Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy After Breast Cancer

jsbridges

I was diagnosed in 2007 at age 45 with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Tripile Negative, Stage I, Lumpectomy, Chemo, Started radiation, then found out I'm BRCA II Positive. Proceded with Double Mastectomy and Hysterectomy. I've been told "No Hormones"! I've been researching Bioidentical HRT and the statistics show positive results. From the studies done, there's no increased chance of recurrence. I'd really appreciate any information I can get on this. Can anyone offer any information???

NJLinda

I've been wondering this same thing myself. If I remember, when I see my dr in June I will see what she says.

Annabella58

I just asked my GP, my onc and my OBGYN the same thing.  All said "OMG NO.  Estrogen is estrogen according to them.

I cited Suzanne Somers and laughter was the general result.  (sigh)

Anonymous

I am bumping this up as I've recently been wondering this myself.  I've been dealing with perimenopause symptoms like hot flashes.  I asked my gyn if there was something I could take and it was like she didn't want to touch me with a 10 foot pole.  She said she wouldn't prescribe anything unless it was approved by my BS.  What is the consensus out there about taking anything?

Lovegolf

My BS, who I trust and respect, said NO Never. I will go with that. Why even run the risk of cancer again???  But I would love help with hot flashes, ect.

otter

[Edited to delete my post, in which I explained that my PCP advocates and prescribes bioidentical hormones but not for his patients who've had breast cancer.  I just noticed that the O.P. has/had triple-negative BC; so all my comments about estrogen and progesterone are probably irrelevant.]

Tanyar

I am triple negative, stage 1, IDC BMX survivor of 2 years.  My oncologist agrees with my primary that bioidenticals can enhance my quality of life.  I have been on them for a little over a year now.  I sleep better, have few mood swings, hot flashes etc.  My libido is still tanked.  I just did another siliva test to check my horomone levels and will see my PCP next week for the results.  For me, its a quality of life.  I must add that I elected not to do chemo in agreement with my oncologist.

Anonymous

Wow!  Amazing how there is such a disagreement about this.  I haven't yet contacted my BS to see what her opinion is.  I have to admit that I would weigh the whole quality of life thing as it's definitely altering that.  I was taking the over the counter Estroven and my gyn told me to go off it immediately.  (No great loss since it wasn't helping anyway.)  Just curious, Tanyar, is there any extra monitoring that your oncologist requires while you are on the bioidenticals?  And are they the one that prescribed them or did you go to someone else?

3wishes

Tanya,

how old are you? so you had a double mastecomy? no treatment?  how big was the cancer? I've just been diagnoised and looking for info.  thanks.

1openheart

I was on bio identical estradiol and testosterone pellets that were inserted into my hip about every 3 months.  I never felt better in my life.  Then I got breast cancer and had to go off them since my DCIS was estrogen positive.   I miss them terribly.  

rgiuff

Most naturopathic doctors believe that bioidenticals, even after breast cancer, are the way to go for helping menopause symptoms.  However, due to the fact that most of them do not take insurance and are very expensive, I haven't been able to see one.  I like the theory about the bioidenticals myself, makes sense to me that something that has molecules identical to what's in our bodies naturally, as opposed to something that has extra things added on to it that could cause inflammatory reactions in the body, would be OK. 

The shame is that pharmaceutical companies have only studied premarin and provera, which are not bioidentical, on a large scale and most doctors go strictly by these results.  And they apply these results to all estrogen/progesterone therapies without distinguishing between the different types of medications. 

