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Herceptin on Hold
I was wondering if any of you who have been taking herceptin have ever been placed on hold. I had noticed that I was retaining more fluid last week and the Doctor got an earlier than planned Echocardiagram. It showed a lowered ejection ratio. I looked at a number of reports on the internet and apparently about 20% of the…
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prozac and ritalin for tamoxifen side effects
It has been suggested that prozac and ritalin may be useful in combatting side effects of tamoxifen use. Has anyone else heard of this. If so what were the benefits I am really interested in finding something to make tamoxifen life bearable, age 32 4 years to go on tamoxifen. Thanks for you help.
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Reconstruction.
Has anyone had problems with post breast reconstruction? I had implants placed after tissue expansion in December. The reconstructed breast is smaller and flatter that the right breast. Small augmentation was performed on the right breast which is beautiful. The left side's smaller size is quite obvious and the profile is…
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Arimidex and Sleep
I have just started taking Arimidex and it seems as if I can no longer sleep well. I seem to wake up every hour or two... I can go back to sleep... but I just don't feel well rested. I am taking it at night before I go to bed because the first few times I took it I thought it made me sleepy during the day. Have any of you…
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Scalp questions
Hello everyone. It's been a while since I've been here. I was diagnosed in May 2002 and thankfully all is well. I feel really blessed and consider this a second chance....so I'm using it. I have had problems with my scalp recently. Since my hair has started to grow back I've noticed that my scalp tingles/burns/hurts. There…
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survivor support
I am 38 yrs old and was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. ER/PR(-), Her2 (+). Mastectomy with lymph dissection, and 13 out of 21 nodes positive. I am scared to death. My oncologist wants to start taxotere/adriamycin/cytoxan next week. I am also going to be getting radiation and herceptin, but I'm not sure in which…
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Breast implants
I am interested in your experience with saline breast implants or silicone breast implants after doing tissue expander for breast reconstruction.
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markers up
I have had two chemos treatments for cancer that has spread to the liver, she did a tumor marker after that and they are up even from before I started. On the plus side the liver functions were better. None made any sense to me can anyone out there help me understand this as the nurse who called seemed no help! Said they…
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2nd opinion not good
Hello! My husband and I went for my second opinion yesterday with another leading hospital in our area. She had looked over all my med records before our arrival. She explained everything about Mets. and continued to talk about options we have. Unfortunatly the news wasn't good, she was able to tell us that I have…
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mamogram after reconstruction
Hi, I was wondering if it is routine to have a mammogram after reconstruction. I have silicone implants, my surgeon said I do not need mamograms ever again. My gyn said I still need yearly exams. Is it safe to have mamos with implants? thanks, Karyn
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Survivor with Stage 4 friend
I'm a 5 yr. survivor who is trying to help a dear friend recently diagnosed with IDC with bone mats. She is terrified she will die soon. Her brain lung and liver scans were negative. Anyone out there with advice on what I can say or do to help her feel more positive? She's only 42 and was a very upbeat, strong person. Any…
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Breast Centers
Hi, I've been working with a breast center on a second opinion and found they offered a complete program of coordinating a multi-discplinary team of doctors for breast cancer treatment. Does anyone have any experience with a full-service breast center that coordinates with private practice doctors? If so, is it better or…
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treatment help
Hello. I am a breast cancer survivor of 7 years. At a young age I went thru double mastectomy and chemo. Now my mother (76 years) is facing breast cancer. Ductal Carcinoma with a secondary cancer of Paget's disease of the breast. We need some help/opinion/advice. The doc told her she has 2 choices. Either a mastectomy and…
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New Diagnosis - Treatment Options
I'm 39 years old and was just diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer with approx. a 3cm tumor. I'm exploring treatment options and considering a lumpectomy. I consult with an oncologist next week. Are there any experiences with having chemo. prior to surgery? What were your experiences?
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need info on breast cancer
they found another lump after my mamogram and they want me to wait another 6 months to see if it has changed. what do i do. had chemo & radation. on nothing now except paxel cr.25mg.
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PET scan any false reports
Hello! thanks for reading my post. Has anyone had a PET Scan that showed cancer and then was told it is wrong? Mine showed lung cancer after my breast cancer and I see Dr. tomorrow for second opinion. Please help! Worried sick here in MI.
