Topic: thoughts on vagifem post hormone receptive BC

Jun 12, 2015 11:41PM Lamp wrote:

Hi bjb01, you are so right in saying, quality of life! That is what it boils down to! What's best for you!

I am too, stewing and brewing with this topic! Driving myself nuts! It's just not fair!

Jun 14, 2015 05:07PM ICanDoThis wrote:

Been on it for 2 yrs. Makes the whole situation down there tolerable.
If your doc is comfortable, then go for it

Jun 14, 2015 07:25PM bjb01 wrote:

I am so grateful for the chance to ask questions of real women who are going thru the same thing right alongside me:) thank u all so muc

Sep 6, 2015 02:30PM Imagineme13 wrote:

hello ladies. I noticed all of the comments were from women that were stages I & II. I am HER positive, stage IV metastasis BC and only 43. I'm on Arimidex as of 2 weeks ago and taking Herceptin every 3 weeks. Is there anyone out there that was still recommended Vagifem with this diagnosis? I look forward Ito trying natural vaginal moisture relief such as 100% organic coconut oil or olive oil but wanted a lil estrogen for more relief from the dryness. Please help.

Sep 12, 2015 08:43PM Lauralind5 wrote:

Imagine I'm stage 4 also. My Onc said well your body knows how to grow breast cancer cells but if your gyn follows close and you think it will help your QOL then go for it. I agree. We don't really know what causes breast cancer we only have risk factors that we can weigh in on. I'm going for QOL. what's the point in trying so hard if I can't participate in life ?

Sep 16, 2015 12:15PM Imagineme13 wrote:

hello all, just saw MO about prescribing a low dose of Vagifem and he quickly voiced his decision against it. He said he didn't want to take any chances with my cancer being aggressive and HER2+. He recommended the KY but something tells me that will not work either. I'm currently taking the hormonal therapy & Herceptin every 3 weeks.It's my quality of life we are talking about but I wonder if going to the OBGYN would help.... Anyone with any other suggestions?

Sep 16, 2015 02:31PM Imagineme13 wrote:

Dear bjb01, what type of olive oil? Extra virgin? (No pun intended ....lol..)

Just wanted the type of olive oil being there is so much to choose from these days. Btw... I saw your post and thought that it was strange but my PA said to try olive oil.

Last question: how did you insert it? I read a post of a lady making homemade suppositories out of foil. Great idea.

Thanks for your input

Sep 16, 2015 03:15PM Imagineme13 wrote:

thanks bjb01

I believe you've answered all of my questions and have put my mind to ease. Lol

I'm assuming the olive oil is simply applied at the opening before sex. Not to be inserted deep within the vagina.

The hormonal drug I'm taking along with what the chemo did has nearly closed my vagina and I'm so afraid of having sex with my DH (never knew what DH meant other than some type of husband. Feel free to explain lol...). There has been NO sex for about 4 months. No desire either but I'm trying. 😂

Sorry to be so graphic

Sep 16, 2015 07:11PM nottoday wrote:

Forum: "Middle Age" 40-60(ish) Years with Breast Cancer → Topic: vaginal dryness

Ladies,

You may also be interested in the posts in the topic above.

Oct 8, 2015 09:20AM Molly50 wrote:

Hi ladies, this topic is very important to me because I have battled atrophy since my bilateral oopherectomy in 2011. Until my BC diagnosis I had found balance with estrace cream. My MO says no to it now. I haven't even started my anastrozole yet and life's a struggle. I found a product that so far works. It's called Neu Eve Neu Eve natural remedy for Vaginal health . It's a suppository to be used once per week and then I use Very Private Daily Intimate Moisture on the outside of my vaginal opening. Also I know many women who use coconut oil both internal and external as moisturizer successfully. If my QOL decreases with anastrozole then I plan to re address this issue with MO. I already have chronic UTI'S that estrace has managed and I have two pelvic floor prolapses that I need to prevent from getting worse. There are also Vaginal dilators you can purchase to help slowly open up the vaginal canal. You might also consider asking your gyn for a referral to pelvic floor PT.

Nov 14, 2015 10:32AM bjb01 wrote:

I really think that u will like vagifem. Give it time tho , maybe 2-3 months . In the meantime, be diligent about the crisco 2-3 times per day.....at 59 I refused to give up a great sex life and these things make it possible :

Nov 16, 2015 08:08AM bjb01 wrote:

pnmg02....I swear by vagifem and had absolutely NO side effects. It kept my wonderfully full sex life going. I have no perslective on the others, but vagifem is easy and NO mess like some of the others. let me know how it turns out??? you will be happy, just be patient as it doesn't happen overnight.

Nov 16, 2015 10:43PM pnmg02 wrote:

Thanks guys for the great information. I was leaning toward vagifem because of the ease of use and no messiness. Unfortunately my GYN postponed my appt till the end of January. We've used KY several times but it didn't help much. I'll try some other things. Thanks I'll keep you informed.

Jan 31, 2016 01:22PM - edited Feb 2, 2016 09:36PM by bjb01

cuddly clothes....I use the crisco as a two-three times a day moisturizer. Serious. If I don't use it, I feel like something's missing . As a lubricant during intercourse we use olive oil. Extra virgin only because it's so light. And I love vagifem, and I feel ok using it as it won't contribute to my hormone receptive cancer. The only prob I have now is no partner. I'm worried about atrophy... Very worried. Always something :(

May 5, 2016 08:41AM bjb01 wrote:

good morning Lamp :) are you doing anything other than the vagifem? I ask because for me, there is a combination of things that all come together to work. I would strongly encourage you to use Crisco shortening 2-3 times per day as an external moisturizer. (more if you can) It doesn't take much to cover the external areas. I've done it for so long that I feel strange w/o it. LIke the middle of winter and your hands need lotion? like that:) I also am a HUGE user and fan of olive oil as a lubricant EVERY time we have sex. It's natural and will not cause potential skin reactions that could cause yeast infections. Look, I know that it all sounds strange....and I resisted at first. After a year of trying/not trying, I realized that I needed to do all these things, just as my doctor had suggested. I did and what a difference. I'm 60 years old and my sex life is FAR better than it ever was in my youth. It helps to truly love someone and I do. I would encourage you to check with your OB/GYN just to be sure that there isn't anything medical that should be addressed. If you do ALL these things diligently, I would be shocked if things didn't improve for you. be patient (3 months maybe), but it's SO worth it. We have been through a lot and this is just a part of our way back :):) We owe it to ourselves to NOT let this ruin the rest of our lives......................please let me know. any more ????, just ask