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Osteoporosis and Tamoxifen
I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has been taking Tamoxifen and has been diagnosed with Osteoporosis. I am 48 and just had a DEXA scan, and it confirms Osteoporosis. :( My oncologist said that typically it shouldn't cause issues in pre-menopausal women, but there are some paradoxical instances where it does!…
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Aromatase inhibitors
Hi I am post lumpectomy, micro metastasis in 1 removed lymph node and now faced with the far more daunting ( to me) prospect of taking letrazole oestrogen inhibitor. Does anyone have anything positive to say about them? All I hear is the negative side effects. Others experience would be very welcome. I’m 61, normal weight,…
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New Hormone-Free Hot Flash Treatments
New Hormone-Free Hot Flash Treatments August 14, 2024 Hot flashes can dramatically affect some women’s quality of life. New research shows hormone-free options can offer relief. Read more…
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Doing Well on Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)
I read a suggestion that someone should start a topic for women who are NOT experiencing severe SEs while taking Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin. I'm about to start taking Arimidex and when I read about the potential SEs I get discouraged. Maybe others would also like to hear about positive experiences. We would love to hear…
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Kisqali (ribociclib) and ILC
I am having results with Kisqali, anastrozole, and Zometa undergirded with lots of prayer. I have had debilitating bone pain in my back for over 2-years. Finally diagnosed with Advanced ILC 27 Sep 2022. I started anastrozole in Oct, Kisqali in November, and had a Zometa injection in December. Two days ago, I became aware…
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Are medicinal mushrooms safe for ER/PR + survivors?
I’m a seven year stage III hormone positive survivor and will be completing 7 years of hormone therapy (currently on Exemestane, but been on Tamox and Letrozole also) in Nov 2024. My Onc recommends I stay on the max length of 10 years. But I’m struggling so much from the side effects and/or what seems like irreversible…
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AIs - trading one problem for another
Please let me know if I am understanding this correctly. I am at low risk for recurrence. 7% risk of recurrence in 10 years with AIs, and 14% without. That means I have an 86% chance of NOT having a recurrence without AIs. If this means that out of 100 women, 86 will NOT have a recurrence without AIs, then 86 women will…
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Extreme fatigue on Arimidex
Ive been in Arimidex for a year and 3 months. I started out only taking it every other day as I was afraid if side effects. Until 2 months ago when my MO said he "hoped" it would work. Sigh. So I am now taking 5 instead of 4 days a week. Probably no difference in effect. Since on Arimidex, I have had joint pain,…
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FEMARA
I STARTED TAKING FEMARA ABOUT 2 WKS AGO. WHEN DOES THE SIDE EFFECTS START TO KICK IN Edited by Mods to add content from the main Breastcancer.org site on Femara: Benefits, Side Effects and More
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Any advice on Letrozole
I am 60 yo (Post menopause) and i had mastectomy on right breast with one SNB removed two weeks ago. Path: DCIS, stage 0, lymph node clear, Grade 2, no evidence of any invasion. Saw oncologist yestersday. He wanted to take letrozole 2.5 mg for 5 years for my L breast. I asked if i can take less and he said that less will…
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Anastrozole and Zometa
my onc wants me to do radiation plus Anastrozole and Zometa infusions every 6 months for 5 years. I am stage1A, no spread, no lymph nodes involved and my oNCO score was a 1. I have poor dental health and have to get clearance from dentist before I can start Zometa. I’m scared to death of the possibility of jaw issues due…
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Tamoxifen and long term joint pain
Hello BC Sister's, I am 5 years bc cancer free. I was stage 2 w/ no node involvement had bi-mastectomies w/ reconstruction. No chemo, but I took Tamoxifen for 3 years. I have been off Tamoxifen for 2 years, and had my ovaries removed as I was premenopausal. I was 32 when I was dx. That little ugly pill has ruined my life.…
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Advice on Funding for Lupron
New girl here. Just got the bill for my first Lupron shot. Was shocked that I was a whopping $1200 after insurance. My mastectomy was $1100! Any advice on any programs that can assist with this? A one time 1k bill is one thing but to rack that up every month is not feasible. My husband said we will figure it out but I…
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Vaginal pain/letrozole/ can I use estrogen cream?
