Ladies in their 30s
Comments
-
Stephmoen - if you are not BRCA+ then your chance of getting ovarian cancer would be the same as of the normal population 0,5%. And even with BRCA they recommend oophorectomy at age 35, you are way too young for oophorectomy. If you go with one of the AIs + Lupron you will not have the risk of endometrial cancer/ thickening of the uterus that you would have while on tamoxifen. I'm 38 but I have to be honest - surgical menopause is not very pretty.
0 -
stephmoen,
I am planning on having a hysterectomy in the next few months due the SOFT trial. My oncologist actually recommends that I do it. I would rather have the surgery(bc I have fibroids and tilted uterus) rather that take the Lupron shots. I am on Tamoxifen now it will switch to an AI after the surgery. I am not looking forward the instant menopause(and I'm sure my husband isn't either) but I want to everything possible to prevent recurrence! Good luck with your decisions!
Kathy
0 -
Hi ladies, I am 36 (turning 37 in July). Married with two kids (turning 3 and 6). I was diagnosed with stage 1B multifocal IDC (12 tumors). Going through chemo now.
I would like to have early menopause too. I think I will start with Lupron and then consider oophorectomy later. Anyone taking AI now? Heard AI's SE are much harsher than Tamoxifen...
0 -
Hi :
I have been taking aromasin for 3 years , not too bad at all
0 -
Thanks a lot for sharing, Srh242!
0 -
Your welcome. I started with letrozole and the bone aches were horrible then switched to examestanegeneric for aromasin and I hardly have any side effects. I do exercise and take plant base omegas .
0 -
I had a full spayed at 36 y.o. I'm on letrozole. The night sweets were awful, so I took the pill in the am doing much better on it. For the bone aches I did vit. D3 don't drink milk or other things with calcium 2 hour before or after. I heard that even though I'm in menapause that when I hit the menapause age again our bodies will go through the side effect. Who knows?
0 -
Srh242, I am glad examestane is giving you no side effect. Btw, is taking plant-based omegas suggested by your MO?
0 -
FairyDogMother, it seems that different people react very differently to these drugs. Thanks for sharing your tips. Will keep them in mind
0 -
has anyone here that still gets their periods chosen to continue to do Tamoxifen only without ovarian suppression or removal? Based on the SOFT trial my onc immediately put me on Femara and Lupron as my first course of treatment. I was hoping to start out with Tamoxifen to sort of get my feet wet in this process since I've heard the side effects from OS+AI can be a lot harsher than tamoxifen. I'm a bit nervous about the OS+AI because there's no proven long term survival benefit from the SOFT trial. Lupron is not indicated to be used longer than 6 months. It all makes me nervous.
0 -
Morning ladies! Has anyone experienced mouth sores. I'm starting to get bumps on my tongue and the back of my throat is very scratchy. They are not open sores, so they don't burn or hurt but I don't want it to get worse. Should I ask for prescription to help? Or just continue with the mouth wash and baking soda wash I've been doing? Also before this I did get cold sores once and awhile so I have a prescription for those I wonder if that would help?
0 -
shellym1 - it's a hard decision to make. I researched and agonized for months and then finally opted out. I was 37 at diagnosis and am 40 now - with 2 successful years of tamoxifen under my belt. So I opted to stick with the status quo. But do some research and ask lots of questions. If you don't feel right about it - push to have honest discussions with your onc. Check out this previous webinar from LLBC: http://www.livingbeyondbreastcancer.net/Event-Archive/2015-01-13-SOFT-Trial/(language)/eng-US. Its a really easy to digest summary of the SOFT trial findings. And join in on the Changing to AI/OS from Tamoxifen after reviewing SOFT study? thread here on BCO: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/829343?page=4#idx_97. Good luck!
0 -
I just saw my MO yesterday and she suggested to do OS+AI and said that I didn't want to as I didn't like myself while on chemopause. She didn't push for it as she believes in Tamoxifen. It is a personal choice and the study showed on 5% more in survival rates for women under 35. I rather have a "normal" life as that 5% increase is immaterial to me. I wasn't really pleasant while in chemopause and was very emotional.
Kady, I am assuming your mouth sores are from chemo. It is a good idea to mention it to your MO and ask for something to help you with it and continue to use the baking soda as a rinse.
0 -
thank you both for your input. I opted out today. Going with Tamoxifen only. She said AI+OS would give me 2-3% benefit. I just don't feel like it would be worth it to live in complete menopause for 5 years. Glad to read I am not alone in making this decision. She said tamoxifen is their #2 recommendation and it still gives me 90% 10 year survival.
0 -
anyone on antidepressants I'm thinking I'm to that point
0 -
Hi Stephmoen!
I'm not on antidepressants per se but my doc gave me an Rx for Ativan pretty much along with my dx. I haven't had to use it all the time but it's there when I need it. I'm a firm believer in doing whatever helps you and if you think you're depressed, talk to your doc about getting help for it. Pills, counseling, whatever you need to help YOU! If the doc brushes it off, go to another one. We all feel like crap sometimes but they have a questionnaire to help assess if you're depressed and can justify prescription help (at least, every counselor I've talked with in Canada uses one).
