Bottle o Tamoxifen
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Have any of you read that we are suppose to limit or cut back on our alcohol consumption?
I don't like that. A girl needs her wine you know!
Jeanne
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My oncologist told me an occasional glass of wine was fine. But the alcohol does interfere with the Tamoxifen, I think. It increases your estrogen levels. I do find that when I drink, my hot flashes get worse and I get flush. Of course, that's not enough to stop me!
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I have cut back but not cut out the red wine.
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Good Morning All,
Susie....have 3 slices of pizza and a couple of Bud Lights for me tonight....o.k. ??? That sounds yummy.
Harley and all older members~~ PLEASE stay with us beginners. We need all the help we can get. LOL
Jeanne....at least for Thanksgiving I'm having all my fattening stuff. You know "if it tastes good it's not good for you."
)I started Omega 3 fish oil caps for my dry eyes....per the eye doctor. Anybody take thosefor any reason ???? I know they're good for lots of things.
) Hope they work on my blinkers.CatbirdC Bonnie
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Catbird Bonnie - Pre- Radiation, fish oil was one of the few supplements I did take - great for the hear, specifically "good cholesterol", omega 3 and all. However, I actually prefer Flax seed oil which works the same way but doesn't have the fishy aftertaste.; one caution thought: I think I've read something about flax seed being a No No on Tamoxifen so ask your doctor before trying it. When I'mback to NYC, I plan to loook into it and also as my med onc.
Jeanne - Re: alcohol, my BS told me to cut back to 2 cocktails a week and friends with BC agree. But, I like my evening cocktails at least a few times a week and want to see research before I cut out my greatest vice.
As for thanksgiving: cranberry relish - 1 bag fresh cranberries, 1 orange with peel (but not the white part of peel) and 1 cup sugar, coursely chopped - easy, healthy and great. Even better when it sits a few hours or days. For dessert, try Gala apples baked with cinnamon and sugar or splenda with apple cider instead of the butter (add some frozen yogurt or ff whipped cream to feel really indulgent) I have more recipes but dont have them memorized. Will check next week.
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I bought all the supplements fish oil,vit b,d,e calciummag combo,coq10 and b complex. Problem is half the time I forget to take them.Any of you ladies still suffering from Chemo brain like me?
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Hi all: Nutritionist say limit alcohol to 1 or less/day, 3/week great. I've not been a big drinker since my early 20's so this is easy for me.
Going to a wedding at the Dupont Hotel in DE today. Should be fun. I am also going to the hairdress for the 1st time since have her shave my hed back in March. Now the my hair is supper curly and it was poker straight before, I am having her give me some styling tips for the curls. She may shape it a little too, even though it doesn't really need cutting. My hairdresser Eileen at Strands in King of Prussia is great. She picked me up,opened her shop on a Sunday, consoled me and shaved my head, then fixed the wig I only wore 3 times, gave me a makeover, and would not take any payment from me, She is my hero.
Oh and maybe I will have my weekly limit at the wedding today!! Just Kidding, I will probably be our designated driver for the 1 hour drive, since DH will be meeting up with his pizane's (sp) from his childhood.
Have a great Saturday all!
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Hi all, really busy here isn't it?
Just thought I'd check in from wet and windy Ireland to let you know I took my 100th Tamox last night - everything going ok, did have alot of hip and leg pain last night and at 4.30 am I gave in and took paracetamol for the pain - tamox related??? *shrugs shoulders*
I have to say any se's have evened out and nothing drastic is happening, whew!!
Getting port out next Tuesday - yippee!!
Hugs to one and all - (((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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Hi Everyone! This place is lively! I love that!
Jeanne: I will post some recipes, if I can find them. I don't have a lot for Thanksgiving. I just do the basics, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, rolls, pumpkin and pecan pie..just the usual stuff. I don't make the pies though. Someone else has to or else I buy them. I am a great cook, just not with desserts. And, I love to cook!
