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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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Tamoxifen 5mg side effects
Hi I am wondering if anyone else on here his post menopausal and on tamoxifen. I started last week and have had debilitating headaches every afternoon and brain fog. My doctor said it should taper off in 6 weeks seriously. I am taking at dinner wondering if it would be better to switch it to mornings interested to hear…
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fatigue on ovarian suppression and AI?
It's been a long time since I've posted here. I was so scared when I was initially diagnosed but have gotten through a lot - surgery, chemo, and several years of endocrine therapy - no small feat! I'm finding endocrine therapy mostly quite tolerable but have pretty consistent fatigue. Does anyone else experience this on…
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Tamoxifen and aging
Has anyone noticed an accelerated aging process while being on tamoxifen?
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Tamoxifen & pigmentation
Does anybody had seen a changes in skin pigmentation. I am considering to do face laser treatment to get rid, but at the moment am still taking tamoxifen. Wonder if there's any side effect or its safe to go for laser?
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Tamoxifen and incontinence
Hello, I am on Tamoxifen for almost 2 years now and now starting to experience incontinence. I made an appointment with the urologist but was wondering if anybody had the same experience.
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Finishing Anastrozole (7yrs) and considering breast reduction on non-Lumpectomy side
Hi everyone. I am finally going to finish with Anastrozole with my Oncologist's agreement (after the Breast Cancer Index test) this October. Here's my 1st question to the women who stopped taking the med after 5, 7, or 10 years: Did you feel or see any difference, in what way and how long did it take to be noticeable? Did…
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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…
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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…
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letrozole and Coughing
“My mother has MBC to lungs She’s taking Letrozole. After three months, she started coughing and complains of a dry throat. Is coughing a side effect of the treatment?
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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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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…
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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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5mg tamoxifen
Hi New here, just finished 2 surgeries and 15 radiation treatments dcis gr 1-2 Er/pr+ her2 neg. I am 65 Just going to start 5mg tamoxifen next Monday Apr 22. Hesitant when they did the pathology on my sample which was very small I had a slight break in one of the Ducts so that changed me to invasive but it was microscopic…
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Wellbutrin and anastrozole
My MO prescribed Lexapro because he knows more about it, he said. I asked to try Wellbutrin instead because of the depression and fatigue I am feeling from the AI. I have been on ADs in the past, including Wellbutrin, and know it’s a commitment if you want to benefit from them. I started Lexapro but quit after a few days.…
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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…
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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…
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Switching from AI to Tamoxifen - Bone loss
Hi, I just met with a new oncologist after the retirement of my previous one. I have been on an Aromatase Inhibitor for six years with worsening bone loss. Taking Fosamax. The new oncologist suggests switching to Tamoxifen. Total treatment time would be 8 years vs. target of 7 if I stay on AI. Has anyone had or considered…
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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…
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stopping letrozole
I just came from the oncologist and after looking at my BCI and having been on letrozole for six years he told me to stop. I am terrified to do that. Has anyone stopped after 6 years? He said new research says 5 years is enough and now I'm just getting the side effects, not any real prevention of cancer from continuing to…
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Very High Estradiol Levels
I am about a year and a half out from my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. I have been taking tamoxifen since November of 2022. I had a hysterectomy in Sep. Of 2023 because of excessive bleeding caused by the tamoxifen. My surgeon left one ovary ( I only had one due to having the other one removed years prior ). I had…
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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…
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Uterine biopsy question on low dose Tamoxifen
I was wondering if anyone can fill me in with the procedure for a uterine biopsy? (Just don't scare me, I can barely get thru a pap smear!) How long does it take? Post menopausal, started low dose Tamox/dcis for a month only, and my uterus went crazy. Achey, discomfort, heaviness….. I stopped the medicine and within 24…
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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.
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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…
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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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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…
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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,…
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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?
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Anyone take Tamoxifen after Uterine Cancer
just wondering if anyone out there has taken Tamoxifen after a hysterectomy for uterine cancer.
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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…