-
Start Here: Important Links and Info About Hormonal Therapy
For some extensive information, see the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Hormonal Therapy, including detailed information on: What Is Hormonal Therapy? Is Hormonal Therapy Right for You? Types of Hormonal Therapy Treatment: Aromatase Inhibitors Arimidex: Benefits, Side Effects and More Aromasin: Benefits, Side…
-
Weight Gain
Trying to find some solution to weight gain. Has anyone had any experience with anything to help lose weight and help with the hot flashes? I have read on so many different things out there that are supposed to help with the hot flashes and weight gain but wanted to check in here to see if anyone has any success.
-
Intermittent dosing of aromatase inhibitors (AI) to improve tolerance in post-menopausal women
An interesting study. I'm hopeful! Abstract P1-12-15: Intermittent dosing of aromatase inhibitors (AI) to improve tolerance in post-menopausal women Clinical rationale: A significant proportion of post-menopausal, patients treated with AI reports side-effects, especially bone pain. In such patients, the difficulties to…
-
Stopped Letrozole for One Month
I am curious if anyone has taken a break from hormone inhibitors for a month. I had surgery in January 2023 for invasive lobular cancer of the left breast and had a mastectomy. My oncotype was 13% and I had radiation therapy for 5 weeks. One lymph node was positive. I have been on and off hormone inhibitors since last…
-
FEMARA
I STARTED TAKING FEMARA ABOUT 2 WKS AGO. WHEN DOES THE SIDE EFFECTS START TO KICK IN Edited by Mods to add content from the main Breastcancer.org site on Femara: Benefits, Side Effects and More
-
Extreme fatigue on Arimidex
Ive been in Arimidex for a year and 3 months. I started out only taking it every other day as I was afraid if side effects. Until 2 months ago when my MO said he "hoped" it would work. Sigh. So I am now taking 5 instead of 4 days a week. Probably no difference in effect. Since on Arimidex, I have had joint pain,…
-
Uterine discomfort with low dose Tamoxifen?
I've only been on a low dose of Tamoxifen (5mg) for about a month and I've noticed a 'heaviness' in the low pelvic area. I've never felt it before, so obviously it's from the medicine. I know that Tamox is estrogenic to the uterus, but I didn't think I would feel anything so fast with such a low dose. So, if anyone can…
-
First Joint Replacement after Estrogen Blockers – Oh Estrogen My Joints Miss You!
FYI I was on estrogen blockers 20 months till end of 2023. I stopped after non-specific leg pain became crippling and my increased life expectancy from drugs was small. While I had SE and long term concerns, joint failures have been the impactful journey after my BMX. After two months off meds and the leg pain decreasing,…
-
Coughing and Arimidex
I have had a dry cough since chemo and starting Arimidex in 2015. I have been to many kinds of doctors for the cough and no reason has been found. Sometimes the cough is really bad. Has anyone else had coughing?
-
Zometa side effects
I will be having my first infusion of Zometa this week. Has anyone had any side effects from Zometa? I hope to be able to travel a few days after and to go to work the next day and wonder if this is a reasonable plan.
-
Tamoxifen: start or no?
Hi After meeting with my MO yesterday and we agree to stop Lupron as the emotional side effects are just not doing well with me. I am premenopausal, age 47, and Oncology score is 22. My risk of distance occurrence in 9 years was 13%, with tamoxifen it would reduce to 8% and if using ovarian suppression or chemo, it would…
-
Anyone take Tamoxifen after Uterine Cancer
just wondering if anyone out there has taken Tamoxifen after a hysterectomy for uterine cancer.
-
I've Finished 5 years of Tamoxifen!
I took my last Tamoxifen pill yesterday and I'm happy about that. I didn't think I could make it through the entire 5 years. It was really a struggle and balancing act to take a daily pill that aggravated my throat/stomach without destroying it. I've been taking a lot of PPI medication which I hope I can decrease soon. I'm…
-
HRT after Breast Cancer? Maybe!
I just wanted to share this information I've found. The first is a book cowritten by an oncologist, Dr Bluming, called Estrogen Matters. The second is an article he just had published in Cancer Journal entitled 'HRT after Breast Cancer - It Is Time.' I would be happy to send a copy of the article to anyone as he was kind…
-
Tamoxifen dosages - anyone with IDC do 5mg?