I love the Holidays, even though there is the loss in my heart of my Mother. But, she and my Dad always made them so much fun, so special, that I carry that on in my life. I can almost feel Mom with me when I am wrapping gifts, or cooking something with one of her aprons on, or, see one of my niece's or nephew's smile or remember how we always would build a snowman together, or pig out on Turkey day and then just talk and look at family pictures for hours. We always played all kinds of games, cards, anything to just be together and enjoy. I have so many memories that we all have carried them on, even with the loss of my Mom. So, yes, I enjoy the holidays and will always. That is one way to honor my Mom!
Bonnie: I will eat those 3 slices of pizza for you, but, no BudLight. That gives me a headache. lol The only beer that doesn't is Michelob Ultra, so, that is my "beer of choice". Although, I have a headache daily from tamox now anyway. lol Fish oil capsules? I have heard that those are good for anything. Should I be taking them?
MTG: Thanks for your recipes! I will use those! I love new recipes.
Mumayan: Sorry, I don't know about chemo brain, but, I have read where it is real. I didn't have chemo, just radiation after my lumpectomy. However, I do blame a LOT on rad brain. I know that is real! Actually, I think it is just plain bc brain. It definitely affects us in ways that we don't even know.
PattiB: Have fun at the wedding! And, don't drink too much! Well, go ahead, just don't drive. And, congrats on needing that first haircut! That is huge! I bet you are excited! You chemo girls go thru so much! You are all true warriors!
Ainm: Hi to you! Yes, it is busy here and I like that! Everyone is so helpful, kind and supportive! Good luck to you getting your port out. Let us know how it goes.
I read an article the other day how I think, only 3 antidepressants, can be taken safely with tamoxifen. Has anyone else heard of this? I need to find that and post it. Otherwise, like with prozac, zanax, and some of the main ones, it cancels out the tamox effects?
Susie
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Here is the article about Tamoxifen and Antidepressants that I read.
August 5, 2009 - 1:56pm
Another article just came out on this issue. There seems to be quite a bit of evidence now that certain anti-depressants interfere with Tamoxifen effectiveness...
"News release
Popular Breast Cancer Drug Used with Certain Antidepressants Puts New Jersey Women at Risk
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A new analysis finds that women in New Jersey who take the breast cancer drug tamoxifen in conjunction with certain popular antidepressants may be at a higher risk for a breast cancer recurrence.In May, Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) and Indiana University School of Medicine released a study revealing that women using tamoxifen to prevent a recurrence of breast cancer who also use certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), for example Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline), have up to twice the chance of having a recurrence of the disease.
In a separate New Jersey-specific analysis, Medco found that among nearly 2,000 tamoxifen patients in the state during 2008, 12 percent were also taking SSRIs, including those that could put them in the at-risk population.
"We've been aware that certain antidepressants, known as CYP2D6 inhibitor drugs, block the activation of tamoxifen chemically, but this evidence shows that these drugs are putting women in New Jersey and across the nation at a much higher risk for recurrent breast cancer," said Dr. Milayna Subar, National Practice Leader for Medco's Oncology Therapeutic Resource Center located at Medco's Willingboro, N. J. pharmacy. "Women taking tamoxifen along with an SSRI should speak with their doctor immediately to discuss modifications to their medication regimen to ensure they are getting the full benefit of their tamoxifen therapy."
Approximately 500,000 women take tamoxifen in the U.S., with 80,000 new patients starting on the treatment annually. Nearly 30 percent of women taking tamoxifen also use an antidepressant. Based on estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Jersey is among the states with the highest breast cancer incidence and death rate in the country.
The study by Medco and Indiana University School of Medicine that was presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). It was the largest study to-date looking at how these drugs impact breast cancer recurrence rates when taken with tamoxifen.
Antidepressants are often prescribed when women receiving tamoxifen are depressed, or to treat hot flashes -- a common side effect of the breast cancer drug. Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft are among a group of antidepressant drugs known as CYP2D6 inhibitors. These drugs prevent the CYP2D6 enzyme from working properly, and cause less of the active form of tamoxifen, called endoxifen, from being produced, making the drug less effective at preventing breast cancer. Women taking tamoxifen along with certain SSRIs have a 2-fold increased risk of breast cancer recurrence compared to women not taking these drugs together.
Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen is one of the oldest and most widely used treatments for reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence among women with estrogen-dependent tumors. The drug works by blocking the estrogen receptors in the breast cells and can reduce the risk of a breast cancer recurrence by up to 50 percent. It's the only anti-estrogen available for prevention of breast cancer recurrence in pre-menopausal women and is one of several anti-estrogens used to treat post-menopausal breast cancer patients.
Medco Therapeutic Resource Center in Willingboro, N.J.
Willingboro, New Jersey is home to the world's largest automated pharmacy and is the current site of the Medco Therapeutic Resource Center (TRC) for oncology patients. Medco's TRCs focus on the specialized treatment of patients with chronic and complex conditions, including centers for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, immunologic and pulmonary conditions. Nearly half of the company's 2,600 pharmacists are specialists deployed across the TRCs where they provide disease-specific therapy management for those patients who account for 96 percent of pharmacy spending and 75 percent of this country's medical costs.
About Medco
Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) is pioneering the world's most advanced pharmacy and its clinical research and innovations are part of Medco making medicine smarterTM for more than 60 million Americans.
With more than 20,000 employees dedicated to improving patient health and reducing costs for a wide range of public and private sector clients, and 2008 revenue exceeding $51 billion, Medco ranks 45th on the Fortune 500 list and is named among the world's most innovative, most admired and most trustworthy companies.
For more information, go to http://www.medcohealth.com.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the risks and uncertainties that affect our business, particularly those mentioned in the Risk Factors section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
CONTACT: Jennifer Luddy of Medco, +1-201-269-6402, jennifer_luddy@medco.com; or Erin Drelick of Coyne Public Relations, +1-973-316-1665, edrelick@coynepr.com
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I find such interesting and funny posts on here. I am so happy that I came back on this site after rads.
That is interesting Susie about tamox and antidepressants. I have read about that before and it is very serious stuff. I am not on an antidepressant, even though, some days I feel I should be. I hope if anyone is that they discuss this with their oncologist.
Aw, Thanksgiving..love it! And, Christmas..love it too! I am a big holiday person, so, I am planning on doing it up big. Love the new recipes on here. Look forward to more.
Jeanne
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Susie,
Thanks! You are so nice! I don't know how much help I can be, but I'll try.
BTW, I know that certain anti depressants can interfere with Tamoxifen. My onc. wouldn't even let me take Effexor, which some say is ok. He said that when I 1st started taking Tamoxifen... are you getting any hot flashes? I said, 'a little, but it isn't really too bad.' Then he told me to stop taking it. He didn't want to do that metabolizing test. He feels the symptoms or lack thereof speak for themselves. Who knows? Maybe he is just trying to save some money for my insurance.
Rachel,
No, I didn't hear anything about that. Gee, I wish I had that info. so I could print it out to show my onc. He doesn't really like it when I print stuff out to show him, but I think he just might be interested in that.
That is interesting... So, I would do just as well on Tamoxifen for the entire 5 years, and NOT switching... well, I did have some issues with my uterine lining getting thick... menopause doesn't help matters... and I had to have a d & c a year ago. Worst surgery I ever had.. so maybe it will be good to switch and get off Tamoxifen. I don't know... Also, my onc. told me that Evista or Raloxifene, works just as well as Tamoxifen, but without the effects to the uterus. But when I asked him for a script, he checked it out, and told me that since I have had cancer, I can't take Raloxifene to prevent a recurrence... just my luck!! I bet that one day, after many trials, they will start offering Evista to women to help prevent a recurrence. They already use it to prevent cancer in high risk women. So.... I don't know, but it seems like I should fit into the 'high risk' category! lol I guess only time will tell...
Jeanne,
Yes, I heard that alcohol is bad for us ER+ gals. But, I like to have a drink once in awhile. I try to cut back, but it's no fun.
Catbird,
Don't worry... I'll still be around.
Hugs to all,
Harley
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Hi Everybody,I've heard the same bad stories about the alcohol too that we are supposed to limit it. All things in moderation says me.
)OK Susie.....I'll sacrifice my Bud Light for Michelobe and pizza. Are we eating it yet? LOL
Glad Harley and our older buddies on here aren't going to leave us high and dry. We'd be skampering hither and yon for answers to all our questions.
