Good news, bad news...

mgm42

GOOD NEWS - the severe muscular problems I was having while on Tamoxifen have subsided. Still some neuropathy in my feet and ankles, but every place else in my body is recuperating and life is returning to "pleasant." I can yawn without fear of a muscles spasm. I can laugh and bend over without fear of torso spasms. I can stretch my muscles, the safe way, without a muscle cramp. Yes, life has returned to a pleasant state.

BAD NEWS - After going off the tamoxifen two times with the same result, it becomes apparent that my body has developed a severe intolerance for that drug over time. So, I'm out of options for continuing the meds and I'm worried. It happened with AI's and now it's happened again with Tamoxifen. I will talk with my onocologist a week from today as agreed. I know she will not be happy about this turn of events, but maybe she'll have another option for me. In the meantime, I'm going to keep my appointment with the rheumatologist just to make sure that there is nothing more going on or that I haven't damaged my muscles.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I would greatly appreciate it. Hugs, Marilynn

KathiM

It just might be that your body is telling you something....
If it's as special as the rest of you is, well, it COULD be it's telling you 'I can handle this, no worries! I don't need any help!!!'....

I'm soooooo glad the spasms have stopped!!! YEA!!!!

Dutch hugs, Kathi

disneyfan2008

so off meds completely? I'll
so off meds completely? I'll be thinking of you...keep us updated....

I HOPE their is another option..

Denise W

Boppy_of_6

Prayers
I am glad that the muscle spasms have improved so much, and that life is pleasant. I am sorry these drugs have given you so many problems though. I will be praying for you that your Onc. will come up with something for you. This journey is a constant challenge huh? Prayers and God Bless
(((Hugs))) Janice

mimivac

Glad to hear your pain is better
A pleasant state is good! I understand your anxiety about not being on protective medication though. Yes, maybe your doctor will have another option. There are a few different AIs to try, if you haven't already been through all of them. If not, maybe look into alternative therapies with food, herbs, etc. (of course being careful not to do any harm). Good luck, Marilynn!

Mimi

missrenee

mimivac said:

Glad to hear your pain is better
A pleasant state is good! I understand your anxiety about not being on protective medication though. Yes, maybe your doctor will have another option. There are a few different AIs to try, if you haven't already been through all of them. If not, maybe look into alternative therapies with food, herbs, etc. (of course being careful not to do any harm). Good luck, Marilynn!

Mimi

It's hard when you body won't agree with your doctor
I'm glad your muscle issues are over, but I so understand your feeling about--now what do I do? Maybe there will be another option. I hope you get a good solution to the problem.

Hugs, Renee

roseann4

missrenee said:

It's hard when you body won't agree with your doctor
I'm glad your muscle issues are over, but I so understand your feeling about--now what do I do? Maybe there will be another option. I hope you get a good solution to the problem.

Hugs, Renee

There are several new drugs.
Hopefully they will give you something more beneficial with fewer side effects. I would also ask about being part of a study for new drugs.

Roseann

Double Whammy

roseann4 said:

There are several new drugs.
Hopefully they will give you something more beneficial with fewer side effects. I would also ask about being part of a study for new drugs.

Roseann

Glad pain is better
but wish you could tolerate Tamoxifen or AIs. I'll be interested to learn what your oncologist suggests.

Suzanne

Eil4186

Sending prayers. Hang in
Sending prayers. Hang in there!

fauxma

Eil4186 said:

Sending prayers. Hang in
Sending prayers. Hang in there!

Marilyn,
Glad the
Marilyn,
Glad the spasm/cramp issue is resolving. I know that you are concerned about the loss of using these medicines to fight the cancer but quality of life is important also. I would say that you just need to be hypervigilant with check ups, breast checks and mammos etc. Don't ignore anything that is the least out of the ordinary. This way you should hopefully be able to catch anything early (if anything needs to be caught). I keep thinking that in addition to arimidex I should really work at losing all my excess weight because weight contributes to estrogen. Do you have your ovaries and uterus? I don't and I know that means that I should be producing less estrogen and yet, here I was post menopausal, no female organs and I get a breast cancer that is estrogen positive. Yet in spite of that, if I were to have serious issues like yours with these medicines I would go off them. I will keep you in my prayers that they have other things you can try and that you remain cancer free. Again, I am happy that the spasm issue is resolved. As someone who have had these problems on and off for years I can sympathize. They are awful.
Stef

Cindy54

fauxma said:

Marilyn,
Glad the
Marilyn,
Glad the spasm/cramp issue is resolving. I know that you are concerned about the loss of using these medicines to fight the cancer but quality of life is important also. I would say that you just need to be hypervigilant with check ups, breast checks and mammos etc. Don't ignore anything that is the least out of the ordinary. This way you should hopefully be able to catch anything early (if anything needs to be caught). I keep thinking that in addition to arimidex I should really work at losing all my excess weight because weight contributes to estrogen. Do you have your ovaries and uterus? I don't and I know that means that I should be producing less estrogen and yet, here I was post menopausal, no female organs and I get a breast cancer that is estrogen positive. Yet in spite of that, if I were to have serious issues like yours with these medicines I would go off them. I will keep you in my prayers that they have other things you can try and that you remain cancer free. Again, I am happy that the spasm issue is resolved. As someone who have had these problems on and off for years I can sympathize. They are awful.
Stef

Me Too
Marilyn, I also had the terrible spasms with Tamoxifen. And even worse with Arimedix. Right now I am not on it because I simply cannot afford the prescription for it. When I was taking it, I would go on it for a few weeks, then off for a few days. I think sometimes our bodies know what is best for us when they start rejecting all the meds. Yes, it does worry me that I am not taking it, but I always leave that up to the Lord. I wish you well. Cindy

smalldoggroomer

I am so glad them spasms
I am so glad them spasms have stopped. I have had torso spasms. Not fun...good luck with you next Dr appointment. Maybe she will have something else up her sleeve. I sure wish you the best.