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First Time Taking Low Dose Tamoxifen - Side Effects
I started 5mg of Tamoxifen today and within a few hours had several side effects: dry mouth, headache, light headedness, nausea, bad tinnitus, and feeling cold. It seemed pretty quick. Has anyone else developed side effects so quickly? Thank you!
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Parathyroid disease and breast cancer
I keep on seeing posts that people have had these dual diagnoses; sometimes the parathyroid disease pre-dated the bc and sometimes the other way round. I am becoming convinced that the two are causally related, so am interested to see just how many of you have been affected. Many of us are getting osteoporotic and blaming…
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"Tamoxifen Road" - Support and Encouragement
For those that are taking Tamoxifen, considering taking Tamoxifen and need support, and for those that have completed Tamoxifen Therapy. There is alot of good and helpful information on many threads. Thought it would be nice to have information and experiences logged together on Breastcancer.org in a main Tamoxifen thread.…
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Dealing with Lymphedema w/o surgery?
Hi community. I'm posting since I haven't found a similar case yet. I opted out on surgery and chemo (too late), and it's been a good run for 7 years. The LE came on slowly to rt arm, dr diagnosed. Now its in both feet, then the left breast just swelled in size. No real noticeable discoloration. Has anyone else had LE…
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What did your radiologist say when you were referred for a biopsy?
Hi there. I had my first two screening mammograms in 2018 and 2019. Life got in the way and I haven't had another one until just recently where they found calcifications (that were not there previously) in my left breast only. I went back for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. I knew something was weird when the tech…
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"Cancer Care" by Paul Marik
Does anyone know if this book contains legit information? The person who gave it to me is very much anti-"traditional" medicine... but the book itself contains peer-reviewed references. I would obviously discuss any specifics with my oncologist. Just wondering how much time I should invest browsing it, since my time and…
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Is It Normal for Skin Sensitivity to Appear Weeks After Radiation Ends?
Hello I finished my radiation therapy about three weeks ago & while my skin seemed to heal well initially; I am now experiencing delayed sensitivity almost like a sunburn that wasn’t there before. 😑 The area feels warm and slightly itchy & some mild redness has reappeared. I expected side effects to gradually improve, not…
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Breast cancer treatment and living alone
Hello, I was recently diagnosed with BC. I live alone and fear everything that's going to happen to me. The unknown is scary. Does anyone live alone and going through chemo and everything that has to do with BC.
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This piece is for anyone navigating loss.
I wrote this personal story about grief, healing, and the small things that helped me find my way back after losing my mum to breast cancer in 2023. If you're going through something similar, I hope it brings a bit of comfort. You’re not alone. ✨🤍 https://www.olivesbay.co/journal/love-loss-resilience With love, Vanessa
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Lupron, Tamoxifen and Oncotype
Hello All, I had Stage 2A grade 3 DCIS & IDCIS Cancer. Im 42 and a Mas w/DEIP. My oncotype number was 19 with a 6% chance of recurrence however my oncologist used a tool call Exact Science RSClin tool that says given how big my tumors were (biggest tumor was 28mm) and high grade that my recurrence rate is 17% with only…
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Tamoxifen side effects and your experiences
Hello I am Vanessa. I am 47 no menopause. I was diagnosed with LCIS in December (11 mm) + atypical ductal & lobular hyperplasia. Had my surgery in January 2025. No quimio nor radio therapy was needed. Just tamoxifen (20 mg). It has been a roller coaster in several ways. I had to take of mirena, change medication like…
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Morning Anxiety 6 Years Post-Treatment
would seeing a therapist who specialized in cancer survivors help me get rid of anxiety. Meds don’t work. It’s 6 years. I feel terrible all the time, like I’m dying. I’m not dying now, will someday but want to stop it. i wake up with anxiety bd, then exercise it gets a little better by evening it is much better. it’s very…
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Have summer self-care tips that’s helped you feel your best?
Let's all share summer self-care tips here! Bring them on!
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Diagnosed 1 mnth+ ago, deciding on treatment
Hi ladies! Been lurking here since i got birad5 on my ultrasound, this's my 1st post. I had a single mastectomy on my right breast. Final pathology showed idc 2.2cm with dcis, grade1, ki67 5-7%. Er/pr+, her2- (fish and oncotype dx confirmed), no lymph node/vascular involvement 0/6. My oncotype score is 11, 3% recurrence in…
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Spinal cancer symptoms??
