tamoxifin querrie

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meshell
meshell Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi there I have just had my last chemo today. horay!!! The onc has said that if the chemo has not put me through early meno then I may have to consider having my overies out to stop the eostrogen levels ?? or go an injection 1 a month for the next 2 years as well as tamox. Then she said she would have to do a bone density test to say if i am a candidate for osteo . has any one here heard of any thing like this. Thanks for all your advice Michele (perth - Western Australia)

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  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #2
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    I was 3 year past menopause when I had my surgery in February 2003. Following chemo, I was offered Tamoxifen or Arimidex since my tumor was ER+. I was told ovaries aren't the only source of estrogen in the body. Our Adrenal Gland actually produces a number of steroid hormones. One of these is a weak form of estrogen. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen from breast tissue. Arimidex, on the other hand, stops the adrenal gland from converting it's steroids to estrogen, blocking it throughout the body. Tamoxifen works for pre and post-menopausal women. Arimidex and Femara are only for post menopause. Blocking all estrogen can weaken bone density. I had to have a DEXA scan when I began taking Arimidex and now take Fosamax, once weekly, to combat the onset of osteoporosis. It's a small price to pay. Hope this information helps. Good luck!
  • turk
    turk Member Posts: 3
    #3
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    My onchologist told me removing overies won't do any good because they are not the only source of extrogen so he put me in to Zolodex shots. I am having one shot every 3 months since in the last one year so far it seems like it is working. I am also using tamoxifen. I am 37 years old and I am having hot flushes but after chemo hot flushes or radiation is a breeze for me. If you have any questions about the shot or tamoxifen My email is wildesturkey@yahoo.com
  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #4
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    Michele, even if none of the rest of this was going on, a bone density test is a normal part of gynecological assessment. There are medications that can prevent and even reverse loss of bone mass, so if the test shows you need to have medication, it can prevent a crippling condition. I've been on Actonel for quite a while.
    Hugs,
    Denise
  • Trying
    Trying Member Posts: 1
    #5
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    After my chemo and radiation I was put on Zoladex shots once every three months and Tamoxifen once a day. It has been three years and I am still here.
  • LucieB
    LucieB Member Posts: 12
    #6
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    Michele:
    Yes, I've heard of all of these options. Since the estrogen in your body was feeding the tumor, you need to do what you can to reduce estrogen. Removing the ovaries is one option; chemical shut-down of the ovaries (such as with zoladex) is another. In both cases, you would be in menopause -- with surgery it would be permanent and with zoladex it would be temporary. In either case, you would most likely be prescribed arimidex to take care of the estrogen produced by other organs. Since arimidex puts you at greater risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures, you would have to have your bone density closely monitored. Good luck and hope this helps!
  • ptlady
    ptlady Member Posts: 6
    #7
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    tlmac said:

    I was 3 year past menopause when I had my surgery in February 2003. Following chemo, I was offered Tamoxifen or Arimidex since my tumor was ER+. I was told ovaries aren't the only source of estrogen in the body. Our Adrenal Gland actually produces a number of steroid hormones. One of these is a weak form of estrogen. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen from breast tissue. Arimidex, on the other hand, stops the adrenal gland from converting it's steroids to estrogen, blocking it throughout the body. Tamoxifen works for pre and post-menopausal women. Arimidex and Femara are only for post menopause. Blocking all estrogen can weaken bone density. I had to have a DEXA scan when I began taking Arimidex and now take Fosamax, once weekly, to combat the onset of osteoporosis. It's a small price to pay. Hope this information helps. Good luck!

    I started on Arimidex December 1. I had a bone density test in late December and have a bone loss of -2. This maybe from Chemo and other drugs I was on during the treatments. I was on estrogen for 13 years, walked everyday, took calcium and ate right. The Onc. is now starting me on Zometa injections every three months. I had my first one last week. It's to help build up your bones. I don't know why he didn't just prescripe Fosamax. My regular doc. didn't seem concerned of the bone loss. I will be changing Onc. soon but only because of insurance (Clinic is dropping our PPO). I have a lot of bone and muscle pain I don't know if it's caused from the meds.
  • MDC
    MDC Member Posts: 1
    #8
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    ptlady said:

    I started on Arimidex December 1. I had a bone density test in late December and have a bone loss of -2. This maybe from Chemo and other drugs I was on during the treatments. I was on estrogen for 13 years, walked everyday, took calcium and ate right. The Onc. is now starting me on Zometa injections every three months. I had my first one last week. It's to help build up your bones. I don't know why he didn't just prescripe Fosamax. My regular doc. didn't seem concerned of the bone loss. I will be changing Onc. soon but only because of insurance (Clinic is dropping our PPO). I have a lot of bone and muscle pain I don't know if it's caused from the meds.

    I, too, am in ALOT of muscle and "bone" pain and have spent the last 4 weeks trying to ferret out info on whether it's Arrimidex or not. I completed chemo 12/10/03 and radiation 2/19/04 so kept thinking this was all residual... but my OBGYN says that she's hearing lots of folks complaining about the pain and is going to try to get some answers for me...I'be been on arrimidex since 9/03 but this pain all began after chemo and all through radiation. I am 65 so definitely understand the post menopausal thought process, but was a power walker, calcium taker, etc. like y'all and I don't want a pill to debilitate my lifestyle for the next 5 years. I also have osteoporosis but haven't begun any meds for that..since I was doagnosed at the same time my cancer was found--they thought I ought to wait on introducing anything new. I think I'll be on Actenol? Is Fosamax better? If your doctors help you find an answer to the pain factor, feel free to let me know..hmcabot@aol.com knowing I/we're not alone helps some...here's hoping there's an answer...
  • imrezilient
    imrezilient Member Posts: 6
    #9
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    turk said:

    My onchologist told me removing overies won't do any good because they are not the only source of extrogen so he put me in to Zolodex shots. I am having one shot every 3 months since in the last one year so far it seems like it is working. I am also using tamoxifen. I am 37 years old and I am having hot flushes but after chemo hot flushes or radiation is a breeze for me. If you have any questions about the shot or tamoxifen My email is wildesturkey@yahoo.com

    Hello,
    I was just scrolling and noticed your response to Michele regarding tamoxifen. I'm 46 and will start my tamoxifen tomorrow and have my first injection of Zolodex on Wed. Were hot flashes your only side effect, or did you experience others such as; weight gain, hair loss, bone pain.
    Any info will help.
    Thanks,
    Susan
  • cinder
    cinder Member Posts: 50
    #10
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    I had 5 years of Tamoxifen after chemo and radiation. Now 10 years later the cancer has returned and I am taking Arimidex. Just had my first bone density test and I have severe osteoporosis so am now on Actonel. I have a lot of bone and joint pain but they have also found some Arthritis on the spine.

    Cinder

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