I have used OTC natural progesterone cream and also vaginal suppositories with estriol in them.  However, I can no longer find the suppositories on the internet.  They were inexpensive and much better than the messy estradiol vaginal creams that my GYN is willing to prescribe.  I have also gone through an array of herbal remedies, the only one that really seems to work is black cohosh, and it works for a month or two, then seems to stop.  So I go off it for awhile and then back on when hot flashes and vaginal dryness start kicking up again.

tsevin

You know, with all the technology / advanced medicine we have today, I don't know why scientist's can't figure out how to treat menopausal symptoms.  I've been dealing with this "stuff" for four years now, since my breast cancer surgery in 2010.  I couldn't stay on T-Mox because of the horrible SEs, but took it long enough for meno to kick in.  Menopause is horrible.  I cannot function enough to hold a job that requires multi-tasking or problem solving anymore, it's ridiculous!  I feel like the fun, out-going person I once was is gone.  The constant hot flashes are enough to drive anyone batty!  I thought maybe I had a thyroid issue because it runs in my family and Hypothyroidism symptoms mirror symptoms of menopause.  However, after going to two different Endo's (blood test results were normal, but on the low side) they said it was menopause related and because of my history of breast cancer they couldn't do anything for me.  Ta boot, I've gained 30 lbs.  Is there anyone else who is experiencing meno to this degree?  I've thought about Bioidenticals because it's a quality of life issue, but I've read a lot of different things and too am leery and they are expensive. When I do walk or exercise, I have issues of feeling like I can't breath or that I feel bogged down/ swollen, especially in the summer months when it's hot and muggy.  I had the DIEP procedure and wonder if it has something to do with that - not enough oxygen/circulation in the abdominal area.  I'm just trying to figure out how to feel a little more like myself again.  I guess my big question is, how long is this going to last?!  Sorry for the rant, I'm just fed up with this stuff and no relief.  Anyone suggestions? 

bluepearl

One has to know...what researched articles you are referring to?

flannelette

In the past there have been heated debates here, and I was so into it, I actually called my gynecologist who has used bioidenticals only, for years. and his answer was - you were ER+? No way!

 the person i was having the debate with concluded I was a dunce because I could not present peer-reviewd studies. She was so frustrated she could NOT get it through my head about the studies. Well, I think my gynecologist, whose sole practice for years has been strictly bioidenticals, had a tad more knowledge than her. 

I'm truly sorry for anyone suffering through menopause symptoms, for sure, and wish i could say otherwise.

Susug

I take bio identical hormone. 98 percent of our symptoms are from testosterone .i don't get the estrogen. I feel better than I have felt in years. From what my doctor told me if someone is concerned or has family history he will not give the estrogen but will give testosterone .you will be amassed how much better you feel.  😊 Susu

rgiuff

Susug, just curious what type of testosterone you use and what symptoms it has helped.  I use a compounded vaginal cream, containing estriol, testosterone,  and estradiol, which helps with dryness and sensation.

Now could really use something to help with hot flashes and poor sleep.

Susug

rgiuff, I'm sorry I'm just getting back with you about the hormones.i have been fighting a lumpectomy infection that's wearing me down it's been going on for 3 weeks UGG!!! The hormones are called Bio t hormone replacement therapy. I started it about 3 years ago. They are called hormone pellets. The pellet is inserted in your hip. They last 6 months it stops all symptoms ( night sweats,hot flashes,crankiness ,sleep interruption ect ) it consist of individual pellets testosterone and estrogen. If you have cancer or cancer in your family they will not give you estrogen. But 98 percent of our symptoms are from testosterone. I spoke to my oncologist she told me I am fine using testosterone  only. I was so relived I thought I was going to have to stop taking them my doctor administers them. The first thing they will do is blood work to find out your levels.  Everyone of my friends are on them after I told them about it they are sooo!!! Pleased with there results. You can google BioT or sotto pellet and get all the info you need. It also stops vaginal dryness completely. Hope this helps. If anyone out there has had a lumpectomy infection please help inform me this is so frustrating it won't go away. Thanks Susu

tsevin

Hi Susug!

Finally made an appointment with a bioidentical hormone therapy doc! I hope she can help me. It is expensive but will be money well spent if she can give me some of my life back! Tired of explaining my symptoms over and over and docs only solution is to prescribe Effexor, Gabapentin or other antidepressant meds that have their own set of side effects to compound things and don't work long term. Withdrawal was horrible too.

Glad to hear you found relief and I'm glad I came across your post. Can't wait to feel alive again! Hope your feeling better now.

Lolo62

I have been diagnosed with DCIS and can't help but pair it with menopause and Hormone Therapy. The hormones I'm on are Bioidentical.