Hiwondering if there are any age 40ish ladies out there premenopausal who have had to decide whether to use tamoxifen daily for up to 10 yrs or goserelin injection every 28 days and exemestane daily.I am reluctant to be locked in to having an injection every 28 days and wary of the more harsh side effects that go along with it, but my oncologist seems to think I should try it...having already had double mx, 4xAC dose dense and having 10th taxol next week and then will have rads for 6 weeks daily after that I feel that physically and mentally tamoxifen is the preferable choice and will give me a better sense of closure and ability to move on a recover from all of this... thoughts?

Thanks and yes I am fully onboard with all of that. Since diagnosis we have installed a water filter, switched to a lot more organic, upped the broc and cauliflower I have upped fruit, and upped exercise and relaxation. Diet etc wasn’t ever bad to begin with, but improvements can only help. I think my biggest change is perhaps attitude and refusing to sweat the small stuff anymore and learning to put myself first more often which I will need to remind myself constantly to continue..Also quit alcohol for the main part but hoping to have the occasional glass of

That's the shit thing about being dragged into the BC mincer @looeeze We don't want to be here and we definitely don't like the horrible compromises we have to make once we are in the machine. In the end, I usually take the option that gives me the greatest chance of survival. Until I'm told to give up wine...

Hi @Lemonade I didn’t have Chemo because diagnosed grade one and nothing more had spread. Had radiation and I’ve had the injections for twelve months now and the effects had not been to bad now, I had hot flushes only, so learned to wear layers, so it became manageable. I am 54 and it’s been over 12 months. I am premenapause , I had an allergic reaction to Tamoxifen and exemestane affected my liver, now Ian taking Femara which is going well after three months.really all medication will affect us all different. I know that we all have a different journey, all the best in your decisions.

@Lemonade I've cut back alcohol drastically since I was diagnosed. I'm a high days and holidays drinker now, with the occasional one in between. I don't really miss it. My skin is so much better without it and my hips sure appreciate the sugar reduction!

Hi @looeeze i had mine out at 53 a couple of years ago. Yes, the last step into complete menopause was an absolute doozy, but compared to the alternatives it was a no-brainer for me too. I don't regret it one little bit, but it certainly changes your body. My cancer really likes oestrogen and that was the best way for me to deal with that. m

Ongoing oestrogen supression | BCNA Online Network

arpie
Member
4 years ago
@LBUSH @SomethingPositive ... we are so sorry to see you ‘join the club’ that no one wants to join, but well done on finding us xx

Sadly, pretty well all the AI tablets have ‘some’ side effects, but trial and error should get you onto the one with the least side effects.

Don’t be afraid of trying Tamoxifen .... it may well be the best choice for you .... it has been used for many decades and is pretty well the original hormone treatment tablet! I’ve had 3 different AI tablets so far ... Letrozole for a matter of weeks, then Exemestane for a matter of months and then I’ve been on Arimidex for over 2 years. It has been the best one for me. Matter of fact, the only one I HAVEN’T tried, is Tamoxifen!

All the best to you both with your ongoing treatment xx
iserbrown
Member
4 years ago
Hormone therapy | Breast Cancer Network Australia (bcna.org.au)

@LBUSH

Have you read the above booklet

I was on Zoladex injections and Tamoxifen and then moved to Femara (Letrozole), Aromasin and now back on Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen suits me fine now as my ovaries have shrunk and the side effects are minimal compared to Femara and Aromasin.

Having said that, we are all different in how our bodies react to medications

Best wishes
LBUSH
Member
4 years ago
Hi , I had surgery, 16 rounds of chemo and 30 days of radiation,I am having zoladex injections monthly with the aromasin.. I am in my 40’s …. I have been having zoladex since my chemotherapy started and have continued the injection alongside the aromasin. I was pre menopause and decided against tamoxifen,I made up my mind the AI was the right drug for me.. OMG I had unbearable side effects on Anastrozole so I have gone onto Aromasin, I am absolutely struggling on these as well .. my wrists/ fingers/elbows/feet/hips are very stiff and painful…I have decide to persevere with these, much to my Oncologist’s frustration as she wants me to have tamoxifen. Honestly give it a try as it’s different for everyone. I am thinking maybe having my ovaries out so I can skip at least one step . I do hope you find the right treatment for you.. fingers crossed your side effect are non existent or minimal…( I have been on the AI for six months )
SomethingPositi
Member
4 years ago
I started on Tamoxifen which gave me a large blood clot in my leg which is still here 18months later.
Now 42, I give myself Zoladex injections each month to put me into menopause and I take exemestane. (I already have to inject blood thinners into my now jelly- belly twice a day so one more injection a month really doesn't phase me anymore)
I was very fit when diagnosed with BC but now feel quite weak, have hot flushes and wake up several times a night. Haven't been able to enjoy a lie-in whilst taking the drug, I just wake up before I need to.
However - I could try one of the other AIs...which I may do. Although scared to change (better the devil you know!?)
Seem to get injured easily and am constantly fatigued...but there is a global pandemic so unsure what percentage is side effect and how much is stress?!
AllyJay
Member
5 years ago
What the eyes don't see, or the ears don't hear...the heart doesn't grieve over. Slurrp,,,
looeeze
Member
5 years ago
Haha totally! I keep reading that you need to check with your oncologist if you are allowed to drink alcohol. That’s one I’m not proactively asking. I figure if it was important that I didn’t drink they would tell me 🤣🤣
Zoffiel
Member
5 years ago
That's the shit thing about being dragged into the BC mincer @looeeze We don't want to be here and we definitely don't like the horrible compromises we have to make once we are in the machine.

In the end, I usually take the option that gives me the greatest chance of survival. Until I'm told to give up wine...
looeeze
Member
5 years ago
I think this is something I will opt for. Like you say it’s probably a no-brainer. I just stress that I am so active now and in a few months I will feel like an old lady. I know I’m being dramatic but when I read all the side effects of everything it just makes me cry 😞
Zoffiel
Member
5 years ago
Hi @looeeze i had mine out at 53 a couple of years ago. Yes, the last step into complete menopause was an absolute doozy, but compared to the alternatives it was a no-brainer for me too. I don't regret it one little bit, but it certainly changes your body. My cancer really likes oestrogen and that was the best way for me to deal with that. m
looeeze
Member
5 years ago

lgray3911 said:

Hi lemonade we have had very similar treatments and I decided to get my ovaries and tubes removed. My own choice not suggested by any specialist. I was diagnosed at 37 and premenopausal and for me the thoughts of getting an injection every month to shut a functioning part of my body down was too much! I worried about the long term effects and freaked out about it! Plus my cancer was oestrogen positive so no brainer for me. It was keyhole surgery and I was out the next day with no pain. Am now just on 1 tablet a day instead! Works for me! Xx

Sorry to butt in on your conversation, but I am about to start my treatment which includes goserelin as an injection every 28 days. My oncologist did say that I could look at removing ovaries altogether once Ive gone through chemo and Im ready to make that decision. I was just wondering if you have had any major side effects of removing them? Seems like a good solution to me, but am wondering what this sudden change does to the body?