Seems fish oil cures everything from here to outer space to read it's praises. I just hope it helps my poor dry eyes. I'm keeping the drop folks in business. Drip Drip Drip
I checked and flax oil is good too but not as potent as fish oil. People who can't stand the fish taste that some give them use the flax. I bought enteric coated capsules and I only got maybe one or two super duper mild fish tastes but most times nothing when taken on a full tummy. I wouldn't be able to hack it if I got fish breath. LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Later. Try and Behave Yourselves
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Two more ultra simply, healthy, Thanksgiving appropriate dishes: 1) Glazed Carrots - cover baby carrots (or 1" pieces) in water, boil till water almost gone (carrots should be almost fork tender by this point); Add a little Orange Juice and just a splash of maple syrup, let cook till liquid is quite thick and carrots are tender and glazed/candied, be careful not to let it burn at the end, the sugar can brown quickly. 2) Instead of mashed potatoes - mash baked sweet potatoes, far healthier and more fall like (you can also play and add in pumpkin or mashed carrots; of course, if we're being healthy, leave off the marshmellows ).
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MTG--I just had some mashed sweet potatoes with ginger in them--I highly recommend it but don't have a recipe. I'll never eat mashed white potatoes again!
Karen
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KEW - OOOOOO, I love ginger and I never would hve thought of the combination myself. I'll definietely give it a try. Was it fresh grated ginger, dried ginger powder or candied ?
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Hi Jeanne,
Yes, I was told by a health care nurse a day or so ago to cut back (out) alcohol. It is the ethanol in it that is apparently a cancinogenic! and nasty for breat cancer folk. This thing just keeps getting worse ;-(((((
I had switched from beer (hops) and red wine (revesterol ? sp) to white wine - now??????
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Hi Bonnie, Yes, I take seal oil pills for the omega 3.
and others - yes, I too find only a bit of alcohol will give me a red face - only used to happen with some red wine - now just a few sips of anything and I am red ;-(
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MTG - flax seed IS a huge no no with estrogen receptive bc, with or without tamoxifen. It is VERY high in phytoestrogens - as is soy.
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Is there a listing somewhere about these foods and/or drugs you cannot take with Tamoxifen. I thought I was pretty aware and was not taking any allergy drugs this season, etc. But, in trying to eat healthy I had some corn flakes (organic) which also have flax. I am so glad I saw your post. Why don't the doctors give us a list of possible foods and meds that are off the table for us? Thanks for the info. I guess I'll have to ditch the cereal.
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Kath 16 - For a list of drugs that are "off the table", the sites I've used are :
http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/tamoxifen.html and http://medicine.iupui.edu/clinpharm/COBRA/TamoxifenGuide.pdf and, if you are more scientifically savvy and want more detail try here: http://www.medicine.iupui.edu/flockhart/ The first site actually divides the drugs into Major, moderate and lesser inhibitors. I was suprised to see that most (if not all) over the counter sleep aids are in the list. But, ask your doctor before dismantling your medicne cabinet; most seem to say that it's ok to take these pills occassionally.
As for Foods, I'd love to see a list as well. Just keep in mind that again, doctors opinions vary and many if not most make a major disctinction between supplements (like soy supplements and I'm guessing flax seed oil) which are no,nos and things one ingests as food (like your cereal). ASK YOUR DOCTOR. For example, soy is one of those controversial things. Some women and doctors say avoid anything with soy and so they read labels like mad; others - like my BS says no soy supplements but that it's almost impossible to "OD" on soy in food.
Many if us "newbies" are learning together so it's nice to have company.
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Hi to All,
Thanks KEW, MTG, IVORYMOM,
and all of you that are sharing their yummy Thanksgiving recipes with us.
BCACNB ~ Wow didn't know that flax seed interfered like that. That's good to know. AndI had never heard of seal oil either. We do benefit by corresponding.
Susie~ I'll be glad to see how much I enjoyed my pizza and beer last night.I think I did pretty much.
