Anyone with breast cancer and Sjogren's

hydeskate

Anyone dealing with both breast cancer and Sjogrens?

Kira28

Hello hydeskate, Ive had Sjogrens for a nearly two decades and more recently, breast cancer. I chose not to resort to drugs for my Sjogrens and I learnt to cope as time went by. It is a decision I have never regretted.

I am now trying to decide whether Tamoxifen or Arimidex would be kinder to my Sjogrens. Both tablets are very drying, so I am concerned about my symptoms worsening. 

What are your concerns? Will you be taking one of the above tablets? Im glad I saw your post as its always good to talk to someone in a similar situation.

anotherday2015

I know someone that does. Healing was difficult. She tried to get an implant but ended up taking it out and having a prophy, that was a big battle to get the va approed.

Annette_U

me too but has not been any worse with my diagnosis and treatment. I had a bout on 2003 but it seemed to calm down after I had some injured spit glands removed. Took about 6 to 9 months to get back to sorta normal. No issues since.

KJSUN

I have been diagnosed for at least 10 years with Sjogrens and also have Fibromyalgia and a Mast Cell disease. I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. I had a Axillary Lymph Node Dissection on the right side, they could not find a primary tumor. Surgery was done in January 2014. I went in February 2015 for my second 6 month check and they found a mass in my right breast. The biopsy came back cancer. I have had all the tests and just today got my surgery date. I take medication for my health conditions and hope to one day stop taking them. I was taking Tamoxifen but the doctor stopped that with my second diagnosis. I would be happy to answer any questions if I can.

Anonymous

Annette:I am curious about your salivary gland surgery. I have years of classic sjogrens symptoms without a dx, but my most recent problem has been 1.5 years of constant pain in jaws that 4 docs insisted must be TMJ. Knowing the pain was in cheek instead of jaw joint, I finally could not take the pain during spasms and asked for imaging. Ultrasound says innumerable sialectasis up to 9mm in both parotid and both sub mandibular glands, consistent with Sjögrens. I will be seeing a rheumatologist of course, but I wonder what can be done for the severe pain of the spasms, and I am worried about an operation. What did you have done? Was it the parotid gland? No facial nerve problems after? Are you lucky enough to be on east coast where there are specialists?

BlueSky1969

Hi;

I have BC along with Sjogren's, hypothyroidism and Raynauds - so far I'm wondering if my autoimmune issues have made me vulnerable to BC and am anxious how they will affect reoccurrence and to what degree.

Thanks

SPDGirl

Bluesky: hello to you! I have seen you in the May surgery thread and just coincidentally bumped into this thread as well when i was looking for info on TMJ. I also have Raynaud`s and was tested for Sjogren's many years ago when I was having dry eye issues. I cannot remember how it was determined, but I was told that I did not have it. However, I have been having unexplainable and widespread dental issues with decay for the last several months and my new dentist asked if there was a chance that I had Sjogren's. I have not looked into anything further as my time has been taken up with all the dental appts and then BMX, but I am now curious. I have had what I assume is jaw pain since my dental work at the end of April and have had to stick with very soft foods and continual ibuprofen and trying to muddle through. How long have you been diagnosed with Sjogren's and how does it effect you?