Feeling anxious about Letrazole and Radiation
I have been blessed with a very good GP, after a clear mammogram my GP referred me for an ultrasound due to a strong family history of cancer. At that ultrasound I was found to have a small tumour. I ...
Forum Discussion
@"Island Girl" my diagnosis and treatment was identical to your own. I too have had osteoporosis for some years.
Re radiation. I found it fine -the worst part was trying to find a park as my centre was on the edge of the CBD. Somethings I have learned that may help. Firstly is financial. I had 16 rounds of radiotherapy and went as a private patient. At the end I was $2500 out of pocket and some people on here with lengthier treatment in the private system had more than double that. Radiotherapy treatment is the same whether public or private and you can blend treatment in both systems. With hindsight I should have gone public. Re treatment your first session is the longest about 45 minutes where they map the area to be zapped. I had LHS breast cancer so was taught how to breathe to lift my breast away from my heart.The later sessions lasted no more than 10 minutes with more time changing than treatment itself. It is very important you choose a good emollient and use liberally at least 3 times a day - many on here swear by Moogoo
I used Dermaveen and found it fine. In he change rooms they supplied 2 products - Sorbolene that never emptied as guess unpopular and was discontinued to be replaced by Cetaphil. The emollient most popular as forever running out was Calendula cream/ lotion. I must admit I loved it myself but had already bought Dermaveen.Dermaveen and Cetaphil are available in supermarkets. One thing do NOT cream up before treatment . I am a very fair redhead who sunburns very easily and was expecting major skin problems which didn’t eventuate. I creamed up at least 3 times per day and more if my radiated breast was hot.I had no issues with tiredness during treatment but for a few days after was exhausted so try not to plan much activity at the end - keep it simple , accept help and sleep when you need to. It’s temporary and apparently normal but quite engulfing.Onesmall tip - I went to Cairns a month afterwards and even with a rashie the heat activated my breast so no lengthy time in the sun. I creamed up for 2-3 months as long as I felt I needed it.
Like you I was terrified of Letrozole- tbh was the part of treatment that worried me most.I have been on it for 3years now and all is well.
One thing that worried me was bone thinning as I am osteoporotic. My oncologist put me on 6 monthly Prolia injections to counter this - was worried until I discovered many women I knew also have it - it has caused no problem at all and apparently helps reduce breast cancer recurrence but it is a lifetime treatment.Luckily I had had an osteoporotic fracture (rib) as the cost is $38per injection under PBS if not it would have been $275 each injection. The criteria for PBS price is 1. diagnosed osteoporotic AND either over 70 OR had an osteoporotic fracture.You have to however be very careful with dental care - a thorough check up before starting with all work up to date and 6 monthly checks thereafter. Prolia is a bisphosphonate and serious dental like extractions and root canals run the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw. I had had bisphosphonate tablets briefly previously - developed an ulcer and could not get dental help except from the Professor of dentistry when I needed an extraction because of the risk. Prolia only stays in your system 6 months and I have dental work done immediately before my next injection.
Now to Letrozole . The first few months I was quite stiff in the morning. I embarked on a course of daily walks for an hour. It was tough as the middle of winter and on hilly terrain.Yes I did get back ache but found I could walk thru it.The most important thing this reformed couch potato can tell you is walk every day - it made a difference not only to my physical but also my mental well being. I have never been an exercise fan and I hate quiet so my kids put hundreds of my favourite songs on my phone along with an ebook or two and I would zone out from the dreaded exercise and use it as pondering time. I bought earplugs and a runners band so I didn’t mortify the neighbourhood but understand there’s wireless technology today - saves getting tangled in shrubs.It won’t be easy initially Letrozole but you can get thru this but you must persist. If it’s intolerable after 6 months there are other alternative hormone therapy tablets that may be better for you.
Gee whiz I have written a lot. If there’s anything I ‘ve missed or can help with just ask - am more than happy to help as are many others on this site.
PS I was post menopausal when I started Letrozole so the few hot flushes I had did not bother me plus I am retired.I do however run a busy larger family of teenagers.Finally I may be wrong but my observation is that those who have had chemo have a tougher time on hormone therapy possibly because of the impact those drugs have had on their bones.It also may be harder for those who have yet to experience menopause. Good luck - we are always here 24/7 ask away , chat or even share a Friday funnies - you are amongst friends and we get it.
