About-to-Start-Hormones Group

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  • KAK
    KAK Posts: 1,679
    edited February 2009

    Hi, girlfriends.  Saw my BS yesterday.  She explained her wish that I get my mamms up in the big city rather than 5 minutes from my house as mostly wanting them read by the more experienced radiologists up there.  However, I brought her the original mamms & she'll have them re-read by her colleagues at the big hospital, so then we'll all be happy.  When I told her about the concussion, etc., she decided not to pick on me too much, and I decided to agree to get the next mamm in the big city.  So, we fused upon a truce.

    I am sick of seeing doctors.  I don't have another doctor's appointment till April, which is not long enough, but it'll do.  My BS asked me how I was feeling about possible recon.  I told her wild horses couldn't make me have more surgery right now, but that I held open the possibility that I would feel differently in the future.  I don't have to decide to see the PS again till August.  Then the BS said she thought I needed a vacation.  She's got that right.

    On the subject of wrinkles, I feel like I've aged five years since my diagnosis last summer!!!  Yikes!  I've decided if I can't turn back the clock, I'm at least going to buy more high heels.  Bought a yummy pair of dark red patent peep-toe pumps yesterday after seeing the BS, as well as some high-heeled chocolate suede ankle boots that were on sale.  Made me feel better just wearing them.

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  • AccidentalTourist
    AccidentalTourist Posts: 365
    edited February 2009

    KAK, nothing can cheer a girl up as quickly as a pair of new shoes.  Hope you are not saving them for best.

    I have also aged years since the last summer.  I think it is Tamoxifen more than anything else as estrogen regulates collagen production amongst other things.  Still, having been faced with the alternative I say bring on the ageing.

    Hope your concussion is getting better soon.

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  • unique
    unique Posts: 554
    edited February 2009

    Hi gals! I am right in the middle of radiation and did not start AI yet. I feel one thing at a time. Altho there is this obnoxious gal who goes after me whose onc is in the same practice who was "horrified" I didn't start yet. Wonder if my onc wanted me to start? I cancelled my last appt. with him, poor guy, because I get only 18 doctor visits a year with my insurance and with the BR stuff, have to conserve. Guess I figured it was the rads doc I had to see, will go back to my dear onc when done to get my AI.

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Posts: 12,678
    edited February 2009

    KAK  NICE SHOES!!!

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  • Lories
    Lories Posts: 351
    edited February 2009

    Hi Annie, I hear you on the one thing at a time.  Since I am in the home stretch (3 days left) I put the call in to make the appointment.  they can take their time scheduling me in.  tee hee

    I almost didn't recognize you with your new avatar!  Lori

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  • traveler56
    traveler56 Posts: 164
    edited February 2009

    Hey Mzmiller!   Did you get a new doggie?    After I lost my sheltie in 2006, didn't get a new one for a while (had a 10 year old ) but then got a puppy!  Drove us crazy for a while but now it is the best thing we ever did -- that puppy hangs with me all through this BC crap, and never complains when I whine

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  • KAK
    KAK Posts: 1,679
    edited February 2009

    Thanks, Makraz!

    Hey, traveler, how are you?

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  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Posts: 894
    edited February 2009

    Hmmm, I thought I answered hours ago.  Great pumps, KAK!

    Traveler56 - Your pup is precious!  I haven't any new pups, darn.

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  • CaliforniaKate
    CaliforniaKate Posts: 258
    edited February 2009

    I've had an awful time sleeping and my doctor prescribed a sleeping pill called Zolpidem -10 mg. It's the generic for Ambien. I half the pill (taking 5 mg.) when I go to bed, and then read until I'm really sleepy. Takes about 1/2 hour to work and then I'm out.

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  • AccidentalTourist
    AccidentalTourist Posts: 365
    edited February 2009

    Kate,

    Does Zolpidem make you drowsy the day after?

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  • KAK
    KAK Posts: 1,679
    edited March 2009

    Hi, all.  An update & a bump.

    Have had trouble with effexor lately, makes me nauseous no matter how or when I take it.  Finally remembered you can get it in a time-release version, so I'm trying that & am hopeful it will circumvent the nausea thing.

    Otherwise, very tired of this winter.  Very tired of Living with Cancer.  Very tired of being a cancer patient & seeing cancer doctors & waiting for the other shoe to drop.  I was so relieved a few weeks ago when I got my negative six-month mamm, I haven't been quite the same since, because I realized how awful I've been feeling underneath because of being anxious about recurrence & tired of being reminded of my mortality.   So, I'm kind of a wreck.  But I'm alive to complain about it.  That sums up the horns of the dilemma, the emotional dichotomy, etc., etc. & so forth.   ARRGGHH!

