hormone therapy?

lociee
lociee Member Posts: 102
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
My doctor wants me to go on hormone therapy to control my tumor. Does anyone know about Anastrozole (Arimidex)? He says it's used frequently to control breast cancer and helps reduce estrogen. Do you know of anyone who has taken it - and anything about the results? I'm already in pain and hesitate to take something that causes muscle aches and various other pains. I've been through turbo chemo and high dosage radiation. He says this is next - than another round of chemo. What do you think?? I'm hesitating.
Mia

Comments

  • Songflower
    Songflower Member Posts: 608
    #2
    Arimidex
    I took femara for 11/2 year for breast cancer and then developed achy joints. I tried exesmestane but developed a "speeding feeling" after six months. I tried armidex but got the same speeding feeling. I am extremely sensitive to drugs. I work as a nurse practitioner and see alot of women on these drugs and they do very well. You won't know for sure until you try it. It decreases your estrogen. If you don't like it you can stop it. These drugs have been very successful for breast cancer. I don't know what turbo chemo is. what type of cancer do you have?

    Diane
  • lociee
    lociee Member Posts: 102
    #3
    Songflower said:

    Arimidex
    I took femara for 11/2 year for breast cancer and then developed achy joints. I tried exesmestane but developed a "speeding feeling" after six months. I tried armidex but got the same speeding feeling. I am extremely sensitive to drugs. I work as a nurse practitioner and see alot of women on these drugs and they do very well. You won't know for sure until you try it. It decreases your estrogen. If you don't like it you can stop it. These drugs have been very successful for breast cancer. I don't know what turbo chemo is. what type of cancer do you have?

    Diane

    turbo chemo
    Diane, thanks for responding. My doc said the same - if I don't like it I can stop. I, too, am very sensitive to drugs and am already very achy from radiation so was afraid to take something that would increase the achs. Sorry about the "turbo" I meant the regular carbo/taxol - I guess I think of that as turbo because my oncologist said it's the strongest. I have stage 4b - regular old uterine cancer (I sometimes feel inferior on this chat line because I do not have the dreaded UPSC). Nevertheless, I have cancer that cannot be cured and they are just going for palliative solutions at this time.
  • Songflower
    Songflower Member Posts: 608
    #4
    lociee said:

    turbo chemo
    Diane, thanks for responding. My doc said the same - if I don't like it I can stop. I, too, am very sensitive to drugs and am already very achy from radiation so was afraid to take something that would increase the achs. Sorry about the "turbo" I meant the regular carbo/taxol - I guess I think of that as turbo because my oncologist said it's the strongest. I have stage 4b - regular old uterine cancer (I sometimes feel inferior on this chat line because I do not have the dreaded UPSC). Nevertheless, I have cancer that cannot be cured and they are just going for palliative solutions at this time.

    Trying the anti estrogen drugs
    I think we all ache from Turbo. I would give the drugs a try; I know women with estrogen positive breast cancer are really living in remission a long time with these drugs. It would be worth a try. If you ache I would ask for pain pills or a pain program. Keep a diary of pain and bring it in. I believe in treating pain for quality of life. You may not get aches and pains from arimidex at all. If so, assert yourself, ask for something for pain to help you cope. If antiinflammatories don't work (motrin, advil, aleve, celebrex, etc) then you may need a long term mild narcotic like oxycontin. Cymbalta is an antidepressant that helps pain too. You have to try these things in order to find the best combo for your body. Use the words pain management when you talk to your Doctor. There are alot of options out there today to help you cope and find some enjoyment in your life today.

    Diane
  • lociee
    lociee Member Posts: 102
    #5
    Songflower said:

    Trying the anti estrogen drugs
    I think we all ache from Turbo. I would give the drugs a try; I know women with estrogen positive breast cancer are really living in remission a long time with these drugs. It would be worth a try. If you ache I would ask for pain pills or a pain program. Keep a diary of pain and bring it in. I believe in treating pain for quality of life. You may not get aches and pains from arimidex at all. If so, assert yourself, ask for something for pain to help you cope. If antiinflammatories don't work (motrin, advil, aleve, celebrex, etc) then you may need a long term mild narcotic like oxycontin. Cymbalta is an antidepressant that helps pain too. You have to try these things in order to find the best combo for your body. Use the words pain management when you talk to your Doctor. There are alot of options out there today to help you cope and find some enjoyment in your life today.

    Diane

    diary
    Thanks Diane, the diary is a good idea - it may help differentiate between my regular pain and any new pain. I'm already into the pain meds. Have been taking percocet and larazapam for a few years. They both help subdue the pain and allow me to remain active (I'm a teacher at a Boston High School). Stronger pain killers give me hallucinations - teaching high school produces enough hallucinations!
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    #6
    lociee said:

    turbo chemo
    Diane, thanks for responding. My doc said the same - if I don't like it I can stop. I, too, am very sensitive to drugs and am already very achy from radiation so was afraid to take something that would increase the achs. Sorry about the "turbo" I meant the regular carbo/taxol - I guess I think of that as turbo because my oncologist said it's the strongest. I have stage 4b - regular old uterine cancer (I sometimes feel inferior on this chat line because I do not have the dreaded UPSC). Nevertheless, I have cancer that cannot be cured and they are just going for palliative solutions at this time.

    Endometrial Cancer
    Lociee....please don't feel inferior....this discussion board is for Uterine Cancer...ALL varieties!! I don't have UPSC either....but I do have Grade 2/3, Stage 3 Endometrial Adenocarinoma and have very similar concerns... Much of the treatment is the same and certainly a lot of the fears and struggles are the same!

    Wishing you the very best!!

