ER Positive Breast Cancer

Hi. I've has two surgeries, chemo and have to have radiotherapy.  I have to start oestrogen blocking med too. Like you I'm not looking forward to that but some people (probably most) are okay on it. I think we hear a lot from people who struggle with but many don't.

There are different drugs and makes to try if the side effects are bad. I just try to think that it has to be done to stay safe and move on

Not easy I know. Fingers crossed it won't be too bad.

Xx

Thanks. Will wait and see for sure what the plan is next week. The wait for me seems to have gone on forever. 

Hi Devon

I had surgery in February and started oestrogen blocking medication (Anastrazole) 5 weeks ago.  I have been fine on it so far (fingers crossed this continues) The hospital pharmacist advised me to take the meds at night which I do, I think that might help.  I am currently having radiotherapy and have continued taking the Anastrozole and it has been ok.

Good luck 

Jo

Hi, I've been on Letrozole for 8 months now and other than the occasional stiffness, especially when I have been sitting too long, I have no side effects.  I hope it's the same for you 

I was pre menopausal and am now in a medically induced menopause with exemestane on top to stop the rest of the oestrogen in my body. I figured I was going to go through the menopause anyway and my cancer was ER8/PR7 so very responsive to hormones.

The sudden menopause was intense but things significantly settled once I was through chemotherapy.

I have hot flushes and night sweats still but these are very manageable now.

I have joint pain that usually settles with activity, apart from wrist pain which can be quite bad. But still manageable and it doesn't stop me doing anything, I just sometimes need to adjust activities.

As my cancer was so hormone positive, there was never any doubt that I would take the hormone blockers - hormones helped the cancer grow and I don't want it coming back. Having cancer again is far worse to me than menopause.

I was getting some anxiety with the hot flushes and I have now had some acupuncture which has really helped calm that down, which then makes the flushes easier to cope with.

They say it takes around 6 months for your body to get used to the aromatase inhibiters, so worth trying and see how you get on.

There are lots of different hormone blockers to try if something doesn't agree with you, and I have found that one brand was awful for me so it's on my prescription not to have that brand.

I'm 19 months since going into menopause and things are very settled now and I can cope with it all.

The alternative is far worse, to me. 

Hi Devon

i had my surgery last week and in to see consultant 18/05 for my treatment plan and results. Nervous is an understatement. Not really about medication at the minute. Mine is hormone driven. more about treatment plan and lymph node biopsy  x 

I would hope that, if you’ve already gone through menopause, the side effects won’t be too dramatic. Fingers crossed for you. X

I hope so to. Its the wait for results that's scary to.

Hi

I started Letrozole 3 weeks ago and no side effects so far xx

I take tamoxifen atm, but hoping to change to letrozole or anastrazole soon. It has been OK and not nearly as troublesome as I was expecting.

There's a recent thread on vagifem and ER positive breast cancer on this group that's worth a read.

The only thing that I find a bit annoying is the night sweats, only because they wake me! But there is acupuncture, CBD, sage tea and even venlafaxine from the GP if you find you can't get on with the sweats/flushes - though you may not have them of course. There's also so much more support now with apps like Stella and Balance, both specifically aimed at supporting women through peri-menopause and menopause.

I take my tablet every day because it is halving my recurrence risk and that is a huge motivator to continue.

I hope you find the oestrogen blocking tablets are OK for you.