Potential liver issue
Triple positive Radiation and chemo AC and paclitaxol completed by March 2024 Lumpectomy Feb Early stage On letrozole, zoladex and finishing of my 17th cycle end November of Herceptin. Also taking 5mg of cholesterol tabs. Gp rwq blood to monitor the cholesterol tabs and if they working. Liver issue picked up. Oncologist req abdomen scan. Been feeling ok but for the last two days terrible nausea after eating. Headaches (which I never get) fatigue (which has also been ok) Has anyone been through something similar, what was the outcome? Look forward to hearing from you x
Total left mastectomy vs expander/implant?
Hi everyone - I’m newly diagnosed and have found BCN hugely helpful and reassuring. I have bilateral early cancers - invasive ductal (left side) and invasive lobular (right side). ER + PR + HER2 -.I believe ‘low grade, slow growing’. My treatment recommendation is: left side mastectomy, nipple/skin sparing with expander then later implant and right side lumpectomy. Followed by radiation and letrozole. Surgery scheduled for 22/11 at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. The choice I have is left side total mastectomy or the reconstruction? For context, I’m middle aged, slim/small breasted and physically very active. Apart from the obvious surgery and post operative worries, my other concern is around the possibility of spending many months with ongoing breast related issues. Wondering if any of you have had a similar experience….and any thoughts/advice you might have? Thank you 🎀Zoladex & Letrazole or Tamoxifen or Remove ovaries + Letrazole
Hi all :) Firstly, this forum is amazing and I am so grateful for it and all of you who take the time to share and respond. When you feel like no one else can relate it really just gives one comfort. Im 41, was HER2 positive, chemo & surgery done. Mid way through radiation. I have been on Zoladex from during chemo (8 months) Chemo side effects were minimal and it was effective, I perhaps did not notice side effects and was running on adrenaline or in survival mode. Now that, some time has passed I have noticed some side effects that are bothering me and want to get off Zoladex but chatting to my oncologist about it, her recommendation is to stay on zoladex Bone pain, fatigue, hot flushes, irritability, disturbed sleep, belly fat, weight gain :( are the side effects I have been experiencing. Not to mention the injection can be painful. I have to have herceptin for the next year every 3 weeks and zoladex every month for 5 plus year and the letrazole for minimum of 7-10 years. These are my protential options Zoladex & Letrazole Tamoxifen Remove ovaries + Letrazole I guess what I am looking for is to hear about your experiences or route you took and whether the symptoms subside or anything to manage them. Does eating better and exercise really help with the weight gain or is it inevitable? Look forward to hearing from you. Feeling overwhelmed today
Do I take Letrozole
Hi there. I am new to this group. I have had a Grade 2 cancer removed (lymph clear) and 3 weeks of radiotherapy. The tumour was 9mm Oe+ 100% Pr+ 90% and I now have been recommended to go on Letrozole. It is sitting on the bench and I am really nervous about it. I'm post menopausal and the bone density scans are showing osteopenia already. I'm really worried about all the side effects - weight gain, osteoporosis, joint pains etc.... Has anyone else been in the same boat or do you feel that because it is recommended by the oncologist, they are the ones that know best??? I believe he said it only increases the chances of not returning by about an extra 2% (i think from memory).... so is it really worth it? Happy to hear people's thoughts pls
hormone blockers and plantar fasciitis
Hi Everyone, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in Oct 2020 and have been on Letrozole ever since. About 6 months ago I developed plantar fasciitis and my holistic Dr told me that it was unlikely to get better due to the hormone blockers. Has anyone in my position healed from a soft tissue injury like plantar fasciitis and if so what did you do?
Hormone Therapy advice for young women who want to have children
Hi everyone 😊 I’m seeking some advice on what hormone therapy is best for younger women who want kids in the future. I have Grade 1 multifocal IDC+DCIS, 80% hormone positive, ER- cancer & I’m premenopausal, with no children. I was told after 2 years of hormone therapy I can try to fall pregnant (…but am hoping 1.5 will be enough?) I have been given three options for hormone therapy: •Tamoxifen only •Zoladex + Tamoxifen •Zoladex + Exemestane (Aromasin) All offer similar coverage in regards to my type of cancer, but I was wondering if there are any differences in regards to future fertility? ie. longer detox periods required before falling pregnant, or potential fertility issues after long term use, eg Zoladex or Exemestane? I have also read that Exemestane (Aromasin) is an *irreversible* steroidal aromatase inhibitor. I don’t want to be on anything that could irreversibly damage my oestrogen production.. Fertility-wise, does anyone know if this is something to avoid until after having children? I’d really appreciate any advice & tips for having the best chance of getting pregnant in 2 years! XRadiotherapy
Hi..6 months in, and only on letrozole..had a course of other tablets ( can't recall, starts with pl..) Was told chemotherapy, then radiotherapy, had one scan after the other and biopsy.. Now saying 5 weeks of radiotherapy, anyone had similar?? Need information please on alternatives if any, side effects, etc..can't be gone for 5 weeks daily from home ( SN son), but need to apparently.. Its also an hours drive each way to closest hospital that offers it, so train or coach everyday, and long wait for return home..community transport will cost $250 a week( can't do that)..any information would be greatly appreciated.. Hope your journey has brought a happy ending.
Starting Letrozole, stomach gripes and other side effects
I am at day 9 (tomorrow) of Radiotherapy (25 sessions) and started Letrozole 7 days ago. I have gone to bed (take my tablet then) and woken twice now with stomach aches and then diarrhoea. Last night it was 2am before I went back to sleep. I thought it might be the effects of the RT but now realise it's probably the medication. I have read all the info on this site and see there are lots of side effects of inhibitors. My husband is FIFO too, I am feeling a bit flat this week after managing with a positive attitude since my mastectomy last Aug. I suppose COVID is not helping either? My oncologist wanted me to go on a trial but I just thinks it's all too hard now (can't drive to Perth at the moment either)
Letrozole and dizziness
I have been taking letrozole (Femara) for little over a month. I am also on three weekly herceptin. A couple of weeks back I had a really bad case of vertigo. I contacted the oncologist to check if this might be due to either letrozole or herceptin. The oncologist said that this could not be a side effect of either herceptin or letrozole and to see a GP. I took stemetil as prescribed by the GP. The vertigo has improved with stemetil tablets but I still have short spells of dizziness/light headed feeling. Reading a few earlier posts it appears that some ladies had dizziness symptoms with letrozol. Can anyone please share their thoughts or experiences. I am a bit confused because the Onco is insisting that dizziness is not a side effect of letrozole so she does not think changing the brand or changing medication will be of any use.
