Thank you and p450

phoenixrising
phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi Everyone, first I want to apologize to each and every one of you for not being there when you needed support or questions answered. It's been quite a while since I've posted anything. I've had a problem with my eyes since last Nov/Dec and found it difficult in my last few postings to think, focus and write. I'm also trying to get back to work on a full time basis, but............this eye thing just keeps me under.

Second, I'd like to thank you for having mentioned being tested for the p450 enzymes. I probably never would have come across it on my own and since I was having such a terrible time with Tamoxifen, I had my genes tested. And have found I am an intermediate metabolizer and the recommendation (not for Tamoxifen specifically) is for a reduced dosage.

My question is, for those who have found they have an abnormality, what changes were made to your Tamoxifen dosage. I was on 20 mg daily. I was sooooo depressed. When I broke it down to 10 mg twice a day, my mood improved almost immediately.

I will be referred to a major cancer agency but in the meantime I'd like to know how they are doing things elsewhere. And how did they determine a therapeutic dose?

Thank you so much for all your help and I hope to be back and contributing in the near future.

jan

Comments

  • Joycelouise
    Joycelouise Member Posts: 482
    #2
    Jan, I don't know much about what you are talking about but will ask my doc. about the p450 enzymes. I have been on Tam. for about two months and must admit to feeling pretty down.
    I also really want to tell you how glad I am to hear from you and remember you as one of the very helpful and wise people who helped me earlier. Thanks. You have made a difference in my recovery. I wish you much happiness with your projects. Love, Joyce
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #3
    Joycelouise said:

    Jan, I don't know much about what you are talking about but will ask my doc. about the p450 enzymes. I have been on Tam. for about two months and must admit to feeling pretty down.
    I also really want to tell you how glad I am to hear from you and remember you as one of the very helpful and wise people who helped me earlier. Thanks. You have made a difference in my recovery. I wish you much happiness with your projects. Love, Joyce

    Oh Joyce, thank you so much. I have to admit I do have a peek at this message board every so often and quietly send my thoughts and prayers to all of you.

    Try dividing your dosage and taking half twice a day. You will still get your therapeutic dose but won't be processing it all at once.

    The p450 2D6 gene is the primary pathway in metabolizing Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen needs to be metabolized to endoxifen to be effective. Actually it should be mentioned on the info sheet in your tamoxifen package. So I hear anyway. Not on ours in Canada. The Mayo Clinic is also involved in testing DNA for this. It's such an interesting field. There are drugs that can inhibit this enzyme such as some antidepressants (SSRI's) Lots of info about this at www.dnadirect.com and www.healthanddna.com (Genelex).

    Time for bed. Gotta put in my 4 hrs tomorrow, doesn't sound like much but my eyes have been just killing me.

    It was great hearing from you.
  • Joycelouise
    Joycelouise Member Posts: 482
    #4
    phoenixrising said:

    Oh Joyce, thank you so much. I have to admit I do have a peek at this message board every so often and quietly send my thoughts and prayers to all of you.

    Try dividing your dosage and taking half twice a day. You will still get your therapeutic dose but won't be processing it all at once.

    The p450 2D6 gene is the primary pathway in metabolizing Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen needs to be metabolized to endoxifen to be effective. Actually it should be mentioned on the info sheet in your tamoxifen package. So I hear anyway. Not on ours in Canada. The Mayo Clinic is also involved in testing DNA for this. It's such an interesting field. There are drugs that can inhibit this enzyme such as some antidepressants (SSRI's) Lots of info about this at www.dnadirect.com and www.healthanddna.com (Genelex).

    Time for bed. Gotta put in my 4 hrs tomorrow, doesn't sound like much but my eyes have been just killing me.

    It was great hearing from you.

    Dividing sounds wise, but unfortunately, it is all I can do to remember once a day to take it! BTW, I got the feeling from reading some of your earlier posts that you were into some naturopathic additional therapies. I have been learning about macrobiotic diet and guided imagery and whole body healing. Most of me loves it, part of me worries that the additional perceived responsibility for my health is stressing me a bit. Or maybe it's just the tamoxifin raining on my parade. Anyway, I just thought I would mention this in case it is something you are interested in too.
    Thanks for the quiet thoughts and prayers! love, Joyce
  • survivor51
    survivor51 Member Posts: 276
    #5
    Joycelouise said:

    Dividing sounds wise, but unfortunately, it is all I can do to remember once a day to take it! BTW, I got the feeling from reading some of your earlier posts that you were into some naturopathic additional therapies. I have been learning about macrobiotic diet and guided imagery and whole body healing. Most of me loves it, part of me worries that the additional perceived responsibility for my health is stressing me a bit. Or maybe it's just the tamoxifin raining on my parade. Anyway, I just thought I would mention this in case it is something you are interested in too.
    Thanks for the quiet thoughts and prayers! love, Joyce

    Hey,
    I take Arimidex but I am working with both eastern and western medicines. I totally understand about the mood swings. I take Effexor with help with that and any hot flashes. In addition, there has been great success with a naturalpathy way. There is a good meditation on http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meditation/MM00623 I use it with my own candle. In addition, there have been many studies about massage and cancer. It is great. I burn sage sometimes and that helps to release negative energy. I do attend an acupunturist and that has been life saving. Get some great movies that make you laugh. Lots of love, Angela
  • Joycelouise
    Joycelouise Member Posts: 482
    #6
    survivor51 said:

    Hey,
    I take Arimidex but I am working with both eastern and western medicines. I totally understand about the mood swings. I take Effexor with help with that and any hot flashes. In addition, there has been great success with a naturalpathy way. There is a good meditation on http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meditation/MM00623 I use it with my own candle. In addition, there have been many studies about massage and cancer. It is great. I burn sage sometimes and that helps to release negative energy. I do attend an acupunturist and that has been life saving. Get some great movies that make you laugh. Lots of love, Angela

    Thanks for writing, Angela.
    Thanks for writing, Angela. I will check out the meditation. And put massage and acupuncture on my list of things to pursue. A lot to do, but it is all stuff that improves...so much better than my to do list after DX (make chemo appt., shave head, etc). love, Joyce

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