Doctor's Report

saundra
saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Ladies, I had my appt. with the oncologist yesterday and my CA-125 was up from 50 to 83. I am going to continue the Femara (anti estrogen pill) for another month and see the gyn/onc. on 12/10 for a consult.
Found out that it takes at least 6 weeks for any change caused by the pill. Hurry up and wait, wait, wait.
Other blood counts are normal including liver functions. This pill does cause joint pain and he said that I could take ibuprofen for that. ((Hugs)) Saundra

Comments

  • Lauracec
    Lauracec Member Posts: 101
    #2
    Saundra, ovarian cancer is
    Saundra, ovarian cancer is sure something we have to do a lot of waiting about isn't it. test results,surgery,ct scans etc. I'm glad all your other test have been good and your ct scan was good last month. I will pray that the femara takes down your ca-125 and that your next ct scan looks as good as october. God bless you and keep you relaxed while waiting. Laura
  • ladyjogger31
    ladyjogger31 Member Posts: 289
    #3
    Hi Saundra,
    Good to hear your blood counts are good and liver function.I will pray that yor CA-125 goes down.
    Hugs Terry
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #4
    Doctor Report
    Hey Saundra,

    I was so hoping to read lower ca125, but I think it was Sue that said hers went up the first month too and then dropped. Prayers that is what happens for you too. Hot flashes and joint pain could maybe cause them numbers to rise at first too. You never know??

    Anyway, glad your other counts are good adn we'll be waiting and praying while we wait for next months results. Fingers and toes crossed too. :-)

    Lots of Teal Hugs coming your way. Love ♥ ya Bonnie
  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #5
    Hi
    I will keep you in prayer that the Femara starts to work for you. After I'm done with my chemo my Onc is going to start me on Tamoxifen..do you know anything about that??(((hugxz))))~~~Joanne
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #6
    floridajo said:

    Hi
    I will keep you in prayer that the Femara starts to work for you. After I'm done with my chemo my Onc is going to start me on Tamoxifen..do you know anything about that??(((hugxz))))~~~Joanne

    Femara
    Both Femara and tamoxifen are estrogen blockers or anti-estrogen. I googled them and read what the internet studies showed. Less side effects than chemo and easier for me to take. I take one little pill every night. After the ovaries are gone, we still produce estrogen from other glands so these block that.

    Saundra
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #7
    saundra said:

    Femara
    Both Femara and tamoxifen are estrogen blockers or anti-estrogen. I googled them and read what the internet studies showed. Less side effects than chemo and easier for me to take. I take one little pill every night. After the ovaries are gone, we still produce estrogen from other glands so these block that.

    Saundra

    JUST CURIOUS
    Saundra:

    Are you taking any 'bisphosphonates' such as Boniva also? Since they're trying to limit your estrogen uptake, sometimes they give you meds for bone loss because they equate 'no or low estrogen' with bone mass loss. If you are, I can tell you that these meds can directly affect your CA125. I went through that myself and will never, ever take a bisphosphonate again.

    Anyway, sorry you have the nasty side affects. And hopefully the meds are the reason for the upswing in numbers. It can happen. Especially if you have bone/joint pain, which indicates inflammation, which can cause a CA125 rise.

    I'm also very careful of anything that might boost my estrogen. I've been watchful of that for 9 years. Things certainly change once we're diagnosed. Everything we do matters. We all just do the best we can. Hang in there, Saundra.

    (((HUGS)))
    Monika
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #8
    mopar said:

    JUST CURIOUS
    Saundra:

    Are you taking any 'bisphosphonates' such as Boniva also? Since they're trying to limit your estrogen uptake, sometimes they give you meds for bone loss because they equate 'no or low estrogen' with bone mass loss. If you are, I can tell you that these meds can directly affect your CA125. I went through that myself and will never, ever take a bisphosphonate again.

    Anyway, sorry you have the nasty side affects. And hopefully the meds are the reason for the upswing in numbers. It can happen. Especially if you have bone/joint pain, which indicates inflammation, which can cause a CA125 rise.

    I'm also very careful of anything that might boost my estrogen. I've been watchful of that for 9 years. Things certainly change once we're diagnosed. Everything we do matters. We all just do the best we can. Hang in there, Saundra.

