Hi,Recently diagnosed with breast cancer resulting in a masectomy last week. Will find out what type of treatment next week. Know x3 people who had the same and was prescribed hormone blocking therapy, all with detrimental side effects and stopped this treatment. Am anticipating if this treatment will be recommended and what other options there are or peoples experiences?(I also have had to reduce eventually cease all HRT I had previously been on).

Hi @Julie-D60i have been on hormone blockers for 18 months and worked myself into a frenzy about potential side effects before I started on them.My oncologist told me to not get ahead of myself and that many patients have no side effects or only mild side effects.I started on Letrazole and all was good for about 12 months and then I got carpel tunnel and trigger finger - I changed to anastrazole to no effect.I recently saw a hand surgeon who said he could operate and it’s not major surgery but I opted for a cortisone injection which seems to have done the job for now.I am 63.One of the best posts I saw on here was that the most important side effect from her hormone blockers was she was still alive.So in summary , don’t worry ahead of time , you may have no side effects or only mild side effects and if you do develop side effects you feel are intolerable discuss with your oncologist and even seek a second opinion if you feel warranted.Take care🌺

@Julie_D60 - whilst people are always very keen to tell you the bad side effects of this treatment not everyone is the same and not everyone gets any or all of the quoted problems. Once you start you can always tell your specialist that you need a break or want to stop them altogether - ultimately it is your body and your decision. Be guided by your treatment team in the first instance as they know the finer details of your specific BC. All the best.

@Julie_D60 I agree with @June1952, it’s human nature to spread the bad news, but not everyone gets terrible side effects. I am in year 10 of Letrozole now, stop next May (hooray!) and while I have side effects, they are manageable. I have never had any joint pain or aches, hot flushes or anything of that sort. It’s worth getting a bone density scan before you start, if your bone density is not good to start with, that’s definitely something to take into account. Otherwise, give it a try, you can always stop. Best wishes.

Thank you for replies, will read the resources provided. Has been a mine field suddenly dealing with diagnosis, surgery and then understanding the illness and various treatments. Still coming to terms with it all, coming out of shock; information often gives me comfort x

whilst I’m having some side effects , I’m also aware that the hormone blockers now are helping to prolong my life as I’m stage 4 , so I’m trying to fine tune my responses to the situation . Suspect a lot of people survive hormone blockers and we don’t hear about it as much as the negatives because they’re not posting on the forum don’t assume you will suffer all,the side effects OR be totally wiped out by them as we all appear to react differently to different ones , just to make it difficult

Hormone blocking therapy | BCNA Online Network

12 Replies

Afraser
Member
3 years ago
@Julie_D60
I agree with @June1952, it’s human nature to spread the bad news, but not everyone gets terrible side effects. I am in year 10 of Letrozole now, stop next May (hooray!) and while I have side effects, they are manageable. I have never had any joint pain or aches, hot flushes or anything of that sort. It’s worth getting a bone density scan before you start, if your bone density is not good to start with, that’s definitely something to take into account. Otherwise, give it a try, you can always stop. Best wishes.
June1952
Member
3 years ago
@Julie_D60 - whilst people are always very keen to tell you the bad side effects of this treatment not everyone is the same and not everyone gets any or all of the quoted problems. Once you start you can always tell your specialist that you need a break or want to stop them altogether - ultimately it is your body and your decision. Be guided by your treatment team in the first instance as they know the finer details of your specific BC. All the best.

Forum Discussion

Hormone blocking therapy

12 Replies

Recent Discussions

Moving from private to public for follow up care?

Hormone therapy and sex

Surgeon or oncologist first?

Radiologist oncologist

Docetaxel Side Effects FEC-D Long term side effects or menopause?

Disclaimer:

Foundation partner	Major partners