Bottle o Tamoxifen
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Rose... I think (that's just what i think, no research handy) the reason why they say Tamox is good for the bones of post menopausal women is because the post menopausal women are the ones at risk for bone problems- regardless of breast cancer.
Tamox was originally a bone medication, they were plenty surprised when the post meno women on Tamox happened to have lower breast cancer. So then they did the big clinical trail of 13K women who had breast cancer, half took Tamox and half took placebo. (That's the one I am always posting) What happened was the women taking the Tamoxifen were doing SO MUCH BETTER than the women who weren't, they had to call off the trial early and make Tamoxifen available to everyone. It wasn't fair to leave the placebo group at risk for recurrence. So that's pretty heartening in itself.
So if you would be having bone problems pre-menopausal, Tamox would help with that, but since you probably wouldn't be having the bone problems pre-menopausal... nevermind
And... then there is Zometa. More recently another bone medication was found to help fight recurrence EVEN MORE. And since AIs came out and were helping post menopausal women fight cancer better, but maybe AIs were not helping bone problems, in fact maybe making bone problems, the Zometa is again, doing double duty: fighting cancer and helping vulnerable bones.
I have no bone problems currently, but I will be taking Tamoxifen and Zometa.
One more thing, just from my little head... I think all of the body's cells are made in the bones, that's some old thing I remember from high school. Maybe its just all the immune system cells, but anyway, I sorta remember something about the bone marrow making cells. I wonder if the reason why Bone medications fight breast cancer may be because cancer is about cells mutating the way they are not supposed to, and the bone medication somehow restricts or corrects the way the cells are built so they dont go the wrong way?
I think that's how I am going to try to visualize it. I used to visualize it as Tamoxifen putting condoms over all the reproductive parts of cancer cells.. that's pretty much how the whole "hormone receptor" thing was explained to me... Tamoxifen as the ultimate cancer cock blocker.
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Helena,
Thanks for the beautiful view!!! I like the clothes line, in the picture, it's cute, and colorful. You can almost smell the clean clothes. Reminds me of my childhood.
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There's a site called drugs.com that shows drug interactions. I didn't have time to look it up. Just a fly by.
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AWB - I feel the same way you do. I will deal with the flashes/sweats. I don't want to take any more medication if I don't have to.
RGIUF - I saw my breast dr. last week and I too wanted to go off tam for a few weeks just to see if the flashes/sweats were from being menopausal or tam. She told me in no uncertain terms that she didn't want me to go off it but it was my decision. I also told her about joint pain, sometimes dizzyness and she said they aren't side effects of tam. Funny, everything I read said they are side effects, maybe not the most common but they are. Well I have only 3-1/2 more years to take it but who is counting.
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Helena,
Can I move in with you?
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Helena, me too! What a beautiful view! Is there enough room for all of us?
For those of you dealing with night sweats and hot flashes. I have been on Tamox since 10-08. I had the WORST night sweats and hot flashes. Most nights I did not sleep because they were constant. I have had to leave stores with my two boys because I thought I was going to pass out from being so hot. I would jump in my car and turn the A/C on. My boys would just kind of look at me like I lost my mind. Well, about 1.5-2 months ago, it all stopped. I also stopped getting my period, that is, until today! I'm hoping that my body has adjusted to the tamox, the hot flashes and night sweats have diminished, and it's going to get easier from here. I guess I am telling you all this in hopes that you choose to stay on the Tamox and give your body a chance to get used to it. Our bodies have been through so much over the past year or so! I wish you all the best and many, many years of health and happiness (and of course, sweat free nights!!).
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Makraz, I JUST couldn't take waking up drenched anymore and trying to cook in the heat with hot flashes constantly coming on. I had to do something to stop them, plus I need my sleep at night because I work 7-3, 5 days a week. So far, I have had a reduction in the amt of flashes.
Rachel, all the blood cells are made in the bone marrow, RBCs(red blood cells), platelets for clotting, WBCs(white blood cells) which fight off infection and intruders. That is why leukemia patients get bone marrow transplants, to get rid of all the bad WBCs and infuse new healthy ones.
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Layne! So nice to see your post! Thanks for retelling your story. LOVE YOUR TAG LINE!!!