    Karen
  • Songflower
    Songflower Member Posts: 608
    #7
    lociee said:

    diary
    Thanks Diane, the diary is a good idea - it may help differentiate between my regular pain and any new pain. I'm already into the pain meds. Have been taking percocet and larazapam for a few years. They both help subdue the pain and allow me to remain active (I'm a teacher at a Boston High School). Stronger pain killers give me hallucinations - teaching high school produces enough hallucinations!

    Lociee You are Still Working?
    I am surprised you are still working and not on disability. You must be tired at the end of the day. Ocycontin is really a slow release oxycodone (percocet) and better for chronic pain. I think you get 2.5 mgm per hour and only have to take it twice a day. I found lyrica helpful for neuropathy I struggle with. Some people really like cymbalta; it is an antidepressant for pain. I tried it and felt great but it gave me insomnia and I am one that just has to sleep. And by the way, nice to meet you!

    Diane
  • susie1143
    susie1143 Member Posts: 105
    #8
    lociee said:

    turbo chemo
    Diane, thanks for responding. My doc said the same - if I don't like it I can stop. I, too, am very sensitive to drugs and am already very achy from radiation so was afraid to take something that would increase the achs. Sorry about the "turbo" I meant the regular carbo/taxol - I guess I think of that as turbo because my oncologist said it's the strongest. I have stage 4b - regular old uterine cancer (I sometimes feel inferior on this chat line because I do not have the dreaded UPSC). Nevertheless, I have cancer that cannot be cured and they are just going for palliative solutions at this time.

    Type of uterine cancer
    Hi, I also don't have the UPSC. At first, the doctor thought I did but after my surgery I was downgraded to endometrial cancer, Stage 1C, Grade 2.

    Not sure about the medicine to reduce Estrogen. My Mom had breast cancer and I'm not sure what meds she took. (She's been in remission for 6 years)

    Susie (Lilly the Clown)
  • lociee
    lociee Member Posts: 102
    #9
    Songflower said:

    Lociee You are Still Working?
    I am surprised you are still working and not on disability. You must be tired at the end of the day. Ocycontin is really a slow release oxycodone (percocet) and better for chronic pain. I think you get 2.5 mgm per hour and only have to take it twice a day. I found lyrica helpful for neuropathy I struggle with. Some people really like cymbalta; it is an antidepressant for pain. I tried it and felt great but it gave me insomnia and I am one that just has to sleep. And by the way, nice to meet you!

    Diane

    working?
    Hi Diane - yes, I'm still working. Last year I thought it was a good idea - this year I'm having a difficult time - exhausted by day four - hard to make it to friday. I have disability but want to wait as long as possible before using it. I have great health insurance and cannot give that up - and I think I'd go crazy if I didn't have something to do with a purpose. I actually get through the day okay - it's usually @ 2 or 3 that the more serious pain kicks in. It can also be good to have as little time as possible to think about cancer. As far as pain meds, I do have Oxycontin, but didn't want to use it because the Oxycodone (the 5mg. without the tylenol) is what gave me hallucinations. I think I'll wait until next week-end to try it, in case I get loopy. I've always suffered from insomnia, so cymbalta is probably not a good choice for me. Thanks for all the med advice! It helps to get a knowledgeable opinion.
  • lociee
    lociee Member Posts: 102
    #10
    kkstef said:

    Endometrial Cancer
    Lociee....please don't feel inferior....this discussion board is for Uterine Cancer...ALL varieties!! I don't have UPSC either....but I do have Grade 2/3, Stage 3 Endometrial Adenocarinoma and have very similar concerns... Much of the treatment is the same and certainly a lot of the fears and struggles are the same!

    Wishing you the very best!!

    Karen

    Thanks Karen - we have the same type! And, yes, I agree the fears and struggles are the same.
  • lociee
    lociee Member Posts: 102
    #11
    susie1143 said:

    Type of uterine cancer
    Hi, I also don't have the UPSC. At first, the doctor thought I did but after my surgery I was downgraded to endometrial cancer, Stage 1C, Grade 2.

    Not sure about the medicine to reduce Estrogen. My Mom had breast cancer and I'm not sure what meds she took. (She's been in remission for 6 years)

    Susie (Lilly the Clown)

    upsc
    Hi Susie, thanks for responding. I still find it strange that doctor's would first think you had UPSC - than change it to endometrial. It constantly surprises me how trial and error they are. I have enormous respect for doctors, but it's been difficult realizing how much they don't know! Before surgery I was stage 2/3 - after surgery I was stage 1 - two years after surgery I was stage 4. Go figure!
  • Songflower
    Songflower Member Posts: 608
    #12
    lociee said:

    working?
    Hi Diane - yes, I'm still working. Last year I thought it was a good idea - this year I'm having a difficult time - exhausted by day four - hard to make it to friday. I have disability but want to wait as long as possible before using it. I have great health insurance and cannot give that up - and I think I'd go crazy if I didn't have something to do with a purpose. I actually get through the day okay - it's usually @ 2 or 3 that the more serious pain kicks in. It can also be good to have as little time as possible to think about cancer. As far as pain meds, I do have Oxycontin, but didn't want to use it because the Oxycodone (the 5mg. without the tylenol) is what gave me hallucinations. I think I'll wait until next week-end to try it, in case I get loopy. I've always suffered from insomnia, so cymbalta is probably not a good choice for me. Thanks for all the med advice! It helps to get a knowledgeable opinion.

    Too Much Work
    I am glad some of the health care is passing; I don't think you should have to work when ill for health insurance. I am sorry you have to push yourself so. I am surprised you got hullucinations from oxycontin since percocet is the same drug with tylenol in it. Doesn't make much sense. There are other medicines out there too. Promise me you will get the pain under control. Ask the Doctors for better pain management.

    Diane

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