Steroids and Zoladex necessary? .....newbie.

FormerMember over 5 years ago

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I started adjuvant chemo last week.
I was told all signs of cancer were removed and lymph nodes were clear after my full mastectomy in February this year. I decided to go along with the chemo to “sweep away the crumbs” and as I’m classed as young (35) it’ll reduce the chances of cancer returning in later years.

As it’s more of a preventative chemo I’m wondering how necessary some of the other drugs are. I’d rather not take that many different medications, especially when they can cause more side effects.
The Steroids are for just 3 days after infusion to help with appetite. I chose not to take these, my appetite has been fine so far.
I spoke to a nurse about it but everyone seems so quick to say Just take the drugs!
Has anyone had experience of not taking them?

The other thing I’m contemplating is whether or not to take Zoladex, which would shut down my ovaries and cause temporary menopause.
Ive asked questions and the only reason I’m being told to take it is to protect my ovaries during chemo.
I haven’t had a period for 2 years and I do not want kids, this Is something I’d decided several years ago. Therefore is it worth having Zoladex and causing more side effects when I can’t see any other reason to take it?

Any ones views or experiences are appreciated

wombat.23 over 5 years ago

Hiya ,

The steroids are not just to help with your appetite. From the macmillan site:

Steroids can also be made in a laboratory as drugs. They can be used in cancer treatment:

to help destroy cancer cells and make chemotherapy more effective
to reduce an allergic reaction to certain drugs
as an anti-sickness drug
to improve your appetite
to reduce symptoms such as pain caused by swelling (inflammation) around a cancer.

I think that with fec chemo, the main reason is to reduce sickness and with T chemo, the main reason is to reduce an allergic reaction. My onc reduced my steroid dose with fec because I found it hard to sleep but then if I remember correctly the dose is increased for T chemo.

The zoladex will reduce the oestrogen in your body.

There is a whole team working on your treatment plan and offering you the best options. I don't think it is likely that something would be offered if there is not a definite benefit. Obviously the final decision is up to you.

It also depends on other factors such as size of your tumour, lymph node involvement...

Cwtches,

Gay xxx

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