I recently got a hold of my doctor's notes for each follow-up I had with him since 2019. I reviewed everything, and saw how my dosing of Tamoxifen was all over the place. For intervals of a year or several months, I was taking 20 mg, 10 mg, or 10 mg every other day (effectively 5 mg). I did have some endometrial thickening…
-
Cyst like lesion
Hi! I had some imaging done today because I’ve had pain on my left side. The report came back with this comment - “Unusual 2.1cm thick walled peripherally enhancing possible cyst in the left adnexa.” Not sure what that means other than there is some kind of mass/maybe cyst on or near my left ovary. I know tamoxifen can…
-
Zoladex shot and Tamoxifen
I have been receiving Zoladex (gorselin) shot for 5 months now and have been taking tamoxifen daily for 4 months. Does anyone have any advise on just having ovaries removed instead of continuing the shot? I meet with an OB/GYN surgeon in May to discuss this
-
How Many are doing 10 years on Aromatase Inhibitors
When I started on Femara, I was told I would need to take it for 5 years. Now that I have finally reached the 5 years (and having experienced many side affects from the drug along the way), many oncologists are now saying that it is best to extend treatment up to 10 years. How many out there, are being told to continue…
-
After first shoot of Lupron
Hi I am new to this forum. My oncologist recommended a course for Lupron shoot every 3 months for 5 years as I am premenopausal. Then add Tamoxifen for 5 years after my radiation, which is schedule to start next week. The Lupron shoot was done in the middle of my cycle so I had my period at the regular time. But instead of…
-
Starting Zoladex advice
I've been on Tamoxifen for nearly a month, now. Had a telephone appointment with one of the Oncology team today and they're going to start me on Zoladex as well next Monday. Does anyone have any advice or can tell me what to expect from a patient's perspective, please?
-
How many of you are taking Tamoxifen indefinitely?
I'm going into year 8 of my BC diagnosis. I've always handled Tamoxifen well, it's like a sugar pill to me… minus the fact I have zero sex drive now. :) In any case, I'm still in my 40s and my oncologist wants me to just stay on Tamoxifen indefinitely. I plan to readdress at the 10 year mark, which would make me 50. I'm…
-
Fulvestrant and ribociclib with Turkey Tail Extract - can anyone help?
Hi to all, I am writing on behalf of my mother who is currently undergoing treatment for her metastatic breast cancer. The tumour travelled to her spine and to liver. She had to undergo extensive spinal surgery a few weeks ago which she is currently recovering from. She has now began her treatment with fulvestrant and has…
-
Half and quarter doses of letrozole
I quit the letrozole because of the horrible sise effects. Exemestane was awful and lost 3/4 of my hair and had to use a walker to get around. I started the baby Tam (tamoxifen)and had to quit after 3 weeks the side effects were so bad. I then started the 1/4 tab of letrozole and the side effects were tolerable so I tried…
-
When to stop anastrozole
I'm coming up on 5 years of anastrozole... After lumpectomy and radiation for stage 1 grade 1 idc. My oncologist knows Im always anxious, but he isn't really definitive on whether or not I should stop the AI. He said I should probably stop it but knowing how anxious I am maybe stay on it for another year or so... I'm a…
-
Going off of Arimidex due to side effects
So about my appt…Basically dr. doesn't want me to go off medication and wants me to try another drug. I told her I won't take the ones that have the same side effects as the one I'm on. Have reduced bone density, joint pain, don’t sleep well, hair is thinning, etc. The only other one is tamoxifen which can cause blood…
-
Uterine Thickening after D&C
Good Evening, I have been on tamoxifen for almost three years. I have had one D&C for thick uterine lining now a year later, I am here again waiting on biopsy results from endometrial biopsy. Have any tamoxifen users been through this? What was the outcome?? Thanks
-
Orilissa?
Hi Found this drug on another thread under this topic. Wondering if anyone is currently on this drug instead of Lupron or Zoladex to reduce the amount of estrogen being produced? If you are on it, what side effects you are experiencing? Are you also taking tamoxifen as well? Thanks
-
Lupron plus tamoxifen
I have just started this combination after recovering from radiation. My onco gave me a Lupron shot to see how I felt first, and now I am on both. We are thinking two years on this protocol, and then switch to an AI. Does anyone else do this?
-
Hormone therapy, osteoporosis, and cholesterol
my oncologist is prescribing hormone therapy (AI). I’m kind of opposed for 2 reasons. One of the reasons is that it can weaken bones, and I am already opteopenic. The second is that it can impact cholesterol, and I am already taking meds for cholesterol. Can anyone comment on their experiences? I am 76, just had a…
-
Tamoxifen withdrawal symptoms
I`m 38 years old and I have been on Tamoxifen for 5 years.Now has been a week without it and I`m not feeling too good.Does anyone know about withdrawal symptoms?
-
Breast Cancer Index - Mixed Results
Hello all - Wondering if any of you can share any of your experiences regarding your BCI and what your oncologists have advised based on your results. I am nearing my 5 year mark next year for endocrine therapy and recently found out that my oncologist had run the Breast Cancer Index test on my original tumor. I am…