Re radiation. I found it fine -the worst part was trying to find a park as my centre was on the edge of the CBD. Somethings I have learned that may help. Firstly is financial. I had 16 rounds of radiotherapy and went as a private patient. At the end I was $2500 out of pocket and some people on here with lengthier treatment in the private system had more than double that. Radiotherapy treatment is the same whether public or private and you can blend treatment in both systems. With hindsight I should have gone public. Re treatment your first session is the longest about 45 minutes where they map the area to be zapped. I had LHS breast cancer so was taught how to breathe to lift my breast away from my heart.The later sessions lasted no more than 10 minutes with more time changing than treatment itself. It is very important you choose a good emollient and use liberally at least 3 times a day - many on here swear by Moogoo
I used Dermaveen and found it fine. In he change rooms they supplied 2 products - Sorbolene that never emptied as guess unpopular and was discontinued to be replaced by Cetaphil. The emollient most popular as forever running out was Calendula cream/ lotion. I must admit I loved it myself but had already bought Dermaveen.Dermaveen and Cetaphil are available in supermarkets. One thing do NOT cream up before treatment . I am a very fair redhead who sunburns very easily and was expecting major skin problems which didn’t eventuate. I creamed up at least 3 times per day and more if my radiated breast was hot.I had no issues with tiredness during treatment but for a few days after was exhausted so try not to plan much activity at the end - keep it simple , accept help and sleep when you need to. It’s temporary and apparently normal but quite engulfing.Onesmall tip - I went to Cairns a month afterwards and even with a rashie the heat activated my breast so no lengthy time in the sun. I creamed up for 2-3 months as long as I felt I needed it.
Like you I was terrified of Letrozole- tbh was the part of treatment that worried me most.I have been on it for 3years now and all is well.
One thing that worried me was bone thinning as I am osteoporotic. My oncologist put me on 6 monthly Prolia injections to counter this - was worried until I discovered many women I knew also have it - it has caused no problem at all and apparently helps reduce breast cancer recurrence but it is a lifetime treatment.Luckily I had had an osteoporotic fracture (rib) as the cost is $38per injection under PBS if not it would have been $275 each injection. The criteria for PBS price is 1. diagnosed osteoporotic AND either over 70 OR had an osteoporotic fracture.You have to however be very careful with dental care - a thorough check up before starting with all work up to date and 6 monthly checks thereafter. Prolia is a bisphosphonate and serious dental like extractions and root canals run the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw. I had had bisphosphonate tablets briefly previously - developed an ulcer and could not get dental help except from the Professor of dentistry when I needed an extraction because of the risk. Prolia only stays in your system 6 months and I have dental work done immediately before my next injection.
Now to Letrozole . The first few months I was quite stiff in the morning. I embarked on a course of daily walks for an hour. It was tough as the middle of winter and on hilly terrain.Yes I did get back ache but found I could walk thru it.The most important thing this reformed couch potato can tell you is walk every day - it made a difference not only to my physical but also my mental well being. I have never been an exercise fan and I hate quiet so my kids put hundreds of my favourite songs on my phone along with an ebook or two and I would zone out from the dreaded exercise and use it as pondering time. I bought earplugs and a runners band so I didn’t mortify the neighbourhood but understand there’s wireless technology today - saves getting tangled in shrubs.It won’t be easy initially Letrozole but you can get thru this but you must persist. If it’s intolerable after 6 months there are other alternative hormone therapy tablets that may be better for you.
Gee whiz I have written a lot. If there’s anything I ‘ve missed or can help with just ask - am more than happy to help as are many others on this site.
PS I was post menopausal when I started Letrozole so the few hot flushes I had did not bother me plus I am retired.I do however run a busy larger family of teenagers.Finally I may be wrong but my observation is that those who have had chemo have a tougher time on hormone therapy possibly because of the impact those drugs have had on their bones.It also may be harder for those who have yet to experience menopause. Good luck - we are always here 24/7 ask away , chat or even share a Friday funnies - you are amongst friends and we get it.