what comes next?

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DeeLJ
DeeLJ Member Posts: 182
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi all. Its been almost 2 months since my BMX, my TE's are all filled up and my exchange will be the third week of November.

I don't have any cancer- or breast-related appts until the end of October, and I go back to work in a few days.

I guess now I am wondering what next? Its nice not having weekly appts for fills but its also weird kind of feeling 'cut loose'.

Does anyone in similar situation as me go to an oncologist? how often? 

I tried to get back in with the onco that I saw when I was making treatment decisions, and was told they would start me on tamoxifen anyway and that I needed to come off my zoloft, remove my IUD, and come in to be seen in December. I couldn't get an answer as to why, was just told to do it. So I quit them. I have a referral to another cancer center but I haven't made the appt yet...and I wonder, do I need to? I had no nodes, no other cancer detected on the pathology from the bmx. I feel like I'm floating a bit loosely.

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  • xtine
    xtine Member Posts: 131
    edited September 2011

    I have been seen every 3 months by my oncologist following surgery, moving probably to every 6 months. I am getting either a mammogram or MRI every 6 months. Of course, I still have one boob to monitor, and my cancer was a bit bigger and more advanced than yours.

    However, just because you had a BMX doesn't mean you can't have a recurrence, as it's impossible to remove all tissue. So I think it would be good to consult with an oncologist you trust and ask about what is recommended for future monitoring. Tamoxifen might not be worth it, but the IUD might be an issue considering you are ER+/PR+. You should at least have a chance to discuss...

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  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited September 2011

    I only see my bs every 6 months.....I asked about once a year instead but she wasn't Ok with that.  After the 5 yr mark it'll be once a year.  That's it.  No rad onc and no med onc.  I'm not taking Tamoxifen so no need to see the med onc.  It does feel a bit odd but I think that's normal.

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  • cinnamonsmiles
    cinnamonsmiles Member Posts: 779
    edited September 2011

    As I have read about Tamoxifen, there is interference with some other drugs. I know there are other women who had to switch anti-depressants to accomodate Tamoxifen,  your oncologist should find one that you can take with it. I don't know anything about IUDS.  My only thoughts are...is there any hormone involved in them and could the side effects from tamoxifen like thickening of the uterus effect the IUD or vice-versa. I would call your onocologist and ask why if you are wondering. Also, make sure you can just quit your anti-depressant and ask him to start  you on another one. I hope some of the other women can help you out

    I had my BMX with no reconstruction on 1/11/11. I did not need Tamoxifen, etc. The only person that still sees me is my breast surgeon and she likes to keep close tabs on her patients.

    It does seem weird to be kind of hung loose doesn't it?

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  • jyg
    jyg Member Posts: 198
    edited September 2011

    Does your IUD have a progestin hormone on it? Interestingly an IUD could actually prevent build up of the uterine lining from Tamoxifen and be beneficial. Sounds like like your GYN needs to give input.



    Quality of life is important. Do not stop your Zoloft cold turkey. There has been concern about the general SSRI class of anti-depressants interfering with the effectiveness of Tamoxifen. But some studies have looked at specific drugs (specifically Celexa) and not found problems. There have NOT been any clinical trials in DCIS to address the question directly. So, your oncologist, psychiatrist and you need to discuss options.

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  • DeeLJ
    DeeLJ Member Posts: 182
    edited September 2011

    Thanks everyone for the input, I am sorry I was AWOL for a while. I took a step away from cancer for a bit to savor the last few days off work when I've actually been feeling really well.

    I have also decided that I am NOT stopping the Zoloft and NOT taking out the IUD. I talked with my GYN and the risk (another horrific hemorrhage) is not worth it at this point since I am not committed to tamoxifen. I'm going to see a new oncologist and get some better info...if they can persuade me with good justification why the tamoxifen is important then I will consider it but otherwise, I think I am ok with just what I've done so far.  

    I do feel like I've been sort of cut loose, after all the appts prior to the surgery and even after all the weekly fills etc. It kind of feels good right now.

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  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited September 2011

    deelJ- can I ask why they want you to take Tamoxifen since you had the double mast?  I was told the Se's wouldn't be worth it and since I had done the double my med onc didn't see why I should take it.  Had I had invasive that would have been a different thing.

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  • DeeLJ
    DeeLJ Member Posts: 182
    edited September 2011

    Mom3 I wish I knew! They wouldn't tell me on the phone, just said to get my meds organized and that they would tell me when I saw them in December. Needless to say, Im not going to see them.

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