I DESPERATELY need opinions!!
I'm leaving to go see my daughter in Boston in the morning, but I will definitely be checking this when I get back. I want to send my order in by Monday.
Thanks a bunch!! Mar
Comments
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Sometimes we have tobe the doctor!!
Marlene,
First, while you are on rads, you do not take Tamoxifen nor Arimidex. You take this drug after you finish your rads...at least that is the way it was for me and from I have been reading on this site, that appears to be the thinking for our sisters.
Since you are chemo induced menopausal, I think it would be better to start on Tamoxifen. That's my opinion.
Lots of Hugs,
Janelle0 -
Tamoxifen first - the others later on
I am pre or regular menopausal. It seems to depend on who you ask, my oncologist and gynecologist use different words. My current "condition" started right after my second chemo treatment last July. Whatever they call it, they both say I am most definately not post menopausal. They both said Tamoxifen is what I take until they are certain that I am post menopausal which shouldn't be for at least a year or two. At that point, the oncolgist said I would probably switch to one of the aromatase inhibitors. It is also my understanding that Tamoxifen will finish the job the chemo started in terms of pushing my body into menopause. I could be wrong about that, but it's sure keeping things that way.
Have you asked your gynecologist? I saw one of the gynecologists at the cancer center I go to because I thought they might understand all this better. She was a huge help in explaining the whole menopause question to me. Also - My oncologist wanted me to wait a few weeks after rads before I started on Tamoxifen to let my body heal a little bit. She said it wouldn't make a huge difference.
Good luck with your decision!!0 -
My experience
I had first one, then the other of those drugs. I also took Herceptin with one of them, then by itself for a year afterward. I was 43-45 at the time with chemo-induced menopause. I do not remember my Dr. saying anything about whether either one should or should not be taken pre- or post-onset of natural menopause. It seems like he may have asked whether we intend to have more children before starting treatments (it was 2007, memory is not very detailed). He did say there was a chance periods may come back up to a year after Herceptin is over, but they have not so far. That's all I know.
You can go to chemocare.com to look up information aabout specific drugs and their side effects. That may help. Or you might look on websites like American cancer society or M.D.Anderson, or some other research hospital to see if there are studies or statistics about women who have taken the drugs pre-or post natural onset of menopause and what the effect was.
Hope you get the answers you need and find a Dr. you can trust soon, seof0 -
Hi Marlene. I am on
Hi Marlene. I am on Arimidex...just started this month. I had a hysterectomy with my bilateral 8/2009. I trust my oncologist and he told me that Arimidex is only for women that are post menopausal....period. Not for women who have even a chance of menstruating again. I have also heard this from a couple of other women I know locally with different oncologists. These women want to be on Arimidex because they feel Tamoxifen has too severe of side effects. Because they are not post their docs will absolutely not prescribe Arimidex. I don't know why some docs are okay with it and others are not. Just thought I'd let you know what I have experienced with the medicine. Hope the info helps! Tawny0 -
Hey Marlene, I do not knowTawnyS said:Hi Marlene. I am on
Hi Marlene. I am on Arimidex...just started this month. I had a hysterectomy with my bilateral 8/2009. I trust my oncologist and he told me that Arimidex is only for women that are post menopausal....period. Not for women who have even a chance of menstruating again. I have also heard this from a couple of other women I know locally with different oncologists. These women want to be on Arimidex because they feel Tamoxifen has too severe of side effects. Because they are not post their docs will absolutely not prescribe Arimidex. I don't know why some docs are okay with it and others are not. Just thought I'd let you know what I have experienced with the medicine. Hope the info helps! Tawny
Hey Marlene, I do not know anything about arimidex since i am not a candidate for it, but i do have a wonderful oncologist. I do not know if Philly is too far for you to come. I also have heard wonderful things about Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philly. I go to Einstein cancer center. If you want the name of my oncologist, send me a message. i would highly recommend him. Take care0 -
Choices
Mar, I had periods up until my 3rd chemo treatment. When I finished, my oncologist had written in my chart that I was post menopausal. I corrected him and said I'd had a period 6 weeks before. He made the change to perimenopausal and handed me the script for Tamoxifen. Again, as others have said, he said that I'd be on the Tamoxifen for a year or two and then maybe make the change to Arimidex. I have a friend in Chicago area - a 5 year survivor - who was on Tamoxifen for the entire 5 years from age 50-55.
I'm sorry that this type of thing is making you leary of your doctor.
Beth0 -
Marlene
The definition of menopausal is 1 year without a period, so if you've had a period in the last year, you're NOT menopausal yet.
