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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 1,089
    edited December 2009

    Hi All!

    Day 5 today and other then WHACKED OUT Dreams at night where I vent all my pent up frustration and rage at this disease,,,doing just fine! 

    Debby - so happy to hear tummy issues are gone and no headaches for Susie

    Alaina - one of the ladies at my onc's office is on Zometa as well, we had tx's together on Wednesdays...she was stage 3 with bone mets but now is NED and only comes in for her Zometa now...also on Tamox...I take vit D and am looking for a good calcium supplement what are you taking? 

    My onc recommend Vit E twice a day for hot flashes??? Anyone else heard of this?

    Welcome KC!

    HUGS!!!

  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 1,089
    edited December 2009

    oops! sorry for the double post!!

  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 337
    edited December 2009

    Hi All ! Quick drive by. In Florida -warm weather but got here after sun had gone down. For those that are joining me - fantastic. Tomorrow is a really cool art show, Art Basel. Monday is my 84 yr old father's birthday; he'd love to have lots of gals around.  So, come on down !!! 

    You guys know I cant resist research. So here a quick look at the Zometa Tamoxifen thing, a Feb 2009 study, "Zometa Reduces Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence in Premenopausal Women, Study in The New England Journal of Medicine Reports" http://www.drugs.com/clinical_trials/zometa-reduces-risk-breast-cancer-recurrence-premenopausal-women-study-new-england-journal-medicine-6731.html

    And yes, it was first used strictly to prevent bone loss but when the docs noticed that it also had an anticancer effect, they started the T + Zometa combination. See "Bone drug helped stave off breast cancer" a 2008 article at http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/new_research/20080602.jsp

    Although the studies and articles  keep taking about Zometa + T's  use for "early stage breast cancer", when I used the BC.org search engine, almost all references to Zometa at the same time as Tamoxifen were for women with Stage III BC like Alaina, so my guess ( and this really is just a guess) is that, for now at least, docs are using it mostly for Stage III and higher.

    For those of you not heading down to join me, will see you tomorrow night since everyone else here goes to sleep at 9pm. A truly hot time !!!

  • Alaina
    Alaina Member Posts: 153
    edited December 2009

    O2BHealthy ~ I currently take Viactiv chews 2x per day for calcium & Vitamin D.  2 chews give you the recommended daily allowance.  I also take chewable Centrum.  I just got sick of swallowing a bunch of pills every day!  The only pills I swallow now are my Biotin tablet (1000mg) and of course, the Big T!  Both are small.

    They had me on Potassium tablets for the longest after chemo and before/after surgery, so if I never have to swallow another big-ass pill again, it'll be too soon!

  • kcl65
    kcl65 Member Posts: 741
    edited December 2009

    LOL Alaina!!

    Thanks for the tip of the Viactiv....I hate taking big pills too!

    Kelly :)

  • Susie09
    Susie09 Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2009

    Ok slow downnnnnnnnn!  lol  This thread is moving soooooooooooo fast that I can't keep up with it!  lol  So, if I leave someone or something out, please forgive me ladies!

    MTG:  So you are inviting us all down to Florida?  Set another place at the table.  lol  Sounds like you are having a great time.  So happy for you!  And, Happy Birthday to your Dad!

    I don't take Vitamin E.  And, why do you take Biotin Alaina?  I don't think I know anything about that.  But, what else is new!  lol

    And, still no headache.  I am beginning to think that they are gone.  OMG, that would be soooooooooo wonderful. 

    So, I can't complain about tamox yet.  Thank goodness.  We have to fight the fight ladies!

    Do I hear an awwwwwwwwwwwwww?

    http://www.premierphotographer.com/funny_animal_pics_2.jpg

  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 30
    edited December 2009

    There can never be too much info on this site Kelly!  Never! 

    It was great to not have an upset stomach.  It must have been me taking the tamox in the morning.  I am taking it at night now with some food and I think that will take care of that.  Crossing fingers anyway. 