)Hope everyone is bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning ! LOL
CatbirdC Bonnie
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Hi Kathy- Some ONCs do give lists of prohibited foods. I guess it has to do with your whole health picture, what they are planning for TX. All that... Like my ONC said it was fine for me to have the occasional drink, even tie one on, and take benadryl when I have allergies but other gals' ONCs said noooooooooooooooooooo. Someone posted a link to the list of stuff that may interfere with Tamox- maybe it was on drugs.com? But for my situation, I think the general idea is that I am going to be on it for 5 years so a couple days here and there, or even a week isn't going to make that big a difference. A lot of times we have to go off Tamox altogether for surgeries and stuff, and that's got to be OK too.
HTH!
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MMMMMMMMMMMMMM GOOD! Yes Bonnie, the pizza and beer was dELiCiOUs! And, I didn't drink THAT much, so, I am proud of myself. Had a great time out!
Harley, so glad to know that you will still be hanging around. We all need you here and appreciate any advice, experience or just you giving us your opinion.
And, I love everyone offering recipes and ideas. Thanksgiving will soon be here. YIKES!
MTG, those sites are great. Thanks for sharing the info with us!
Susie
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Meg--Sounds yummy, thanks!
So I am really confused about the flaxseed thing. The Onc, naturopaths, and RD at the breast center in my hospital say it is fine--others say it is fine, others don't. My onc says it is fine. I wrote to the researcher in Toronto who has been working on mice, tumors, and flaxseed, and she feels it is not dangerous. I really like flaxseed on my morning oatmeal. I also thought that phytoestrogens blocked the receptor--like Tamoxifen does, and the problem with soy was that women who grew up eating it were ok, but many western women were eating processed soy, soy bean oil, soy milk, letchin (sp), soy protein and that was what is bad. I don't really like soy so this isn't an issue for me, but the beans themselves and tofu should be OK, because they are not as processed? Anyone else have more on this?
Thanks,
KarenW
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Karen -- no one seems to know for sure if phytoestrogens block the receptors like Tamox does and thus prevent the "bad" estrogen from stimulating cancer cells, or if Tamox is more powerful and so the phytoestrogens don't get near the cancer cells (like we hope is happening with estrogen), or if the phytoestrogens block the Tamox and mildly stimulate the cancer cells because of their similarity to "real" estrogen. Thus, there are many different opinions about injesting phytoestrogens if you have er+ cancer.
And then there is still a lot unknow about the difference between whole foods and supplements made from only certain elements of the foods.
I always find it interesting that there are women scrutinizing every label for any soy however tiny in ingredients which we don't really know if it matters, and refuse to give up their nightly wine, which we know does matter!
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KEW- and revkat, I got all into the soy thing, the China report and all that... bottom line is they are studying it NOW and wont know fo' sho' until the study comes back some years from now (you know the drill). Meanwhile there's a lot of conflicting theories and I... I ain't playin. Oh and KEW, the only soy product not in question is soy sauce, because its fermented.(?) Again, for me, I know I started drinking a lot of choc soy milk the year before my DX and within 6 months I had a cyst- attributed to the soy intake. And 6 months after that- DX, in the same spot as the cyst. Soooooo no soy for me thanks!
As long as they don't take my chocolate. Fine.
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I was told to avoid all Soy, if possible, by my oncologist. But, he also said that it would be impossible to not get some Soy, as it is hidden in a lot of foods. So, just try to avoid it if you can is basically what he says. Flaxseed is also something to avoid by my oncologist, since I am ER and PR +. Anyone else?
Jeanne
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Wow, sweet potatoes sound so good. I want some NOW!
Jeanne
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Revkat, Rachael, and Jeanne_D--It is confusing. I was drinking soy milk the year before I got diagnosed but about 5 years prior I was taking large doses of soy isoflavens...luckily for me I get my chocolate fix from Lindt 85% little sugar, no soy.
I stopped drinking two decades ago when my mom died of bc and the very first reports were coming out about a link. Didn't stop me from getting it, but now I'm used to not drinking and don't plan on starting.
The Flaxseed is tough for me, it is so nutritionally dense and keeps things flowing if you know what I mean. I hate to have to give it up. Like I've said I've heard yes give it up and no don't give it up.
Thanks for the input!
KarenW
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