I've been on letrozole for 2.5 years out of the 5 that I am supposed to do. I have been going along pretty ok until the past year. I have had 3 UTI's, and the lack of estrogen has made my vaginal area very sore. It hurts to walk or bend over. I have tried at least 5 different OTC creams/suppositories, coconut oil every…
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Tamoxifen vs. Ovarian Suppression & AI
Hello! I am new here, newly diagnosed and trying to navigate all this. I was diagnosed with ILC in June 2024 and opted for a bilateral mastectomy, right breast was healthy. Currently with tissue expanders, waiting for implants in a couple months. Stage 1A, tumor was 1.7cm (grade 2), high ER+/high PR+, HER2-, Ki67 15%.…
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"Tamoxifen Road" - Support and Encouragement
For those that are taking Tamoxifen, considering taking Tamoxifen and need support, and for those that have completed Tamoxifen Therapy. There is alot of good and helpful information on many threads. Thought it would be nice to have information and experiences logged together on Breastcancer.org in a main Tamoxifen thread.…
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Need for an oncologist
I need advise and dont know where to go. I had DCIS Hormone Receptor Positive over 2 years ago, stage 0. After radiation, a little more than 2 years ago I started on the endocrine therapy, but not only can I not tolerate it but the three different medications "woke up" multiple muscular and nerve issues (spine and legs)…
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Hot Flash Forum!
The Hot Flash Forum is for anyone suffering from the dreaded hot flash. BC.org has great info here on hot flashes, but I wanted to start a thread devoted exclusively to this icky, sticky SE of hormone treatment. Would love to hear how you deal with your hot flashes. Maybe between us we can alleviate some heat! My…
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Did anybody get tinnitus from taking Tamoxifen?
I have been on Tamoxifen for 1 month and start to get tinnitus which occurs all the time (not occasionally), when it's night it's worse 'cause it's much more quiet; and at day time when it's not very noisy I can feel it as well. Tinnitus is not mentioned on the material about SEs from Tamoxifen I got from the clinic....but…
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vaginal dryness
My DCIS is estrogen receptor + and i am wondering if the aloe vera gel in the good clean love i am using for my vagina dryness will increase the level of estrogen in the body as i read the aloe vera will mildly increase estrogen level in the body. Any advice. Thanks.
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Women on Ovarian Suppression + Hormonal Therapy Unite!
Hi all! I'm starting this thread for those of us premenopausal women who are receiving ovarian suppression treatment (Lupron, Zoladex, oopherectomy, etc.) plus hormonal therapy (tamoxifen, exemestane, or another AI). For me, there's a lot of fear and worry over how this will impact my overall well-being... how it will age…
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Moved: Tamoxifen and breast tenderness
This discussion has been moved.
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Switching from AI to Tamoxifen - Bone loss
Hi, I just met with a new oncologist after the retirement of my previous one. I have been on an Aromatase Inhibitor for six years with worsening bone loss. Taking Fosamax. The new oncologist suggests switching to Tamoxifen. Total treatment time would be 8 years vs. target of 7 if I stay on AI. Has anyone had or considered…
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Arimidex brand vs generic
I want to share my experience to hopefully help others decide. I tried the generic anastrozole and stopped after day one. Side effects were unbearable. I informed my oncologist that I decided not to do the hormonal treatment because of side effects and asked if she would monitor me instead. Thankfully she agreed to. But I…
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ADHD and Tamoxifen
I've seen a lot of women report that their ADHD meds don't work as well at certain times in their menstrual cycles. Wondering if anyone has noticed if their tamoxifen affected the effectiveness of their medication for ADHD? I got my ADHD diagnosis at 40, and haven't had a "normal" life or schedule since then so it's hard…
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Tamoxifen is making me feel awful AND I'm at the angry stage
It took me a while to get here, I was diagnosed on 2/11 - and BMX on 3/13. Low Onco Type, so taking Tamoxifen for 5 years. I am 30 days into Tamoxifen, and it's making me feel awful. Tired, moody, LOTS of nausea and brain fog. The Tomaxifen is harder than the mastectomy recovery. In the mornings I sometimes feel like I…
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Arimidex
Hi ladys i dont see many women on arimidex,I have a question for anyone out there on arimidex.I have been on arimidex for almost a year.19 months out from treatment still NED.I have joint pains and cant sleep tried every sleep aid nothing works.I switched my arimidex from taking it at night to taking it in the morning,now…
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Navigating medications used for hormone positive breast cancer
I am struggling with taking these medications. Femara was the first one I tried and it was a no go. I was excessively tired all the time. After 3 months I switched to aromasin, which was a little better. But after over a year in this, I have bothersome side effects like tiredness, weakness, joint and back pain,…
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Stopped Letrozole for One Month
I am curious if anyone has taken a break from hormone inhibitors for a month. I had surgery in January 2023 for invasive lobular cancer of the left breast and had a mastectomy. My oncotype was 13% and I had radiation therapy for 5 weeks. One lymph node was positive. I have been on and off hormone inhibitors since last…
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Tamoxifen and Ovary Pain
Hi all, I am 52 next month, premenopausal, and on Tamoxifen. I have been on it for about 2 months. For the last 2 weeks, I've had off-and-on ovarian pain. Last week, it coincided with my cycle. Yesterday it started up again. It's. Sharp pain in left ovary. I used to get cysts a lot. I think this is also a cyst and may be…