    On my way to a birthday party in Florida.  Now where is my ticket MTG?  You seem to have forgotten to send it.  Happy Bday to your Dad!  I hope he has a great day.  I am sure he will with you there.

    These pics crack me up.  Thanks for the latest Susie!  I am happy that your headaches are gone too.  I hate headaches. 

    Debby

  • Jeanne_D
    Jeanne_D Member Posts: 50
    edited December 2009

    Doing a quick drive by!

    Question for all or any of you - Has anyone experienced vaginal dryness while taking tamox?  Sorry if I am asking something too personal.  I just wondered if anyone had this and what they were doing for it.

    See you tomorrow, and, if not - Have a great weekend!

    Jeanne

  • Hannahbearsmom
    Hannahbearsmom Member Posts: 266
    edited December 2009

    I agree about the viactiv! I take the chocolate flavor and it's actually got a pretty good taste-and it"s chocolate! I try to think of it as treat instead of medicine.

    Susie09: I'm so glad your headache is gone and staying gone. I really enjoy your pics too!

    DebbyM: I'm glad that your upset stomach is better. Luckily I haven't had one with the tamoxifen yet. I take mine in the morning but I always take it with food because I was so worried about potential nausea.

    Jeanne D: I haven't personally experienced vaginal dryness but I think that can happen with the decrease in estrogen levels. My GYN doc said if it happens to use a product like astroglide or KY. I think there is another one called Replens(?) And I've read some people actually use cooking oil or I think coconut oil. I have my ooph/hysterectomy on Monday so there is a good chance that I will be experiencing this before long. Not to sound vulgar, but my GYN doc also said that more frequent sex actually helps keep the area more lubricated. Good luck and let us know it you find a solution.

  • CatbirdC
    CatbirdC Member Posts: 235
    edited December 2009

    Hi All,

    You're Right about this being a fast Thread SUSIE.  I get boggled sometimes and like you feel like I might be missing someone's question that I might be able to answer.  My daughter had a kitty once that was the picture of that one and he was the most pleasant cat I ever knew.  Maybe, but we'll tip toe up on it, but maybe your headaches went bye bye.

    Debby~   Timing must help in some cases with the Big T.  It did with me and it seems to be doing the same with you and your stomach upsets.

    M~~  It's snowing here and 27 degrees.  Just flurries with a little sticking but it IS snowing.

    Alaina~  I take D-3 pill.  It's little....but like you said after you have to take so many it gets old.  And some are like horse pills.  My Omega 3 fish oil cap is huge.  But it does go down fairly easily because it's slippery.  LOL

    Hannah~~  We should be able to ask the private type questions too because we need to know.  But I love love loved what you told Jeanne would help the situation.  I just know that we are going to get some funny comments on that one.  LOL   Get Busy Girls !!!!!!!!Sealed

    Bonnie

  • Alaina
    Alaina Member Posts: 153
    edited December 2009

    Susie ~ I take Biotin to encourage and assist the re-growth of my hair and nails.  I'm on Herceptin until April 2nd, and although I'm done with chemo, Herceptin has been shown to SLOW the re-growth of post-chemo hair.  So my oncologist said I could take the Biotin now that I'm done chemo/rads.  It's a dietary supplement you can find at most any vitamin store/section.

    I guess I need to post a pic of my hair now that I'm 4 months PFC!

    Alaina

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited December 2009

    ...AWWW.... that pic is SO CUTE, Susie!! 

    MTG,

    Happy Birthday to your Dad!  thanks for the info. about Zometa and Tamoxifen...

    Just want to say HI to all... 

  • ka32ma
    ka32ma Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2009

    Hi I am new to the discussion room. My name is Katie. I have been taking Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 years. My last pap showed endometrial cells and I had an ultrasound to check for thickening of the uterus and I am waiting on the results. Has anyone else experienced pap results like this? I am premenopausal and still have periods.

