tomaxaphen (spelling?)

gerddy
gerddy Member Posts: 19
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello,
I met with my ob/gyn today about doing the hysterectomy. She will do the surgery vaginally which has a short recuperation time. I'm still struggeling with doing this. If tomaxaphen is only good for 5 years what do you do after? I know estergen is produced elsewhere but ovaries do the most. So in 5 years do you keep taking something or chance it? I'm only 41 and family history is late in life for menapause but all the women get breast cancer. Grandma, mom, mom's sister, and now me, oh yeah a first cousin too.

Here is the second problem, if I do this I have to do it while I'm still on my work disability. If I go back to work and then have to do this I'm out everything, insurance, possible job, etc.

EEEK I'm going nuts, help me think this through.
Gerddy

Comments

  • sassysally
    sassysally Member Posts: 150
    #2
    Hi Gerddy, I was 28 the first time I had bc. I was on tamoxifen for three years and my breast cancer returned. I am now on arimidex and have been so for about 4 yrs. My onco I think will keep me on it indefinately. If I was on tamoxifen, he would have also kept me on it indefinately. My history reads like yours, a who's who. Its not if you are going to get bc, its when. Having a hysterectomy done vaginally is wonderful. You will feel great in about a week ( or at least be able to get around) If you can do this while on disability, great. I would talk to your oncologist about arimidex right out of the shoot with your history ( especially since it reads like mine) my mom was also on tamoxifen and her ca came back with a vengence. Sorry to say she passed away. I am now 43, take nothing for hot flashes and loving everyday. IF you have any questions, let me know. If you get a chance, read my web page here. Hang in there....
    Sassy Sally
  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #3
    Hi Gerddy, Good question about what happens after 5 years of Tamoxifen. Studies have shown, conclusively, that taking it for more than 5 years doesn't provide added protection. I agree with Sassy Sally that you'd be switched to Arimidex or Femara following removal of your ovaries. The jury is still out on extending them beyond 5 years because they're relatively new. One woman in my cancer support group finished her 5th year on Arimidex in May. She had a large mass with 8 positive lymph nodes and attributes her continued good health to the Arimidex. Her oncologist was planning on continuing the Arimidex, just as a precaution and she was thrilled. We will probably know more before you reach the 5 year mark. Good luck with your choice.
    terri
  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #4
    tlmac said:

    Hi Gerddy, Good question about what happens after 5 years of Tamoxifen. Studies have shown, conclusively, that taking it for more than 5 years doesn't provide added protection. I agree with Sassy Sally that you'd be switched to Arimidex or Femara following removal of your ovaries. The jury is still out on extending them beyond 5 years because they're relatively new. One woman in my cancer support group finished her 5th year on Arimidex in May. She had a large mass with 8 positive lymph nodes and attributes her continued good health to the Arimidex. Her oncologist was planning on continuing the Arimidex, just as a precaution and she was thrilled. We will probably know more before you reach the 5 year mark. Good luck with your choice.
    terri

    I had a hys done 4 years ago and am glad I did. It was an abdominal hys, I told them to just put a zipper in my belly as I also have had 2 C-sections and my appendix out. My surgery was on a Wed and believe it or not I was out Thurs and in church on Sunday. Man I must have been on some good drugs!
    Tamoxifen quit working for me so I asked for the hys and then went on aromasin. Wish I could afford to take the dang stuff! Works better out of the bottle...oh well, best wishes to you with a speedy recovery. My doc didn't go vaginally, said it was harder to recouperate and he left my cervix said bladder was less likely to prolapse. Just food for thought.
    God bless.
    hummingbyrd
  • sarahohio
    sarahohio Member Posts: 9
    #5
    hello,
    i am a breast cancer survivor , on tamoxifen 7 months. Have lots of hot flashes and heavy periods. Dr just recently found fibroids, not sure if related to tamoxifen or not. If you are on leave, make sure its FMLA, you can be off 12 weeks in a one year period.I split mine up during treatment, you can even work half days and still be on it. Take care, Sally

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