When do I go onto Hormone Therapy Tablets (Not that I want to)

Locksley

Hello, I've just finished 5 weeks of radiation last week.  (12 February).   At the moment I don't have an appointment booked with oncologist to talk about when I will go onto Hormone Therapy Tablets.   When the oncologist told me what chemotherapy I would be having.  He mentioned I would most likely go onto letrazole.   Is there normally a few weeks rest time or is this something I should have soon.   Just wondering if I need to follow up with oncologist or not?    

iserbrown

Follow up with Oncologist as it is part of ongoing treatment. 
Best wishes 

Afraser

Check with your oncologist - I started Letrozole very soon after finishing chemo and while still on herceptin. But that may vary depending on your specific diagnosis and your oncologist’s preferences. Best wishes. 

FLClover

I started Zoladex at the same time I started radiation, and started Letrozole right after I finished radiation. Make an app to see your onco and see what’s happening 

MicheleR

Hey @locksley,

Im going on ais soon and as you know im still getting radiotherapy. My oncologist asked me to go to dentist to check jaw bones for an infusion to look after my bones and also a bone density scan to recommend the right ai i think. Would be worth asking the questions about what next. I have an oncology appt in next few weeks and still have 3ish weeks of radiotherapy. 

I think we had similar treatment to date although different cancer situation. 

Hope this helps.
Michele

Sister

I started mine as soon as I finished chemo and before I started radiation but your oncologist should let you know.  Please don't stress about going on them.  Yes, you will have read here how many of us have side effects but that does not mean that you will.

Garnet7

Hello, I was started on them before I started Radiation, I’m taking Arimidex, my oncologist seemed to be adamant on them, my Surgeon was adamant on Femara so was my GP, however he said it’s her (the oncologist) field of expertise, you can always switch. I had 2 scripts one for each, I didn’t know what to do, a Nurse in QLD (I’m in ACT) said take the Arimidex . I shake my head sometimes at the different opinions and wish they’d get on the same page. 

arpie

Absolutely, I hear you, @Garnet7 .... it isn’t their ‘area’ so they really should keep their mouths shut!

My surgeon said I would be on Tamoxifen.... but my Onc said Letrozole and I only lasted 6 weeks!  Then 6 months on Exemestane... and now ‘happily’ (or as happy as you can be!) on Arimidex for 2.5years now.  So don’t be afraid to try a different tablet if this one doesn’t suit you.

I am also taking some magic oil (started it when I went onto the Arimidex) and I am sure it is taking the edge off my aches and pains.  

All the best xx

Garnet7

Thankyou Arpie, that certainly makes me feel better you telling me this, I am coping on Arimidex so far, some clicking and clanging att times, some affects have come and gone but not enough to throw the medication back at them. If it was an antibiotic I would know which to say I wanted, however this is unknown territory, my Rad Onc said if they weren’t suitable there’s another we could switch to. I see you are on the Mid North Coast, I was born and raised there, just ended up here with the Exes work. Love to be back there. Thankyou again as all these things that cause worry, helps to know. 💐

arpie

@Garnet7 I am so glad you are going okay on Arimidex. I come from an arthritis background so had the aches and pains before my diagnosis no matter which tablet i was on!  AIs just made them worse!  Grr  Let me know if you ever visit again!  We can meet up for a natter! Xx. I love my back yard. I love kayak fishing too so do that as often as I can!! I also run the local uke group so that helps keep me busy as well and they are great support for me when going through tough times. It is SO important to keep busy, doing what you love!!  Being idle mucks with the brain! 

When you are ready, Jump onto  to the webcast on fear of recurrence ... it is really good. I’ve just watched it now. 
Take care xx

Garnet7

Hi Arpie, I did tune in for the webcast on fear of recurrance, that answered some questions I think, it’s always on your mind though. I started doing some jigsaw puzzles which diverts my mind for a while, also some watercolour. My mother belonged to a Uke group a while back, she’s not long gone into age care now. Thankyou xx

arpie

Cool.  It was good.  Hubby does jigsaw puzzles .... he is doing one right now!

take care xx

Blossom1961

I love jigsaws. I will stay up until 3am to complete one and I am not a night owl.

Garnet7

Hi Blossom 1961, I’ve found them therapeutic, did a challenging one last night. I am a night Owl however sleep in, always been like that if I can LOL not when I worked though 

Mummy0297

Hi Locksley, I started my hormone tablets - Letrozole 3 weeks ago ( 8 weeks post chemo and 1 week before radiotherapy). My radiotherapy oncologist said she doesn’t normally start her patients on it until after all the treatment is finished but my chemo oncologist thought different. Don’t panic about not starting yet - enjoy the break as we will probably be taking them for 5/10/15 years ??