    Thanks for any imput.

  • Susie09
    Susie09 Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2009

    Hi Everyone!  I only have a minute as hubby is waiting for me, but, wanted to wish everyone a great weekend!

    Love, Susie

    p.s. no headache Laughing

  • Alexis2u
    Alexis2u Member Posts: 20
    edited December 2009

    The pictures that some of you post are a riot!  I love them! 

    I have been tired, so, it might be a se of tamox.  I don't know.  But, I haven't been getting a lot of sleep either.  I have had leg cramps and they wake me up  Frown  I guess I need to try the old soap trick, huh?

    Happy birthday to your Dad MTG!  I hope he has a great one!  I am sure that he will.

    I think it is great too that we can bring up any subject on here.  So Jeanne, post anything.  I think that vag dryness can be a se of tamox because of the lack of estrogen.  I don't have that yet, but, probably will.  Frown  I am sure my husband will be thrilled.....NOT

    Glad your headaches are gone Susie.  I hope they stay away forever!  I hate headaches.

    ka32ma, HI!  I haven't been on tamox very long, so, I don't have any gyno problems as of yet.  I hope someone else here can help you out.  Welcome and good luck to you!

    Lex

  • bcamnb
    bcamnb Member Posts: 334
    edited December 2009

    Jeanne,

    I am post menopausal and was on vagifem suppositories for dryness. It is an estrodial, so the day I was diagnosed, I quit them. I have been prescribed Vit E suppositories, 800IU and they are THE best. Messy, but THE best. They are a compound made up by only select pharmacies but my provincial and additional private drug plan covers the cost. I think all the ones you mentioned are OTC, so they'd be out of your pocket book for sure. I tried KY but think I was allergic to something in it. Replens was OK but expensive on a regular basis.   

    Have a great w/end all. In the midst of the first winter blizzard here ;-(

  • CatbirdC
    CatbirdC Member Posts: 235
    edited December 2009

    Hi Everyone,

    Time just flies when you're having fun !!!!  LOLOLOLOL  Hard to believe it's Sunday again.  My mother always said you know you're old when the time starts to fly.

    Susie.....  I think you might dare to say that your headaches, as lots of our SE's on the Big T, might be passing.  I was happy to see my flushes pass although they visit once in a while.....but that's not bad.  My foot cramps also are very few and far between.  And I'm dealing with the dry eyes with drops and fish caps.  So all in all .... can't complain compared to so many others.

    Lex~~  If you continue to be tired, it probably is the Big T.  You could ask your doctor about possibly changing when or how you take your pill.

    It's a big 19 degrees here.  Winter is on its way.

    Bonnie

  • mumito
    mumito Member Posts: 2,007
    edited December 2009

    Your right winter is on its way we are getting ready for snow here in Canada.

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited December 2009

    caroline,

    Do you need a Rx for Vitamin E??   where do you live?  Please tell me more about the Vitamin E.

    I am using KY Liqui beads.... they are expensive, and you only get 6 in a box...  I think they have vitamin E in them, and they have NO ESTROGEN.  They work ok, I guess... it's just a pain in the neck, using any of these suppositories...   I feel like some kind of freak...

    Welcome to the Tamoxitrain.  so...you are using Tamoxifen??   Why not an AI?  Just curious.

    I am postmenopausal,  even though at a very young age... I may be switching to an AI soon.  I see my onc. on FRIDAY, so I've been doing the Tamoxifen countdown....   5 days and counting!

    Hugs to all,

    Harley

  • bcamnb
    bcamnb Member Posts: 334
    edited December 2009

    Hi Harley,

    Yes, you need an Rx for the Vit E suppositories, as they are specially compounded. I used them before bed every day for several weeks until I got rid of the dryness. Now just occassionally and when I think I might need them (wink,wink). Think of them like tampons - no big deal really and they make SUCH a difference. They need to be refrigerated so get them home from the pharmacy ASAP, otherwise they disintegrate (learned the hard way!)