My periods stopped at my second chemo, and I think I was peri-menopausal even before my diagnosis, but I definitely noticed a lot more menopausal symptoms (especially hot flashes) after I started the chemo, and now with Tamoxifen.
My onco had me start the Tamoxifen at the same time I started radiation, and my radiation oncologist didn't have a problem with that, but many women don't start the hormone therapy until after radiaton, so I wouldn't worry too much about not starting right away. My onco said that I would probably be on Tamoxifen for about 2 years, and then switch to an AI. That seems to be the more standard practice for pre-menopausal women, but I'm not a doctor and it sucks that your doctor can't give you more guidance than what he's been doing.
I would REALLY try hard to find a new oncologist now, so that your medication and follow ups can be with someone that you trust.
Enjoy your trip to your daughter's, and hopefully you will see a clearer path when you come back.
Hugs,
Cindy0 -
Mar
I had also been prescribed Arimidex before I even completed chemo. When I told the doc I am not in menopause, he said you will be when you finish chemo, and because of your age (I was 50 at the time), it is highly unlikely that you will have another period. The Arimidex is only to be taken after you complete your chemo and radiation, then get a bone density test to make sure those two haven't compromised your bones, because that is something Arimidex can make worse.
Hope this helps you a bit.
Cat0 -
I have the same answers ascindycflynn said:Marlene
The definition of menopausal is 1 year without a period, so if you've had a period in the last year, you're NOT menopausal yet.
My periods stopped at my second chemo, and I think I was peri-menopausal even before my diagnosis, but I definitely noticed a lot more menopausal symptoms (especially hot flashes) after I started the chemo, and now with Tamoxifen.
My onco had me start the Tamoxifen at the same time I started radiation, and my radiation oncologist didn't have a problem with that, but many women don't start the hormone therapy until after radiaton, so I wouldn't worry too much about not starting right away. My onco said that I would probably be on Tamoxifen for about 2 years, and then switch to an AI. That seems to be the more standard practice for pre-menopausal women, but I'm not a doctor and it sucks that your doctor can't give you more guidance than what he's been doing.
I would REALLY try hard to find a new oncologist now, so that your medication and follow ups can be with someone that you trust.
Enjoy your trip to your daughter's, and hopefully you will see a clearer path when you come back.
Hugs,
Cindy
I have the same answers as the others. plan to start tamoxifen then arimedex. my last period was week one of chemo. My radiation oncologist did not have a problem with me starting tamoxifen during rads. he is the chief of a major cancer center. but I felt I was too debilitated and needed a breather before starting and he was ok with that too.0 -
Marlene, Has your onc done
Marlene, Has your onc done blood work to determine if you are truly menopausal? I have not had a period since my chemo in 2006, however my onc has been doing bloodwork consistently since then and it still shows that all of my hormonal levels indicate that I am premenopausal. So just not having a period for a year doesn't necessarily mean you are menopausal. My oncologist said that the tamoxifen I am taking is stopping my period. For some women it causes irregular periods and for some like me, it stops your period. I would get a second opinion or ask him to test your blood.0 -
MarleneEil4186 said:Marlene, Has your onc done
Marlene, Has your onc done blood work to determine if you are truly menopausal? I have not had a period since my chemo in 2006, however my onc has been doing bloodwork consistently since then and it still shows that all of my hormonal levels indicate that I am premenopausal. So just not having a period for a year doesn't necessarily mean you are menopausal. My oncologist said that the tamoxifen I am taking is stopping my period. For some women it causes irregular periods and for some like me, it stops your period. I would get a second opinion or ask him to test your blood.
I start with a oncologist 2 months ago, because my previous one did not want to discuss nuances of hormonal therapy. My new oncologist told me that even having Chemo induced menopause for one year is not enough for young women (under 50) to take Arimidex. Sometime sleeping ovaries still can produce estrogen. Arimidex blocks estrogen which is made by glans, Tamoxifen takes care of both sources ovaries and glands. I am taking Tamoxifen and will switch to Arimidex.
You are still ok without estrogen blocker for two weeks after you finish radiation
Good luck0 -
I'm with Eli on this oneNew Flower said:Marlene
I start with a oncologist 2 months ago, because my previous one did not want to discuss nuances of hormonal therapy. My new oncologist told me that even having Chemo induced menopause for one year is not enough for young women (under 50) to take Arimidex. Sometime sleeping ovaries still can produce estrogen. Arimidex blocks estrogen which is made by glans, Tamoxifen takes care of both sources ovaries and glands. I am taking Tamoxifen and will switch to Arimidex.