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  • pclarky
    pclarky Posts: 37
    edited March 2009

    Hello KAK and all -

    Glad for the bump and the update.  I haven't logged in for a long time, and am glad to see those awesome red shoes!  Our crocuses (croci?) are blooming: so ephemeral, so welcome. I am slogging along with Tamoxifen, and believe I am more emotionallly volatile than when not taking it.  Also struggling with The Dryness, you know.  Ugh. Muscle aches?  I think so.  But, no sign of the dry and peeling facial skin I was blaming on Tamoxifen when I first started taking.  These small things....

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Posts: 12,678
    edited March 2009

    Hi GIrls,

    KAK - I know what you mean.  I met with my onc this week and when she asked me how I was doing, I started to cry.  SHe did tell me the Tamox can cause a rollercoaster of emotions....duh!  I figured that one out.  I'm sick of doctors, cancer and everything.  I hope when spring arrives, it will put us all in a better state of mind.  I think you need to go shoe shopping, that may work!  Hang in there.

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Posts: 5,355
    edited March 2009

    Kak, what can we say, those shoes rock! The chocolate sundae ankle boots sound good enough to eat!! LOL!!!

    I had all sorts of blood tests done this last time and I go back at the end of this month to see if I shoudl do an AI (Lupron shots or have ovaries out) vs. Tamoxifen. I am 50 and was regular with my period up through chemo, and it hasn't come back. (4 months now). 

    So they are doing the test to see if I have the enzyme that motabolizes Tamoxifen, and three other tests that will give some indication as to whether I am in menopause or to what degree, etc. My next appt is end of March when I expect all will be revealed...

    Has anybody else  gone through a process like this to decide Tamoxifien vs. AI??

    Springtime.

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  • Everlastpink
    Everlastpink Posts: 139
    edited March 2009

    Hi Springtime,

    I am 46 and also have gone through a process to decide which drug I should be on.  I had surgery in January, and had a period later that month. But I had been on bc pills for a year and thought that might have been why I had the period.  When my pathology came back ER/PR+ they took me off the pills.  I did not have a period in February.  They did a lot of blood work, my estradial level was really low, showing I am post-menopausal (surprise!). And I had some genetic indicators showing I am at risk for blood clots, which Tamox can cause.  So I am now in my first week on Arimidex.  So far no really bad side effects for me.  Some insomnia and weird temperature things, but no bone or joint pain so far.  Anyway, just wanted to say it was also quite a process to figure out which type of drug was right for me.

    Katherine

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Posts: 5,355
    edited March 2009

    Katherine, thanks for your info. I don't know anything about this yet, but guess I'll learn. It sounds like they went through a process for you and figured it out. I will let you know what I find out.

    Anybody else gone through a process like this to decide Tamoxifien vs. AI??

    Would appreciate hearing your info!

    Springtime (Beverly)

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  • unique
    unique Posts: 554
    edited March 2009

    All I gotta say is KICK ASS SHOES!!! Love them!!! If you have a pic of the chocolate boots, I'd like to see them too.

    I was going to say I'm not a shoe gal, but I do like them. I just had decided two pairs only, one black, one brown, to simplify my life. I get jazzed on jewelry, earrings and so forth, which I make myself. And different colors of shirts ...

    Next week I'll schedule my bone density scan. That will start me on the AI track, glad to hear the stories of the gals who are ahead of me, gives me an idea of what is in store.

    Looking forward to spring as well, don't usually as it's the time my husband died, but I think this year Spring will make me smile.

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  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Posts: 894
    edited March 2009
    I've been on Aromasin for several days after the Arimidex was causing so much pain.  I've been postmenopausal forever, but started spotting today!!  Surprised  Nothing huge, but still a bit alarming.  Anyone else have this happen?
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  • NancyD
    NancyD Posts: 3,562
    edited March 2009

    Susan, no, I've been postmenopausal for several years, started Arimidex in September, and haven't had even the slightest tinge of spotting. Do you think it's something about the Aromasin?

    Anyone know how they differ?

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  • artsee
    artsee Posts: 1,576
    edited March 2009

    I as on Aromasin for 6 month and am now on Femara and have not had anything that looked like a spot. Have it checked out.