    Given my diagnosis, my onc said it would be hard convincing the pharmacy police I need an AI but he thought I should be on something. (I live in Calgary, Alberta Canada and my meds are covered by the province.) That said, as I am only an intermediate metabolizer, I likely could have pushed for an AI. However, I thought T would be best for me  (if I can keep its inhibitors under control) as I am a breath away from osteoporosis, and AIs are especially hard on bones - ONE advantage of T, it actually protects bones. So, my choice was to being on T and then we'll see in a few years what the studies are saying. I may request a switch to an AI, although at this point my onc says no switch. We'll see!

  • kcl65
    kcl65 Member Posts: 741
    edited December 2009

    Hi All,

    Was on the discussion board yesterday, but was blocked from replying...it has been explained to me as to why! :)

    I love the picture of the kitty in the pink! I can't imagine getting snow!  I live in Cali so I don't have to deal with it and I wouldn't know how to either.  My daughter would get hypothermia...she drives my hubby crazy as she'll  go out without a sweater and it's in the 50's! I know that it's probably tropical for those in the north...I'm a winter wimp! LOL

    Harley - thanks for the heads up on making sure that products we use do not have estrogen in them.

    I've heard soy products are not a good idea either! 

    Have a great Sunday!

    Kelly :)

  • bcamnb
    bcamnb Member Posts: 334
    edited December 2009

    Hi KC,

    There have been many posts on this thread about foods to avoid while we are on T. Go to the top right side of this page and hit the search button. In the  key words enter phytoestrogens tamoxifen. You see there are about 140 posts . Might be helpful without us repeating it all over again here.

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited December 2009

    kc,

    Yes, soy is a no no...   Caroline, thanks for referring to the search function, to help others to find info...    Oh, I NEVER used tampons, either...  I just can't stand the idea of sticking ANYTHING inside me....   yick!    Thanks for explaining why you are taking Tamoxifen...  I like that it helps our bones, too.  I will have to discuss all these concerns with my onc when I see him on Friday.  Even though I'm worried, I'll probably switch, cause I don't like how Tamoxifen affects the uterus.  I had thickening, and then uterine polyps, so I had to have a D & C.  It was the worst surgery I have EVER had.

    Hope everyone has a great week!

  • kcl65
    kcl65 Member Posts: 741
    edited December 2009

    Thank you Caroline and Harley, I will check that out!

    Kelly :)

  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 337
    edited December 2009

    Hi all. Just a quick visit since things here in Florida are far from relaxing (but I am getting in some fun art gallery hopping).

    Anyway re the viactin / vitamin D discussion, calcium is important for all women but for us Vitamin D3 is THE MOST IMPORTANT - not certain if Vicatin has that , does anyone know ???? Alaina ????I believe D3 prevents BC and reoccurrence; I know my med onc and gyno both expressly said D3, not just D. Will post links when I have time and energy.

    Welcome Katie. My guess (based on some sites I've attached below)  is that you're gyno is simply being cautious there are many causes for endometrial cells -  ranging from simply the timing in your menstrual cycle or a result of hormone therapy (that's where I'd put my money) to HPV (sexually transmitted but not a biggie) to yes, something cancerous but again not likely. So please try not to worry in the meantime; it sounds like you're in excellent, cautious hands.

    Here are two  of the sites I looked at: 

     http://www.medicinenet.com/pap_smear/page4.htm

    "Why is a woman's menstrual status important for the Pap smear?

    A woman who is menstruating sheds cells from the lining of her uterus called endometrial cells. If these cells are seen on the Pap smear of a menstruating woman, the report may note "endometrial cells, cytologically benign, in a menstruating woman. The comment that cells are "cytologically benign" means that they do appear not to be malignant (cancerous) cells. A comment of this nature is absolutely not worrisome since a menstruating woman may be expected to shed such cells.

