HRT withdrawal after DCIS diagnosis
Hi there. Just this week had my DCIS diagnosis and am reeling - totally out the blue. All moving very fast so wanted to ask the community about HRT. I have been told to just stop it immediately. Im p...
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If like me you are ER+PR+ and you have the hormone receptor positive cancer, then it's likely that your doctors will say stop it ALL being both patches/gel (eg Sandrena) and intravaginal (eg Ovestin). My oncologists and GPs agree that patches/gel are too risky as increases circulating levels of estrogen. However on topical estrogen, doctors can disagree sometimes depending on which doc you talk to you might get an ok. My 1st oncologist didn't want me to use it so I changed oncologists! In interim my GP and Menopause specialist have agreed the RACGP data says you can take it - just best to monitor estrogen levels regularly. I had god awful vulval itching (one of the 4 symptoms I was managing with HRT) and it was really bad through chemo and continues to be an issue so I am using Ovestin & accepting the risk while being tested 6 monthly to check my circulating estrogen levels remain low. If you need to take hormone/endocrine therapy many of the side effects HRT resolved can come back (but don't always for all), so although through BC treatment the joint pain, hot flushes & low/variable mood was gone for me even off patches, now I'm taking Letrozole for next 5yrs, all are back in varying, different degrees now and likely for as long as I remain on it (so basically I'm in round 2 of peri just starting more symptoms in a quicker timeline). Hope this helps :)
Fantastic info and insights - thank you and I have an appointment at my local Meno clinic post radiation therapy already booked in so will be good timing to ask all the questions needed. Interesting that it could be some of the past symptoms dont even come back - would love that but the heads up on having peri again....lets see how I go :) Gonna focus on getting my body and mind through the ringer and all the challenges about to happen and appreciate your advice. The vulnerability of being half naked with my boobs out is also a very tough thing for me too - the actual physical aspect is very confronting on that alone. Insecurities are running riot. Thanks again and take care.