For Pat (longtermsurvivor)

Mrs. Sarge
Mrs. Sarge Member Posts: 206 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I know this is your expertise, so I took the chance that you would answer this question, please!! I have been on .5 Estradiol pills for probably 8 years or so. Wanted to get off several times but my gyn explained the pros and cons and I stayed on. But throughout this ordeal, I've been so worried that after getting over this H & N Cancer, that a breast cancer could develope or the estrogen help along the throat cancer somehow (I'm not a Dr. but read too much I guess), so I quit the Estradiol about 6 weeks ago. I'm doing fine with that except for the extreme hot flashes. What is there out there for that or would you advise I talk to my gyn and get back on the Estradiol? Your thoughts please???

Comments

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #2
    low dose estradiol
    and the answer is............

    there are no estrogen receptors in throat tissue, so you are completely safe there. This puts you back to where you were before the malignancy was found. mStatistically, the increased risk of gyn and breast malignancy on low dose estrogen replacement is a very small occurance. The numbers dont really justify the avoidance that has occured in the last ten years. So if you are hot flashing badly, especially at night, you might consider going back on your estradiol. If your flushes are primarily daytime, there are a few other ways to treat them, just not as effective.

    Hope this helps.


    Pat
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #3
    low dose estradiol
    I am redundant today.
  • Mrs. Sarge
    Mrs. Sarge Member Posts: 206 Member
    #4
    longtermsurvivor said:

    low dose estradiol
    I am redundant today.

    Thanks, Pat
    for your help. Now, question #2, my gyn told me when I expressed my hesitancy to stay on it with my DX, she said if you get off very long, you don't need to get back on them. How long would that probably be? Longer than I've been off? So you feel I could safely go back on them (with her permission of course) and not fear it aiding any growing of my existing cancer and of course you can't tell me if they will ever give me breast cancer, so I won't ask! :)

    I was also going to ask how you are doing, but I read some of your posts today. Sounds like you've REALLY had a bad time of it but hopefully coming out soon!!!!
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #5
    Mrs. Sarge said:

    Thanks, Pat
    for your help. Now, question #2, my gyn told me when I expressed my hesitancy to stay on it with my DX, she said if you get off very long, you don't need to get back on them. How long would that probably be? Longer than I've been off? So you feel I could safely go back on them (with her permission of course) and not fear it aiding any growing of my existing cancer and of course you can't tell me if they will ever give me breast cancer, so I won't ask! :)

    I was also going to ask how you are doing, but I read some of your posts today. Sounds like you've REALLY had a bad time of it but hopefully coming out soon!!!!

    The point of the comment about not needing to go back on it is
    that eventually the hot flashes stop. How long is the 64 dollar question. For many it is a number of years. Hard to guess. One thin thatbu can do is to just trial off it for a week or two every year. You will know.......

    Thanks for the thoughts. I am doing fine. i am now four months past irradiation. Had a negative PET scan awhile back. Still have a sore mouth, but it is gradually improving. Chewing solid food has been hard this time, but am about 75 percent there. Energy levels very good. Running about three miles a day.

    The coolet thing recently is that we were visited by Hal61 fhis weekend. Hal is traveling the USA in his RV this year, having rid himself of all the encumberances that keep the rest of us tied down. I am somewhat envious. Hes a nice guy, with a dog about the size of a small horse.

    pat
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #6
    Mrs. Sarge said:

    Thanks, Pat
    for your help. Now, question #2, my gyn told me when I expressed my hesitancy to stay on it with my DX, she said if you get off very long, you don't need to get back on them. How long would that probably be? Longer than I've been off? So you feel I could safely go back on them (with her permission of course) and not fear it aiding any growing of my existing cancer and of course you can't tell me if they will ever give me breast cancer, so I won't ask! :)

    I was also going to ask how you are doing, but I read some of your posts today. Sounds like you've REALLY had a bad time of it but hopefully coming out soon!!!!

    The point of the comment about not needing to go back on it is
    dang it.
  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #7
    Hot Flashes
    I have had hot flashes for 12 years and have never taken hormone replacement. My mother died of breast cancer so I decided not to take them. A few hot flashes are preferable to cancer. Karen
  • Sue22
    Sue22 Member Posts: 99
    #8
    Mrs Sarge...
    Longtermesuvivor had the best answers so you went to the right place.
    Hope all goes well for you Mrs Sarge. Sue

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