just a quick question .can hormone therapy be delayed.i start radiotherapy 30th jan 4 weeks then hormone therapy but im going on a trip to China in may (booked before i was diagnosed) has anyone delayed tbeir treatment?

Why do you want to delay hormone therapy?

My hormone therapy is an oral tablet once per day, haven't really had any side effects. Why are you wanting to delay?

Same here Janrence. I've been taking my hormone blocker every morning for 5 months with no side effects. Jane x

Hi Jan, I didn't delay my hormone therapy but there was a five week gap in between my surgery and my initial dose. Are you worried about being in a different country when you initially take it or about travelling to China and having to take your medication into their country?

My hormone therapy was delayed by 3 weeks because my oncologist didn't have an available appointment to see me in until then and prescribe it.Carrying prescription medication into China is perfectly legal and you shouldn't have any problems, simply carry it in original packaging.Noting to represent that some of us do get side-effects: Two weeks after starting on Tamoxifen my mood was altered and sleep disrupted. Frustration and apathy were my two dominant moods until precisely one month after starting treatment in which I experienced what I will describe as a crippling depression. Nearly 8 weeks along and seems to have cleared up, still queen of the cranky, but am experiencing increasing abdominal pain (which I now know may indicate ovarian cyst growth) and even on this bloody diet of salads appear to be to be gaining weight! rant rant rant-rant-rant!

hormone therapy | BCNA Online Network

18 Replies

Deanne
Member
9 years ago
Yes products (the ones mentioned above from the U.K.) are available in Australia from Green Organics. Very prompt delivery and if your order is over a certain amount, free postage too. :)
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Sue that's great to know, thanks, I'll have a look. X
suzieq
Member
9 years ago
There are vaginal moisturisers and lubricants that can help with vaginal atrophy. Our group have researched this extensively and we seem to agree an Award Winning product from the UK (certificed organic) is very good. Below is link to site if you want to give it a go. I think they give sample packs you can try. For me they are far advanced to anything available in Aus. They are the first organically certified product to be put on the NHS in England making it available on script. We are looking at trying to campaign to have the product readily available here in Aus and make representations to have vaginal moisturisers available on our PBS via script so we are not paying a fortune for neessary treatments. Melclarity, Arimidex is a very good product and you are learning to manage your symptoms. Well done, you will be perfectly fine. Keep in touch. Suex

https://www.yesyesyes.org/nhs/
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Hey Suzi, yes I also was told by my Oncologist that Arimidex will be better for me and his preferred medication over Tamoxifen. Ummm interesting how I hear this now after 4yrs of taking it and having a recurrence. I do have shocking side effects on it, so much pain, but exercise and stretching is helping. And ummm YES I do suffer the vaginal atrophy too, though that seemed to start through Chemo before Arimidex and when I was thrown into menopause. Yes I belong to that group but haven't really visited it. Ive learnt to manage it all I think, but didnt think it was attributed to the Arimidex, so thats interesting. Thanks!! x
suzieq
Member
9 years ago
Hi melclarity. So sorry to hear you have been through recurrence. Arimidex is supposed to be the best tolerated Aromatase Inhibitor. I am sure you will be fine and please take them for as long as you possibly can. They are saying now 10 years is preferred. You may or may not experience vaginal atrophy. If you need it in the future I belong to a group called Lost Libido Ladies where you can get a lot of information regarding the issues surrounding atrophy. xx
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
@suzieq sorry to hear about that, gosh all of them? I did just want to say I was on Tamoxifen for 4yrs and I had a recurrence, I had chemo and now on Arimidex have been for a year. x
suzieq
Member
9 years ago
Six weeks is not a big gap. But I know this is a dilema for you. I kinda know what your Onco will say. He/she will want you to start immediately. They are trying to ensure your best chances. However, you have been through so much and it would be nice to recover from Rads and feel normal again and enjoy your trip. But, on the other hand every day you are in China you may counter a new feeling of fear. It is a real tossup. For me, I would probably take them when prescribed. Six weeks is a good length of time to know what, if any side, effects you will have and deal with them. Unfortunately, I was one of the very unlucky ones whose body totally rejected all of them. I have had to live in "fear" for nearly 5 years now. Good luck..
janrence
Member
9 years ago
thank you everyone for your replies.I know i have to ask the oncologist but was just wondering if anyone had actually delayed it. I haven't been prescribed yet as I dont go back to dr until 30th march after radiotherapy and leave for trip 6 weeks later. i know its legal to take them into China I just dont want side effects in a strange country.Anyway will have to wait and see what oncologist says.
suzieq
Member
9 years ago
Everyone has different reactions to Tamoxifen and Aramatose Inhibitors. I you are one one of the lucky ones who can take them with little side effects county your lucky stars. For anyone due to start but have planned an oversease holiday the only person you should be consulting is your Oncologist. Good luck..
Bakdom
Member
9 years ago
Janrence, I'm in a similar situation, I'm starting radiation soon (for 5-6 weeks) and have a cruise booked in early April. I'm due to start Zoladex and Armidex in early March and would much rather wait until my holiday is finished. Just scared that side effects will ruin my holiday. Sorry don't have an answer yet...