I would like to know if anyone has experienced severe rectal pain and burning and then diagnosed with spinal mets. I had ILC in the left breast and had a mastectomy in January 2023. I had radiation in May and June 2023. There was spread to one node. I was placed on Anastrozole, changed to Exemestane and then finally to…
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Asymmetry and distortion BIRADS 4
I am a 42 year old woman. I did my first ever screening beginning of this year. I went for a biopsy last week for asymmetry and distortion in 2 regions on same breast. Each region less than 1 cm. I will know the results next week, but anxious. Google says ppv for distortion malignancy is 75%. I had assumed the chances are…
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Anyone regret going flat?
I'm finishing up chemo next month and will have to make a final decision about whether or not to do reconstruction. I'm planning on having both breasts removed. I do not want implants, so I'm choosing between going flat or DIEP fat grafting. A few weeks ago, I was just fed up with the whole multiple surgery, lengthy…
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2020 Running Thread
Hello Pink Runners -- everyone is a runner no matter how far or how fast -- let's talk about our running and our running as it relates to being newly diagnosed, going through surgery, going through treatment, and beyond. If you would like to share your race schedule please do so -- you don't have to enter any races to be…
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Arthritics and Bone Mets
Has anyone developed arthritis after developing bone mets? I have a theory that the anti-hormone treatment has caused arthritics to develop earlier than it should. Arthritis and joint pain are affecting my quality of life much more than the cancer at the moment. It seems to be very hard to get on top of it, along with the…
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Not Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results? Start Here
Often, the hardest part of screening and testing isn't undergoing the tests themselves, but WAITING for results to come back. If you're like most people, you will want your test results as soon as possible. Read here for steps you can take to feel more in control of the process: * Test Results and Medical Records,…
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Oncotype test
So I was diagnosed 6 years ago.. it was stage 1 grade 1 IDC no lymph node involvement.. my doctors did not give me an oncotype test.. I had a lumpectomy radiation and an aromatase inhibitor for 5 years.. is there any reason that they don't give that test?.. I wouldn't mind knowing what my recurrence risk is I don't…
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IBC lounge: roll call, support and just a good place to hang out
Hey all, I am starting this thread to give us a place to meet up and check in. We all know this "ain't Facebook" and since some of us have left the boards recently let's have a roll call and start fresh here. Some of the "IBC ladies" and other threads have gone a bit untended so let's see who we are: I'll go first: dx June…
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Over it already!
At just 33 years old, this feels like a nightmare that won’t end. It’s been over a month since I first discovered the lump, and I’m completely drained, mentally and emotionally. The endless waiting, appointments, needle sticks. it’s all just so overwhelming. I shared more details in another post, but to sum it up: there’s…
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Keeping up health and immune system
I’m so frustrated… my onc defers to the onc pharmacist, who reviewed my list of supplements that I’d like to take. Most were discouraged because of interference with the meds (anastrazole and Verzenio). I’ve been continuing to try and research - mostly finding conflicting info. Since verzenio can cause your white blood…
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Post biopsy hematoma delaying surgery
I am newly diagnosed in May 2025 with preliminary stage 1 IDC. I developed a large hematoma post biopsy and it’s been 6 weeks and the hematoma is still large 3 to 4 cm with bruising still evolving. My surgeon advised to wait another month for the hematoma to resolve more to have the lumpectomy and SNLB. It will then be 9…
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Small breasts and lumpectomy
I have recently been diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I have a 2.7 cm mass at 12:30 on my right breast. When discussing lumpectomy vs mastectomy with my surgeon she said I may not be able to get by with a lumpectomy because my breasts are too small (I'm probably a large A to small B). Has any one had a lumpectomy…
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TN- Surgery first or chemo first and Lumpectomy or Mastectomy?
Hi all, I was diagnosed last week with clinical stage 1 grade 3 ki 67 90% er-, pr-, and waiting on FISH results to find out if I'm also HER2-. Tumor size is 14mm. My care team is recommending a lumpectomy first since my tumor is small even though it is very aggressive followed by 4-6 months of chemo then choosing either…
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To Give: 2 Wedges, 2 Body Pillows & Drain Props to Help With Surgery Recovery (NYC Area)
Hello everyone, I am thankfully six weeks past a delayed TRAM flap surgery, and would be honored to give away these wonderful wedges and body pillows that helped me have a more comfortable recovery. I also have some drain management props that were great. I'm in the NYC area, so the only caveat is you'd need to come pick…
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No ovaries, on letrozole, but estrogen increases
Right after I started ovarian suppression and letrozole they checked my estrodial levels and they were not detectable. A few months later they checked them again and they still weren't detectable. Last year I had my ovaries removed and we all assumed with that we no longer needed to worry about estrogen so I discontinued…