Hi KatieZ and thank you so much for your advice. I won't be seeing my consultant now until my radiotherapy has ended in 3 weeks time. I'm contemplating ringing my cancer care nurse up to see if she has any suggestions. I feel terrible because i've been relatively lucky..i found my lump early..haven't had to have a mastectomy and don't need chemo. I should be full of the joys..but i'm not. I'm barely leaving the house because of the sweats/flushes and lack of sleep. My mood is very low..i can't concentrate on anything and i'm very tearful. I just don't understand how sweats and flushes can make me feel so bad.

Hi Poppy. I am 4 weeks after RT. I had a lumpectomy and prescribed 10 years of Tamoxifen. I can say from day one i felt v odd. I really do not like taking them. Hot flushes are unbarable. ( having one now !) throwing off dressing gown !

Mentioned it to docs they just dont seem interested. Its unbarable, embarrasing. Im not sure if the RT is still in my system. I am still getting shooting pains in my breast from RT so im not sure also if im flushing cos i feel like im getting Electric shocks all the bloody time. 

I have Zopiclone for sleeping but they dont let me have many. Tried one night not taking them i slept from 11 till 12 ! i was so tired in the night i cried and got upset about everything. NO sleep is just not do able after or during Breast cancer treatment. I dont want to be on Zopaclone forever cos they really are not good for you.

I was offered complmentry thearapy during my RT had 2 lovely foot massages then offered me 6 Aqupuncture for the hot flushes but it was after the treatment and I did not want to go back to " the cancer hosptial" so i missed out on them. There are places here who do it but I cannot afford to pay for sessions. I want it free. I cannot imagain 10 years of this. As you say they do effect you. I am actually dreading the winter cos the kids will want the heating on and I get so bloody hot ! 

Few weeks ago i had to sleep with windows wide open. I was boiling from the inside out ! Bloody horrible. as if we havent gone through enough with Breast cancer.!

I have got peppermint oil capsuals for the bloating from tabs but not been offered anything for the hot flushes. I can see me going around in summer clothes for the next 3 months. !

Suzie. xx

Hi KatieZ

So sorry i haven't replied earlier but i don't seem to have any time to myself just lately. I really just wanted to say a big thank you to you. Firstly..it was so nice knowing that somebody else is feeling as crap as me (maybe's 'nice' isn't the right word to use..but i'm sure you know what i mean !!) and secondly..your advice gave me the kick up the bum i needed to do something about the situation instead of sitting here feeling worse by the day. I rang my cancer care nurse up and explained things to her and she spoke to my consultant. As a result of this..i am going to be put on venlafaxine as well. I'm hoping to pick up my prescription tomorrow and praying that it works !! Did you find that it helped you very much ? I'm due to start my RT on Saturday and really wanted to feel as fit as possible going into the treatment. I know that it won't be as taxing as chemo..but i've been told that it can make you tired and that my skin around the breast area could become sore and inflamed. I can't believe how badly these flushes and sweats are affecting me but i'm feeling a bit happier today as i can..at last..see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you again and i hope you are keeping well xxx

Hi Poppy. I was the same on this site and then i saved it along the top task bar so easy to log on.

I have found with these bloody hot flashes its best to dress in layers! cotton tops, floaty tops skirts rather than jeans, ( no sox or boots yet!) still in flip flops. I think people look at me and think look at her shes dresses for summer ! baby talc is a good thing  or a cornstarch one as it keeps you a bit dryer from the sweating and a pack of face wipes helps to pop in a bag. And pretty much ALL  of the femfresh range ! for the other bits. I always carry a hair band or clip incase im in a shop in a q and have a hot sweat. Seriously it does change your life ! my friends laugh but i dont think its funny one bit.Hot pubs are a nightmare. I have taken to just walking off in search of a cold garden to cool down!

Regarding RT.

