Early age breast cancer survival

ErikaJFK

I was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer five years ago. After a metabolism test suggested I wouldn't metabolize tamoxifen well, I had my ovaries removed and am on year 5 of 10 of exemestane. Having gone through menopause early, I had a lot of anxiety about how it will affect me mentally/physically and appearance-wise. Has anyone else gone through this?

WC3

Hi ErikaJFK:

The Tamoxifen made me look grear but I couldn't think on it had some other issues from it so am now on Zoladex and Anastrazole. My mind is a lot clearer but I don't look as great. Also, I have early onset osteoporosis which I likely had before treatment, but the anti hormone therapy compounds that so I worry about my bone density and the potential cost and side effects for the treatment for that. I also worry about the negative cardiovascular effects of early menopause.

Honestly though, premenopause was not going great for me either though so I'm glad to be done with those problems.

I try to stay fit but I don't have a lot of vitality. I have health issues unrelated to the cancer and my legs and feet hurt in the winter though winter is mild here. I feel like my body is a few decades older than it actually is (possibly unrelated to treament), but I've made peace with the fact that it's the best I've got. As far as early menopause and the issues that come with that, it was the best option. I see it as buying myself more life that I would not have otherwise had.

ErikaJFK

Thanks so much for your response WC3!

I have osteopenia and have just felt like my brain is in a fog; I’m glad to hear that got better for you when you switched meds. Maybe it’s more a med-related thing than part of the menopause. And you’re totally right, choosing the options that save your life is what needs to be done and we are fortunate to have those options available to us. I just have this fear (and part of it is vanity I’ll admit) that since I went through menopause about 15 years earlier than most that everything about me is soon going to be 15 years older.