Hormone treatment

oasishuang
oasishuang Member Posts: 4
in Breast Cancer #1
Could anyone give me some comments regards to my hormone treatment I take?

34 years old,I had surgery and chemo but no rad, and now starts hormone cure. The medicine I take is Tamoxifen for daily use and zoladex for monthly injection. Now I don't have my period coming anymore. And the doctor said it will increase the survival rate by the combination use. Is it true or necessary? Everyday I have to go through the manopause features that are from side effects of the medicine. It is not nice to sweat a lot every 10 mins, esp in hot summer. Even more, I'm told I need take these two for 5 years. Is it too extreme? I'm afraid it will totally destroy my fertility since I'm still thinking to get married and have kids one day.

Is there anyone experiencing the same thing?

Oasis

Comments

  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #2
    Hi Oasis,
    I have to start tamoxifen next week and yes hot flashes are definitely a side effect along with aching joints. My tumor and I am sure your's too is ER+ (Estrogen receptor positive) which means our cancer feeds off of our body's estrogen. Tamoxifen is an estrogen blocker and it stops any remaining bad cells from using our estrogen. As long as you are on that pill any baby cancer cells that chemo might have missed can't grow because this hormone pill is blocking your estrogen.

    Talk with your oncologist about your side effects. I know a few of the girls here mentioned taking vitamin E for hot flashes and it's been helping them, but check with your own doctor first for advice.

    When I start next week, I too will be on Tamoxifen for 5 years. We can sweat together and share secrets..

    Hugs,
    Lorrie
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #3
    I think it would be good to
    I think it would be good to talk to your oncologist about fertility and hot flashes. I use Vitamin E and Evening Primrose Oil for hot flashes (I have them naturally, not chemically induced.)I have heard of some women also taking a low dose of an antidepressant called Effexor to help hot flashes. I think avoiding caffiene, alcohol, maybe using a cool/cold washcloth, may help (heck, my dog has two cooling collars for hot weather when shes outside). I heard one lady used to put her head in the freezer! Don't know if its such a good idea, but anyway. I ALWAYS talk to my dr's before I add any supplements, etc to see if it is ok for me. I have learned that what works or is good for one person, is not always good for another. For those of us who are/were hormone positive, the less estrogen/progesterone we have floating around our bodies the better.
  • oasishuang
    oasishuang Member Posts: 4
    #4
    butterflylvr said:

    Hi Oasis,
    I have to start tamoxifen next week and yes hot flashes are definitely a side effect along with aching joints. My tumor and I am sure your's too is ER+ (Estrogen receptor positive) which means our cancer feeds off of our body's estrogen. Tamoxifen is an estrogen blocker and it stops any remaining bad cells from using our estrogen. As long as you are on that pill any baby cancer cells that chemo might have missed can't grow because this hormone pill is blocking your estrogen.

    Talk with your oncologist about your side effects. I know a few of the girls here mentioned taking vitamin E for hot flashes and it's been helping them, but check with your own doctor first for advice.

    When I start next week, I too will be on Tamoxifen for 5 years. We can sweat together and share secrets..

    Hugs,
    Lorrie

    Thank you for your response
    I'm both ER and PR +++. I guess on one hand, it might means cancer cells are controllable. And on the other hand, it might means that there are better no any estrogen floating my system. :-)
  • oasishuang
    oasishuang Member Posts: 4
    #5
    cinnamonsmile said:

    I think it would be good to
    I think it would be good to talk to your oncologist about fertility and hot flashes. I use Vitamin E and Evening Primrose Oil for hot flashes (I have them naturally, not chemically induced.)I have heard of some women also taking a low dose of an antidepressant called Effexor to help hot flashes. I think avoiding caffiene, alcohol, maybe using a cool/cold washcloth, may help (heck, my dog has two cooling collars for hot weather when shes outside). I heard one lady used to put her head in the freezer! Don't know if its such a good idea, but anyway. I ALWAYS talk to my dr's before I add any supplements, etc to see if it is ok for me. I have learned that what works or is good for one person, is not always good for another. For those of us who are/were hormone positive, the less estrogen/progesterone we have floating around our bodies the better.

    I appreciate your reply and
    I appreciate your reply and advice. And tried to put cold towel handy today, it works!
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #6
    pregnancy after chemo
    http://csn.cancer.org/node/219427

    "pregnancy after chemo"

    Oasis, this is the most recent post with a discussion about pregnancy after chemo. I think you can just follow the link. If not when you are on the BC discussion page type "pregnancy after chemo" and you should get the thread.
    I don't have anything relevant to add as I was a grandmother when diagnosed. I do know there are women that have kids after treatment though.

    Cindy

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