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Hormone therapy, osteoporosis, and cholesterol
my oncologist is prescribing hormone therapy (AI). I’m kind of opposed for 2 reasons. One of the reasons is that it can weaken bones, and I am already opteopenic. The second is that it can impact cholesterol, and I am already taking meds for cholesterol. Can anyone comment on their experiences? I am 76, just had a…
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Breast Cancer Index - Mixed Results
Hello all - Wondering if any of you can share any of your experiences regarding your BCI and what your oncologists have advised based on your results. I am nearing my 5 year mark next year for endocrine therapy and recently found out that my oncologist had run the Breast Cancer Index test on my original tumor. I am…
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Lipedema after tamoxifen
I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years. I noticed horrible cellulite on my legs weeks after starting, it forgot somewhat better after a year or so. ibe been off tamo for almost a year, and the cellulite and fluid retention is still there. I can’t even place my purse on my lap for a minute without it leaving prints on my skin like…
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Am I imagining it??? Switching Tamoxifen generic & SEs
Hi everyone - I have been on Tamoxifen for 2 years and have tried a few of the generics. Teva was the one that really gave me very few side effects, and as many of you know, it is now discontinued. From what I've been able to figure out, Teva bought Activis and is now selling their Tamoxifen. At the same time, Teva sold…
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Switching AI's - side effects
53yo, chemically induced menopause (monthly Zolodex shots); 1st diagnosis 1A 2010 on Tamoxifen for 5 years; 2nd diagnosis 1A other breast 2020 - 3 years on Arimidex (with Zolodex to put into meno), just switched to Aromasin (3 months ago). I switched because of fatigue and stiffness/joint issues - but I think now that I'm…
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Rejecting hormone therapy
I had a lumpectomy last month with clean margins, no lymph involvement and an Oncotype of 17. I start radiation next week and it has been suggested by my MO that I start a 5 yr course of Tamoxifen upon completion of my 21 radiation treatments. The Tamoxifen side effects I've read about seem real quality of life destroying,…
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1 year Scan after almost year on letrozole
There may have been a better place to post this. I have my 1 year Dx mammogram scan next Monday. I had Dx scan of the R breast at 6 months and this one will be both breasts. I am feeling anxious on and off since I noticed this appointment is coming up. I have been taking my letrozole daily except when they didn't let me…
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Quit AI drugs - how long to wait before osteo arthritis interventions like PRP?
I was on AI drugs 15 months (Letrozole 11 months, transition 1 month, Anastrozole 3 months). I was unable to tolerate the joint pain and now take Tamoxifen 20 mg (1 month). My knee osteo arthritis advanced during last year. Symptoms were lack of range of motion, pain when moving, and loss of strength to stand (likely…
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Did Fosamax/alendronate slow/stop your bone loss
At the decision making point of whether to continue Aromatase Inhibitor. Just began alendronate a few months ago. Next DEXA due in July. Did Fosamax/alendronate pump the brakes on your bone loss while you continued with Aromatase Inhibitor? Or did your scores continue to decline at the same rate? Or did you see improvement…
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Breast Cancer Index
I am near the 5-year mark of my endocrine therapy. I am meeting with my MO next month. She ordered the Breast Cancer Index test; the result is that I am not likely to benefit from extended endocrine therapy. Does it mean I do not have to continue with my monthly Lupron injection and letrozole beyond 5 years? How do…
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Oophorectomy & hysterectomy experiences
Hello! I'm due to have a hysterectomy and oophorectomy due to the damage 7 years on Tamoxifen has done. I'm 48 so not quite hit menopause yet although the Tamoxifen has given some sort of menopause. My question is has anyone else had the procedure and how did they get on? I made the mistake of googling ...I'll never learn!…
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Tamoxifen - encouragment to keep going?