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  • CaliforniaKate
    CaliforniaKate Posts: 258
    edited March 2009

    No, the Zolipidem (generic for Ambien) doesn't make me drowsy the next morning. I only take 1/2 of the pill at night. The next morning I have no side effects at all. I've never tried taking a whole one, the 1/2 dose works fine on me. I don't take it all the time.    Kate 

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  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Posts: 894
    edited March 2009

    Artsee - Thanks.  I think I will.  I ran it by my daughter whois a women's health practioner, I she agreed.  It was very small, so I feel sort of foolish, but I'll call my gyno tomorrow. 

    Just had a trans-vaginal US this winter 'cuz of pain in my pelvis.  Time to get rid of the whole mess!!

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  • KAK
    KAK Posts: 1,679
    edited March 2009

    Hey, all, thanks for the shoe compliments.  Unique, I'm working on a photo of the chocolate brown boots.  They deserve a photo, believe me.

    Susan, bummer!  Just what you need.  More surgery.  Are you still having any pain or is it just the spot?  'Course, it's hard not to flip out a little when you belong to this club.

    I changed my generic Effexor, by the way, which was making me nauseous, to the brand-name time-release version, and no more nausea!  Yeah!  Was like having morning sickness at 54.  Not amusing.

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  • traveler56
    traveler56 Posts: 164
    edited March 2009

    yikes KAK love those shoes!  Anyway, here I am at 3 am - i guess I would say the tamox is causing insomnia.    SOOOOO much insomnia that I am a zombie at 7 in the evening.  I take it at night and I am thinking of switching it to an am drug to see if it helps.   My mom (88) is in rehab and will probably have to stay in nursing home level (she broke her hip ) and i am under a great deal of stress with that.   She is not really with it all the time - my family and I try to get to see her every day but it is still hard.  I wish I could have taken her into my home but she needs round the clock care.   and the paperwork - omg.    Susan, more surgery, urgggh, and I agree -- after a while, who needs all that stuff anyway!  especially if you got a pair of shoes like kak

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Posts: 12,678
    edited March 2009

    traveler56,

    You need to get some sleep.  Talk to your doctors, there are things you ca do.  Sleep is realllllllly important as you know.  Hope your Mom gets better soon.

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  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Posts: 894
    edited March 2009

    Makraz - I am sooooo jealous of your shoes!!  My bunions went into cardiac arrest when they saw them!!  Even the old lady orthodics are beginning to annoy them!

    Traveler56 - So sorry about your mom.  No one told us we'd be making these decisions when we were itching to be grown ups!!  My mom is 86.  I have a checkup in Albany next month.  I think on the 16th.

    And, just a note...had another trans-vaginal US today and all she found were fibroids!!  I'm not sure how far up she put the wand, but I think my tonsils were winking at her!  Undecided

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Posts: 12,678
    edited March 2009

    mzmiller99

    I wish those were my shoes!! Those are KAK (Kathys).  I had foot surgery in my twenties and had to give up wearing shoes like that a LONG time ago.  I would love them, though!!  My feet wouldn't!  I guess I will start living through Kathys feet!!  You rock Kathy!!

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  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Posts: 894
    edited March 2009

    Makraz -

    Geeze Louise!!  Guess my hoo hoo business gave me temporary craziness!!

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  • peeps1111
    peeps1111 Posts: 262
    edited March 2009

    Hi:

    I filled my prescription last week for tamoxifen but I just can't bring myself to take it.  I am pissed off that they won't do the metabolizing test, neither my regular onc nor my rads onc.  I called my HMO nurse manager yesterday to ask about it and am waiting to hear from her.  Maybe my primary care dr. will order it next time I see her.  They didn't even test my estrogen levels or any hormone levels for that matter.  Why would I want to take a drug for 5 yrs. if I don't even know if I metabolize it?  It's maddening.  I wouldn't take arimidex unless I was totally desperate after reading about it on askapatient.com

    Peeps

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  • fairy49
    fairy49 Posts: 1,245
    edited March 2009

    oh my goodness Peeps you sound exactly like me! I have had the prescription in my bag for 2 months now.......onc wouldn't do the metabolizing blood test either, and neither my onc nor my obgyn would do hormone levels!!! what the heck! surely if you have ER+ BC you need to know what you hormone levels are, or at least I would have thought.  So I had saliva hormone test done myself, paid for by myself because of course insurance wouldn't pay.  My onc kind of shrugged when I told him I didn't think I would take it, not sure what that meant! damn frustrating isn't it! I am going the supplement route right now until I make my final decisions but I can't see me taking something blindly for 5 years to be honest....best of luck with your decisions!

    Lorraine ox

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