The advice i can give is- Keep hydrated, have a wee just before you go in the room too. They do take some time getting you into the right position, they put a box on your chest ( like an empty pastic box) they will draw on you  with felt and use a ruler don't be shocked if there are male nurses doing it too, purple don't seem to wash off so well. They will ask you to put your arms above your head and rest in strups you must keep very still. With me I had the breat hold one im not sure if you are having that? its a little more controlled as you have to breath when they ask you to and hold the breath, if not then its a case of lying very still i guess.They do some short burst and some are longer, each time the machine moves around you. Hlaf way through they did say one session would take longer and they would take some pics of my chest, that worried me but i think its Normal. The bed does not move. I asked them to let me know when it was the last one as you have no idea what the time is how many are left. so I simply said can you just let me know when its the last one which kinda helped.

I think twice during it they do a session with a nurse after to check you breast and you can voice any concerns or worries.

I did get a bad back about week 2 cos you are lying on what seems like a glass chopping board ! something you don't see when the cloth is over it.

It can get chilly in the room so think about some sox. I almost asked for a blanket one day air con was v cold and remba you are naked from the waist up.

Be prepared there may also be alot of ladies who have gone throu chemo and now on RT with no hair or scarves in the waiting area, In my experience most were so brave and cheerful, not sure i would of been the same in their position. At first it upset me to see all these cancer patients, I felt like a fraud I should not had been there, I even sat in a childrens play area for a few days so I would not have to talk to anyone. I mostly went alone. I got my2 friends to do one run there so they could see what i was going through and my mum took me 3 times. I had a lumpectomy not a removal of my breast and yet I still had cancer so I had joined their club. luckly for me my treatment was when the weather was nice so i took to sitting outside on the bench as long as I could and when waiting to go home, stuck on the head fones and lost myself in some music. It was a shame they never had a costa or something in there for patients and relatives to feel a bit more normal.

You will get tired, week 2 and end of 3 worst its the commitment of getting there, i had 3 weeks solid, then there is the waiting around to go in. They will offer gowns but i was given one to use during the treament and had back after.

In my hosp they had a light box of blue bell pics on the ceiling so i kinda lost myself in that.

With regards to the skin irritation yes i did get it. I will say half way though i was like what redness ive not got any.. then week 3.. it crept up almost like sunburn ! when recovering I thought they said it would go after 2 weeks but she said it was 2 weeks after that they call it week one on the 3rd week of recovery, i was like HUH ?? WEEK 2  i expected it to be all better, Im sure its all individual but for me i would say now its been 4 weeks since the red has gone- I did read the pains can go on for weeks or years ! Im like omg really, Gods sake !   they do give you cream ( if they dont ask!)  but its a bit medicated so i tended to use that only at night &In the day ( not on RT days but after) i used coconut oil ( which comes in a solid wax looking form) from savers and I mixed that with some sanex. It really did give back some moisture. week 4 now its almost all gone the redness but im still getting shooting pains.There is a brown tan type mark under my breast. Oh and my nipple went really dark, one day after a shower i was lightly rubbing my nipple and i started to rub the brown off!  i realised it was actually burnt old skin so used a soft towel and it all rubbed away. I find since RT or maybe just b/c that my whole body skin needs lots of mosituriser. 

Compliementry treatment.

They asked me to fill in a questionair. i ticked most of it, stressed yes, scale of 1- 10  10!, etc i thought im going to say yes to all of it. then thats why i think i got the COMP Thearapies, I did bring it up only because someone mentioned it to me.I should of had a back and neck massage which would of been nice but i had feet one instead but was lush. Really de stressing. They also offered me 6 Aquapuncture but as said in the other message ( i think i said) did not want to go back to the hosp where i had treatment so declined them even though i wanted to try them.

If you don't want to travel or you don't have anyone to go with you my hosp did offer hosp transport only once in ambulance other times a car with old guys who was volenteers but pick up at the house and drop home. If you do use your own car you can claim back some Milage from the cash office. Got £38 back for my mum for the other hosp visits. Helped a bit with petrol.

Going forward I have found my B/C breast can be very sensitive to extreme temps. When i was sleeping with the window open because i was sooo flipping hot when it went chilly my breast seemed to Freeze with cold more than the rest of the body. I am quite careful now to make sure i always have a cardi for the super markets as the fridges are soo cold on my chest.