I know there are a lot of posts around tamoxifen. I've been on it for a year and I feel like I should feel lucky because I don't have a lot of the long list of side effects. However, I do have severe depression that started after maybe a month of being on it. I went off after 3 months to see if it really was the tamoxifen…
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ART Doesn’t Increase Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk
ART Doesn’t Increase Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk Dec 7, 2023 Dr. Hatem Azim explains his new analysis of data from the POSITIVE trial. At the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Hatem Azim presented a new analysis of information from the POSITIVE trial, which found that younger women…
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Lupron plus AI
I gave chosen to go the aggressive route of monthly lupron shots plus an AI rather than tamoxifen. I was 38 at diagnosis and 39 now. I have just read that it is possible to have incomplete ovarian suppression which would make my estrogen levels too high for the AI. Anyone else doing this course concerned? My MO says she is…
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Eagle Pharmacy for the brand name Arimidex
Does anyone know if Eagle Pharmacy online is a reputable pharmacy for brand name hormonal medications? I'm going to give the treatment one more try with the brand name Arimidex and not the generic anastrozole. My oncologist agreed to monitor me if I decide not to do the hormonal treatment due to the awful side effects I…
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Tamoxifen
I was told I would need to take this after surgery for 5 years. I took it on two separate days (2 pills) and refused to take this medication, at the advice of my breast surgeon. I have to take a statin for high cholesterol and gabapentin for pain and currently was approved for short-term disability due to pain in my right…
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Obesity Ups Recurrence Risk in Women Treated With Aromatase Inhibitors
Obesity Ups Recurrence Risk in Women Treated With Aromatase Inhibitors Nov 24, 2023 The risk of breast cancer recurrence is higher in women with obesity treated with an aromatase inhibitor. Read more…
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Vaginal Estrogen Safe for Women With Breast Cancer
Vaginal Estrogen Safe for Women With Breast Cancer Nov 21, 2023 Women with breast cancer can safely use vaginal estrogen to treat certain menopausal symptoms. Read more…
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Long-Term Results Confirm Benefits of Ovarian Suppression With Tamoxifen
Long-Term Results Confirm Benefits of Ovarian Suppression With Tamoxifen Nov 21, 2023 Ovarian suppression plus tamoxifen lowers recurrence risk. Read more…
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arimidex and carpal tunnel
My wrists are SO jacked up! Arimidex has caused such pain w Carpal Tunnel... both hands are completely numb alternating with shooting pains. Has anyone else experienced this? And if you have, what treatment avenues have you pursued? Outcome? Thanks in advance
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Endo thickening and heavy bleeding 2 years after Tamoxifen
I'm 56. Had bilat mast, chemo in 2011, then tamoxifen for 10 yrs ending 11/2021. Hadn't had a period since chemo at age 43. Had routine screening pelvic/tva in Feb. not because of symptoms, but mom died of ovarian ca, and because I was concerned about years of Tamox. It should 12 mm abnormal thickening. Uterine bx in Mar.…
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Faslodex experience?
I have been on faslodex for 2.5 months now and I still have some increase in a pleural effusion that I have had for over a year now. It has been small and stable up until august so they switched me from Letrozole/Ibrance (which I was on for 6 years). I am having my lung drained today but I am worried it has increased. Am I…
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My insurance company wants me to switch aromatase inhibitors! Why!
I've been on exemestane for almost 4 years, tolerating it remarkably well. Just got a letter from my insurance company. Starting in January, exemestane is "non-preferred" and will cost me more. The insurance company suggests I "switch to anastrozole." I'm angry! I don't want to switch medications, given that the one I'm on…
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Thanks, Tamoxifen? - and an anticlimactic milestone
3 years ago I had my first bone density test. The results came back showing mild osteopenia. Yesterday I had my second scan, and the results came back this morning with about 5% improvement, putting me in normal range. I had no idea bone density could improve! Naturally, my hypervigilant anxious brain immediately told me I…
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Tamoxifen
Hello, I have been on Tamoxifen for 5 years and my oncologist indicated after testing that I should stop taking it and no further benefit would I receive to continue. For those of you who stopped taking Tamoxifen after 5 years, what side effects good or bad did you experience? Did you have a reoccurrence. thanks
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What Helps Women Stick to Hormonal Therapy Treatment Plans After Surgery?
What Helps Women Stick to Hormonal Therapy Treatment Plans After Surgery? August 25, 2023 Lowering medicine prices seems to be one of the best ways to help women stick to their hormonal therapy treatment plans after breast cancer surgery. Read more…
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Scared thick uterus lining
Hi everyone! Went in today for a vaginal US which shows very thick uterine lining. No polyps or fibroids. My last two periods have been very heavy and painful and last longer than usual. The Dr said this could be caused by the tamoxifen but that I need a biopsy. I'm obviously scared, and sad. Just hearing the word biopsy,…
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Tamoxifen and reoccurence
I just had my bilateral mastectomy and will be starting tamoxifen soon. I’m so worried about weight gain. Is this common? Has anyone had the cancer return and if so, in what way?
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Considering quitting Tam after two years
Does anyone have a general idea of how much protection you get from completing two years, premenopausal? I've seen numbers that say you're better protected years down the line by completing 5-7 years, but I have Stage 4 of another kind of cancer, and will be very lucky to get six more years. I know it's a gamble because…
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Side Effects and Options
Please give opinions. I had a lumpectomy in March 2023, had radiation treatments and began taking Anastrozole May 2nd. Within the last 2 months my right ring finger has been locking and my right index finger gets sore if I bend it. Told the oncologist and the response was 2 options: 1) discontinue meds for 3 weeks and if…