Has anyone had ovarian ablation and switched from Tamoxifen to an AI???

JuJuBeez
JuJuBeez Member Posts: 332
I have my 6 mo Onc appointment today, and I'm really wanting to get off of Tamoxifen after two years. I'm having a hard time with it, and I'd like to try an AI. My onc had said before that he could give me a shot to stop my ovaries from producing estrogen, and I could try the AI before I have a hysterectomy and find out that the AI is no better. I was just wondering if anyone has had that done, what's it like? How long does it last? Does it hurt? (lol, had to ask that...)How do you feel on the AI after Tamoxifen? Is it better?

One slight dilemma in this deal is that I am part of a trial study, B39, and my Onc is a research guy. The trial was to see if partial-breast radiation is as effective long term as whole breast rads. And my Oncotype score is 12, with rads and 5 yrs Tamoxifen. I know he wants me to stay on it as long as I possibly can. I just feel like crap, my immune system is crap, I seem to catch everything that flies by. And I can't keep missing work for month-long bronchitis and pneumonia issues, among other things. I know I sound like a big baby right now, I'm sorry. I've been sick for a month again, and I'm just really worn down emotionally and physically.

Thanks, Ladies for your help. I wanted to hear from you before I committed to anything.

Julie

Comments

  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    One of the onc's at kaiser
    One of the onc's at kaiser did a talk on Tamox and AI's. Evidently there is some evidence that switching to AI after starting with Tamoxifen produces better results. Talk to your onc about it. I went straight to anastrazole (generic for arimidex) after having my ovary out.


    Cindy
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    mamolady said:

    One of the onc's at kaiser
    One of the onc's at kaiser did a talk on Tamox and AI's. Evidently there is some evidence that switching to AI after starting with Tamoxifen produces better results. Talk to your onc about it. I went straight to anastrazole (generic for arimidex) after having my ovary out.


    Cindy

    So sorry about all the
    So sorry about all the trouble you are having on tamox. I've never taken it. I hope your onco can help you either to switch to something else, or, help with the side effects.


    Jan
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294

    So sorry about all the
    So sorry about all the trouble you are having on tamox. I've never taken it. I hope your onco can help you either to switch to something else, or, help with the side effects.


    Jan

    Julie I was those shots for 12 moths we did exactly that
    Hi Julie,
    I was initially on Tamoxifen for 15 months then suppose to do switch to Al. I was not postmenopausal, I had two options: ovary removal +Al or try shot with Al. Shots was ok as long as nurse who did it was skilled enough and patient. Not everyone is trained to do ovary repression shots with either drug Zoladex or Lupron. My gynecologist believes that Tamoxifen is the easiest drug for premenopausal patients and I agree with him. It was the tolerable and good for bones. I could not tolerate Als. So I still have my ovaries and my cancer stopped responding to estrogen blockers and back tocytotoxic chemo. Email me if you need more details
    Hugs
    New Flower
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    after about 3 yrs on
    after about 3 yrs on tamoxifen i Had total hysterctomy due to bleeding post meno and very enlarge (known side effect)uterus. I was off tamox about 4 mths then post surgery back on..I am starting my 5yr next week

    Denise
  • Pinky68
    Pinky68 Member Posts: 206 Member

    after about 3 yrs on
    after about 3 yrs on tamoxifen i Had total hysterctomy due to bleeding post meno and very enlarge (known side effect)uterus. I was off tamox about 4 mths then post surgery back on..I am starting my 5yr next week

    Denise

    I see onco today
    I'll find out more this afternoon...We'll be discussing Armidex and Tamoxifen..Ovary removal then Arimadex, or switch antidepressant from Paxil & Cymbalta TO Effexor & Viibryant, then go on Tamoxifen... I can;t take Tamoxifen w the antidepressants i'm on...Will let you know