Hi ladies. My Oncologist advised me today that I will not be having Tamoxifen once my chemo is finished due to a family history of blood clotting and the increased risk of clotting caused by Tamoxifen. She has recomended I go on to Zoladex - a monthly injection and Exesmestane - a daily tablet. I am just wondering if there are other ladies out there who have taken these drugs and what are your experiences. Thank you.
Good news then! Goodness it is a lot of money on top of everything else to find.
Tamoxifen and Zoladex are my medications.
Take care
Hello,
I was told I wasn't eligible for the PBS rebate as I wasn't already in menopause. There were restrictions on both drugs according to the PBS. I think the other restriction was that you had to be on Tamoxifen for 2 years first. Anyway that was what it was at the beginning of the year.
I heard the restriction on Zoladex changed in the last month, but my oncologist isn't aware of that. I just called the PBS myself and the only restriction now is that the cancer had to be hormone receptive, which mine was. So I think I am eligible now for the PBS, but have to get my oncologist to agree with that and write me a new script!
:)
Hi! I am on Zoladex but don't pay the amount suggested in this posting. My script for Zoladex costs $37.70 and is administered monthly by my GP and bulk billed. Oncologist is happy with this and when I have appointments with the Oncologist they are timed around the due date for Zoladex.
GP uses a numbing cream prior to injection.
Take care
Hi there,
I am on this treatment as well and started at the beginning of this year.
I haven't had any real trouble with either drug apart from the cost! The Exemestane costs me about $95 per month and the Zoladex is $320 per injection. The nurse at my GP injects me and bulk bills me. My oncologist said I was not eligible under the PBS but I saw something the other day that made me think perhaps this has changed. I just called my oncologist though and she says I am still ineligible so I am a bit confused.
Side effect wise I get hot flushes but they are not too bad, and I get some joint pain, mainly in my fingers and only on waking up in the morning or if I have been lying down for a bit.
The Zoldex is an implant so the needle is a bit uncomfortable, but the discomfort only lasts 10 seconds and you can't feel it after that. You can always get the numbing cream if needles bother you.
Hope you have a good experience with the treatment also.
:)
