No conventional hormone therapy

barbiecom, without going back to your previous posts on this topic...  how did you have your hormones tested -- bloodwork, saliva or 24-hour urine?  The results from each can vary wildly, but it's the 24-hour results that are the most accurate.  

Against the wishes of all my conventional docs, I declined Femara due to a very bad experience after trying just a half-dose for a few days.  I started using I3C as an alternative, dabbled with DIM and Grape Seed Extract (both too strong for me), and went back to I3C.

My gut instinct has told me all along that an A/I or Tamox were not right for me, possibly because I'd been on HRT (Prempro) for something like 15 years and had had to stop it cold turkey when I was dx'd.  

Are you working with a good ND who has certification & experience in oncology?  I think that can be one of the keys to being comfortable with your choices.    Deanna

PS ~ I've also added other supplements/hormones (e.g. Iodoral, D3 and more), changed my already healthy diet a lot (no red meat; almost no dairy; no wheat; lots of raw foods), and added a lot more exercise to my life.  I think it's all inter-related.

I'm not quite a "senior" lady yet, but when I was diagnosed a week after my 49th B-day, I had already been in a natural menopause for about 9 months. I'm now 57, and it's been over 8 years since my diagnosis. Just had my annual mammogram yesterday. I find myself gravitating back to this website every year about this time. I've done absolutely nothing other than have a wide margin lumpectomy, biopsy track removal and SNB with only 1 node removed. I refused all hormonal therapy. No radiation either. I've made no lifestyle changes and I haven't see hide nor hair of an oncologist since a few months after the surgery. 

It's interesting that you mentioned estrogen dominance since I have a personal theory that it was long-standing estrogen dominance prior to going into menopause that caused my breast cancer. I had a FSH level done confirming my menopasual status but other than that, no estrogen levels were ever drawn.  No doubt that my levels are quite low though, since I've suffered through various symptoms of estrogen depletion during the earlier years - including a miserable case of trigger thumb for quite a while.

Your cancer was twice the size of mine, higher stage and higher grade - all factors which make your situation in considering not following the standard of care a bit riskier than mine. Can't really say for sure though, whether or not I would have made all of the same choices had mine not something other than what it was.  I might possibly still do everything the same, but the decision to do so would be somewhat more difficult.

Barbie

 It's good advice, but dont kick yourself either - you're already 'down'.

Take Care!

i'm having RAVAGING SEs from Aromasin...namely almost intolerable neuopathy in my right hand. Since I've been off the chemo now for a year, it's got to the the Aromasin. It does subside after about an hour of soaking it and massage...but man it is truly beastly!

What kind of natural ER/PR blockers are available?  I've tried Femara....that was very painful as well.  I may try the Tamox, but my goodness this is just NOT quality of life!

I don't want to live on pain meds (bleah)

Open to any and all natural suggestions.  I am a vegan, but my exercise level is not where i'd like it.  Occasionally I'll have a bit of cheese...but that's very rarely.

Thanks all,

love,

michele 

Oh..P.s.s.  Here's my video submitted to Dr. Phil about my cancer experience.  It's how I coped with beast cancer.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp4cOM9uIQ4

I'm starting my own YouTube Channel! 

Hi MaryKelly, I am reading your posts to increase my knowledge. Thank you!

My BC was tiny 0.26cm, stage 1, grade1. Ki67-1%

Mo advice Tamoxifen and I am not sure if I ha ve to take it. Last time I was shocked because according to the Oncotype 9, I ve 14% possibility of recurrence if I don' t take it.

Best regards,

Simo