Hope you can get the help you need and feel better very soon! Sending soft virtual hugs!
0 -
I haven't started antidepressants. I am thinking about starting counseling though. I am done with all treatments but going through the reconstruction part. I have good days and bad days, it's hard when your done with your treatments and are "cancer free" now...it's always in the back of my mind if it's going to come back. I think talking to someone will prob help!
Good luck,
Kathy
0 -
I have started talking with a counselor and she's been pretty helpful. She's suggested that I consider cognitive behavioural therapy, a 10-12 week course. I read an article (sorry, can't remember where!) that suggested that people who did CBT vs other forms of counseling were happier and had fewer symptoms of depression after treatment was completed. I'm still in the early stages (lump. 4 weeks ago, haven't even met with my onc yet) but I can see myself having issues after treatment is over, so I'm seriously considering CBT.
Has anyone tried CBT, had luck with counseling, etc? I think the mental stuff has been the biggest issue for me so far. I feel your pain, Stephmoen!
Take care, try to stay positive and big hugs to all
0 -
I am on Exeffor and Xanax it helps I hope to not have to stay on these drugs forever but I couldn't keep crying everyday on fear that I will not watch my children grow up
0 -
stephmoen, I totally understand!! I was the same way...I have 3 small kids. I took Ativan(Xanax) at bed when I was first diagnosed and took it for about 6-8months....it helped me sleep too! I still have my moments occasionally of crying especially when there is a special occasion but nothing like it was in the beginning. It will get better and I am confidant you will be able to get off the medicine as time goes on!
This too shall pass....
Kathy
0 -
Hi Ladies,
I am new to this group. I wanted to respond because prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer in May, I was about to complete my degree in clinical psychology... something that will now be postponed a bit. I just wanted to throw out there that receiving therapy during such a difficult time could be one of the most helpful things you can do for yourself... whether it's individual therapy, couples therapy, or family therapy... or some combination of these. Antianxiety meds and antidepressants may certainly help, but they don't offer the long-term changes that therapy can offer and they certainly don't assist with grappling with some of the bigger issues we're all struggling to deal with. As for the type of therapy, CBT can help you to manage symptoms. Dynamic therapy will help you to resolve much deeper, core issues if you find a talented therapist. It really depends on what you need and how deep you want to go.
0 -
I'm 35, was just diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma, yes I have children, a 9 month old, a husband, a career. Around radiation daily at work unfortunately, not quite sure going the chemo route, avoiding infertility as a result, advice?
0 -
newlydx15-- is your question about whether or not to receive chemo?
0 -
yes, should I get a partial masectomy instead of chemo?
0 -
stephmoen, you are so young, I'm sorry you are going through this. I'm 35 myself, you will have plenty of support
0 -
Lady madonna, or any of us young ladies experiencing breast cancer, I need advice on conserving fertility, I am not finished having kids... Advice please
0 -
newlydx - sorry you have to be here but welcome. The question of chemo or no chemo usually comes down to nodal involvement. If you have positive nodes and you are young - chemo will most likely be recommended. If your nodes are clear - because of your age they may do an onco type test. If it scores high they will suggest chemo. I can say that for me - I wanted to take all possible steps to ensure I'd be here to see my boys grow up and so welcomed the option of cancer crushing chemo. But I didn't take into consideration fertility issues as I already was fortunate to have two healthy children. While it does admitedly suck - chemo is doable. I continued to work during treatment -although I did it from home - and still spent time with my young boys. It is all doable if you put your mind to it and your family and friends pitch in to help and support. Your Dr's are there to answer your questions about all of this. And if you don't like their answers you can look for a second opinion. Good luck and hang in there!
0 -
anyone here finish chemo and go through radiation yet? Ali, 37
0 -
newlydx-- it depends on the characteracteristics of your diagnosis. Whether or not to undergo chemo will be a personal decision between you and your oncologist. Whether or not you're her2+ may also be an important factor. If it's recommended by your oncologist, it's probably because your life may be at risk without it. I'm going through chemo now and didn't have the opportunity to preserve my fertility prior to treatment. As important as it is for me to have kids, I can't have kids if I don't live.
0 -
Newlydx - I went thru with 3rd generation chemo, it wasn't bad (don't know how my body will be in the future but I am alive). I completed a round of IVF after my radical mastectomy and before chemo as I didn't kids and wanted at least one so badly. It worked out that my period came two days after my surgery and completed everything in 2-3 weeks and I started chemo soon after it.
My MO told me that I would start chemo 4 weeks after surgery, instead I started 3 weeks after as my wound had healed completely.
Depending on the details of your diagnosis then you might to do fertility preservation and then chemo (if the doctors recommend it).
My "babies" are frozen and waiting to be hatched.
Ali - I went through radiation last October, a month after chemo ended. Do you have any questions or are you looking for a radiation "buddy
Hugs!!!
0
