Supplements

Hi Joanofarc and everyone else! I''ve very recently been diagnosed with Hormone fed cancer, I didnt know about collagen so I've stopped that now.  

23 years ago I was diagnosed with triple neg. cancer (completely unrelated) I managed my conventional treatments alongside nutriional supplements - the Penny Brohn Centre are very helpful as regards supplements.  I also take an oncologist created powder which has every supplment in it, I've taken that on and off for the past 20 years.  I was also on HRT so I"ve stopped that, I have a MIrena and not been told to remove that (?), I'm also unsure how I'll manage the menopausal symptoms - its the sleep, brain fog and hot flushes that really got me down.  I think I'll start researching what alternatives there are that don't promote oestrogen growth.  Its a real mine field!  x

Hi 

Thats interesting to know - thank you.

My scores were 8/8 for oestrogen and 7/8 for Progesterone, so I was advised to have my Mirena coil removed before my surgery. I’d definitely check that you’re ok to keep yours in.

I had mine removed end of October and have been on a period now for the last two weeks!! - I’m 53 yrs and had it for years for heavy bleeds so not sure what to do. I’m seeing Oncologist on Wednesday will seek advice then.
I’ started chemo last week as bloods show still in Peri Meno. 
Rubbish isn’t it!

xxx

Oh my goodness.....that must have been a shock. (maybe I need to stock up with supplies just in case).

I've not had my bloods back yet - I'm assuming these scores have been tested and they'll let me know.  I wonder if the Progesterone is lower whether they let me keep it in?  When I emailed my gynae she assumed they would want it removed, perhaps my surgeon is waiting on the scores.  This is really valuable info - thank you. xx

 I'm really very sorry to hear that you are on a second cancer journey. Thank you for responding to my post about supplements. I have been told to stop Omega 3s and turmeric as they said they might thin the blood a bit, but didn't seem too concerned. I'm 58 so presumed I wouldn't get any menopausal symptoms coming off hrt, but I'm having night time sweats again. I'm taking magnesium to help with sleep but I think I'd need a shed load at this point so will probably stop at the end of the bottle. I'm dreading having my mirena coil removed simply because it was so painful getting it (my second one) in in the first place although it has been a godsend to help with heavy periods years ago etc. I'm also going to try not to regret 5 years on HRT feeling really well. I'm so interested to hear that your oncologist created a powder and I will look up the Penny Brohn Centre, I don't know it. I think it's a minefield too. What I do know is that some things have changed/improved/are more understood since my friend's had their cancer years ago, so that's positive. It's so common, I hope the next generation will have a huge breakthrough. 

I hope you can keep it together, that's a great name. Joan of arc sounds mad but I'd just been to an exhibition about medieval women! I'm self isolating now as I am so worried about catching something before my surgery on Tuesday. I feel like I've got a bit of cold so I'm anxious. All the very best. 

It's rubbish. I will have to have my mirena coil out post surgery. They'd offered to take it out during, but can't find a gynae to do it. I'm 58. If they tell me I'm still peri menopausal after bloods I'll feel a bit unlucky! I haven't had any scores. I expect it'll all be clearer when I see oncologist. All the best. 

Hi, I got my scores from my biopsy - before my lumpectomy. So I’d definitely double check. It was when they confirmed that my cancer was hormone fed. Just in case it’s been overlooked

I was sent to Radiotherapy first after being told I didn’t need chemo, it was purely by chance when I was there I was asked to confirm  I was post menopausal - it was assumed because I’m 53.

When I said I still have periods, they done another blood test and I was still very much in Peri!
That meant unfortunately Chemo was needed - I started last week.

Just in case, xxxxx

Hi

They did remove my Mirena under a general as I had a Hystereoscopy the week before my lumpectomy. Originally they were going to replace it as I’ve had ongoing gynae problems.

I have had them removed and replaced couple of times previously at my GP surgery. It was bearable, no worse than a smear test.

I hope you get yours sorted.

I can’t believe I wasn’t more through my menopause as felt rubbish with the hormones still there…..I’ll be going on a hormone suppressant after chemo to wipe out any hormones left so will be dreading that’!! Lol xxx

Yes I'll have to go on the hormone suppressant too - I've been reading about all the side effects and I'm really not looking forward to any of those.  

I was diagnosed hormone positive June 2024, oestrogen and progestrone 8/8, had to come off all hrt immediately, told to stop all supplements, had my lumpectomy first, then coil removed, radiotherapy and then blood tests which confirmed I was peri menopausal so am now taking Tamoxifen for at least 5 yrs. I also read up on all the side effects and I dreaded the thought of taking the medication. Yes there are side effects and I've since found out that different brands have different side effects, whilst one gives me sleepless nights and mood swings another gives me hot flushes, aches and painful joints. It's just a case of trying different brands to find the one that works for me, sometimes I think I've got it bad but then I read of other people's stories on hormone suppressants and think I need to give it more time, whether I'll still feel like that in a year's time, who knows. I was also told to wait until 8 weeks after radiotheraphy had finished before restarting any supplements (vitamin D and calcium).

Thanks for sharing your experience, thats really helpful.  Sorry you've been through all of this.  It sounds like its very much trial and error? I'm hoping when I get the blood results it will tell me where I am  - menopause-wise.