Hi, I would like to hear from anybody who had breast cancer last year, I finished all my treatment in November but still get a lot of pain in my breast, is there anybody with the same.

Hi Azalea

I had breast cancer last year - lumpectomy first then mastectomy in May - Chemo then Radiotherpy finishing just before Xmas. I think it probably depends on the Op. I had Lymph nodes removed and still get pain going from under my arm across the mastectomy scar (right side). I think what we must remember is quite a lot has happened to our bodies and it takes time to settle down. It really must depend on the type of treatment we have. I asked my GP how long it will take for me to be back to 'normal' and he said 6 months to 2 years. I know any ache or pain makes you think but I try to remember all the aches and pains I had before all this happened. Then I just took a couple of painkillers and forgot about it - now I stop and think - natural I think after what we have been through. Were you given the name of a 'breast nurse' whilst you were receiving treatment -  some-one you could contact with any queries about your treatment? Mine was good and told me that even after all treatment was finished I could still call her if I was concerned about anything. I think most breast cancer clinics are the same so perhaps you could try them - just to put your mind at rest. Others on this site have had worse or better times of it but all without doubt will help you if they can. Please try not to worry - easier said than done - check it out if you can - don't think that you might be seeing medical staff unnecessarily - they all have much experience of this - you are not the first and won't be the last to contact them with worries - they were probably heartily fed up with me calling them all the time earlier this year but they never showed it.

All the best

Jan x

Hi all. Thought I'd let you know I had my blood results back n they were normal. I couldn't believe it! Dr thinks I have ME/chronic fatigue syndrome n some muscle thing that I can't remember. I've been really down about it cos I know it can last for years. At least now I know what it is n why I've been getting worse n not better. I'm so fed up of being ill though. So fed up of not being able to do things n so bored! Really thought it was thyroid n I'd get better soon with meds. Now I know there's nothing that's gonna give me some energy n make me feel better. Very sad. Hope to hear from you all soon.

Love leonie xxxxx

Hi Lonie,.

I have been following your posts and I can really understand how you feel regarding tiredness. I always considered myself very fit for my age 63 but since finishing treatment have felt continually tired out. I went to see my GP who thinks I must be depressed - I'm not. I know what real depression is like because my son suffered from it a few years ago now. I was hoping through your posts I might find something else it could be. Are they absolutely sure you have ME? again I think that is a difficult problem to diagnose. When you think about it our bodies have been through the mill a bit and perhaps we all take different times to recover. Some people for instance cope with Chemo very well and others have a very difficult time - maybe the drugs take longer to get out of some peoples bodies. I really hope you will feel better soon. I am staying in our holiday home in Turkey at the moment and I must admit the sunshine has lifted me somewhat - I am very lucky to have somewhere like this to come to. I am also taking extra vitamin  D and Calcium and codliver oil every day. Has your GP recommended any additional vitamins? Let us know how you get on

Jan xx

Hi leonie

I just throught i would say hello because I was convinced for years that my throyid was not working and told it was a virus/ME/in my head.

I had necular medicine in my late 20s for hyperthroidism and was warned that it would go underactive at some point .It is very multinodular and i have the symptoms of underactive throyid but my blood tests are fine.In my opinion they are wrong.The only things i found that helped with the chronic fatigue was L-Tyrosine and bladderack.Both of these can be got from health food shops.I used to take a lot more than was suggested on the bottle.I am not suggestinng that this was necessaryly a good idea but for me it was the alternative to spending half my time asleep.

I just throught that you might like to hear because if you try a few it should work quickly if it is going to be of any use to you.If you dont feel any different after a week then i am giving rubbish suggestions.

good luck

Hi Ionie and Hi to everyone,

I can't believe that there is nothing the docs can do to help you!!!! Saying that I still have open wound after 3 months, it simply wont heal.I can understand your frustration having the same here. The most I can manage is about two hours and then I feel tired. My last chemo was very bad.  So scared of what will happen with the next one and the next one.........

I am glade that the blood test was ok. When you said it can last for years what did you mean? Will you recover?  Are you getting any medication to help you with the condition?

sorry about all the questions, if you dont feel like answering just ignore me.......

I hope that you will find the strenght to fight this, in our world giving up is not an option. Be strong be positive and lets fight

Have a lovely evening

M xxx

My darlin friend

I hate to think of you being sad and tired and not well after all u been thru !!, Remember docs are always looking for a" label  "a" solution" but we all know its not always that simple !! small steps xxx u also have young family that is bloody hard without dealing with bloody cancer !!! when w emeet in Brighton I thought u r so amazing (sorry to be a sap xx) your lovely family too x wish i lived closer to u would pop round and hassel u xxxx Drs dnot know everything dnot focus too much on their thoughts just let them do tests and tick off want you dnot want !!! you know where iam anytime xxxxx

big fat massive love and hugs xxxx

nina xxx

Thanks for your posts ladies. I've missed you! I will take note of all of them n post tomorrow when I can. Right now ME is a better option then any other problem that it could be. At least I know I will get better. 2 day of steroids so hopefully I will gain some energy. Just been so sore. Love you lot loads n thank you. Xxxxxx

Hi Grumpy,

Some complementary therapies may interact with other medicines you are on, making the conventional treatment less effective.

Please do check them out with your doctor before taking any.  Sometimes their interactions and side effects may not be known.

Also, some alternative therapies can be dangerous.

We have a section on our website about complementary and alternative medicines which it may be good to look at.

There is also information on our website about the difference between complementary and alternative therapies.

Best wishes

Renata

Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Renata

Thank you for the advise.I do check things with the doctor and dont take anything she says no to eg Q10 enzyme and she said the same as you ,that with other things she does not know for certain if they interact..I had the throyid problems long before they found the cancer and i would have happyly taken medication for it but no one gave me any.The suplements i take do not fix things but they do take the edge off .I do realise this most  sensiable course of action its just the best one i have found so far.

Hi Ladies/Tony

first of all let me thank you all for your good wishes over the loss of my mum.

I am finally getting my head round losing her, but its a bit of a wake up call...... we were fighting our cancers together.... and seeing mum lose her fight scares the hell out of me... because it means I could too.

Today is a massive milestone for me...... today on the 15th September 2011.... I have been one year cancer free..... yes, it was the 15th of september last year that I had all my cancer removed with a double mastectomy...... Where on earth has this last year gone? it doesn't seem 2 minutes since i was first posting on here, a pile of snot and tears with a new cancer diagnosis.

so today is a day for seeing the positives.... I am still here and still smiling

On monday I am back to the reconstruction clinic and will get a date for my next surgery..... I just want to feel normal again.

Love to all

Caz xxxxxxx

Hi Caroline,

So pleased you are feeling better. I know what you mean by milestones - I had been feeling very low recently - although compared to others I haven't had things too bad. Today is my birthday - last year on the 15th Sept. I was receiving my last but one chemo and in a very bad way as you say still very scared - today I am in our holiday home which we have been unable to visit for 18 months due to both our treatments - and have been swimming in the sunshine - what a difference a year makes. I still haven't made my mind up about reconstruction but sincerely hope yours goes like a dream this time!!!

Love

Jan

Hi Caroline,

So pleased you are feeling better. I know what you mean by milestones - I had been feeling very low recently - although compared to others I haven't had things too bad. Today is my birthday - last year on the 15th Sept. I was receiving my last but one chemo and in a very bad way as you say still very scared - today I am in our holiday home which we have been unable to visit for 18 months due to both our treatments - and have been swimming in the sunshine - what a difference a year makes. I still haven't made my mind up about reconstruction but sincerely hope yours goes like a dream this time!!!

Love

Jan