Tamoxifen, hot flushes and massage

Hi all,

I thought I would share this as it might help some of you (apologies if it is posted elsewhere already!):

I had lumpectomy and 2 nodes removed from my left breast last October, had 10 fractions of radiotherapy (5 full and 5 boost as the lump was quite high in my breast) and started Tamoxifen in December. For the first six months I coped really well with Tamoxifen, but then in July my scar under my boob (implants removed same time as lumpectomy) tightened up and I started to suffer from major hot flushes - anywhere from 10-15 every day! I was peri-menopausal and had night sweats pre diagnosis but nothing during the day (I'm 52).

I have to say my BCN wasn't especially helpful but she did mutter that I could try massaging the scar. So my husband kindly offered to do this for me - and after just a week of nightly massaging my scar and boob and into my under-arm, my scar has relaxed to the point a bra is no longer uncomfortable, but the biggest bonus is that my hot flushes have all but disappeared! I'm so chuffed because they were becoming a real issue for me and just a few minutes with massage oil each day has seen them off.

Take care on your journeys xx