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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…
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Anastrazole
Hi! I have a question about how anastrazole works. I am taking lupron for ovarian suppression and anastrazole because I'm premenopausal. When my estradiol was checked before starting anastrazole, it was 11. When it was checked yesterday, after being on anastrazole for 3 months, it was 19. I'm confused as to why it would be…
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Arimidex
Side effects?? Need advice!
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Letrozole effectiveness long term
I just posted on another thread that, after 14 years since initial diagnosis, I now have a single suspicious supraclavicular lymph node diagnosed on annual ultrasound. I have been taking Letrozole daily since 2011 up until about a month or two ago. I just became lazy taking several meds. I am wondering if this new finding…
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Hormone therapy resistant
Hi! I was diagnosed with bc at 62, had a lumpectomy and radiation and am now 63. Currently I'm having a hard time moving forward with hormone therapy. My MO is prescribing Anastrozole for five years but I am worried about the many side effects, especially weak bones I had a bone density test six months ago and I have some…
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Risk of discontinuing tamoxifen
I have read several reports from others that noted that their medical oncologist gave them a percentage benefit from tamoxifen (or AI’s). When I asked my MO she would not provide me with this type of information. Can anyone tell me where this type of information would come from? I want to be prepared for my next…
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Break from Letrozole for 2 1/2 months
I will be going back on letrazole after a break after 2 1/2 months due to sudden onset of constant palpitations and one short episode of a/fib. I had to get a cardiac work up and getting that done has taken time. Getting in to see a cardiologist, wearing a zio patch for two weeks, waiting for the results and then scheduled…
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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.
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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and breast cancer
I am really scared that hormone therapy will make my heart condition worse. But if I don't take it the cancer might come back.
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"Roll Call" for those who've stopped Hormonal Therapy early - short post to share status?
If you quit or reduced hormone therapy and don't mind sharing future status at least once a year, could you share concisely current cancer status (no evidence of disease, metastisis, new breast cancer) or other health facts? This will give an easy to follow thread of results of quitting. It is such a gut wrenching decision…
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After first shot 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…
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Zoladex injection
Hello. I had a breast cancer surgery in last April in South Korea. Since then, I had been continuing medical treatments, including radiation and take a Tamoxifen everyday. Also, I had a Zoladex Injection every 3 months. I came back to the USA and I need to continue the Zoladex injection here. So, I tried to make an…
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Tamoxifen Side Effects
How long were you on Tamoxifen before you started to notice any side effects? Also, what was your age when you started Tamoxifen
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Face breaking out on tamoxifen?
I've been on tamoxifen for a year now and I have all kinds of side effects from it. Weight gain 20 pounds, I'm always tired and I have no desire to do anything, hair loss/hair thinning to name some, oh yeah and those lovely hot flashes too. But also my face is breaking out with acne. I talked to my Onco and he said it is…
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For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
I found a couple of older threads about Arimidex, but they covered a large time span with a gazillion posts, so I thought I would start a new thread for Arimidex/Anastrozole users. I am starting on Anastrozole today. Plan is to take it for 5 years, possibly longer. I already have osteopenia and osteoarthritis (limited to…
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osteoporosis diagnosis after on anatrozole for almost 5 years!
I foolishly googled it and now im pretty scared, it says women have a life span of 20 years after being diagnosed at the age of 50 and can break a bone just by sneezing. Can anyone share there experience with me. I haven't talked with my dr yet as I just received the info through patient gateway. All weekend all I can…
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Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer May Lower Dementia Risk in Older Women
Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer May Lower Dementia Risk in Older Women Sep 9, 2024 Protection varied by race and decreased with age. Read more…
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Osteoporosis and Tamoxifen
I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has been taking Tamoxifen and has been diagnosed with Osteoporosis. I am 48 and just had a DEXA scan, and it confirms Osteoporosis. :( My oncologist said that typically it shouldn't cause issues in pre-menopausal women, but there are some paradoxical instances where it does!…
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Aromatase inhibitors
Hi I am post lumpectomy, micro metastasis in 1 removed lymph node and now faced with the far more daunting ( to me) prospect of taking letrazole oestrogen inhibitor. Does anyone have anything positive to say about them? All I hear is the negative side effects. Others experience would be very welcome. I’m 61, normal weight,…
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New Hormone-Free Hot Flash Treatments
New Hormone-Free Hot Flash Treatments August 14, 2024 Hot flashes can dramatically affect some women’s quality of life. New research shows hormone-free options can offer relief. Read more…
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Doing Well on Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)
I read a suggestion that someone should start a topic for women who are NOT experiencing severe SEs while taking Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin. I'm about to start taking Arimidex and when I read about the potential SEs I get discouraged. Maybe others would also like to hear about positive experiences. We would love to hear…
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Kisqali (ribociclib) and ILC
I am having results with Kisqali, anastrozole, and Zometa undergirded with lots of prayer. I have had debilitating bone pain in my back for over 2-years. Finally diagnosed with Advanced ILC 27 Sep 2022. I started anastrozole in Oct, Kisqali in November, and had a Zometa injection in December. Two days ago, I became aware…
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Are medicinal mushrooms safe for ER/PR + survivors?
I’m a seven year stage III hormone positive survivor and will be completing 7 years of hormone therapy (currently on Exemestane, but been on Tamox and Letrozole also) in Nov 2024. My Onc recommends I stay on the max length of 10 years. But I’m struggling so much from the side effects and/or what seems like irreversible…
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AIs - trading one problem for another
Please let me know if I am understanding this correctly. I am at low risk for recurrence. 7% risk of recurrence in 10 years with AIs, and 14% without. That means I have an 86% chance of NOT having a recurrence without AIs. If this means that out of 100 women, 86 will NOT have a recurrence without AIs, then 86 women will…
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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,…
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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
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Any advice on Letrozole
I am 60 yo (Post menopause) and i had mastectomy on right breast with one SNB removed two weeks ago. Path: DCIS, stage 0, lymph node clear, Grade 2, no evidence of any invasion. Saw oncologist yestersday. He wanted to take letrozole 2.5 mg for 5 years for my L breast. I asked if i can take less and he said that less will…
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Anastrozole and Zometa
my onc wants me to do radiation plus Anastrozole and Zometa infusions every 6 months for 5 years. I am stage1A, no spread, no lymph nodes involved and my oNCO score was a 1. I have poor dental health and have to get clearance from dentist before I can start Zometa. I’m scared to death of the possibility of jaw issues due…
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Tamoxifen and long term joint pain
Hello BC Sister's, I am 5 years bc cancer free. I was stage 2 w/ no node involvement had bi-mastectomies w/ reconstruction. No chemo, but I took Tamoxifen for 3 years. I have been off Tamoxifen for 2 years, and had my ovaries removed as I was premenopausal. I was 32 when I was dx. That little ugly pill has ruined my life.…
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Advice on Funding for Lupron
New girl here. Just got the bill for my first Lupron shot. Was shocked that I was a whopping $1200 after insurance. My mastectomy was $1100! Any advice on any programs that can assist with this? A one time 1k bill is one thing but to rack that up every month is not feasible. My husband said we will figure it out but I…
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Vaginal pain/letrozole/ can I use estrogen cream?
I've been on letrozole for 2.5 years out of the 5 that I am supposed to do. I have been going along pretty ok until the past year. I have had 3 UTI's, and the lack of estrogen has made my vaginal area very sore. It hurts to walk or bend over. I have tried at least 5 different OTC creams/suppositories, coconut oil every…