Concerned

Hi, sorry to hear you are struggling with these drugs. My understanding is that some cancers feed on esteogen, so these drugs block the estrogen which reduces the risk of cancer returning. I guess it's best to have a discussion with your oncologist and understand the pros and cons and risks.  That's a tough decision, I wish you luck 

Hi Helbo

I understand how you feel, I am on letrozole, 2 years now. Joint pain really bad, hips and legs but as  letrozole is one of the best I persevere. I too am post menopause and had Oestrogen positive 8/8, 2 surgeries, chemo, rads. Menopause can cause hormonal surges. I had 19 out of 24 nodes affected so was glad to have them out !!. I am starting to manage better working 4 days as a week as a Nurse and just started my dream job. I think for me I am willing to put up with anything as reoccurrence haunts me. But I know it's difficult and different for everyone you have do what's right for you and what helps you feel most reassured ( as far as possible ).

Xxx

Thank you it is a tough one. Hopefully it will just get better soon. Ever the optimist!

Hi..Nice to meet you....I was diagnosed 3 wks ago with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma...for which they told me they will do a lumpectomy (waiting on lymph node results)...and then radiation and a targeted therapy (hormone pills, she said some pill).

.I'm going to ask my Oncologist when I meet him, if it is necessary to take any of the hormone blocking drugs if I've had a hysterectomy? (I haven't had one yet but they are going to give me one after my breast cancer surgery is healed...which I haven't had yet).

I have been doing research on this topic to prepare for these appointments. I did read that estrogen can still produce from fat cells...but the "studies" I read said there was not enough to be impactful to cancer. 

BUT, then I came on to this site and read a woman that declined these drugs..a couple years later....had cancer again and was re-thinking or feeling like maybe she should have taken the drug.

Something that stood out to me in your post is that you said when you stopped taking the pill during the transition period...you felt great and like yourself again....

Just that statement alone re-inforced for ME that I am going to ask the Oncologist if it is really NECESSARY to take the pill if I will not have my ovaries.  As I read in a clinical"study (which I will print for him)" that for postmenopausal women who have had hysterectomies have the same chances of reoccurrence as those that take the hormone pills.

So I am ALSO looking at possibly NOT taking the pill after I discuss with the Oncologist.

Its a very HARD decision.