You are still ok without estrogen blocker for two weeks after you finish radiation
Good luck
There is a test you can take to determine whether you are pre or post. I'd ask for that.
and as far as being in a huge hurry, I don't think it matters if you wait a week or so to start on either drug. Am I right ladies?0 -
Bloodwork..Mama G said:I'm with Eli on this one
There is a test you can take to determine whether you are pre or post. I'd ask for that.
and as far as being in a huge hurry, I don't think it matters if you wait a week or so to start on either drug. Am I right ladies?
Is necessary to check your hormone levels. I have not had a period in a year (I'm 54) have been on Tamoxifen since last July and just had bloodwork done to see where my body is naturally. I don't understand the numbers but I was at 25. She wanted to see my levels at 20 to say that I was truly in menopause. There was a question whether they would take my ovaries or not. Since I was so close to 20, we are not doing it. I'll continue on Tamoxifen and we'll do bloodwork in another 6 months.
I also was on Tamoxifen during chemo and radiation. Seems like most of you did it after treatment. Not sure why I was taking it all along, but I have no serious side effects from the Tamoxifen....just hot flashes.
Good luck, Mar!0 -
From what my rads oncologistDifferent Ballgame said:Sometimes we have tobe the doctor!!
Marlene,
First, while you are on rads, you do not take Tamoxifen nor Arimidex. You take this drug after you finish your rads...at least that is the way it was for me and from I have been reading on this site, that appears to be the thinking for our sisters.
Since you are chemo induced menopausal, I think it would be better to start on Tamoxifen. That's my opinion.
Lots of Hugs,
Janelle
From what my rads oncologist told me, you never take tamox while in radiation treatments. It is dangerous. Sounds like you should be on tamox and them switch later to something else. Good luck!0 -
OPINION ON TAMOXIFEN
as you can see from these posts everybody has a different story on what their dr. prescribed. i've been on tamoxifen for 4 1/2 yrs. chemo put me into menopause. i also took it during rads.
my advice would be to ask one of your other drs. your radiation oncologist should have an opinion as well as your surgeon, they know your medical history. i know whenever i have an appt. with one of my drs. i always make sure they agree with what my onco is doing.
good luck0 -
I will be finishing
I will be finishing radiation next week and my onc. has me starting tamoxifen 3 weeks later. I also have chemo. induced menapause. If it were me, I would take the tamoxifen because right now your menstrual cycle could possibly start up again and as someone else has said, I believe Arimidex is for post-menapausal women only.0 -
I think some stay on tamox,TawnyS said:Hi Marlene. I am on
Hi Marlene. I am on Arimidex...just started this month. I had a hysterectomy with my bilateral 8/2009. I trust my oncologist and he told me that Arimidex is only for women that are post menopausal....period. Not for women who have even a chance of menstruating again. I have also heard this from a couple of other women I know locally with different oncologists. These women want to be on Arimidex because they feel Tamoxifen has too severe of side effects. Because they are not post their docs will absolutely not prescribe Arimidex. I don't know why some docs are okay with it and others are not. Just thought I'd let you know what I have experienced with the medicine. Hope the info helps! Tawny
I think some stay on tamox, and, others stay on tamox for awhile and then switch to Arimidex. Talk to your oncologist and see what they recommend that is best for you.
Leeza0 -
Meenameena1 said:Hey Marlene, I do not know
Hey Marlene, I do not know anything about arimidex since i am not a candidate for it, but i do have a wonderful oncologist. I do not know if Philly is too far for you to come. I also have heard wonderful things about Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philly. I go to Einstein cancer center. If you want the name of my oncologist, send me a message. i would highly recommend him. Take care
Guess you don't know, but I had my surgery at Fox Chase. I have a total high regard for that hospital. However, working full time and being a single mom of 3, it's not easy to go a distance for care. Yea, it's only and hour and a half and sometimes definitely worth the trip, as I did for my surgery, but I just have a tough time thinking that my doctor is so far away. After all, we are only talking about 'after care' right now and you'd think I could get a better answer out of my doc. Thank you, however, for your suggestion. And if anything more should come out of this, don't think for a minute that I wouldn't head back in that direction!
Hugs, Mar0 -
Tamoxifen
Well it seems as though it's unanimous... Tamoxifen is the way to do! I will do as Corey suggested and ask my rads oncologist his opinion. I have a very high regard for him. I have an appt with him for a follow up on Tuesday, so I'll see what he says. He also doesn't care much for my oncologist so I'm sure he will give it to me straight. The blood work is something I asked my onc about because I've heard of so many of you having a blood test to see if you were menopausal and he said there wasn't one. I don't understand why he's being such a JERK!
Thanks so much for all of your input!
Hugs, Mar0
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