I attended a meeting this week where the topic was Surviving Hormone Therapy. I knew that chemo induced menopause was not necessarily permanent. What I didn't know was that tamoxifen could continue this but I could actually start having a cycle when I stopped the tamox even after a couple of years. My docs had led me to believe that if I didn't have a period for 1 year then I could consider myself in menopause.
My onc is planning on switching me to aromasin in November. I've been concerned about the switch because I really haven't had many problems with tamox. But the onc that spoke at this meeting has given me something else to be concerned about. She said she doesn't switch anyone that was pre-meno at the time of dx. That chemo and tamox induced meno doesn't necessarily mean that the ovaries are not working. Once you're taken off of tamox it's possible for the ovaries to start functioning again and if they do then the A1 will not work. She suggested a FSH, LH test to check estradiol levels, but cautioned me to not have these done while taking tamoxifen.
Has anyone that has switched had any kind of test before switching?
Has anyone been told that after the 5 years of tamox they'd do the A1?
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unlimited Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 276 |
Aug 15, 2008 12:53 pm
unlimited wrote:
My situation is this ... I haven't had a period since DEC 2006.... been taking tamoxifen once I completed chemo and rads... end of July 2007 started to pop the tamoxifen daily. I saw my oncl end of July 2008 ... thinking I would too have the FSH test done to see if I also was TRULY in MENOPAUSE... but as u stated above I heard this as well at my office visit and I had already been aware of that fact of women switching to AI only bc the period hasn't returned -- FIND that the period indeed does return shortly after quitting the tamoxifen .... Im 43 .. and my DOC would like me to stay on the tamoxifen 5 yrs then switch to AI for another 5 yrs.... I'm ok with that idea bc I'm doing great on the tamoxifen......... I hear more gripes from women on the AI's..... It is great however, to be periodless ........ lol ............... hugs Dx 11/20/2006, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIa, Grade 1, 1/21 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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KC1 Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 23 |
Aug 15, 2008 02:17 pm
KC1 wrote:
I'd rather have a period any day than to take A. I.'s |
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whatnow Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 287 |
Aug 18, 2008 04:21 pm
whatnow wrote:
Hmmm...I think I fit your bill. I ws 46 and definitely pre-menopausal at dx. Chemo zapped my periods for a bit, then I didn't go on Tamox for a few months and period came back. Started Tamox and instantly periods disappeared. About a year later and my onc does a blood test and says I'm "unquestioningly" still pre-menopausal, says it's odd that I haven't had periods. Another year passes and another blood test and now definitely completely menopausal. That seems odd. But she switched me to Aromasin and I was happy to do it because I HATED Tamoxifen and I've had an easier time on the AI (though it's only been about 6 months). I REALLY question being menopausal. But they INSIST I am. Today...I started lightly bleeding. I've called my OB/GYN per the Onc's instructions, but...what the heck? I know it can be a ton of things. But...I'd never heard the test while on Tamox could be wrong. Is that what they're saying? WHY not have the tests while on Tamox? |
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