Hormone inhibitors
Hello all I finished my radiation therapy without too many problems. I'm booked in to have a bone density scan on the 12th and will see my specialist on the 19th as she intends to put me on oestrogen...
Forum Discussion
I think the starting point might be how much additional reduction of bc recurrence will it give you.Then if worthwhile which hormone therapy is appropriate for you .
I toowas worried about Hormone Therapy .I am Er+ and it provided a significant reduction in risk.As I am post menopausal I was prescribed an Aromatase Inhibitor - Letrozole/ Femara which I have been on since 1/8/17.
Yes there have been side effects - joint stiffness , a few hot flushes .Joint pain has been helped by a daily one hour walk - I learnt I could walk thrust after 10-15 minutes.Also I do a gentle stretch/balance class twice weekly which involves light weights. I was also told by my oncologist to take Krill Oil tablets for joint pain which I do .Basically these side effects have now settled and my body adapted. The more worrying side effects are less obvious - cholesterol spiking and bone thinning.
Cholesterol can be managed with statin tablets but I found after a few months they made me think Ihad dementia.I stopped statins and take low dose aspirin and Krill Oil tablets which are both blood thinners.Diet modification can help a lot - rolled oats eg Michael Mosley has explored this area and there is a lot of diet guidance online.It is wise to have a baseline measurement before starting hormone therapy so it can be monitored.
Bone thinning is the big problem of Aromatase Inhibitors and a baseline measurement at the outset is wise.I started with osteoporosis at the outset and an osteoporotic fracture so I also have 6 monthly Prolia injections which are very effective at building bones BUT when you stop bone loss is rapid.I would recommend caution before taking bisphoshonate tablets for bone loss because of risk with dental procedures which may make it difficult to get dental work done.
I cannot comment on the alternative hormone therapy given to premenopausal women Tamoxifen but it too has its side effects.
I toowas worried about Hormone Therapy .I am Er+ and it provided a significant reduction in risk.As I am post menopausal I was prescribed an Aromatase Inhibitor - Letrozole/ Femara which I have been on since 1/8/17.
Yes there have been side effects - joint stiffness , a few hot flushes .Joint pain has been helped by a daily one hour walk - I learnt I could walk thrust after 10-15 minutes.Also I do a gentle stretch/balance class twice weekly which involves light weights. I was also told by my oncologist to take Krill Oil tablets for joint pain which I do .Basically these side effects have now settled and my body adapted. The more worrying side effects are less obvious - cholesterol spiking and bone thinning.
Cholesterol can be managed with statin tablets but I found after a few months they made me think Ihad dementia.I stopped statins and take low dose aspirin and Krill Oil tablets which are both blood thinners.Diet modification can help a lot - rolled oats eg Michael Mosley has explored this area and there is a lot of diet guidance online.It is wise to have a baseline measurement before starting hormone therapy so it can be monitored.
Bone thinning is the big problem of Aromatase Inhibitors and a baseline measurement at the outset is wise.I started with osteoporosis at the outset and an osteoporotic fracture so I also have 6 monthly Prolia injections which are very effective at building bones BUT when you stop bone loss is rapid.I would recommend caution before taking bisphoshonate tablets for bone loss because of risk with dental procedures which may make it difficult to get dental work done.
I cannot comment on the alternative hormone therapy given to premenopausal women Tamoxifen but it too has its side effects.