Hormone blockers

Hi @Sixsoo

I am sure there are many who have not chosen hormonal therapy, and many who have taken Letrozole for a number of years, but less than recommended (which may still have some benefit) but I’m almost finished year nine, and still upright so it is possible! I’ve lasted this long because I simply don’t have the joint pain that is experienced by some. My motto about a lot of bc treatment is, you can stop. Finding out exactly how a therapy affects you may be worth doing before making a decision. Best wishes whatever you decide. 

@Sixsoo

The thought of hormone blockers is daunting however there are some that suffer very few, if none at all, side effects.  You maybe one of those!

Once surgery is over the pathology report will give your Specialist and Oncologist a clearer view of what treatment is needed.
Chemo was an option for me but it was only 3% advantage so I asked and we discussed at length other options 
I am 7 years into Hormone treatment and as side effects became difficult my Medical Oncologist has changed the tablet.

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-therapy/

Hopefully reading the link will help as you have that meeting once your results are in

Best wishes 
Take care 

It could be worth a try and see how you go on Letrozole.  Some have little side effects on Letrozole, and you won't know until you try, and they can change you over to another hormone blocker.  We have some members who chose not to go on the hormone blockers, and I lasted on them for just over 3 years.  Often we don't know if a person already has existing conditions that can exacerbate the side effects experienced.  Best wishes.  

Welcome to the blog, and Sorry to see you here @Sixsoo - joining the club that no-one wants to join!   I am 4 years in & have changed types of blockers twice now - onto my 3rd one .....  but I also already had arthritis before taking the AIs, so can attribute probably most of my aches & pains to that .....

Try not to get ahead of yourself - not everyone gets bad side effects - fingers & toes crossed, you are one of them!  xx

All the best for your surgery this week.   Check out this post, for suggestions of what to take to hospital with you ..... I found the small long pillow was a bonus when driving home, to hug, to prevent 'jarring' .... you will notice EVERY BUMP!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/16442/prep-for-surgery/p1

Do you know your 'type' of BC yet - that may influence the length of time on the blockers?  Try not to use Dr Google too much (difficult tho it is) as there is just so much conflicting information out there (and much of it is REALLY OLD & OUT OF DATE!)  Every BC case is totally 'unique' and Google will only scare the pants off you!

If you add your town/city in your Profile - members may be able to put you onto specific services available to you in that area.  If you are 'rural/regional' you may also be eligible for compensation for travel/accommodation costs too ... thru a state Gov Isolated Patients Travel Scheme.

take care & all the best xx

I started on Letrozole in mid 2017...so almost five years now. I have other preexisting medical conditions which affect the connective tissue throughout my body, blood vessels, kidneys, lungs, stomach and especially my skin, joints and ligaments. I have had no more deterioration in my joints and ligaments than my rheumatologist (and other specialists) would have expected in that five year frame anyhow. I reckon that if I hadn't had these other conditions, I would have not had any appreciable problems with them. I agree with others above...try them and see, and if one doesn't suit, then try another.

Ah, in between the devil and the deep blue sea, as me granny used to say.

I really don't like taking the AI drugs but I have no immediate appetite for metastatic disease either. So I take the pills.

It's difficult to attribute all my survivorship aches and pains to these drugs, but I'll give them some credit for keeping me alive.

Worry about the unpleasant side effects if you have any. You may not. There a couple of different varieties of hormone blockers, you can juggle them around to see if one or the other suits you better.

In the end, you can stop taking them if you find it unbearable. Do yourself a favour and set a goal for one year. That will be enough time for you to adjust to instant menopause and assess how you feel about the drugs then.  

Mxx

I think it’s worth a try, because some women don’t experience harsh side effects at all. You can also switch to another if you don’t like Letrozole. I’ve switched 2 times and am now on Arimidex, which is better and manageable.