Forum Discussion

Performingyak's avatar
Performingyak
Member
10 years ago

Zoladex vs tamoxifen

Hi everyone.

I've finally joined the site!

I'm 33, and I was diagnosed last year with stage II, er+, invasive ductal carcinoma. They removed the tumour with clear margins and found one 'spotty' lymph node. I've been through chemo (12 rounds @3 week intervals of a/c and 12 weekly cycles of taxol) and I'm about to start radiation.

I hate to say it but I'm one of the lucky people who breezed through chemo with very few side effects. 

I've been told that due to my age they want to hit it as hard as possible, which is fine by me but I've got questions about hormone therapy and would love to hear from anyone who is going, has gone through or is considering it.

The doctor has said either 5 years on zoladex or 10 on tamoxifen. My issue is that I'd still like to have kids, and I don't really want to leave it later than 36 to start. I've also read that zoladex can be given for 2-3 years. Has anyone had any experience with these drugs and would like to share?

 

9 Replies

  • annebirdy's avatar
    annebirdy
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hmmm....i am considered 'young' then....although I certainly don't feel it!

  • Cosette's avatar
    Cosette
    Member
    10 years ago

    Great question, Anne. In the context of breast cancer, 'young women' is typically under 45.

  • annebirdy's avatar
    annebirdy
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Ann-Marie (sorry PerformingYak for barging in on your thread!),

    What is 'young'? Is it under 40? Just wondering about the group you suggested.

    I'm supposed to start tamoxifen soon and don't know anything about other options so interested in this conversation.

    Regards, Anne

     

  • Ann-Marie's avatar
    Ann-Marie
    Member
    10 years ago

    Not a problem at all.

    I would post into the young women's group to see if you can get some feedback from the members of this private group. 

    We also have a hormonal therapy group they may be able to help you out as well.

    x

     

  • Ann-Marie's avatar
    Ann-Marie
    Member
    10 years ago

    Yes lot's of reading but like Christine has mentioned everyone reacts differently.

    Thanks Christine for jumping in :) Happy Easter xx 

  • Performingyak's avatar
    Performingyak
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Ann-marie. Thanks for the links. I did a couple of searches before joining but i guess they didn't show all the results. If still like to find out more about lengths of time people have been on Zoladex, getting pregnant post-hormones and am most concerned with biological clock vs hormone therapy time... but these links are a good start :)

  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi I see that Ann-Marie has responded; lots of reading.

    We all react differently and we all have treatment plans that are tailored. For me it is Zoladex for 2 years and at this stage Tamoxifen for 10 years.

    Don't be put off reading about side effects as they may seem scary but we don't get them all and remember the positives outweighs the negatives.

    Wishing you wellness with your treatment

    Take care

    Christine xx 

  • Ann-Marie's avatar
    Ann-Marie
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hello and welcome to the Online Network.

    I just wanted to share some links with you that may help you out.

    I just did a quick search of Zoladex and here are some post's from other members. Here are the results for Tamoxifen. 

    We have a young women's group you may wish to join as well when you are ready.

    ~Ann-Marie x