I've chosen no hormone therapy. Any others out there?

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ladieesnapps
ladieesnapps Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in Genetic Testing

I am 46, BRCA1 ER+ BC. I've done bi-mastectomy, chemo, radiation. 2 of 3 tests said I went through menopause before it all and hadn't had a period for almost 1 yr before Feb. 2012 diagnosis. Had preventive hysterectomy Oct. 2012.
I have chosen NOT to take Arimidex or any other AI because of side effects. Are any other women here foregoing the hormone therapy? If so, how goes it?

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  • Jomama2
    Jomama2 Member Posts: 96
    edited November 2012

    Actually, my post is more of a "bump" because I haven't been tested for the BRCA gene (and I'm postmenopausal due to a hysterectomy years ago -- age 61 now).  However, I did turn down Arimidex because of the potential side effects.  I don't know how it's going...will have my first follow-up mammo in January. There is more info on "natural" aromatase inhibitors in the Alternative and Complimentary forums. 

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  • Miller1353
    Miller1353 Member Posts: 84
    edited November 2012

    I am BRCA1+ and I took Arimidex and Aromasin. I had zero side effects. Even if I did have side effects, I would think long and hard before discontinuing them. Like you, I have have a BMX and hysterectomy. During diagnosis and treatment, I told the onco that I would do anything that increases my chances of keeping this crummy disease at bay. I want to be able to look back and know that I did everything I could to keep this from coming back.



    I would not pass up an opportunity to take something that could help me based on potential side effects. If the side effects affected by quality of life, I would reassess at that time. I am now on Tamoxifen. It is cheap, easy to take, and I have no side effects. I was allergic to Arimidex, but I am allergic to many things. Aromasin was expensive, so I went to Tamoxifen.



    Best wishes with your decision. We all make personal choices that we are comfortale making. I just wanted to jump in to let you know it is possible to take AIs without side effects.

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  • ladieesnapps
    ladieesnapps Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2012

    Thank you for your input. I will definitely check out the Alternative & Complimentary section you mentioned.

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  • ladieesnapps
    ladieesnapps Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2012

    Thank you. I appreciate your opinion and your choice. The choices we are forced to make regarding this disease can create many mixed emotions on top of the distress of having it.

    Many Blessings to you.

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  • fifthyear
    fifthyear Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2012

    I did not take Tamoxifen for fear of blod clot. It's the family history thingy. If you can, try to find the book "Tamoxifen and Breast Cancer". I did a post on that book. It helped guide my decision.

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