Hormone therapy

HI DeeEllCee 

I personally took my hormone drugs as I didn't suffer many side effects.  I do however know people who did and didn't.  My friend's Mum was diagnosed at 70+ and the drugs caused her side effects which she didn't want to cope with.  She is still fine after 6 years.  However, she was over 70 and I'm presuming that you are young (being pre-menopausal) and that 4% might mean an awful lot at your age, should it come back. Given your ovaries are also producing oestrogen, you are currently getting more oestrogen than those of us who've been through the menopause. I guess one question to ask yourself is: How would you feel if it did come back and you hadn't taken the prescribed medication? 

The other thing I often get asked on travel insurance quotes is whether I took all the treatment offered.  If the answer is no, this might affect you ability to get travel insurance / or at least at a reasonable cost.  My travel insurance didn't cost me any more when I'd finished the main treatments and was just taking the hormone drugs.

I initially was seriously worried about the side effects and didn't want to take them - but figured I might as well give them a go - and luckily for me, I was fine on them.  I therefore took them for the full 5 years (younger people, they often put the hormone therapy for 10 years, but might be different if you're taking the post menopausal hormone therapy).    

I guess you could just try them and see how you do?   The bone strengthening should counteract the side effects they have on your bone density.  Also, ensure you have a Dexa scan shortly before or after you start taking them (if you do end up taking them). I had to request one after seeing on this forum about Dexa scans as my oncologist didn't mention it.

I also found that the coatings make a huge difference.  I took Anastrozole Accord brand and when they didn't have these once, I was given Consillient - OMG! every bone in my body ached.  When I researched, the coatings had something different in them and Teva brand was the same as Accord, so my doctor then wrote on my prescription slip "Accord or Teva only" and never had an issue with them after this.  

I hope this helps a little.

Kindest wishes,
Lesley

Hello Lesley,

Thank you for taking the time to reply, this is all really helpful and gives me some things to consider.

I hadn’t considered the ramifications on insurance and I’ve never heard of a Dexa scan so this is useful info.

Im certainly open to trying these treatments and seeing how I go, I’m just worried mainly about any possible effects on my mental health.

Ill certainly give it much more thought before I decide, thanks again.

Hi

I had a Lumpectomy in July and am on Anastrozole and Calci-D tablets daily for 7 years.  I will still have 3 weekly injections of Phesgo (Tratstuzumab and Perjeta) as my cancer is hormone driven. I had a Dexa scan and have just found out that I am ok and that I am not at risk (at the moment) of osteoporosis. This scan will be repeated in 2 years just to keep a check. The Dexa scan was the simplest scan I have had.

My side effects of Anastrozole at the moment are just pelvic pain which I didn't realise would happen. Apparently this should settle down as my body gets used to the lack of oestrogen. I've weighed up the risk of my cancer returning against the pelvic pain and decided to continue for as long as I can .  Every body is different and what are side effects for one person may not affect another. lesleyhelen is right about the holiday insurance as I was booking something this morning and was asked if I had turned down any treatment so just be aware.

I have decided to take any treatments offered to me which has been hard after chemo (8 cycles) lumpectomy and then radiation and now Phesgo but I want to give myself the very best chance but everyone needs to make their own decision as to what is right for them.

Good luck! x

Hi

Thank you for sharing your experience of hormone therapy, i appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Ultimately I know I have to make the decision myself as we all do.

I think I was surprised when the oncologist suggested that my prognosis was good without further treatment and I could do nothing. I wasn’t expecting that as an option!

Thanks again

I feel the same way ! I have started tamoxifen,  3 weeks and will  see how I go for now.

But the zoladex injections to 'shut off ' ovaries, I don't get the benefit.  I said no initially and have an appointment in a couple of weeks to.discuss again.  They are very keen but I'm not convinced.  

Have a meeting tomorrow re radiotherapy but I'm not sure on that either! 

Do the side effects outweigh the benefits? 

Forgot to mention,  there is a really good podcast I've been listening to today about this very subject.

The menopause and cancer podcast by Dani Brinington,  

https://open.spotify.com/show/3OhAwupemqzdI6sCXCZLSX?si=h5iNgIhsSISPq7yE4vHtHg

I found it useful and have loads more questions to ask when I next see oncologist. 

Hi, I hadn't heard of a dexa scan, did you have to ask for this?

Bone density is a big worry. 

Thanks x

Hi Freshair,

Thanks for your reply.

I hope you’re doing okay so far on the Tamoxifen, I too have an appointment in a month to discuss further so I’ve got some time to think about it.

Best of luck with your meeting tomorrow re radiotherapy, I hope it enables you to make the right decision for you.

Thanks again 

Hi, when I saw my oncologist,  she told me I would have 5 sessions of radiotherapy and  she booked me in for the dexa scan before they started. The scan showed I had osteoporosis,  which was a bit of a shock but my GP put me on alendronic acid to take once a week. I also take letrozole which can cause bone thinning. I didn't have to ask for the scan so maybe ask your oncologist. Good luck

Re the dexa

i asked for one but was told there was no point

I’m on letrozole ( not too bad) as am highly ER positive and am on 6 monthly zolenodronic infusions and am doing all the other good stuff for bones , so I guess their thinking is what does the scan achieve? Do you think that makes sense, anyone else been refused a Dexa