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11 years on exemestane and urgency/incontinence
Hi everyone. Well, like other women in their early 60s, I'm beginning to have some incontinence and urgency that I can't control. I've cut out caffeine completely (heartbroken) which seems to help; I am extremely active (yoga/pilates/barre/hiking) do kegels and have for years, but lately I've begun to suffer from urgency…
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Thyroid panel and A1C and confused a little
Had my physical a few weeks ago and since my oncologist checks so much of my stuff my doctor only pulled a Lipid and thyroid panel along with an A1c. They seemed okay for the most part but I am wondering if some of it may signal some upcoming trouble? I've been on AI's and an ovarian suppressor for five months now. Anyway…
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Cycling through side effects, worse when I miss a dose
Just marked my 4-year anniversary of starting Tamoxifen and hoping to be done in a year. Side effects have been generally tolerable, although I'm starting to feel like I've cycled through all of them. At various times I've had muscle and/or joint pain, gyno issues, fatigue, mood issues, and a general unwell feeling. But…
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Extreme fatigue and tamoxifen
I started tamoxifen last May after IDC/ILC/DCIS surgery and a month of radiation. I was 47. The first three weeks were brutal, but then things settled down. Aside from hot flashes, not so bad! Except now, I'm having a bunch of new side effects, including extreme fatigue. I am capable of sleeping 9-10 hours a night and…
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Hormonal therapy doses and outcomes, and post-menopausal status
Has anyone encountered research (or hypotheses or observations from clinicians about this): Given that after menopause, women's bodies produce vastly less estrogen than the bodies of younger fertile women-- is there any data suggesting that dosages for hormonal therapy might be varied according to the amount of estrogen a…
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oral minoxidil for hormonal therapy induced hair loss
Hello all, My hair grew back very thick after chemo (took 2 hours to blowdry!) and stayed that way through ovary removal and 4 years of AIs. I thought I had lucked out. About 1.5 years into Tamoxifen I started losing it again - diffuse loss, over a few months, most noticeable at temples and crown. I had a scalp biopsy done…
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Neck Cracking and Grinding?
Hi ladies, I am wondering if anyone has experienced neck cracking and grinding when on hormonal therapy. I have been on Exemestane for more than 5 yeas now and just noticed neck cracking on one side of my neck. No pain and numbness of other parts of my body. Hopefully it's not something serious.
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joint pain from arimidex
I've been taking 1mg of arimidex for 12 weeks and the joint pain is VERY uncomfortable. Any suggestions/experiences for relief? Thanks!!!!
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Collagen powder supplements
Hi. To ease my hormonal therapy side effects, especially joint pains, I planned to take Collagen powder supplements. But I found both good things and bad things about collagen on the Internet and confused myself. Have anyone been using Collagen supplements and found them helpful or any issues? Thank you.
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Oncotype and Breast Cancer Index - any correlation?
Reading through many other threads, it's clear I'm not the only one who's ever approached the five-year mark and struggled to decide whether to continue for another five. I'm thinking of asking for the Breast Cancer Index test. On the other hand, I feel relatively comfortable calling it quits, as my oncotype was low, and…
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Premenopausal Tamoxifen Users Need Advice
Hi All, Are there any premenopausal tamoxifien users who have had very thick uterine lining and there was no fibroids or cysts? I am looking for your experiences and treatment outcomes please! I am scheduled for D&C and Hysterscopy next week. I am really nervous! Thank you!!
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To continue with hormonal therapy beyond 5 years or not
I was premenopausal when I was diagnosed with Stage 1, grade 1, highly HR+, HER2 - breast cancer 4 years ago. Yesterday, my MO said I could be nearing the end of the hormone therapy, but she gave me two options. 1. Continue on Tamoxifen for 1 more year in order to complete 5 years of treatment and then stop or 2. Switch…
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Seeking Tamoxifen sucess stories
Hello, I am in my early 50s, had a lumpectomy for stage 1, grade 3 breast cancer in December, was able to omit chemo due to my Oncotype score of 13, and am finishing radiation tomorrow. I have been prescribed tamoxifen to start after radiation, and came here to read about what to expect. I probably shouldn't have started…
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Onco recommends stopping Tamox at year 7...no longer 10 years..
Hi, I'm 5 years out, had double mastectomy no chemo or radiation. Er/Pr+ Her2-. Have been on tamoxifen since 2017 and see onco every 6 months. In the beginning it was said I would be on tamoxifen until menopuase then switch to an AI until a full 10 years of hormonal therapy was done. At my last onco visit in December she…
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Thinking of quitting Tamoxifen for a second time
Hi all, I was diagnosed in 2020 with DCIS when I was 39 years old. I had a lumpectomy and radiation treatment (no chemo). I started Tamoxifen in 2021 and I experienced the side effects right away: very heavy and long periods, spotting, a lot of cramps almost weekly. I used to be regular but then I became very irregular. My…
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No hormone therapy vs hormone therapy
hello. My wife is about one year out from a double mastectomy. The pathology showed that her right breast had LCIS and DCIS. The left breast was benign, but she had it removed as a precaution. The right had multifocal invasion, with the largest tumor being small about 3 mm. She did not need radiation or chemo therapy, as…
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Tamoxifen and periods??
