Hormone replacement therapy Anastrozole - Good or Bad !

Hi, anastrozole isn't a hormone replacement, it's an estrogen inhibitor, the opposite of HRT

It is given if the cancer is estrogen driven. 

Very basic description but hope it helps. May be have a chat with your oncologist 

Best wishes x 

Thank you. I will.

Hi Kartie and that’s great that you are nearing the end of your chemo sessions. Sounds like it’s been a long haul! I didn’t have chemo but went on Anastrozole after my operation and have been on it for just over 5 years. It’s an ‘aromatase inhibitor’ and stops your body from producing oestrogen. My cancer was oestrogen positive so it’s to help reduce the chance of recurrence. I don’t love taking it but have stuck with it as I want to keep the beast at bay! I do have some side effects but there are plenty of people on it who don’t get any so I think it’s a ‘suck it and see’ situation! Good luck with it all, it must feel like a huge relief to be  so close to finishing chemo. Love and hugs, HFxx

Congrats on coming to the end of your chemo. Hope you have a celebration planned for when you're recovered. There seem to be several estrogen inhibitors. I've been told I'll have Letrozole after my chemo and radio. I think because I'm postmenopausal. My mum was also put on Letrozole 4 years ago when she had surgery. I don't know how old you are but some pre-menopausal women I know were put on Tamoxifen, so maybe it's to do with age.

Are you having radiotherapy as well?

Good luck with the rest of your treatment 

X

Hi HappyFeet1 thank you for your information. Yes it’s been a massive haul, trying to balance the chemo and my Parkinson’s. I think I’ve had every side effect of chemo going. The worst part of this is the cancer induced dvt and my having to inject myself every day with an anticoagulant, to the end of February. not easy when you have a Parkinson’s tremor, in your right hand and I’m right-handed.  For the past seven weeks I’ve had chemotherapy induced sinusitis, I won’t miss this either, waking up every day with your nose, full of mucus and blood ( apologies I don’t mean to offend) having to  to blow my nose all day. I like everyone else has gone through so much, I’m just wishing my treatment plan would end. I’m facing 15 days consecutively of radiotherapy at the beginning of March ! 
Thank you again 

sending hugs back 

Hi Ghislaine, I’m 64, yes I’m having radiotherapy at the beginning of March. 15 sessions consecutively. I feel like I’m on a treadmill attending all the appointments I’m practically at the hospital every day at the moment. I won’t miss chemo, weekly blood tests. I still have a long way to go with my treatment plan due to the fact that I have Parkinson’s as well,

thank you so so much for your kind comments

I don’t know what stage you are at with your treatment plan wishing you all the best, with the rest of your plan.

Hi Kartie , that’s a lot of sh** to contend with! You may find the Anastrozole a breeze after that lot. Good luck with the radiotherapy too - I had 3 weeks as well, 5 years ago this month. Sorry you’re having to deal with other health problems on top of the cancer treatment and it’s especially galling when some of it’s been caused by the treatments. Keep going, by Easter most of it will be behind you! Love and hugs, HFxx

Hi Hopi, thanks for the encouragement. I’m determined to see this through I have, like most people too much to lose if I give up now. Yes I am calculating it will almost be over by Easter. My brother and sister in law are coming over from Australia Easter week to spend some time with me. So that’s my goal to aim for.

thanks again x