Hope I have not gone on too much. There is nothing like advice from someone whos gone through it.

Get yourself some  nice loose nighties, I wear silky ones anyway. Helps not to trap your chest in too much fabric going to bed to keep the air flowing. Don't go for baths. cool showers are better.

Take care. Suzie x

Hi Suzie

I hope you are well and thank you so much for your last message. You've given me loads of good advice..it's much appreciated !!

I will definitely take a pair of socks with me !! I've been told that my 1st session (tomorrow) will take longer than the rest..and to be honest..the nurse did explain why when she rang me to give me my appt time..but for the life of me i can't remember what she said to me. I've had a bad memory for years..but just lately it seems to have got much worse..to the point where i've got myself a notebook and i'm writing things down in order to remember them !!! Do you have this problem as well..or is it just me ?

Reading through your message..you don't mention getting tattooed..did this not happen to you ? I've had black marks tattooed on me so that i can be placed in the same position each time. I've been told that after treatment i can have these marks lasered off if i want to and YES..i most definitely will want to !!! Every time i look at them..i feel sick. They remind me that i've had cancer so the sooner i can get rid of them the better !!

Like you..i have had a lumpectomy..i still have my breast..and don't have to have chemo..and i feel exactly like you described feeling yourself..like a fraud. Infact..when i've attended appt's and find myself sitting amongst people who look like 'real' cancer patients..i've felt guilty for some reason..silly i know but it's just how i feel.

I've stocked up on unperfumed products..soap..deodorant..etc. as i've been told not to use anything perfumed during treatment. I've also been told that i can't shave whilst undergoing treatment so i'm going to shave my bits tonight ! Haha !! 

I'm going to take your advice regarding dressing in layers and i don't wear anything in bed anyway..it doesn't make things any easier when you're having a hot sweat or flush though. It's weird though..i was trying to explain this to my daughter yesterday..i always leave my bedroom window open..whatever the weather..and i have my summer duvet on my bed so my room at this time of the year is cold. I have a sweat which can last 10 to 15 mins then i get up and dry off..sometimes changing my bedding if its really bad..but then i'm bloody freezing again and can't get back to sleep cos i'm so cold !!!! I'm hoping to pick my prescription of venlefaxine up today and i'm praying that it helps. 

Do you find yourself having mood swings ? I'm surmising that this is down to lack of sleep..but it doesn't help does it ?

I wanted to start my RT feeling as fit as possible but that's not quite going to plan. I've been told to rest as much as i can..but when you have a family that's sometimes easier said than done. Although i live alone..i have a daughter and 2 grandchildren. My grand daughter is coming up 5..she stays with me most weekends and i see them most days anyway so they keep me busy !!!

I'd better sign off for now. Time to get ready and go to doc's. It's really nice having someone to 'talk' to who understands how i'm feeling and who is going through or has gone through what i am going through so once again i want to say thank you..you've been such a big help to me. Take care xxx

HI Poppy. Good luck with the RT. Yes i forget loads i have a note book or constantly write post it notes. I rang my dad yesterday and could not remb why for hours later !

I did have the RT tatts yes im not very happy about them I want them gone. after the treatment the one nurse said we like you to keep them just incase ! im like  NO! i dont want to keep them. im not so worried about the side ones as the middle of the breast one its like a black head hate it. Breast care nurse is supose to be looking into me for it but i dont think they want you to get them off. Reading online lots of ladies said no and had pen ! wish i had now. I am going to keep on to them thou to get rid. bad enough looking at  a deformed boob, i dont want to put *** make up on it for the rest of my life.

Yes i get mood swings. Infact pretty moody right now with friends who have new bfs and seem to have so much luck. One friend got a grand back from her holiday due to a short hours delay, she just made over a grand profit on an e bay sale, money cant buy you happiness they say well yes it can ! I can barly afford to take mine on a train for a cieman day out and a meal with tesco vouchers.

