad (silver lining department).
I don't have nipples any more (sigh), but have been surprised at the areas that get tender. My shoulders are a mess; one of them has a moist peel that I'm dressing daily.
It does feel a bit as if one's body has been taken over by aliens. The techs and the nurses all keep saying, "oh yes, we expected that" and "I've seen a lot worse."
0 -
Happy Hammer, tell your RO or nurse. They should either prescribe something or tell you something to buy.
0 -
HappyHammer - My nipple was the first area of frying....since I was getting zapped from two different angles and it couldn't escape! It peeled first....very tender...and still is. The itching started about 10 treatments in, but they recommended OTC cortizone cream, which calmed things down a bit. I couldn't wear a bra but instead wore a light weight cami and I would 'tap' the itchy area with my long nails over the cami. Only once did I wake myself up during the night scratching. Now it only itches once in a while.
0 -
If the stuff that your RO gives you doesn't work, go see a dermatologist. I got the feeling early on my RO was out of her league on my itching. I got a steroid cream that I used as sparingly as possible.
Elisheba: Congrats on being DONE! I also have my bottle of Tamoxifen on stand by until Jan. I just wanted a break from it ALL. My doctor said it was ok to wait. I am like you. I HATE taking prescriptions. I threw out all the bottles that I no longer took from chemo as soon as I could.
Keep: Loved the water story!
0 -
Finally good news from a biopsy. Radiation fibrosis and scarring. I am not excited that fibrosis has started so soon, but it sure beats the alternative!
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!
0 -
Good news indeed! in a manner of speaking.
0 -
KBeee, SO glad to hear this!!
0 -
Rainy: I'm at 29 of 33. My entire armpit is a giant rug burn and I have one small blister i noticed today where the skin is peeling. I started boosts yesterday so my armpit is out of the way and hopefully it can begin to heal. I have to agree with you on the treatment by the nurse/RO compared to how I was talked to during chemo. RO sent me away with aquaphor and aleve. During chemo they really supported me when I talked about the side effects. A certain leafy substance is legal in my state so I'm using that to deal with the annoyance of rads and help me sleep. I'm working through it still. I'm wearing a white men's tank under a zip up hoodie so I can apply my ointments during the day and not irritate the area. The aquaphor is staining my good clothes so I feel like a slob at work. LOL
Complete side note: Five coworkers have now come to me and said they think there is an issue with our building since there are four of us going through cancer (two BC, one lung, one throat). I can't get people to understand there's no relation to the four of us going through this right now. The lung cancer employee won't stop smoking but know one wants to discuss that. The throat cancer is more likely a result of HPV but I won't tell people that to protect him. My BC and the 2nd BC was just a luck of the draw. I'm just frustrated and annoyed by them all. *sigh*
0 -
happy dance for you kbeee! I know youmust be so relieved as are we!
0 -
awesome news kbee!!!
0 -
KBee- that is the best news though not good...not the dreaded BC rearing its' ugly head.
RO told me to se Benedryl or Cortisone cream as needed and oral Benedryl at bedtime prn. We will see how it goes. It's ok today
8 down-22 to go.
0 -
I waited about a month after rads to start Tamoxifen due to a reaction to the Silverdine. My RO didn't want me to start until that cleared up so we could distinguish any possible side effects. Fortunately, a couple of months into Tamoxifen, and I've done really well. The only side effect to speak of is being a little over emotional at times.
I have my 3 month post treatment mammo on Monday. Boy are a lot of emotions flooding back. It was so hard at first to just be done with everything. Now it's hard to think about going back to a doctor.
0 -
great news Kbee!
happyHammer I was given a recipe of 1tsp table or other salt per 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, cover and let boil for 20 mins. Let stand until room temp and transfer to a sealable container. You can also purchase saline from a supplier just don't use contact lense solution as it has preservatives. Use recipe within 24 hours.
Take a clean wash cloth or gauze and soak it in the solution. Wring out and then place damp cloth on all affected areas and soak for 10-15 mins. Don't let the gauze or cloth dry out. When the time is up remove the cloth and wipe away any desbris away gently. Treat the area then with whatever you are using as per RO.
I wasn't too sure but it certainly worked nicely. I was also told to use the oral Benadryl at bed time to soothe itching. And hydrocortisone too.0 -
Nana2-8--Thanks, and it does feel great! Especially since I didn't have to leave the house as early this morning!
Queenmomcat, Trvler, Sloan15, fitchr, Molly50--Thanks for the reassurance and advice. I don't usually have too many side effects from medicines, although Benadryl, if taken at night, gives me restless legs and difficulty sleeping, but hopefully Tamoxifen won't be too bad. You have all helped me tremendously in my decision to go ahead and start on it, although I might also wait until January just for the break, like you are doing, Trvler. At least I feel better about starting it now!
I enjoyed the water story, Keepwalking! Kinda puts things into perspective a little bit more.
0 -
Karen!!! What a relief! I am sorry about the fibrosis but thank God it is not another tumor!!
0 -
Mollie- thanks SO much for that. Will try it if needed.
0