You and I started this train at the same time frame (me Oct. 2007) As with you, my se's have been tolerable, except uterine issues.
TMI ALERT!!! In regards to the discharge, would anyone please share what theirs is like? There are times where it's just a little clear, and then there are times where it is clear and runs out. SORRY!! In fact yesterday, it was like that and then I passed a pinkish substance that reminded me of when I lost my plug when I was in labor. Very light pink, I thought I was about to start my period but it's not there yet and I never started my period this way.
OK - thanks for listening
Hugs to all,
Trish
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Layne, Layne thank you SO MUCH!!!! Natch, I have a question. Did anyone talk to you about Zometa?? LOVE your tag line- keep on keepin on girl!!!!
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Layne! Great to hear from you! I still 'see' Basha on FB! Glad to hear you are doing well. Thanks so much for checking in!
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layne157 - thanks for the info on tam. I wasn't aware that AI's aren't approved for DCIS. I guess that's why my dr. won't switch me even though I am 57 and menopausal.
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Layne,
I have that discharge as well. I guess I'm just special with all the extras! LOL
I'm on FB too - although I don't get there as often as I would like.
Hugs to all!
Trish
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HelenJ How do you insert a picture? I would love to share pictures of my flowers especially the roses but can't figure it out.
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Quick question, ladies: I'm going to my 6-month (post bmx for ILC) onc appt. in a couple weeks. Haven't had a period since the week of my dx in December, though was on bc pills to control for heavy bleeding. I'm thinking of asking for a hormone panel to check to see if perhaps I'm more menopausal than they think I am. (I'll be 48 in Sept.) Anybody have any thoughts on this? Been on tamox since Feb. Although I certainly don't love tamox, the thought of changing to AIs scare me to death!
Thanks!
Trish - we're neighbors - (I'm in Ft. Worth!)
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Hey Val (waving),
Are you still on BC pills? If so, we need to talk! If you are er +, you should not be on bc pills. I do see from your sig line that you are ILC, I don't know anything about ILC though. I would ask for a hormone panel if I were you that way you would know where you were at. I'm probably having a hysterectomy in Sept. (but going to see if I can stay on the train for a while longer tho). AI's scare me too!!!
Trish
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NO WAY - don't worry - stopped the pills the day I got the phone call! Besides, with my high levels of hormone receptivity, the last thing I need is estrogen!! Thanks - I think I'll go ahead and call to request the labs. I figure it can't hurt. btw....why the hysterectomy? Anything related to the tamox?
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Val,
Unfortunately I do think my uterine issues are related to the tamox. My endometrium was at 10mm 4 years ago - now it's at 46mm, plus now I have a couple of poylps and fibroids, and a couple of cysts or a septated cyst (possibly not good). I can't say for sure that tamox has caused all this though.
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Helena, that pictures is beautiful!!!! I need to visit Oz!
Meg, I could just picture you sawing that three down!! Good for you!
The suicide rate is high in the great northwest due to not much sun all year...
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Here is some interesting reading: http://www.enotalone.com/article/3278.html
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Helena - Love the picture. I am also a clothesline person. My hub and I sometimes debate on whether he cuts the lawn or I hang clothes. I don't understand why he doesn't want to mow with clothes out there but that is his issue.
Question - Does anyone have difficulty sleeping. I have had about 6 nights in a row that I constantly wake up. Last night I woke at some point during each hour from 11:00pm - 7:00am. I have had sleep issues since surgery (just uncomfortable), chemo (steroids and peeing from excess thirst), through rads (only woke 2 -3 times, which was better), now I am waking 5 - 6 or more times/night.
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Helena, love the picture!!!!! I use to hang clothes out on the line, but the past 2 years were bad w/gypsy moth and every morning I would have to sweep poop and leaves off the porch, did not want that on my clothes. This year the pollen was bad before it would rain, my silver car had a yellow hue!!!!!!
I have discharge, clear to reddish brownish tinge TMI ALERT~~~~~~~~dh likes it when we have relations, I am not as dry as I use to be.
I also have trouble sleeping, joint pain, but just take it all with a grain of salt. Not sure if it is tamox or just stress from everything, as for joint pain I have osteoarthritis in both knees so I can not blame th epain on tamox.
