Ongoing oestrogen supression

@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

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

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 )

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?!

What the eyes don't see, or the ears don't hear...the heart doesn't grieve over. Slurrp,,,

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 🤣🤣

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...

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 😞

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

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?