I have been on tamoxifen for almost two years. A couple of months after I finished chemo, my periods came back pretty close to regularly... Do periods get irregular on tamoxifen the closer we get to being put into "menopause?" My period came a week early last week and lasted about 3 days, but all of a sudden, I'm bleeding…
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Quit Tamoxifen Cold Turkey?
Hello everyone, Wondering if there are any thoughts on stopping tamoxifen cold turkey vs. tapering off. Is there any evidence of one being better than the other? I'm at 5 years on tamoxifen, just received results from the Breast Cancer Index that said there is no benefit to continuing anti-hormonals, so I'll probably stop…
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BCI questions
Hello, I am in year 4 of tamoxifen and have struggled the entire time. I have profound fatigue and just feel flat, as if someone took away my ability to feel joy. With that being said I recently tried a break and went on 10 mg to see if it would help. I felt the same on the 10 so I am back on the 20 mg. I spoke to my MO…
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Start tamoxifen, Yes or No?
Hi all, I had performed unilateral (left breast) mastectomy + DIEP FLAP end of May and now in my recovery. I was suffered from high grade DCIS. One month post-op, i had my follow up visit in my oncologist office. He advised to start tamoxifen to prevent my right breast cancer risk. The advise is to take it for 5 years. I…
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Arimidex shortage?…
Just got a phone call from Express scripts regarding my refill of Arimidex. They told me it is not available at this time and uncertain of availability. I have enough for awhile since I get 90 day supply, it this does sound good. I have a call in to my oncologist Has anyone heard anything Thank Ber
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anastrazol
i am 3 months out from my last kadcyla. just had bloodwork and all looks pretty good except alk phos and calcium slightly high. i have read anastrazol can cause this and have been taking since march. anyone else?
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Just had MO appointment
what an overwhelming appointment. Nurse navigator, NP, social worker and then Dr. it hit me pulling into the parking lot, right by the Cancer Center sign. When nurse navigator asked some cancer questions the tears came. The NP came in, was very "stiff" but okay. but the Dr? He flaly refused to work with me. I had questions…
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How to discuss declining endocrine therapy with your oncologist
I have decided that given my priorities, the specifics of my cancer, and medical history, I have decided not to take tamoxifen. (I did try AI's and was a train wreck). Do any of you have advice on how to discuss refusing endocrine therapy with your oncologist in a productive way? She really has been great in every other…
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Hysteroscopy and D& C Question
Hello, I have been on tamoxifen for about 15 months. I developed an enlarged uterus. I went to obgyn today and had an ultrasound. It showed uterine thickening, when I asked Dr how thick, he replied and said a 4..not sure what that means..He scheduled a d&c and hysterscopy. Has anyone had this done? What was your recovery?…
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Young Women Can Safely Pause Hormonal Tx To Attempt Pregnancy
Young Women Can Safely Pause Hormonal Therapy To Attempt Pregnancy Dec 15, 2022 Young women can safely stop hormonal therapy temporarily to try to become pregnant. Read more...
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Benefits of Verzenio After Surgery for Early-Stage BC Confirmed
Benefits of Verzenio After Surgery for Early-Stage Breast Cancer Confirmed Dec 15, 2022 The benefits of Verzenio after surgery for early-stage, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence were confirmed with longer follow-up. Read more...
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Acupuncture Offers Long-Term Relief for Joint Pain Caused by AIs
Acupuncture Offers Long-Term Relief for Joint Pain Caused by Aromatase Inhibitors Nov 15, 2022 In a randomized study, acupuncture eased joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors in women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer for 40 weeks. Read more...
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Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs prices Anastrozole& Letrozole
Not sure if it's been posted on the forums as of yet but Mark Cuban's on line pharmacy 'Cost Plus Drugs' has 90 days of Anastrozole and Letrozole for only $11.10 plus $5.00 shipping. If anyone pays more even with insurance, this is a good resource to perhaps save some money. Website is www.costplusdrugs.com.
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How many of us took Birth Control Pills?
This same question may be burried in the 2 thousand other posts but I haven't found it. I was diagnosed at age 44 and had been taking birth control pills for the previous 13 years. Once I was diagnosed my doctor said to stop the pill immediately....even mid cycle! I at that time had not had a period in a year but was not…