    However, if a woman is menopausal (no longer menstruating) she would not be expected to be shedding cells from the uterine lining. Therefore, endometrial cells on a Pap report might be indicative of an abnormal thickening of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. The Pap smear is not specifically designed to detect such an abnormality. Nonetheless, if these cells are noted in a non-menstruating woman, her physician should attempt to determine the cause of the shedding of the endometrial cells.

    Sometimes, the cause is endometrial hyperplasia, a precancerous condition of the uterine lining, which can be detected by a relatively simple office procedure called an endometrial biopsy. Sometimes, menopausal hormone therapy can cause shedding of endometrial cells that appear on a Pap smear. The pattern of bleeding, the exact type of hormone therapy, and the individual woman's health history are the three components that guide the physician to know whether and what type of further evaluation is necessary."

    In addition, "Endometrial cells in pap smear can sometimes be caused by vulvar vestibulitis or human papilloma virus. If found during Papanicolaou test in menopausal women, they may indicate carcinoma. However, the phenomenon may be due to shedding of tissues and is frequently seen in women taking hormone replacing therapy. Therefore, such results in post-menopausal women practicing HRT are unlikely to indicate cancer. Endometrial cells in pap smear can sometimes be caused by vulvar vestibulitis or human papilloma virus. "  Click here: http://www.health-science-report.com/pap-smear/pap/endometrial-cells-in-pap-smear.html .

    When do you see your gyno again ? Please keep us posted.

  • Susie09
    Susie09 Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2009

    Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

    Mumayan:  I love that picture!   The pink fur is marvelous!  lol

    I hope your se's go away totally Bonnie.  I am still crossing my fingers that my headaches stay away.  It has been so great not to have one everyday.  So, we will see.

    Hi and welcome to anyone new that I might not have said hi to before!  Welcome to the exciting tamoxitrain!  It is a ride that you won't forget! 

    MTG:  I want to come there!Cry  I am so cold here...I need sunshine and warm cool ocean breezes.  Send me a ticket?  lol

    Ok, so I can expect vaginal dryness now too?  Oh happy days Frown  I wasn't planning on that side effect. 

    Susie

  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 30
    edited December 2009

    Just wanted everyone to know that by taking tamox at night with some food, my upset stomach is gone!  So, thanks so much for your help!

    I don't know what I would do without you guys. 

    I had read so much about tamox on the internet and most of it was bad.  Well, it did say a lot about the bad se's, so, I was so scared of it.  But, I think I might do ok on it. 

    I probably just jinxed myself.  ARGH

    Debby

  • Susie09
    Susie09 Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2009

    Isn't this cute?    Love, Susie

    http://www.todaysseniors.com/humor/funny_cartoon_pictures/funny_pictures/Rottiexpress.jpg

  • bcamnb
    bcamnb Member Posts: 334
    edited December 2009

    Susie - don't forget not everyone has the same SEs; let me repeat, don't forget not everyone has the same SEs..... so don't even think about another nasty. Just put the info into storage, in that "just in case" file. We are all assorted ages, stages, body combos.....

    Started to decorate the house today. We are off to Mexico next Sat for a week of fun in the sun (sorry Susie - but a reprieve from our -28 tonight!!!) so I need to get a head start on most things.

    Have a great week everyone.

  • CatbirdC
    CatbirdC Member Posts: 235
    edited December 2009

    Ah Geeeez!!!!!!

     Caroline is going to Mexico.  You lucky doggie you !!!!!!   Florida.....Mexico.... and here I sit looking at at 27 degree temp outside.   LOL

     Thanks for the well wishes Susie.  I'm hoping my se's go south too for good.  But not too bad.  Maybe you won't get that "other" one.  Like Caroline says we're all different.  That's for sure.  LOL    And we all have a sense of humor I think.  I think we need to pat ourselves on the back for that too.

     Take Care.

    Bonnie

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