Layne thnks for sharing your story.
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Morning everyone - so many posts!!!!!
Kari, Makraz, Ivorymom, Patti, Carolyn, Leggy and for the others if I missed you (can't scroll back!!) if you are ever in Oz pop in and see the view for real - so far away from you all. HUGS.
Hey Patti - we own a ride-on mower shop and we have 5 acres so my DH does all the mowing and me the clothes - one thing we don't debate there!!!
Hey Layne - can you believe your thread is still going! Lovely to see you.
Carolyn to insert pictures you need an URL - only just discovered it the other day - I use Photobucket.com - don't know how to make the pictures bigger though!!!
I'm being referred to women in our area who are having reconstruction with tissue expanders and yesterday I had a call from a 60 year old woman who had extensive DCIS in her left breast - so she had a bilateral mastectomy (prophylactic on right side). No node involvement and her breast surgeon (same as mine) has informed her that is it. No need to see Oncologist, no need for hormone therapy. Australia is so different from you guys.
Ivorymom - yep this beautiful weather has turned me around. Started feeling all anxious again but have been outside soaking up the rays and putting my fingers in the dirt. Off to work today too so being able to keep busy is another thing. Oh and so excited - finally able to vacuum after 4 weeks off due to exchange surgery. YEEEEAAAHHH ...... NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of dust bunnies though.
I don't think you all realise (or perhaps you do) that this thread means so much to me - thank you. How soppy - but my periods are due.
Patti - sleep deprivation - aarrgghh - wow you have been through so much. When I can't sleep I just get out of bed and watch telly, come here and don't try to fight it.
have a great night/day everyone.
big hugs
Helena
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... and Mary - missed your post - what is with that!!!!!!! Hugs.
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Well, I took the tamoxifen plunge tonight and took my first dose! I stopped looking at the bottle and took it. I keep waiting to feel something, but I know it will take some time to feel the SE's. Does Lexapro also help with the hot flashes? I've read that Effexor does, hopefully Lexapro does too since I also take 20 mg of it daily for anxiety, and it works very well!
Thanks all for your support!
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Well done Terri, sit down on one of the comfy seat and you are now officially at passenger of the tamoxi-train. Fellow travellers are fantastic and a god send for me!
Taking the tablet is one really big step and you may not believe it but it will get easier and easier.
Lots of hugs
Viv.
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Trish, I don't blame you for wanting to keep your ovary. No need to lose it if you don't have to. Studies have shown that the ovaries do beneficial things for us even after menopause and that the doctors probably don't completely understand everything that the ovaries do. Look on the hystersisters.com website. There is discussion about this topic. They recommend keeping them unless they are diseased.
If I were in your position, I'd insist on keeping mine unless they were cancerous.
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Thanks Viv! I'm sitting on my couch, with my favorite candles lit and relaxing and watching TV. Hopefully the SE's won't be too bad, but I'll deal with them. Thanks for your support!
Terrij
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Layne- if you are still reading... I forgot to ask you about weight gain. Thanks so much for checking in... and the kind words about my posts. You have so so so SO set my mind at ease. I been freakin recently.
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Helena - what a gorgeous view. That looks like heaven.
OK, TMI alert. A couple of weeks after starting tamox I had a really cloudy urination one time. It was weird. I think it was the Tamox. I still feel bloated and crampy like I'm going to get my period but I haven't yet. I have taken infusions of celery seed in the past which really works as an emmenogogue. I think I'll have some of that in the next few days.
I've been persevering with my workouts and I'm eating well. I finally lost a few pounds. I want to get from 177 to 128 so I have a long way to go. I'm just so happy something finally budged. I've been cranking away on that elliptical trainer for quite a little while now.
Layne - thanks for the window on the future. I feel like the tamox is jus another pill too. I'm coming from the perspective of a recent chemo patient and this is so much easier on the body for me.
I'm really tired. It's been a good day but a long one. Time to get my little Chuky kitty inside and quiet down for bed.
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Welcome Terrij, enjoy the ride. It has its ups and downs, but it is not as bad as I thought. Plus you have an excellent support system here with all of these wonderful girls, ladies, fighters, and survivors.
Enjoy the ride!!!!!!
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