estrogen patch-DCIS-SITU

kayaker

Has anyone been using estrogen patch after a hysterectomy? I had a hysterectomy in 1986 and now I had a lumpectomy and nodes removied, still waiting for results.When I stopped the patch I went into hotflaches not sleeping moody and angry, just wanted to die so I put a patch back on....I don't know what to do so so scared ...PLEASE HELP  

PSK07

kayaker - have you discussed this with your oncologist?  For most women, using estrogen after a diagnosis of breast cancer, particularly if it is ER+, would not be recommended.

I don't know if it works the same on menopausal symptoms, but I will be taking Effexor while on tamoxifen to counter-act some of the side effects like hot flashes and moodiness.

take care.

Anonymous

Yes, I had a  hysterectomy back in 1999 and was diagnosed this last summer with breast cancer. I do wish now I had never done the Climara patch !!

 I winged myself off the patch by not changing every week.I had hotflashes for just a while then they stopped. Try again

 Hoping for good results for you !

anianiau

Truly it would be good to check with your oncologist before going back to the Climara patch.

Elsewhere on this site I have read that some women diagnosed with breast cancer have continued to use Vagifem, but that has a much lower dose of estrogen. I was given permission to use Vagifem in the 25 microgram dosage after bilateral mastectomies, but my tumor was ER-/PR-.

In comparison, here is dosage information on what appears to be Climara's smallest patch for postmenopausal symptoms. I copied it from their site:

"Climara (estradiol transdermal system), 0.025 mg/day - each 6.5 cm² system contains 2 mg of estradiol USP"

I hope your path report has good results for you. It's a frustrating time, and waiting is hard. There are good medications available from your MD to help you manage your feelings during this difficult period.

You may also find it helpful to google "good sleep hygiene" for some ideas for getting more restful sleep. I have found it helpful to take a shower shortly before bedtime.

Hugs to you.

Anonymous

I did use the smallest does of Climara - I still think it only upped my estro. more.

kayaker

I go back to my surgen Th two days and he will help me pick a oncologis.I already have osteopeina my bones are going down hill,amother reason I don't want to give uo on the patch.I have all hope the new team of dr's will help me with this..

Anonymous

Let's us know what they say - Sending good thoughts!!

kayaker

I think I have good news, the surgen said my nodes were clean and my margins look good..Now I'm off to meet a oncologist on Jan 20,I know I need radiation and maybe chemo..I am still so very scared I don't know what I'm in for. Depressed and very much more..

Anonymous

Wonderful ! My guess you will only need radiation.

I know you are scared - but you will get through this. Big Hugs!!

desdemona222b

I was on the patch for 6 years and I'm still convinced that's what caused my BC.  I say to heck with the patch - I can't believe anyone is even prescribing them anymore.

I started taking Prozac for the hot flashes and it works fine - in fact, it works better than the patch because I still had some hot flashes on the Patch and I have none on Prozac.  You can also take good care of your bones without the patch, I promise. 

wendilf

I feel like kicking myself and I feel like such an idiot now.   I suffered from migraines for 20+ years. In my 40's my migraines increased in both intensity and frequency.  The doctors and I tried a variety of things to prevent and treat them. All of which have side effects and their own downfalls. I know my migarines are hormone induced and when my gynecologist finely recognized that and prescribed an estrogen patch a couple of years ago to be used 2 weeks out of the month.  I said ok.  Although I had not researched it I had heard somewhat that the estrogen alone barely caused an increased risk of developing breast cancer.  

Well here I am now, my regular screeneing mammogram in Nov. 2008 showed calcifications in my left breast, which were found to be DCIS and I have the added risk of LCIS.  Prior to surgery I was to had an MRI, that showed a "suspicious" "behaving like cancer" area in the right breast as well, I am having another biopsy Feb. 3.

I'm not an alarmist and believe that if it is one in 100,000,000 they need to list it as a possible side effect but that the chances are slim.     

Why didn't I research it more??????????    

REKoz

Hi Ladies-

I just wanted to say that I don't think you should be kicking yourselves over this patch. I NEVER took estrogen of any kind, not even the pill and here I am on these boards with you. My sister who is 7 years older has been on estrogen and the patch for years and she just had a clean mammo.  You did what you thought best at the time and know that it could have been any # of things that caused your bc.

Best, Ellen