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Tissue expander reconstruction
I have had implants after tissue expander reconstruction - bilateral. I am experiencing horrible muscle tightnes and "knots" or trigger points throughout shoulder, neck, arm and chest areas. The pain can become intolerable. I have sought relief through phyysical therapy, massage, chiropractic, accupuncture and pain…
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from tamoxifen to femara
after more then a year of hotflashes the doctor said I am in memopause. So I have been switched to femara from tamoxifen. Has anyone else had this switch ??? What kind of side effects do you have ????
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My message of hope for the new year
My name is Sandy Howard and I am a survivor!! I survived the poison, cut and burn, and have been taking Tamoxifen for 2 years. After my treatment ended I expected pure euphoria, absolute relief and bliss. I was dead wrong. I was anxious, I cried, I was depressed, I had major insomnia, I was an emotional trainwreck. Can…
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Need to know something...
I need to know something... a friend of mine who posted here with some very good, allbeit controversial, information was advised to no longer use this site to post medical information. This person was told this site was for discussion of feelings and sharing of emotions and how "to cope not treat". I need to know how the…
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Careers after cancer & a dash of FURY
I started this evening off searching the web for career help for survivors and ending up here. This is my first time on a cancer chat site (I usually make it a point to avoid talking about my disease or initiating contact with other survivors) and I feel tears and a rant coming on... I am a 25 year-old Harvard Law student…
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tamoxifen: I need help understanding
In February 2003 I thought I was losing my daughter to breast cancer. Just the diagnosis put me in shock. She had surgery in Feb. to remove two tumors from her left breast. She is estrogen positive and went through the treatment of AC/T. She has now been on tamoxifen for one year and I feel as though I have lost her again.…
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Pet scan shows lung cancer now
Hello everyone! Thanks for letting me share this with you all. I was diagnosed July of 2004 with invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 3 with tumor of 4.5cm. I had Chemo and radiation after having a double mastectomy and now after MANY (7) reconstruction surgeries, last one Dec.6th. I am and have been through out, in alot of…
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Numb - tingling fingers - Herceptin
I have a new problem that my drs. don't think is related to my Herceptin. My little finger and just past my wrist on the outside of the hand are numb and tingly (like your hand feels when it "falls asleep"). I don't have a port and get a new IV every three weeks in that hand. Has anyone out there had this happen to them…
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nails fall off?
Hi - I had one round of Taxotere (after 4 rounds of AC). The taxotere was extremely bad on my hands - got very swollen, now are peeling, and my nails hurt a ton which the nurses say is almost a given that they will fall off....I've started on vitamin B6 which may help, and actually the doctor switched me to Taxol which I…
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Read This Quick...
Apparently CSN has decided to censor my posts, either that or I am terribly mistaken and a post I typed just never made it to the board...so here goes again. From CSN "The discussion boards, as well as the other features of the Cancer Survivors Network, are designed for the exchange of support and anecdotal information,…
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femara
I am new to this site. I am a 7 year survivor of stage 2 estrogen pos breast cancer. Following chemo, I had five years of tamoxifen and have now been on Femara for 1.5 years. Side effects were not too bad at first but for the last 6 months I have been experiencing muscle pain, joint pain and extreme fatigue. My Alk (SGPT)…
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Depressed
I've had cancer. My next door neighbor had cancer. The man across the street died of cancer. The woman two doors up from him had cancer. Now my cat may have cancer. I feel all this pressure to be positive, and have a good attitude, but frankly, I'm all out.
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Looking for reassurance
I was wondering if anyone else has encountered this.....I am now 48, was dx in August with IDC, they removed 5 nodes-all neg!-tumor 1cm,er+,pr+,had lumpectomy and rads and am now on tamoxifen. My question is this....I have a lump under my arm that is tender. I have an appt with my onc in 2 wks. My surgeon wasn't concerned…
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Right treatment?
Have recently been diagnosed with StageIV breast cancer(ER+)with multiple bone lesions. Have started on Femara to reduce tumour. Onc suggesting mastecomy in 3-6months when tumour shrunk. No signs of lymph involvement. Also started bisphosphonates. Had one dose Zometa, bad reaction, changed to Aredia with only slight…