To add to all the *** of recovery from B/c ive had terrible tooth ache due to a filling seeming to get infected or gone wrong im on antibiotics. i got plantarfasitis in my foot, very painful. Hosp next week for that. my stomach is upset from Tamoxifen and antibiotics, i feel bloated 24/7 around my stomach and last night my knee twisted out and i can barly walk ! last time i had that i was in hops and on crutched. Im like WHAT ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO ME !! give me a bloody break.

Lets not even go there with my mum n sister in Egypt right now on a holiday my mum promised me we would have after my treatment with me and my kids and her and my sister highjacked it and took my mum away doubting very much now when she returns she will want to come with me in 3 weeks! and i know it sounds stupid for a 45 yr old women with kids 19 and 15 but  I need my mum i feel i want someone to look after me on holiday ( not physically) just be there. I have days when  I am still terried about it all and I think i am going to die.

last night due to taking antibiotics and pain killers for dental i thought im so tired i wont take a sleeping pill. 2am worke up baking hot threw window open and quilt off. was awak all night then till 5am and in the end thought F it ! im taking a sleeping pill. wrote a note to kids by bathroom mirror to let out dog and be quiet please. I slept from 5 till 10 5 hours omg what a complete record. I cant say i feel much better as still in pain from leg and face but my brain had a sleep.

I wrote a brieft mess to my friend on whatsapp re above and he reply was im too negative and angry ( well you kno you try having cancer then every day some other bit adds to it to make it worst) its ok for her she got a bf she got money, good job. I feel my friends have no bloody idea. I don't even know if i will be alive in 2 years time and they expect me to happy clappy. well i cant! not the way i feel right now with no partner for 8 years a huge house to maintain, 2 kids and no money to do anything or go anywhere. I hate the weekends now, when the kids go to their dads just me and the dog home alone.

I never thought life would be like this for me, who years ago was healthy married wife and mum......

( sorry folks having a down day) :(

Suzie

Hi Suzie !!!

I'm sorry to hear that you're having a bad day..sometimes it helps just being able to write things down..and knowing that somebody else..who is going thru a similar situation to yourself is reading..understanding and making sense of your thoughts and feelings. I know that finding this forum has been a godsend for me !!

Well..i went to doc's and have been prescribed venlaflaxine 37.5mg for starters. I literally broke down in the doc's surgery. Told her that the lack of sleep..sweats..flushes and mood swings is getting me down so she wrote me out a prescription..then said that they can take weeks to work properly..and that they can have bad side effects !!! Jeezzz..sometimes it seems that these drugs they pump into you..end up making you feel worse than before you started taking them !!!

I was with my partner for 4 and a half years..off and on. We never lived together..but i loved him and thought he felt the same..turns out i'm a bad judge of character !! As soon as he found out i had breast cancer..he dumped me..via text !!!!! He said he couldn't handle seeing me in pain..and his sister had died thru cancer and he couldn't go thru that again..what a complete and utter d******d !!! He text me the day before i had my surgery..and i've never seen or heard from him since. I felt so humiliated..having to tell my family and close friends..but i definitely feel stronger because of it.

You're so lucky having your dog for company. I had to get mine put to sleep a few years ago now..and it broke my heart..i would love to get another 1 but i don't think its fair just now when i've got 2 grandkids running round.

About the hol you're supposed to be going on with your mam..will you still go or not ? It will probably do you the world of good just to get away for a while..different scenery and surroundings.

Have you found any difference in your skin ? I haven't even began my RT yet and i've got loads of spots. I've never had problem skin before..it's just annoying that everything bad seems to hit you all in 1 go..but never mind..hopefully tomorrow will see us both in a better frame of mind. Once again..thanks for your message..take care and keep ya chin up xxx

Hi my sister was on HRT when we asked in the health shop she told us that

HRT delays the symptoms of the change.

that when you stop taking it, you then get the symptoms as you would have originally.

dont know if this is of any use to you

I hope it stops for you soon.

Hi Bruised

Thank you so much for your advice. I've been prescribed a drug to help with the sweats and flushes but only started taking it yesterday so haven't noticed any improvement yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it kicks in quickly though. Thanks again for commenting and i hope you are well xx