    (((HUGS)))
    Monika

    No
    Not taking any bisphosphonates. Have not for three years. My CA-125 started going up in Aug. with no added medications. Started the Femara in October. Don't know if the joint pain is from that or just old age. Thanks. Saundra
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #9
    CT?
    Hi Saundra, so sorry that your CA 125 has gone up. At what point will the doc order another CT for you? Is there a certain number? What about PET, is that possible? I apologize if you have already mentioned that, and I am missing that info. I hope the ibuprofen can take care of the joint pain.
    Hugs and Prayers,
    Kathleen
    in Japan
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #10
    Thanks for the words
    They have never mentioned a PET. I'm thinking Medicare may not go that route without a really good reason. They have only been doing CT scans every three months. The gyn/onc is really my primary doctor and he is the Head of the Department at Texas Oncology out of Dallas. The CA-125 has been a really good marker for me so I think we all know what is going on. Just waiting for the results of this anti estrogen drug and the decision will be made at to what chemo then. Thanks, Saundra
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    #11
    CA-125 & Tamoxifen
    Hi Saundra,

    My CA-125 started to climb in Sept. 2007, when it went from my usual 17 to 42. My local oncologist tracked it for a few months, and when it kept slowly rising, he suggested I consult a gynecologic oncologist again. That doctor tracked it for a few months, then gave me a prescription for tamoxifen in April 2008. I take 20 mg. of tamoxifen a day. My level rose until July, then started dropping - slowly at first, but by Sept. 2008 it was down to 140, and my November reading was 78. It's still not within a range of comfort, but it's steady progress downward after reaching that "tipping" point leads me to believe it's working on something for me.

    I truly hope the Femara does as well for you. As I live in an area that is very wintery right now (2' of snow, and more expected), I can attribute any of my aches to changes in the weather!

    Keep warm.
    Sue
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #12
    groundeffect said:

    CA-125 & Tamoxifen
    Hi Saundra,

    My CA-125 started to climb in Sept. 2007, when it went from my usual 17 to 42. My local oncologist tracked it for a few months, and when it kept slowly rising, he suggested I consult a gynecologic oncologist again. That doctor tracked it for a few months, then gave me a prescription for tamoxifen in April 2008. I take 20 mg. of tamoxifen a day. My level rose until July, then started dropping - slowly at first, but by Sept. 2008 it was down to 140, and my November reading was 78. It's still not within a range of comfort, but it's steady progress downward after reaching that "tipping" point leads me to believe it's working on something for me.

    I truly hope the Femara does as well for you. As I live in an area that is very wintery right now (2' of snow, and more expected), I can attribute any of my aches to changes in the weather!

    Keep warm.
    Sue

    That's what I needed
    Thanks bunches, Sue. I needed that month by month detail. What that does for me is calm down the wait and now I know that I may wait for awhile and not build up my expectations. I deal better that way. So you surely made my walk smoother by sharing your experience. That is why this discussion group is so helpful. We may have snow a year where I live. Think it may have reached freezing last night. Blessing to you in the snow. Saundra
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #13
    saundra said:

    Thanks for the words
    They have never mentioned a PET. I'm thinking Medicare may not go that route without a really good reason. They have only been doing CT scans every three months. The gyn/onc is really my primary doctor and he is the Head of the Department at Texas Oncology out of Dallas. The CA-125 has been a really good marker for me so I think we all know what is going on. Just waiting for the results of this anti estrogen drug and the decision will be made at to what chemo then. Thanks, Saundra

    You are in good hands
    Hi Saundra, it sounds like you are in very good hands with the scans. Saying an extra prayer for you today that those numbers will come down soon and that you will be able to have a deep sense of peace that all is well and God is in control, in the mean time. The waiting is harder for me than chemo or surgery....

    Take care,
    kathleen
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #14
    Don't know
    Saundra,

    I don't have anything to add, as I am on Hexalen and not familiar with the other meds. Except several women that I know that had breast cancer was on Tamoxifen (however you spell it)and they have been cancer free for well over 5 years. Just wanting you to know I will be praying for you.

    In His Grip,
    Libby

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